alameda rockwall sat 4-28-07

well i got skunked again after working my ass off for bait all night Friday
but what are you going to do maybe I need to name my kayak she do have
a name but I have not put it on the kayak yet better get on that

as off the rest of the group Ben lost A big halibut at the kayak but that is all
I heard of and some caught a ticket from the man to bad you can't throw that back

I think I reached a new record I gave bait to 7 pepole this time
and received some nice gifts thanks guys 

OK wheres is all the pics lets see them I think Ben has some video
 

Good to see such a big turnout yesterday but sorry to report that we didn't have much success with the fishing.  I had one good hit and my bait had war wounds to show for it but the hook didn't stick.  Most people I talked to had the same experience.

There were lots of folks: Duane, Ben, Nate, Adam (FisHunter), Eugene (Paddlefish), Scott (GB2), CafeCraig, Tim (VWTech) and a bunch more...those I missed shout out to this post.

The water was flat out calm, the best I've seen it but it was hot.  Duane was doing it "savage" style and looking cool.  I made the mistake of going with my usual wetsuit under my waders and I was a little warm.   

I tried to make bait Friday night and got about 20.  Some were so big they raced around in the bucket and either died from lack of air or ramming into the other smelt.  Anyway, I didn't have a lot to pass out but then again I only used one bait the whole day anyway.

Scott cooked up some dogs for us afterwards.  Sorry I couldn't stay but next time we should plan better and I'd be willing to bring some drinks and chips.  It turns out he lives up the hill from me so we'll have to set up some carpools in the future.

Yep, F&G were cruising around in a high speed zodiac checking licenses and stickers.  They came up behind me and at first I was thinking, couldn't that PB find somewhere else to fish?  At least they went about their job in a nice way.

Lots of PBs everywhere but they either kept their distance or slowed down when passing or approaching us.  The folks in the Delta and HMB should take some lessons from them.

I feel for the rockfish because we're itching to bring some fish home...next week, yeah baby!  The weather isn't looking good Tue/Wed but it should clear up by the weekend.

Gary

I think the trick to getting halibut is having the right gaff.
Without it, your helpless.
Notice the radiant red handle.

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Guess the length of the fish Erik.


Sure was fun.  Lets do it again sometime.

Alright Potto!!! Sounds like you're the first to get a Kunz gaff bloody!  Nice work.  Looks to be close to 30".   Yeah baby!

I think we might be in for the first good halibut year in a few years.  I'm really looking forward to getting some more of that action.

EK

We got on the water at 6:30 and in 20 min was slammed while messing with my camera, Adam was close by and he got the pic of the fish getting away... I had it in the net, almost and it didnt like THAT very much at all and went bezerk and did another dive - still hooked - I didnt even think about my gaff, and started horsing him up, had the net ready and made the fatal ( not for the fish ) error of LETTING HIS HEAD TOUCH THE AIR when he was still 3 feet from my net. He went haywire again and snapped the 20 floro leader. Oh well, next time Im all over the gaff.
I went out again when folks were leaving and hooked into a huge ray, towed me around for 15 min, long, long runs, then hunkered down in 8 feet of water, I was right on top of him, rod doubled over could feel him digging in the mud, could see the mud cloud, this lasted for another 10 min, and the line said pop!
Fun, fun day!

Duane #2

The return of CafeCraig.

Oh yeah, I also caught and released a small, under 20 inch hali, had a video of the landing and ended up deleting the $#%^!! thing.

Here's the insane video, dodnt know if this will work...

Too bad about that loss at the net, Ben.  Next time.  My buddy Dave also landed a short hali, 16-17" would be my guess.  All I got was three shredded baits, nothing stuck.

Thanks for topping off my bait tube, Duane.  Those extra smelt came in handy when Dave kept using up the bait.  Convinced him to buy a net and showed him how to throw it so he can help get bait next time.

I went back out this afternoon and landed a shorty.

It was a gorgeous day and great seeing everyone - awesome group as always.  Too bad the fishing was slow...  But it was fun watching the big jets fly over.  Thanks for the bait, Tim and Gary and Duane!    4 hours of fishing for me, and no bites - just lots of paddling!

This was my 1st time fishing in the bay and I thought it would be easier than the oceean, but no.   That outgoing tide really sucks you out fast, and it's a tough paddle against it, and dragging a bait tube even worse.  However, the 15 minute drive and no sand to clean up redeemed it somewhat.

I am so ready for RF season too!   Plus, my freezer has none left now   

Thanks for the bait Duane....i wish i could have STUCK  one of the FIVE takedowns    i had thoughout the day!!

Conditions were nice and i got my first action on a dying smelt a half-hour into the drift near the flagpole. Then drifted to the end of wall w/other mis opps. as well

One day I will have BAIT for you Duane! and you can just cruise in without having to be THE MASTER!!
(if thats what you want?)   
thanks Brudah Duane!

and thanks for the dogs/beer Scott!

You couldn't ask for a better day or better live bait thanks to Duane (Duane: I left some beer for you with Adam, hope it made it to you). Only one problem, where were those hali's? The company was great and it was great to meet some new anglers. IMO it is just foreplay for rockfish season.

Scott

I witnessed a 31" 10lb. Butt taken off the rocks near flagpole Monday morning 4/30. Caught on the incoming tide casting a hairaiser.