7/27/07 - Playing Hookie on the North Coast

Friday was the perfect day to play hookie.  I decided to head for a spot on the Mendo county coast (not Elk). 

Weather was perfect!  Greasy calm all day with a gentle hint of an offshore breeze.  Swell mild at 4 or 5 feet.  Did I mention... the wind never came up! 

The water was colder than last time I was out and clear bluish green.  The bite was spotty early on with the low tide and by the time the tide started to peak out, the fishing went ballistic.  I lost track of the fish count, but it was at least a dozen lings, some of the biggest blues I've seen in a while, and many big fiesty vermillion along with the standard few gophers and china cod. 

I released four lings that were over 30 inches and except for a couple squirts, the rest were in the 28 inch range.   I kept two lings that were 32 inch twins at 11#.  One hitched a ride on a blue and I gave him a 316SS injection and a wood shampoo before he knew what was happening. 

I kept three nice vermillions ranging from 21 to 23.5 inches (7.5 lbs) and kept one big black that was about 21 inches. 

All fish were on swimbaits or the huge powerbait grubs.  Color didn't seem to matter too much.  It was awesome.  I had to leave while the bite was still red hot, so I gaffed the last ling that I caught (my second keeper) and went home. 

I don't have any cool on the water photos cause I went solo, but here are the fish that I kept. 

Nice report Eric. Please get the ling thing out of your system before Elk!

CHEERS!

cool.... 

james

Puttin Hurt on fishes!!!
 
 I heard this am on the fishing shows that a 83lb Ling was caught up in Valdez...new record,

 Danglin

Nice!

You shoulda called me....

Nice!

You shoulda called me....

That's why he's playing Hookie... yeah! dude share your spot... ....those are nice fish though... Congratulation..


Kiel

Nice!

You shoulda called me....

and then Dustin could call me and......... way to play hookie and then GOT YOUR HOOKIE ON!  in glassy conditions to top it off!
Thems Verm's is what I'm a needin' for AOTY.

Nice!

You shoulda called me....

Sorry bud... It was such a last minute decision... I really didn't see it coming until everythign fell into place.   

See ya'll in Elk!!!

Sounds like a great time on the water. Too bad you had to leave when you did.
I am sure you weren't getting tired of catching fish.
Congrats!

Sweet fish Eric!!!  Got to love those big swimbaits (oops I mean big lures).  Give me a call sometime, I'm just up the road and we can save some gas. 

I just can't imagine that many lings, wow, great work!

those fish better just hope for baby #2, its their only chance,  .

J

Familiar cleaning table  .  Capt. Matt and I'll be there tomorrow.  Thanks Erik nice report.