Trinidad - 6/18 and 6/19/16

Today's program: get first time offshore kayakers and lifetime friends Paul and Ben on some fish out of Trinidad. Paul wanted to try out a Hobie, so I got him on an Outback - he liked it. Ben was happy to paddle one of my Malibu X-Factors, as he's actually picking up his own Malibu soon - he liked his experience too.

Fishing lately has been pretty tough according to some reports I've seen and the word from friends, so we were thrilled when right off the bat Ben brought up a fat 21"+ black right out front of the Head. We caught half a dozen or so to start out right in there, and since Paul was feeling fine with the help of a scopolamine patch we decided to head a little farther out toward Flatiron Rock where powerboaters and kayakers were spread out over a few acres of pinnacles about 1.5 miles from launch. The area gets hit pretty hard all summer, but there are an amazing number of quality fish in there. It can be a bit random and sometimes you go a long time between fish, but we managed a few more quality blacks and a nice lingcod that came in just shy of 30" and probably about 10 pounds. One canary came up, but it went back down fine as we were fishing pretty shallow.

We wrapped it up late in the morning just as the breeze was kicking in, filleted fish at my tailgate, and parted ways having all enjoyed a fine adventure in the offshore wilderness just a few miles west of 101. I was honored to guide two guys who were great company and were ready to get on it for some quality hours discovering the reef off of Trinidad.

Time for some Shelter Cove salmon hunting soon... 

...

Good day in the books. 

Oh wow. Scott came out from retirement to fish in norcal?  Good to see out there. Great report eric. Thanks for the porn.

Today's mission: outfit and guide three guests out of Trinidad.

When I got this call in the middle of last week I considered whether I wanted to take on guiding three kayakers at once for an offshore trip. I called the guest, Eric, and confirmed that he and his son and "son in law" had all been on the ocean previously, they'd fished for the species we'd be targeting, they were fit, and they'd all been on SOT kayaks before. That was enough for me to commit to the trip, and I was stoked!

Saturday's trip went well, and the wind had come up at 11AM - right when we were getting off the water. After filleting fish and sending my yesterday guests on the way, I checked the forecast and was shocked and dismayed to hear that they were calling for 10-15 knot winds with gusts to 30 and 7 foot seas at 8 seconds! That sounded shitty, so I left a message for today's guests, and as I warned in my message of volatility in the forecast, the message cut me off. At that point, with that forecast, I would have let the guests opt out of the trip, but as it was I just left the cut off message.

I hear back from Eric, the guest, later that evening and immediately he asks if we're good to go. Amazingly, since leaving him the message I'd heard the 3PM forecast come out and they were back on a call of 5 to 15 knot winds and a reasonable 4 feet at 7 seconds or something similar. I told him we're good to go - we'd meet at 630AM at launch.

I'd left the two X-Factors on my rack from Saturday, and I'd dropped off the Hobie and added two Predators from Pacific Outfitters - 4 big kayaks and all the accompanying gear in my truck. Loading, configuring, making sure I had everything for four of us, considering tackle, bait and gear needs for everyone... I was maxing my organizational skills and loving the prospect of the fun we would have and the fish we might catch.

The alarm was set to go off at 510AM, and even though I was pretty burnt from yesterday and didn't get to sleep until after 11, I woke at 508 and turned it off before it could buzz at me. I was charged up and ready to get the mission underway! Got going and texted my guest, Eric, with a good morning message and looking forward to seeing him and the guys at 630. He texted back, and all was on schedule. A NOAA forecast of patchy fog had me wondering, but once I got to McKinleyville and looked across the water from the mouth of the Mad I could see that all was clear, and the ocean was looking good.

Met the guys at launch - they arrived early - we got ready, went over the gameplan and got on the water. We would head straight out to the offshore reef area around Flatiron Rock, and if wind came up we could retreat back to more sheltered fishing around the Head. Right off the bat we hit a good bite for blacks just south of Flatiron, but the grade was generally small, and it wasn't a hot bite. We moved on and ended up spending a fair amount of time just west and north of Flatiron for a few more quality blacks, a nice copper and a canary that was released.

Hoping for lingcod, we were left jigging at nothing for the last couple of hours. With some quality fish in the bag it wasn't the end of the world, but it sure would've been nice to bag one or two for my guests.

We made our way back to launch, filleted fish, parted ways, I loaded all the gear while visiting with a couple friends, and I made my way back down 101 toward Eureka. I was pretty content to have completed the weekend's trips, gotten my guests on some quality fish, and fulfilled a goal that I really didn't even know I had two years ago. Back in June of 2014 I embarked on my first guided trips - I was the guide! At the time I really didn't know what the future held. Now I'm reflecting on how I just executed carefully laid out plans and successfully got three guests on some quality offshore kayak fishing...

I'm appreciative of where I am and looking forward to where I have yet to go with my guests. 

This weekend's trips were beginner trips through Pacific Outfitters.  I specialize in non-beginner trips!  (through my own business - Loleta Eric's Guide Service)  But I loved these opportunities to connect with and guide these guys.

My ideal trip:  a kayaker with experience, their own gear, and someone who wants to take their game to the next level - whether it's learning how to catch a salmon, checking out a new area, becoming adept with forecasts and conditions, or learning new ways to maximize a day on the water.  I'm looking forward to the opportunities to meet new people and facilitate progress in the sport for those who seek it through my service.

Thank you for the consideration. 

Great report as always! I was up your way a few weeks ago. First time to Eureka and Humbolt Bay is real pretty. never seen that part of the Eel river before and I was having Steelhead fever all over again Loved the phychedelic foam. hehehehe

First time to Eureka and Humbolt Bay

Thanks, Capt!  Get in touch next time you're coming through. 

Great report & pics., glad to see your living your dreams 

Is that Hawaii?

Is that Hawaii?

Even better - it's Humboldt. 

Great reports and pictures, your future looks brighter and promising. It is always nice to read about how first time kayakers/anglers got hooked onto the sport after being out with you. Keep up the good work and I love reading your reports and my tongue dropped seeing those beautiful pictures.

First time to Eureka and Humbolt Bay

Thanks, Capt!  Get in touch next time you're coming through. 

Will Do!!!

Beautiful stuff...and congrats  for having the guts and dedication to make your passion your work. I'll be in Trinidad 8/12-8/14. Please let me know if you have any groups heading out that weekend.

Cheers