Linda Mar - 07.31.05

Launched at 6AM with Rich (G-dive) and Jason. Rich paddled in search for the elusive LM Salmon while Jason and I looked for some rockfish. We fished the nipple under calm conditions. Jason caught a few rockfish and I caught 2 legal lings (24' and a 29') using Bill's custom swimbaits. Chris / Cpyak showed up about 20 minutes later and caught a keeper cab. I got hold of Rich and asked if there were salmon out in the open - he said "nah"....but he did see some bait. Chris and Jason tried trolling for stripers off the surf but to no avail. I drifted for Halibut with no results as well. We came in before noon. Rich may still be out there....somewhere.

that was me - joel da mooch....

that was me - joel da mooch....

Joel,

It was great out there today even though I didn't get a ling or a cab.  The water conditions were great and no wind.  I also learned that I can land the Kayak on the rocky banks of  Pedro
You are becoming a Ling Killer make sure you save some Ling Karma for the Elk. Hopefully Granite picked up what has become an elusive Salmon!

Hopefully I can get out a couple more times before Football Start in a couple weeks.

Chris I can't wait to hit the stripers in the East bay.  Hopefully soon!

Jason

I forgot to mention about the HE-UGE sea lion encounter we had by Pedro Point.....the sea lion actually had his massive head out of the water and was giving Chris the "eye"   ...was it Love   ? Or was it intimidation   ??? Jason and Chris then paddled towards me and we formed a "battle formation"....just in case Mr. Sea Lion had other things in mind for us....Chris...I think the beast was attracted to your "man-ish-good looks"  

Joel,

Don't forget to mention that Chris had his Gaff ready to beat the seal down!  If we only had a picture of that.

Jason

THAT WAS CLASSIC    Chris was in RAMBO mode  

i may have missed that flounder, but the gaff was not going to miss that seal. it was huge! i used to play college hockey, i am viscious with a stick. maybe it was an elephant seal.

I hate when the big guys start giving you that curious look... really gives me the willies.  

Happens to me a lot at Fort Ross... I've had the gaff ready to fly on several occasions as well... I don't know if they are elephant seals or not but they are some big mo-fo's... certainly don't need to tangle with them.

Erik

I had an enormous one buzz me a couple of feet away once while lobster diving at gull rock off Santa Cruz Island. Freaked me out! I popped up a minute later to get my bearings, and lo and behold, there was a little baby less than 10' away on a rock.    No wonder!?
   Generally I'm approached by the juveniles and all they want to do is play.
    BTW, no salmon for me or any boats I saw fishing on Saturday. Slow. When I was coming in at 12:30ish, I counted 10 kayaks on Linda Mar bay, all fishing!

The first few times I had a seal or sea lion buzz me while diving it freaked the shit out of me.  It's very common for them to come jetting straight at you and then veer away withing feet (or inches) of you.  After you realize that they are just playing with you, it is quite an amazing site to see the control they have under water.

-Allen

After you realize that they are just playing with you

Allen....I don't think this particular seal wanted to play This bad boy wanted a piece of Chris - it may have been the color of Chris's kayak = "sea lion brown"  . I was actually the nearest kayak to the sea lions location but it completely ignored me and Jason.....it was really obvious that he was checking out Chris. He popped his head out twice and each time, he was facing Chris's direction.....kinda strange but also scary    

After slapping my paddle in the water a few times....he casually swam away.....still looking at Chis with the "bye-bye" look   in it's face  

Chris - you may want to stay away from Linda Mar for a while....you might have yourself a stalker  

I've only seen one seal underwater, but it followed me around like a puppy.  Several times it nudged me on the arm/fins with it's nose.  It's slightly alarming to kick and bump something with your fin in 20' of water with no kelp about.

It's slightly alarming to kick and bump something with your fin in 20' of water with no kelp about.

....if I ever decide on giving  free diving a chance...I think I'll invest in some diapers   ....I'd hate to soil an expensive wetsuit  

That's how I felt Sunday when my paddle bumped a big jelly in 80' of water