Davenport flattie

I fished Davenport friday, kind of a last minute deal, carried a load of debris to the landfill, and figured I'd nab a few rockfish to sweeten the deal. So the truck is full of crap, and I did a half-assed job of loading up my gear, but happy to fish for a couple of hours.

Launched from the beach through ankle slappers at about 8:00, and made my way out to 60 feet in slightly foggy conditions. Had a tray full of sardines, but found that I'd forgotten my pliers...bummer. So I figured I didn't want to mess around trying to get them hooks out with my fingers, so I decided to simply fish plastics for rockfish. So I launch, and then realize I left my gaff in the truck...but I have a fish glove, so what the hell.

Fairly calm out there, but strong current made it tough to get my 2 oz swimbaits down. I picked up a few rockies, then found a couple of lings, the largest about twenty-four inches. Had nothing to measure that fish with, so  she gets to live another day.

I could have gone heavier or fished iron, but I decided to get in a bit closer and fish shallower water. I found some good looking water with  structure at about thirty foot depth off the cement plant, and bounced a white single tailed grub on the bottom. The jig gets inhaled by a 32" flattie, and the fish came to color pretty quicky...no doubt about size this time. So I have no net, no gaff, and a fish I don't want to lose. I could see that she was well hooked, so I let her tire herself out for a minute, then brought her to the boat where I quickly slid my game clip through the gills and out the mouth. Pulled the gills out and she was quiet. I can't blame her for attacking that jig; her stomach was completely empty. But mine isn't!

Notes to self:  Bring all your stuff, dummie

                     Maybe fish spectra for rockfish: should try it anyway

                     Sometimes you do it all wrong and it doesn't matter

                     Mark my kayak for measuring fish, 20", 22", 24"

Good start to the season...

Let's go get some salmon!

TallPaul

I love the big shore break at Davenport.   Glad you managed to salvage the day - nice fish.