Palo Alto Harbor Sunday 4/13

Launched out of the old Palo Alto harbor (the sailing/windsurfer dock way in the back). Tide was super low and it was odd to see so much of the mud flats. I paddled out to near the channel/bay outlet. Tossed some old (freezer burnt) herring and managed to catch two leopard sharks. A 2 footer and one 3 footer. Had a handful of other bits just two slow (or fast) on the hook set. Beautiful day, great weather. Left after a couple of hours before the wind got really going.

Sounds good, I've never been there, but leopards are fun to catch especially after you've been sturgeon fishing a few times without even seeing a fish, have you done that before, ever catch any bigger ones in the area?

dale

Leopards are a blast to fight...until you get them to yaks' side..then it's not fun anymore......they like to roll and twist up in the line.....resulting in cutting/re-tying. Well worth it for a good fight!
I have never gotten one yaked yet, but would gladly spend a day trying to.
Thanks for the report and keep at it!

Sounds good, I've never been there, but leopards are fun to catch especially after you've been sturgeon fishing a few times without even seeing a fish, have you done that before, ever catch any bigger ones in the area?

dale

Yes, as a kid used to catch way bigger. But that was shore fishing with Grandpa. This is the first time tried it in the yak....but fun!

cool! is there anyway we can get a better idea of how to get to this launch?

John

Whats the protocol for catching Leos on a yak? Do you have to anchor or can you get them on the drift?

Whats the protocol for catching Leos on a yak? Do you have to anchor or can you get them on the drift?

You can catch'em on the drift, but anchoring and using squid on a sturgeon rig usually works better.

Dont forget that they taste great too. Just dont eat 'em if there too big, under 45" and over 36", and bleed them right before you can gut them and put 'em on ice, cut all the dark out and, man they are tastey.
And let the females go to make lots of little sharks. My 2 cents...

cool! is there anyway we can get a better idea of how to get to this launch?

John

Here is a Google Maps link (basically follow the road to the left when you get to PA Muni airport........I anchored up, as someone else mentioned they go crazy at the boat and I prefer to have one less thing to deal with. Enjoy....

I believe there is a minimum size limit on them now.

under 45" and over 36",
And let the females go to make lots of little sharks. My 2 cents...

Here's the measurments Hojo / NB   

Thanks, Adam. Ben, how do you determine the sex of a fish..ask it nicely? 

Thanks, Adam. Ben, how do you determine the sex of a fish..ask it nicely? 

Sharks are real easy. The males have claspers. Yes they're what you think they are.

Z

Thanks for the report ewb! I used to live in san mateo and fished the bay for sharks often, never in the yak though. You got me contemplating it.
 Adam is spot on, they're great fighters and love to roll your stuff up. I love it when they hit, I put the reel in freespool and turn the clicker on. Hearing the clicker take off like that is a sweet sound.
I also like it that they're not slimey,, just rough and sandy.
And watch out for those claspers!

owww, i could use some CLASPERS      
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