Stillwater 5/25

Hey, it was good to meet all you folks. .We got into plenty of fish, but they were mostly small blacks and blues. After a couple of hours I felt pretty ill. A series of schoolboy errors really; forgot the meclizine, not enough breakfast, too much guinness for dinner. I finally gave in and started chumming. As I was doing so I caught my biggest fish of the day. Maybe I should forget the meclizine every time. The water was actually much calmer than at Oyster Point or Berkeley, but I guess it was the steady rise and fall.

We had to go in and eat something. Got a lot of funny looks from the Stepford Wives in Pebble Beach Market as I rifled through the shelves looking for Ginger Snaps wearing only a dripping Farmer John.

Went back out as most folks were heading in. Got plenty more fish. It was my first time out rockfishing in Kenny Rogers the Urban Camo Yak. Despite feeling rough I loved it. Beautiful location. Thought I was about to put Pats ling to shame when I saw a huge fish following my FT up through the crystal clear water. Was about to slow my retrieve when I realised it was a seal. Scared the c**p out of me. Then he hung around 6 feet off my bow waiting for me to throw back the small rockies.

Congrats Pat, that's a nice ling. Congrats to everyone else on their stringers.

You're on fire Pat!!!!  Keep'em coming   

WTG Pat!!! What a hog. Should have done the Abking pose. 

Scott

Great report guys!  Stillwater brings back great memories of clear water, lings, rockies and kelp.  Its fun to see schools of blues/blacks attack your bait in 30 to 40 feet of water.  Oh yeah and they have clean bathrooms LOL. 

PK, nice ling...sounds like the Kunz Gaff technique is the last thing those bad boys see before the lights go off.

Eugene, you might want to see if Ocean Kayak is interested in how stable their kayaks are in the open water...Mooch can be your agent.

Northern Boy, you brought a smile to my face when you reminded me of the fully manicured, high maintenance Pebble Beach elite that had to endure my presence the last time I was down there.  As I was walking my gear back to my truck a little boy approached me to ask about my ling and his Mom pulled him away from me like I had a disease.

When I was out in the kelp last year I was getting some pretty good hits in 30 to 50 feet of water.  Then for whatever reasons a couple of dive boats moved in and anchored in that same spot.  Since I didn't want to accidentally hook a diver I moved away but I had already bagged a couple of lings already.  There must have been a pretty good reef at that location.

Sounds like good times for all the yakkers that got out.

Gary

 

There were a bunch of dive boats out there yesterday,  chattering away on the radio. There was a tense conversation that went something like this........

(Diver A) "Hey, did you see those fins?".
(Diver B)  "What fins...........what fins?"
(Diver A) "Fins, starboard".
(Diver B) "....you mean fins like fish fins or fins like scuba fins"
(Diver A) "err......fish fins....hey...looks like Orcas!......"
(Diver B) "....nah......must be Dolphins......I think......"
(Long pause....Northern Boy is listening intently. His heart rate has increased.)
(Diver A) " I dunno.....looks like Orcas......."
(Diver B) "....yeah....maybe......yeah..... I think...."
(Northern Boy starts wondering about Orca's, they're smarter than sharks right? they won't mistake a kayak for a seal or a baby whale....will they?...... why did no-one tell him about orca's........why was there not an Official Orca Thread!?....wtf...........if the GWS is "The Landlord......what's the Orca......?"

(There is a pause that is too long)

(Diver B) "I dunno, dolphins.....Orcas.....could be anything"
(Diver A) "Yeah, I dunno.....I hope it's dolphins".
(Diver B) "Me too"
(Someone else (PK?)) "Me three"
(Northern Boy) "Me four"

We went in not long after that.

after all the chatter it ended up being dolphins.
I was out on my lonesome watching from the sidelines
was going to join the group when my stomach decided
to head back to the shelter of the cove
Stayed on the water till 5pm and had quite a few assorted
fish one of which was the bigest Calico i have seen north of
lajolla measured 21" and released
had a great day out there but wish it was closer to Fresno.
Eric

Dude, a calico? Verrry nice! 
I recognized your yak but didn't know the name. Next time I'll say Hello.

And Yes, I was intently listening to that orca conversation too. And it was me that replied "Me 3!" LOL. Lots of dive boats out considering the poor vis.

Oh wow! Abking just mentioned that the Hawg Trough is actually 31 inches...not 30! So that means my ling wa actually 37 inches long!!!  Sweet, even better.

Good going everyone.  It's always to cool to see the next gen of kayak fishermen out there having fun.

PK... you ought to be crowned the Ling King! 

Nice one Pat.  I had to leave early with the wife had she agreed to paddel for two hours.  It gave me just long enough to land a 27 inch ling and two nice sized rocfish one blue and one kelp and say hi to most everyone.  Scored big family points and a few nice fish.  A couple of photos to follow.  Nice to meet everyone on the water.  I hope to get out for a little longer next time.  Anyone up for an afterwork halubut hunt at MBK tomorrow or weds?

here are the shots

That was an epic moment watching PK gaff that big pig then say "I'm afraid to bring it in the boat" When he put it on the deck I could see why. Pk that sucker could have eaten your dog in one bite . I also had a great time meeting new members, It was like a plastic armada for a while. The best part of the day was when PK said he found a school of blues and olives and eight yaks went straight for him at warp speed. That was a classic moment. I ended up with a couple of eater 24" & 27" lings which is more than enough after last week.

Ken

PK! Great Ling! Again, missed out on the fiesta Lings! Well I hope Ryan and yourself had some fun out there and hopefully I'll hit the water alongside you soon.

Damian.

The best part of the day was when PK said he found a school of blues and olives and eight yaks went straight for him at warp speed. That was a classic moment.

Ha, that was a "sickening" moment for me, I had just made the decision to head in for a bit, as I was feeling really bad and the fishing had slowed. I was on my way when PK tells us about the school. Pfffff.

Nice ling Sin!!!!!!!! Wish I could have been there. Didnt do any fishing this weekend. Did you catch him in the same spot? You could PM me with that top secret spot later . Did you guys and gals Q it up? Laters Andy