8/7 Red Rock Island: Kayak Camp, Striper Fishing, Catch & Cook, Gyotaku Printing

Full video:

Red Rock island is privately owned, but it didn't seem like there was going to be anyone there to stop me from stealth camping there. I had heard Red Rock was a hotspot for stripers, so I thought it would make a perfect base for landbased and nearshore kayak fishing. I pack up my gear in my portable Pakayak Bluefin 142 modded with a rod holder and a 1.1 meter Falcon sail, and launch from Ferry Point in Richmond. I am probably the only person in the Bay Area that fishes on an actual sea kayak, but it works for me and I can pack it in the backseat of my sedan.

The flooding tide was in my favor, with just some light winds to power my sail. The main hazard getting there is crossing a shipping lane, and there were choppy waters right next to the Chevron pier where the waves refracted off of the barges. Otherwise, it was smooth sailing to the island. I try casting lures and trolling a dead anchovy around the island, but the current meant I was doing more paddling than I'd like. The powerboats were fishing the literal shoreline, so I figure I might as well just cast from land. That worked out - 24" striper! I paddled out bait as well and got a few hits, but none of them took to the hook.

After winding down with some pork belly and steak grilled over the fire, I cast out some more in the evening and after sundown, which yielded another 24 incher to make a limit. The next morning, the forecast predicted stronger winds than anticipated, which was problematic as I would have to return on an ebbing tide, which would mean huge wind waves. I decide to take my two stripers and leave that morning while the tide was still slack, since I could do the fish more justice at home.

The wind came from the south, allowing me to sail quickly across the shipping channel. But once I reached the Richmond shoreline, I found myself trying to head directly upwind to the landing and against an increasingly flooding tide. Without sail propulsion, I was making little headway and bailed out at Keller Beach and walked to my car. In the end, I got my stripers back to my fridge in good condition. I made some gyotaku prints and cooked a lot of dishes (can't seem to upload photos, but they are at the end of the video).

Although I'm trying to post videos on Youtube for my own memories, I am most active on Instagram where I do a lot of catch and cooks: https://www.instagram.com/strandedontheisland/. Feel free to follow if you're interested in any of that. Thanks for reading.

Very cool share!  Love the dialogue-free style.  Extra love for the Gyotaku prints and super tasty looking dishes.  Well done.   

Thanks for sharing and I love stealth camping but unable to right now.

Very cool share!  Love the dialogue-free style.  Extra love for the Gyotaku prints and super tasty looking dishes.  Well done.   

Thanks for watching! I am not much of a talker so glad you liked that aspect

Thanks for sharing and I love stealth camping but unable to right now.

California is so regulated so stealth camping is necessary, especially anywhere near the water 
There are some spots in the Bay but I've been having trouble finding anything good along the coast that's near rockfishing grounds. Finding overnight parking is so hard too

That may be the greatest video in the history of YouTube!

Thanks for posting and be sure to post any future adventures...

That was excellent!

Getting it done !!! Nice job.

Sick

Solid!

Very inspirational and of water warrior quality.  Go yak chef to da max!  Stay strong

Really enjoyed the video, your approach to adventure as well. Thanks for posting this and sharing

Different level for sure, thanks for excellent video and food inspirations.

Reminds me of all the beautiful spots on and near the water always here so close to us.

Great video and those fish dishes at the end look truly next level.
I'd be nervous about "stealth camping" in full view of all the boats, etc..

Great video and those fish dishes at the end look truly next level.
I'd be nervous about "stealth camping" in full view of all the boats, etc..

Great video but I would be nervous about posting a video of myself trespassing on YouTube.

Great video and those fish dishes at the end look truly next level.
I'd be nervous about "stealth camping" in full view of all the boats, etc..

Great video but I would be nervous about posting a video of myself trespassing on YouTube.

Its a good way to get "access" to locations blocked.