Tomales Bay 4-26-08

CHUB and I launched out of Nick's Cove around 11:30. Late start but I wanted to sleep in.
Paddle out and anchored and tossed some popsicles out. CHUB missed a couple of good hits. I was getting nada so I decided it was a good time to take a nap.
I lay down with my head on the top of the seat back and I was out like a light.
I started to have a dream that I was slowly losing my balance on my kayak...weird.
Then I was dreaming my left elbow was in the water...too weird. I decided to wake up and realized it wasn't a dream at all. Then I found out why I was starting to lose my balance. My rod was BENDO!!! The line was peeling off ZSSSST  ZSSSST  ZSSSST  and I am yelling at CHUB/Jackson FISH ON..FISH ON!!!! He is about 30 feet from me and I get no response at all..damned iPod! Then suddenly SNAP! Fish gone. I was pissed. I reeled in and finally got Jackson's attention. I pull my line up and still have the bait??? WTF?
It just slid up the line so I slide it back down and cast in the same spot. Resume the reclining position and ZSSST  ZSSST  ZSSST..FISH ON and SOLID hook up.
Really taking out line then it turns on me and heads towards Jackson's kayak and anchor line. All I could think of was the fish Freddie lost to the anchor line so I pop my quick release and tighten down the drag in hopes the current will help out my situation. . Fish actually pulls me fast enough so my kayak bumps into Jackson's. I spin the rod over my head so the line clears the back of the kayak then I dive the rod into the water to keep the fish from going into the anchor line. Finally it takes off away from Jackson's kayak. When I finally see color it is a 45'' Leopard Shark.
Pics:
Conditions at launch
CHUB
SHARK!!!
45'' and squirrelly
Released unharmed
CHUB's catch of the day

Pretty fish!  I suppose you shouldn't lip'em like a bass...Glad you had a great time. 

Hobieblue

Looks like a beautiful day for tomales bay, I fish sharks there a couple times a year, good to see someone else having fun.......nice fish, watch out though sometimes the spiny dogfish are in and they have a nasty spine where a shark should have none.

dale

Cool report, Mike!  Good action.  Good Times for sure!   

AHahahahhahaha!   Cool report man!     It has it all, short, sweet, action, laughs, and pics to boot! 

Man... why wait for the opener, looks like lots of fun to be had out there NOW!

Eh......

   Kinda low on WAF (draining every day!), so guess I will wait! 


Cheers!

Thanks for funny report. You were lucky that shark had not taken you into water. 

Love Tomalas Bay Hali Fishing

 Did ya notice any bait in the water or try a Sabiki?

Great report, Tote! Fun read, thanks.

John

Tote:

It's a good thing you didn't wake up in the water.  Nice leopard.

Jim

Love Tomalas Bay Hali Fishing

 Did ya notice any bait in the water or try a Sabiki?

Had one ball of chovies swim up to the yak briefly at Lawson's the following day. Report to follow.

Nice report Tote.  Anytime you head westward let me know.  I'll stick a thumb out and join you.  Always looking to head to Tomales.

OB - Fellow Sacramentoian - kind of.

Thanks for the report Tote. I've been thinking of Tomales and wondering when I should go, for halibut of course. I don't mind the Leopards though. I love the way they make the clicker on the reel scream!

I miss Tomales    - I used to live about 25 minutes from there before I moved to the Ukiah Valley almost fifteen years ago, man . . . time flies.

John

I think Tomales might be a bit early.  The ocean has been super ass cold with the strong upwelling we are having this year.  It's been in the high 40's.  The Bay has been warming up fast so that is why the fishing has been good there lately, but that might be changing as well.

Jim

Hey Tote

Love the report and shark. personally I don't eat them but folks tell me they taste like chicken. 

Scott