Stillwater cove - Sonoma Coast 4/4

 Considering Timber Cove might be a madhouse on opening weekend I'm considering a Stillwater cove launch instead on Saturday the 4th. Wind looks good, swell is 5ft over 9 seconds in the morning, but it only seems to get calmer from 7am on.

I usually fish solo, but I would like to get in the habit of using the buddy system more often. Especially at a new launch. If anyone's considering a Stillwater trip, say hey, perhaps we can gang up on these rockfish!

When going out alone I go where there will be a lot of others, and if the numbers are low I will ask to tag along. My requests have always been accepted.

I’m camping at Gerstle Cove this weekend and will bring the kayak in case the ocean looks nice and calm on Saturday. Was thinking of launching Stillwater or Gerstle but I haven’t done the rope ramp at Gerstle in over 5 years so no clue what the “ramp” condition is like.

Checked out the ramp and woah Nelly I’m probably not gonna tackle that tomorrow. They put in a new one higher up the road so it’s now like a 30-40 foot heave down and up the cliff side.

Checked out the ramp and woah Nelly I’m probably not gonna tackle that tomorrow. They put in a new one higher up the road so it’s now like a 30-40 foot heave down and up the cliff side.

See ya at stillwater then, lol. Someone posted they launched there earlier this week and didn't mention any challenges at the launch, so my assumptions that it's manageable

I checked it out and Stillwater is not bad. There’s a nicely worn path through the little boulder-y section. Beach wheels for the cobbles after that. Fort Ross very easy launch but loooong walk to park cars 

I checked it out and Stillwater is not bad. There’s a nicely worn path through the little boulder-y section. Beach wheels for the cobbles after that. Fort Ross very easy launch but loooong walk to park cars

Thanks for scouting it out  DDtAM  now its on the list!

I got some good news, it's s not only an easy launch, it's bitey out there.

I got a late start (forgot my seat, and radio that lives in the seat.) When I finally head out around 11 DDtAM is coming back in with some very well fed rockfish and a lingcod limit. Pics or it didn't happen.

I had a Gopro on my kayak, I'll post the video in this thread if I finally master the editing software. But my kill count was, 2 lingcod at 25 and 33, a Copper, a Brown, and a Verm. Released some others.

That’s a big ling!
Thanks for the report 👍

Thanks for the otw shot Fitz! Nice to meet you (amongst a few OGs too). My haul was a limit of lings (32” and 28”), a brown, an olive, 2 blues and a new pb verm at 22”.

To the guys that put out YT content, you have my respect. That took more time & effort than I expected.

Great job guys!

Thanks for the work on the video Fitzcarraldo, subscribed!

Love the Prowler 13 it's so light and and easy to transport plus you can stash as well as retrieve rods from the hull for rougher surf launching/landing.

Edit: Also I would recommend not keeping your fish in the water after you catch them it has been known to attract sea lions and sharks.

Edit again: Looks like Eric had the same response.

Cool!

Watch out for running those stringers of fish behind you like that - you're literally drift-trolling for sealions or sharks like that.  It's happened and been reported here in the past few years that someone has been flipped and had their kayak hauled away briefly by the offending sealion.  This was about 1.5 miles from shore at Shelter Cove, and an NCKA brother powerboat assist was key in minimizing the emergency and outcome.  I'll say though, the guy who this happened to handled it well and I think all would've been OK with just us kayakers present.

Anyway, my advice is to make a plan to put your fish on your boat under/in burlap, in a fish bag or cooler, or in a hatch (watch out for the repercussions of that!).  I can tell you from a lot of years in this sport, almost no one hangs their stringer in the water while fishing.

Looks like you definitely have the Madness.   

I can tell you from a lot of years in this sport, almost no one hangs their stringer in the water while fishing.

For a really good example of things not to do we can watch the latest Fisherman's Life video and try and name all the things he is doing wrong.      ....there's a reason he doesn't post his videos or reports here.