Carmel rockies 5/10

Decided to pass on the Limekiln trip because me and Damian (la mosca) were planning to launch at a civilized hour. Plus, LK isn't a good place to take beginners, and this would be Damian's first surf launch. So we met at Monastery and launched into pond-like conditions around 9am.

We paddled out of the reserve towards the kelp beds off the point. As soon as we got to my lucky reef, I metered a school of suspended fish. Sweet! First drop got a big blue. I'm off to a good start and thinking that it will be a perfect day for Damian. Unfortunately, he was already feeling the affects of wind+swell. I told him to quickly drop his line and catch a fish….because that always makes me feel better. But it was too late. And I know the feeling all too well. At this point, he did the right thing and went back to solid-ground to regain his bearings. I felt really bad for him but I also know exactly what it feels like to be seasick in a kayak….not fun.

I continued fishing that same spot for a few more fish before moving to another reef in search of my cabezon. No cabbies this day. But plenty of reds, coppers, gophers, blues, olives. Final tally was only 12 fish but it could've been much higher. Spent a lot of time playing in shallow water for cabs. And also out deep paddling around looking for open-water rockpiles. Did find a honey hole for reds in front of the butterfly house in about 80ft. My FF was showing a school of large fish about 20ft off the bottom. By this time, the wind was blowing hard enough to make it difficult to stay over the school. So I decided to call it a day and paddle back to shore. Met up with Dr Habanero and Ark on  the water. We paddled over to my lucky reef and found a few more fish. I finally used my big kalins swimbait (clear w/red flakes on a 5oz red leadhead) and pulled up a nice red. I only kept 4 fish. All 4 were floaters and I hate to see fish wasted. I normally have a shelton fish descender attached to my big rod but forgot it this time.

It was cool to hang out on the beach with everybody. Great to meet Habanero and justyakit for the first time. And good to see Ark again. Then a familiar face pulls up, its Etienne. And he is STOKED. I tried to temper his excitement by telling him I caught a WSB and halibut. But he wasn't falling for it LOL. Also nice to see Martin and Scott.

Next time, I am going to force you to take some dramamine Damian! Seriously, it helps. Because I really want to catch some big rockies w/you bro. You totally deserve it now. You've paid your dues. Hopefully next wknd will be better.

Here's a few pics for your viewing pleasure. Hot lures were: 6" scampi on 3oz head, 2.5oz megabait kudako, and 8" clear w/red flakes swimbait on 5oz head. Also scored on my homemade jig. Will have to post pics of it later.

Damian blessed his kayak w/some sage prior to launch. Very cool ritual that I might have to try next time.


Preparing to launch.


I hate gopher rockfish.


Not very fond of small copper either.




I got into some reds. But nothing huge.


Probably should've taken more pics of the blues and olives. But everybody knows what they look like, right? Ok then, here's more reds.




The happy angler back on the beach.

Starting off the season on FIRE!  I was on the beach and spoke to DR Habanero while he was getting ready to launch.  I was out earlier that day south of the bay and got blown off the water by nine.  I only caught 7 fish...and only two little rockies were kept.  2 short lings.  You must have been one of the 4-5 kayaks I saw out there.  Tried to give a shout on 69 but no answer. 

Pat,

Then you'd hate fishing with me; I'm the "gopher king!" Can't seem to catch anything else Good report and looks like you had a good time

Great to hear you got out, Pat.  I'm not the only one who missed out on the Good Times down at Limekiln.  Tell Damian that a little hangover will bring the seasickness more easily - I don't want to be presumptuous about him having gotten drunk the night before - just trying to encourage the guy!

Thanks for the report.  Oh yeah, that sage "blunt" was cool!   

Way to go on the Cod Sincoast, I will be out on the water real soon, I too get see sick but always manage to pull it off. Let Damian know he should pack A few Heinekens with him. That always works for me. 

Looks like another quality day. I too hate gophers (both the fish and the ones in my garden) as well as Chinas, and all those other small bottom dwellers. Surprised no lings for the day given your previous trip. The conditions sure look better then when I was out on Thursday. As far as Limekiln just go to bed a little earlier on friday. I am going to make the run down there this Saturday weather permitting.

all these reports of jigged rockies are making me MAD!..as in MADNESS!
SWEET port and pics SC!  nice details of conditions and areas hunted.
thanks for thinking of US less fortunate nor-coasters.

Hey Pat -

Good to see you and I thought your verm was good sized. You almost had me on the WSB thing.    I have reloaded my stuff and will be heading to LK this Saturday unless the wind and swell thing doesn't work out. Will bring some extra beer if you are coming down to LK.

Scott

9 AM?  That sounds more like the Sin Coast of past posts

Way to go, could be much worse, ask those of use who fished the Santa Cruz area!

NICE JOB SC!!!  Great report and pics, keep em coming!!!  After having that BBQ'ed vermilion, im DYING to get some fish for myself!  Sorry to hear about your friend, I felt the same way on the opener even with Dramamine.  I think for me it was more the lack of food, sleep, and only having coffee before launch.  But one thing did help, for a little while, was paddling!  Next time I feel sick, gonna pull up lines and start paddling!

Way to go on the rockies PK.  Are you going to Limekiln this weekend?  I am goin out again this Sat, cant make it to LK I have plans for the afternoon.
Thanks for the report

Two nice weekends in a row!  way to go! didn't make it out this past weekend but going this weekend, thanks for the port & Pics

Good going!  I made it out to Stillwater, but ran into trouble fast.  Within the first hour I caught 1 decent Brown Rockfish on a Megabait, it flipped out of my hand and dropped it back in the water after getting the hook out, then broke my rod on a snag.  My backup rod was pretty light, so I couldn't fish anything heavier than 1.5oz.  Decided I was better off heading in after 2 hours.

PK, Just like to thank you once again for this sat.  Thanks for showing me my first Carmel launch, and I can't wait for more! 
Unfortunately I couldn't hold my breakfast in once I stopped paddling. (That same day I went to the bullseye store and got some dramamine. This time I'll take it way before launching!)  The whole day trip for some reason, just didn't flow with me.  First my hull raisers snap and my yak does a 180 on top of my ride!!!! Then, I scratch my ride trying to get it back up!!! And the finally, I "yak" in the ocean!!!    But I also have to laugh about it hopefully this bad fortune will come back with a good outcome. I had to bless the yak due to the unfortunate circumstances that had happened on the way to the beach.  Trials and Tribulations!
It was also nice meeting all the other NCKA members out there, hopefully, next time, I will be able to stay out in the water longer!

Damian.

Thanks again for lunch Damian! I love RG Burgers after fishing.
Sorry about telling your story too. After re-reading this post, I realized it might have been TMI.
We'll kill it next time bro!