North SC 5/10

Went to visit my mom on mother's day, which for me now means a trip to the ocean.
Fished up north of Santa Cruz from 7-9am.

Short version: cold & windy.

Conditions were doable early, then began to deteriorate as the wind picked up. I used a big scampi in Fishhunter's favorite color for a handfull of decent hits but couldn't stick any for longer than 1-2 seconds.
Finally got one, a approx 23" ling that put up a good struggle. Released the fat little guy, and he thanked me by barfing an octopus on my deck. At least it wasn't in my lap this time.
So no fish porn, but I'm glad I went & enjoyed being out.
Still, looking at the pics from Big Sur make me think I shoulda charged down there on saturday.

Aww shucks...Sean!   thanks for the mention.....reads like you got wet and got a fish....can't beat that!  thanks for the report!
..can't wait for the "REAL" RF opener 

Way to hit it.  You gotta love that puked up octopus for bait if it's big enough.  Thanks for the report.   

I think this early season rock cod stinginess will be good for us all later.  Reminds us how good it is, after having it slow like now.  Of course those epic trips ruin you for life

you mention good take downs but no sticks.  My son had that the other day using 5 inch swimbaits.  I could see the take down but they never stuck.  wonder what is happening down there?

I think this early season rock cod stinginess will be good for us all later.  Reminds us how good it is, after having it slow like now.  Of course those epic trips ruin you for life

you mention good take downs but no sticks.  My son had that the other day using 5 inch swimbaits.  I could see the take down but they never stuck.  wonder what is happening down there?

has to be a short strike. but he might also have had momentary snags. they look like hits.

  I could see the take down but they never stuck.  wonder what is happening down there?

These were all actual fish, but since I was using a larger swimbait I think they were probably gophers or black and yellow RF that were only big enough to peck at the tail . I did have one good strike that must have been a ling that regurgitated the lure before I could set the hook. Lings can be crafty that way. Who would have thought that barfing on demand would make such a good survival trait ?

just seems like the tail would come off the swimbait if that was all they were hitting.  Also could see the pulsing of the hit, not real kelp like.  Must be the barf on demand ability!

These were all actual fish, but since I was using a larger swimbait I think they were probably gophers or black and yellow RF that were only big enough to peck at the tail .

just seems like the tail would come off the swimbait if that was all they were hitting.  Also could see the pulsing of the hit, not real kelp like.  Must be the barf on demand ability!

Probably gophers.  They'll peck like crazy, specially smaller ones. Eventually will rub tail down/off, but its gonna take a LOT of pecking, in my exper.