Timber Cove. Aug 9, 2025.

it was just me and a friend.  almost lonely.  lots of campers.  my first visit and that road/trail down is no joke.  gravity not only a good idea, it is the law!  easy drama-free launch.  swells manageable even for this rookie.

I fished a squid on the high low with a shrimp fly riding shotgun on the upper hook.  I got several blues, kept a few for the steamer basket.  hooked a ling early on, and could not find an additional 1/4 inch to make it legal.  I sent it back into the shallow waters.  hooked it in 25 feet.

slow slow day.  learning to be comfy in the ocean, really.   and how to pee in a kayak.  hahah..  the bite turned on when the sun came out.  about 11:00 am.   socked in fog all morning.  i lost a big ling.  NOBODY had prepared me for how hard they fight!!  my friend offered me a sympathy stare.   I gave him a squid and he got a ling on the drop!!  a big one.  he just watched me poop the bed, so he went slower..let it run and he brought in a 27+ Ling.   I dropped in right behind him and got a Cabezon..which I initially called, "WTF is that" fish!..

I had to go!!  my wife was gonna be mad at me, and that cant happen.  I hit the beach, glided in.  it was the highlight of the trip.  my bud made it look way harder and almost flipped. hahah..

as we were going back up the hill, a stranger did flip at the launch.  we jumped in and gathered him and his stuff up.  how he didnt lose his unleashed pedal drive will remain a mystery. 

I'm hooked.  hooked bad.   my bass fishing landing net looks and feel inadequate when a big ling breaches.  I bought a bigger one.  hahaha..

water was murky, and 51 deg..I shivered all day long.  I didnt wear enough under my dry suit. 

Nice report, but fish porn is required!

Proper layering under a drysuit certainly takes some experience. I have a Gore-Tex drysuit and my typical layering under the drysuit consists of smartwool long johns (bottom and top), comfy liner-type socks, rash guard top, and fleece jacket (I’ll omit the fleece jacket on hot days—over 70–but still bring it along, just in case). On the outside, I wear my pfd with oversized windbreaker over it. I also wear neoprene ankle socks (on the outside), which help keep my feet warm and protect the drysuit booties. I wear plastic Birkenstock (open) sandals, which have great arch support for pedaling.

Nice report, but fish porn is required!

Proper layering under a drysuit certainly takes some experience. I have a Gore-Tex drysuit and my typical layering under the drysuit consists of smartwool long johns (bottom and top), comfy liner-type socks, rash guard top, and fleece jacket (I’ll omit the fleece jacket on hot days—over 70–but still bring it along, just in case). On the outside, I wear my pfd with oversized windbreaker over it. I also wear neoprene ankle socks (on the outside), which help keep my feet warm and protect the drysuit booties. I wear plastic Birkenstock (open) sandals, which have great arch support for pedaling.

Very helpful.  Thank you.

Proper layering under a drysuit certainly takes some experience. I have a Gore-Tex drysuit and my typical layering under the drysuit consists of smartwool long johns (bottom and top), comfy liner-type socks, rash guard top, and fleece jacket (I’ll omit the fleece jacket on hot days—over 70–but still bring it along, just in case). On the outside, I wear my pfd with oversized windbreaker over it. I also wear neoprene ankle socks (on the outside), which help keep my feet warm and protect the drysuit booties. I wear plastic Birkenstock (open) sandals, which have great arch support for pedaling.

This is absolutely crucial advice.  You can and will get hypothermia in a drysuit if you don't have the right layering under it - I've seen it first hand.

Way to get out there.  You're learning of the ocean-type madness!  It's real.  Let me know when you're ready for a day at Shelter Cove.   

Proper layering under a drysuit certainly takes some experience. I have a Gore-Tex drysuit and my typical layering under the drysuit consists of smartwool long johns (bottom and top), comfy liner-type socks, rash guard top, and fleece jacket (I’ll omit the fleece jacket on hot days—over 70–but still bring it along, just in case). On the outside, I wear my pfd with oversized windbreaker over it. I also wear neoprene ankle socks (on the outside), which help keep my feet warm and protect the drysuit booties. I wear plastic Birkenstock (open) sandals, which have great arch support for pedaling.

  It's real.  Let me know when you're ready for a day at Shelter Cove.   

you know it!!!