MBK Report: Squid and Mackerel

I went to Monterey Bay yesterday, Sunday, December 7th. I launched in front of MBK at dawn. Conditions were a little worse than predicted, mostly the interval seemed fast so there was a bit of water movement. I headed straight for the red can. My plan was to load up on squid, maybe some sandabs, then toss swimbaits for lings and butts. It took me an hour to get my first 2 squid, then they started coming in faster. It wasn't a wide-open squid bite, but I was pulling up 1 or 2 pretty much every drop. They were mostly on the bottom so it was a slow grind too. It was consistent and fun. Even if a little slow. I managed 40-50 squid in 3 or 4 hours. While near the red can, I tossed out a regular sabiki because I could see bait fish swimming underneath me. I landed about 6-7 small, bite sized mackerel. I moved the squid out of the baitshark, and into my mesh bag, then put the mackerel in the bait tank. I then paddled over to the hotel and spent another 2 hours drifting live mackerel for nothing. Not even a lingcod, which was weird, but not a biggie because I had enough squid for a couple of meals anyway. I didn't see a single other kayak fisherman, also weird for an OK looking Sunday. I only saw a few outrigger canoes doing loops between the red buoy and the harbor. The water was crystal clear. At least 30 feet visibility the whole day. I clearly saw many mola mola/ocean sunfish way down deep. I also saw a bunch of dead, finless mola after sea lions ripped them apart. Good day and good eats.

Congrats on getting some squid and thanks for the report

We definitely felt the strong flowing tide going in/out in Moss Landing but it was nice weatherwise all day.

I was wondering if the squid would be there. That's awesome that you got them.

"We definitely felt the strong flowing tide going in/out in Moss Landing but it was nice weatherwise all day."
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What were you targeting of Moss? Were you on kayaks?

Paging MooMoo.  Squids return to MBK 

We were targeting lingcod and petrole soles.
We found the lingcod but couldn't find any soles, my partner lost the only one at the boat.
Plumpy pacific mackerel were biting like crazy between 250-300 fow.

Thanks for the report and video!

so cool!!!  my wife's favorite might be squid...

I need to get with the program STAT!