Shelter Cove adventure!

Got to the cove around 2pm.  Met Abking at my friend's parking lot (The Tea House).   Abking took a head start fishing while my friend Lyle and I get ready for the ab dive.  We  decided to try the furthest rocks to the right of the pier but after half and hour diving, we can't find any legal ab there. Lyle fell out from the kayak and lost his weight bell (that's his first time paddling a kayak) we're heading toward our "usual" spot.  Without his weight bell, Lyle climbed on a big rock to scout for them.  By now the wind was stronger as I took my first dive and got an 8+ inch ab.  Back to the surface, I look for the kayak but can't find it at the first glance.  After the the big wave, I saw my kayak about 50ft toward the deeper water.  Hold-on to the ab with both hands, I kicked toward the kayak but after 10 minutes, the distance seem to be closer but not by much.  I put the ab on my chest and hold it with my left hand, kicking harder and swam with my right arm.  Another 10 minutes passed and I gained about 30ft but getting a little tired, the thought of loosing my new kayak crossed my mind so I decided to let go of the ab and swim with both arm.  Luckily, I caught-up with the kayak and the ab still "stick" with me!
Back to the shore, Abking took some pictures of the ab and us,  he offerred us the cod fillets which we ate for dinner that evening, and I offerred the "lucky" ab to him but he refused since it's less than a 10 incher (j/k) (o;
The next morning, I was ready for kayak fishing before sunrise.  With the anchovies Abking gave me yesterday,  I caught my first fish from the kayak (it's a nice size jack smelt) which I used as bait while strolling for salmon.  I headed toward the "bell" and saw a group of seals resting on this buoy.  They jumped off the buoy and swam around my kayak and popped-up looking at me (I think they're eyeing my jack smelt).  I reeled the smelt back quickly and got away from the seals before putting my bait back in the water and continued trolling for salmon. Even no salmon caught that day, I was really enjoyed the water and scenery.  Before got back to shore, I headed toward the rocks and tried my luck there.  I caught a small blue cod and a cabazon which I released back for them to grow-up for a later day.
Stopped by my friend house, I was treated with a nice lunch.  The soup was made from scratch and the freshly made sandwich was delicious.  I helped Lyle with the dishes so we can finish the job quicker and go rock picking afterward.  The restaurant closed at 4pm, we finished the dishes by 4:30pm, and got in the water around 5pm.  Since Lyle lost his weight bell yesterday, he's scouting for ab from the rock and I was diving close by in the shallow.  Got my limit around 6pm but Lyle did not caught any.  I offerred him half of my catch but he only took 1 so I gave him the biggest one and brought home 3 abs.
Overall, this is a great trip for me as I met new friend Mr. Abking and spent time in paradise (I told my friend that he's living in paradise here at Shelter Cove).  I always feel like home here with friendly people and beautiful scenery (also great fishing) and looking forward to another adventure in the "lost coast".

It's a beautiful day at the cove!

Sunrise at the "arch" rock

Right on!  Glad I was wrong about the wind on Saturday.  Next time I'll save up more WAF so I can hang out for more fun.    And thanks for the offer of your only ab on Friday - that was excellent NCKA-type spirit, and I hope you weren't offended that I turned it down.  Nice to meet you!   

Hi Abking,

I was only joking about the < 10 incher ab    It's my  pleasure meeting you and looking forward to another trip.  Hopefully sooooon 

Man I wish that was in my backyard  Abking, you are one blessed fisher 

A bunch of lazy seals resting on the buoy ...

Love that bell area.  It's a good spot!

Wow! Were the fishes jumping near the bell?

My second fish of the day 

That's a "raft" of seals - mellowing out together on a beautiful calm day.  I try not to pass too close to the bell because I've had seals come up to me very close in a large group before, and I wouldn't want them to get too close and confident...