Shelter Cove - 3/31 - R rated video added!

Well, salmon season's over for now.  I couldn't round up someone to go with, and the wind forecast was up, but I had to go.  I logged a little over a half day at work then loaded up and headed to the Cove at 1:30.  Got down there at 2:45 and got a goose egg report from the marine biologist/fishcounter, Shannon.  She later told me that between her and the other counters they recorded ONE salmon this year!  With the word around the Cove over the past few weeks we both figured there were somewhere around a half dozen fish caught - maybe more, maybe not...  I rolled down into the Cove and parked up on the rocks.  There were quite a few people around and one powerboat getting ready to head out - I should've got a picture as this guy backed his pickup until the floorboards were wet!  I geared up quickly and hit the water just after 3PM.  There were whitecaps way outside that I'd seen as I drove down the hill, but conditions looked very managable in around the Bell and even out toward the Whistle.  I paddled right out, started trolling a WMA for a bit, switched over to my go-to rig (DeepSix, silver dodger, sardine with the purple haze hoochie over it) and did a loop around the Bell before starting to head out toward the Whistle.  I wasn't feeling like my chances were great for a salmon, and the one powerboat that I could see was still messing around inside about a mile from me, so I was contemplating whether a trip all the way to the Whistle was in the cards for me.  I took a couple of short videos and enjoyed the rhythms of the swell.  Then I hooked up big time!  I quickly turned the video on and proceeded to freak out!  I'm not afraid of coming off as an idiot - the truth will set you free!     This fish was big - BIG.  I've caught a 23 or 24 pound ling 4 years running, with several more 20's, and this thing was fighting and taking line as good or better than any of them.  At first it ran, so I thought it was a salmon.  I was having a fantasy of a big Klamath Spring Salmon passing through and eating my sardine, and it seemed to be coming true.  Then it seemed to tire and hunker down.  I couldn't really budge it, and when it did make a move it seemed effortless for it - the yak turned significantly as I reeled after this thing.  Over about 8 minutes I spouted jackass commentary and exclaimed "holy shit!" at least 400 times!  Then it was gone.     I reeled up to see that I had it within about 20 feet of me, but I never got a glimpse of it.  I re-baited and started trolling again.  I knew that I was over rocks and only 40-50' deep.  I got another strike, and then I hooked and landed about a 5 pound ling.  With how the big fish hunkered and how I got another quick strike and then landed a little ling I figure the big one was a ling too - so that soothes the salmon-anguish a bit.  It would've been nice to pull that big ling in on video and see how big it was - had to go at least 20, and I think 25-30 isn't unrealistic.  This turn of events inspired me to definitely head out to the Whistle.  So I trolled another hour and a half.  Got 3 trashed baits in that time, and, honestly, I think they were likely rockfish or lings.  What a great time on the water!  The energy that comes from playing a big fish is awesome.  I logged 4.9 miles on the GPS and enjoyed a cold one on the beach before BS'ing with the DFG biologist for half an hour and hitting the road to home.  Rockfish opens at the Cove on June 1st. 

I'll post the video later - it's rated R for language  and for a disturbing scene when it came unbuttoned!   

oh dude, i thought you were playin an april fools joke with the intro!  totally thought you were gonna end us on a high note with a king in the bag.  Well, at least you got the juices flowing with that big un pullling drag.

oh dude, i thought you were playin an april fools joke with the intro!  totally thought you were gonna end us on a high note with a king in the bag.

I wish, Martin!   

I wanted a salmon so badly, but, in the end, I was thankful to have another great day on the water, and playing that stinkin' submarine was fun too!   

BUMMER!!  if there was? gonna be a SALMON caught this YEAR?..I had my money on YOU!
getting the bait bit and then the ACTION of FISH-HOOKnFIGHT must have had you in ADRENALINE OVERDRIVE!   like I was just reading IT!

...iGUESStheVIDEOwillHAVEtoDO?!   

Great try Ab Blue Water Trolling is too cool.

Nice try, like Adam said I also thought you would get the first (and only) Salmon of the year. Cant wait for June 1. Thanks for the report.

aaaah dude, so sorry   not seeing a fighter at all before it becomes unbuttoned is one of the most disappointing things ever.  great report nonetheless.  at least you got to try.  i might have to get a job in alaska this spring just to get after a salmon.  or just move north.  who knows.

I had my money on you too Eric. You're as dedicated as they come. We might get an open day here or there in the season and you know the fishing is better come summertime.

Holy Shiite, Batman, I'm a F%$*ing potty mouth when I have a big fish on!   

Dude, I thought it was me that was so real.  the music, the language, talking to the fish.....it could have been me.  That's exactly my style, out alone in the water.  What a heartbreaker.  You are a true fisherman.

Allen

Man, losing a mystery fish is always disappointing. BUT.....it is also fuel for the fire that burns inside each of us...steamrolling us towards the abyss of madness!!! And, you, my friend, have hit rock bottom. Admit it, you're a salmon junkie. Losing that fish will only provide more motivation.
Plus, now we all get to speculate what type of fish it could've been. My bet is a 24lb king salmon with a 260lb hitch-hiking mako shark!
Thanks for the great photos+video+report bro,
PK

Nice video.. glad I have headphones here at work.
It sure didn't seem like a salmon.   I suppose you're far enough north that it might have also been a large pacific halibut.  By the way, as good as that video was, I think the following is you best work.  Okay maybe I just need to go out and get lunch.



Brian

That experience was sweet. Man, that really makes me wanna go and head out to the water.
Awesome time Eric. It's not so bad since you would've had to let it go anyway but it would've been nice to have seen it. 
Thats exactly what would want to make me go back again.

Thanks, Guys.  I really appreciate kind words sent my way.   

Adam said it nicely recently when he mentioned how courteous I was to think of you guys while I document the madness for others to see.  That's exactly what I'm doing out there, and I love it!   

Watching the video is kicking my ass all over again!   

You are a true fisherman.

Allen

I haven't met you, Allen, but thank you.  Capper compliment of the day!   

even though I knew you'd lost it...i still hoped while watching, that the outcome was gonna change for the better....it didn't.
MAN! that would have left me droppin WAY more that a few F-bombs here&there!
way to keep your composier out there AK!  ...no visual after a fight like that just plain SUCKS IT x10 
 AtuffLOSSforSURE!       
another log has been added to that BURNING FIRE inside