China Camp Friday 1-18-08

     Finally decided late last night that we were going to give China Camp another try and not hit the Russian until the flow of both water and bankies slowed.  Got on the water around 10am with the wind blowing pretty good.  After a little bit of hole scouting we decided on a spot about a mile out from the launch.  The tides really started ripping around 1130 and I was pretty much drifting out to sea, I think I need another 30' on my rope and I should be fine.  So after about an hour or so of being at the mercy of the bay (the zig-zag pattern on the GPS was pretty impressive, looked like a 4 year olds etch-a-sketch!) the tides started to slow and the wind began to calm. 

     We finally ended up about a 1/2 mile straight off the pier at China Camp in about 13-14 FOW.  Anchor was holding, wind was calm, and the sun was shining.  There were 3 PB's anchored inside of us and one outside, saw one fish brought up and heard some hoopin' and hollarin' coming from another.  After being beaten on by the sun for about hour I started to feel the burn and realized I hadn't put on any sunblock all day....

     I throw my rod in the holder after holding and watching it all day with steadfast attention.  I just open my eyes after smearing the spf50 all over my face and I and give my rod a glance... IT'S BENT TO THE WATER!!! 

     I grab the rod and give it a good set... FISH ON!!! The fish immediately makes a drag screaming run straight off my bow.  I kept an eye on my amount of line and readied my anchor for release.  He got through about half of my spool and slowed, got quite a bit of line back only to lose it all in another awesome run.  After the second run he tired a bit and I figured no need to release the anchor.  Got him close and he couldn't decide which side of the kayak he liked best, he swam back and forth under me a half dozen times.  I finally saw leader and went for it, after a good thrashing he cooperated long enough to line up on the slot drawn on the side of my kayak... It was real close so Dad gave me a hand lining her up.  IT'S LEGAL!  he shouted confirming my first ever sturgeon.  (measured 47.5 on shore, just made it!)

     So I kicked up my feet and enjoyed my moment while cheering Dad on for the next couple of hours.  At about 3:30 I see him swing... FISH ON!  I will let him give you the details of his fight with the beast.... 2 more inches and we would have each had a keeper.   

     Many thanks to kayakjack for the tour last weekend, and big ups to kzreelrods for all the sweet info!



-Patrick


     




   

Right on Patrick.  Now that you are on the board, it's time too 

Another great day on the water with my son ............With the wind and waves whipping up early we were hoping to get a couple of hours of fishing in.........turned out  the water calmed down throughout the day.  The fishing went as Patrick described. My sturgeon bite was a little more traditional........felt a little "tick" and set the  hook.....FISH ON! . I could not believe we could both catch a fish on the same day ... let alone on kayaks.  My fish came up a few inches short  so a couple of quick pics alongside the kayak and away it went.  Gonna do it again tomorrow. Congratulations  again Patrick!

Once again, CONGRATES  Hope to someday hook up with you guys for some fun times...

Impressive run, guys!  Way to go to both of you for landing a sturgeon - just knowing how to fish for them is worthy of kudos.  IMHO the short should count for AOTY points...  Don't know if you guys are in.  Anyway, great fish and also a great report.

 

NICE JOB !!!!! i am so jealous. what bait were you using?

 
        HOLY COW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HOLY TOLEDO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WTG Team Hobie!!!!!

  VERY NICE.....

  Year of the Dino is looking promising........

 what did ya use for Bait?

Holy Smokes..... two sturgeon for the father and son team.  Excellent!!!

Patrick, congrats on the keeper dino.

I predict you guys are gonna have great year of fishing.

Great job fellas!!! And yes, welcome to the list of people I hate 

Nice job on the fish fellas. I think these tides will produce some more sturgeon... Get out there and whack'em.

Freddie

WAY TO GO GUYS!!!  I'm so happy for you both.  You've been putting some time in getting everything figured out and dialed in... very nice to be rewarded!

Echo what Freddie said... get out there... the tides are perfect and just like I told you, after the peak tide backs off and starts to slow down, that's when the sturgeon like to dine... at least in that area!

AWESOME!

EK

Thanks for all the support!!  The bait was grass shrimp and mud shrimp..............Kieth at Loch Lomand (my Junior High coach) was out of ghost shrimp. He did sell us a little can of scent called "bang" that gets all over everything on your kayak. Well it is O-Dark thirty and coffee is made ...... everything is dry and all the electronics (vhf, gps, xm radios and depth finders) are re-charged and ready to go.         Now????    Where does Patrick Keep his "Sunblock"???

Holy Toledo is right! You guys are the true Dynamic Duo! Awesome job!

Janice aka "Big J"

     

     We finally ended up about a 1/2 mile straight off the pier at China Camp in about 13-14 FOW. 

-Patrick
   
  

Great to see success,

 WTG guys,

  and on a personal note, even though I haven't got out for sturgeon yet, your spot makes my shoulders feel better.  

Again congrats ,

dale

Nice fishin', fellas!