Going to HMB on Saturday the 10th

I had a late start on Saturday, as my two boys wanted to tag along, so I had to load the portabote. Did not launch until 9am, and headed straight for my favorite ling/rockfish grounds. I was expecting a lot of people, but was shocked at how many were at the beaches. Leaving HMB was a nightmare.

It had been 2.5 months since my last outing (longest drought this year), and I think me and my boys lost our sea-legs. Because it only took us an hour before I hurled, and my oldest one was turning green. And it was not rough conditions at all, just a slow 3-4 foot swell every 10 seconds or so, with no wind. But, I puked. First time this year, in about a dozen trips to the salt in similar conditions. We never took Dramamine, Bonine or Meclizine before, but I am considering it in the future as precaution.

In any case, we had one scratched anchovy and one nice copper and that was it. We only fished around 2 hours, before we couldn't take it anymore and bee-lined back to the harbor. Tried to salvage by sabiki'ing (is that a word?) a few anchovies and that was it.

We did run into another portabote out there, the 3rd time that's happened this year. Portabotes are really very seaworthy but get a bad rap. It's usually because people didn't assemble it correctly or they don't know their own or the boat's capabilities and get into trouble. I bring this up because this particular portabote I ran into is somewhat infamous. Yes, he's the dude that got rescued on Youtube, who, at the time, didn't have a whistle/flare/distress flag let alone a VHF. I'm happy to report he's got VHF and a whistle. And he's learned to avoid the area directly west of the harbor. He's actually a pretty cool dude, he just doesn't speak English as a first language. He was a bit sheepish regarding his Youtube fame, but he seems sincere in wanting to learn from his mistakes and be a better boater/sportsman. Which is the most reasonable accomplishment we get out of this sport. Aside from puking that is.

I just re-read my post, and damn, am I long winded. Sorry about that! I guess I had the urge......

Sounds like you all had a great time!

In regards to safety gear, the last time I went to HMB, I was advised that flares are required, but they weren’t enforcing the rule.

Trolled for salmon on 10/17 & 10/18. Really slow, no keepers landed across the board to my knowledge. A few rockfish and lings being caught.

Fog rolled in thick and fast before noon on Sunday.
Saw a shore angler pull in chrome and a sea lion tossing a fat one around. There’s still some within the harbor.

Does the salmon bite usually die down this time of year? I may need to start prepping for my first kayak dungie season.