Cape Mendocino - 5/10 - Soft Fish Porn Added

The swell forecast kept getting better and better for today, but the wind was hanging around.  I packed the truck last night and was ready for dawn patrol.  Got up at 4:50 and the 2:46AM forecast had "Wind to 20 knots early - subsiding to 10-15", which, for the Cape, means your truck door may or may not get ripped off its hinges when you arrive at the launch.  I was reconsidering and formulating a Trinidad plan as I went back to bed.  Got back up at 7:15 - there was still a 4 second period on 3' swells at the Cape - that's flat, but the 4 second period usually means it's blowing non-stop.  I decided a long day solo at Trinidad didn't sound that appealing, so I headed over the Wildcat toward Petrolia.  The Tour of the Unknown Coast bike race was today - known as California's toughest century.  I'd be racing to fish and get back on the road for home before the cyclists started coming by on their way up "the wall" at the Cape.  The morning drive was sunny and calm with good tunes on the radio - the mojo has to align properly to confirm a solo trip as it unfolds.  I came down the hill at the Cape and was surprised to see very few whitecaps, and they were a few miles out.  I scrambled to gear up quickly and got on the water, excited to be headed for my first rockfishing from the yak in over 7 months!  The water quality right along shore was pitiful - pure mud with ZERO viz.  There would be no ab diving for me today.  Once I got outside the water quality was much better, but still only several feet of viz - good enough for fish to bite.  I started fishing and videoing and the hookups were steady.  The wind kicked in about 20 minutes later - shoulda been here at dawn after all!  I fished in the wind for another hour or more and then headed in.  I could've tacked southeast and hit the beach farther down the road - part of the plan when it's that flat and wind is a factor.  But I battled the wind and got back to near my launch - my arms were red like they were sun-burnt while I was doing the grueling paddle against the wind.  It was cool and great exercise, and, yes I did want to video it!  I got quite a bit of footage today, but I wasn't thrilled with the Olympus battery being toast after maybe 45 minutes of footage...  I ended up with a 32" ling (you're safe for now, PK!), several other lings to 29" released, a 19" red, several blacks - kept 3, and an olive which I kept.  A nice ling and 5 rockfish is plenty for me for now.  On the drive home I got to see quite a few cyclists - they'll likely make it into a video or two.

Looking forward to a better weather window and some company on the water.   

nice report. way to go on the lings.  take work off wednesday, give or take a day!

PJ

Nice Haul,

 Looks like Fish tacos Tonight

Wow thats a nice hall.  I gotta get out.  Can't wait for June 1st.

Jim

I knew I shoulda gone.  Nice work, Eric

Thanks for the report.

Nice Ling.

S.

Eric I knew as soon as I got down to Humboats and saw the beautiful weather today that you were Cape bound. That's a great season opener for you, right on Bro. I'm waiting for some Vid of you fighting those Lings

Nice one Erik. Can't wait for Fort Bragg to open up.

CHEERS!

Maybe we'll get a weather window and the Mendo Crew can make it up for a second annual rockfish and ling bonanza before Bragg opens, Dan.   

I need subjects for my videos, People!   

Very NIce Report!!! WTG

God I really hate you!!!!!!!!!

Fantastic stuff.  that camera set up is really working great.  Very stable, not Blair Witch at all, despite the wind.  A+

"I deserve that kind of shit!"  OMG, too hilarious.

great post.  i enjoyed the fish porn but "flatday" photo is excellent.  i longed for the ocean when i saw it!

Abking -

WTG!!! Beautiful fish and as always, very entertaining report. Will be coming to your neighborhood in a month or 2 for a lng throwdown. 

Scott

Sweet vid.  NIce start to the season.  Need subjects, come and film us at LK.