Lost Coast Roleez Trudge - 6/4 - video added

Those who enjoy ocean activities likely know how special a minus tide is when it occurs in conjunction with a low swell.  This morning's -2.4' tide and 4' swell were nearly ideal, but the wind and the muddy water inshore presented familiar challenges.  Buddies Mike and Matt followed me over the hill to the Cape Mendocino area last night and we had a fire on the beach with a few beers before trying to get some sleep in anticipation of the 6:30AM tide.  Those two stayed in Mike's big Ford, and I decided to crash on the beach - until I got rained on and had to drag my crap up to my truck for the rest of the night cramped in the back seat of my Chevy!     After a few hours of wet and uncomfortable sleep we rose at 4:45AM and drove down to the trailhead north of the Mattole.  I packed up one of my Costco rides on the Roleez and the guys donned frame packs.  We had rockpicking gear for the abs, rockfishing gear for the finned critters, and more beer than we needed!     About half way down the 1.4 mile sand slog we saw some friends on 4-wheelers on their way down the beach to pick the minus tide abs.  They dropped off passengers and headed back to give us a ride - that was way cool as my lack of sleep and too many beer hangover had me feeling a little off.  Mike and Matt got on one four-wheeler and I got on the back of the other and held onto my boat as it was turned into a Roleez trailer at about 25 MPH down the beach.  Almost lost it due to fish-tailing, and I had to ask my pal, Colley, to slow down so it didn't flip.  My video finger was itching - it would've been cool footage, but getting the camera out right then probably would've caused the boat to wreck.  We got dropped off at our reef of choice and headed in right around low tide.  Places where I usually dive were so exposed, and the flat water allowed picking around rocks that are usually getting hammered by swells.  We located some nice abs; Mike and Matt grabbing limits and I pulled one around 9.75".  We wrapped up that phase of the mission and got up on the reef to fish.  I dropped in a smorgasbord bait combo of squid, chovie and ab gut.  The bite was a little slow, but we managed a black, a greenling, a beautiful little cab, a perch and several sea stars before calling it quits around 11AM.  While fishing I paddled around Fish Bay enjoying the freedom of the yak on such an isolated piece of water.  The blue line was less than a quarter mile outside and it was flat enough to head out, but the whitecaps had hair, teeth and claws, so there was no way I was going out there.  There's a reef out there called The Sisters about a half mile out and in the blue water.  I've never known of anyone fishing there, so I plan to do it.  The requirements:  Roleez, the rare calm and flat day, a desire to explore new territory, and lots of energy!  It's not a secret spot, yet...     Mike hitched a ride back up the beach on Colley's four-wheeler, Matt hung out and fished and then hit the trail a bit ahead of me, and I brought up the rear shooting video and bare-footing it back to the trucks.  God I love that place!   

Looks like a fun time. Thanks for the report and great pics.

Al

Hey Abking, your reports are always colorful and entertaining, I really enjoy reading your adventures, never stop man!

~Kayakito~

   Hey AK,  Gotta admire your dedication!  Nice catch, too!  Thanks as always for your great reports.
I like the fish head/ ab pic on the prow of the yak. Will that be a permanent hood ornament?    -HS

Abking-

All I can say is that looks sooooooooooooo sweet...

Freddie

What an awesome trip!!  Congrats on that great day and thanks for taking us along   

Thanks Abking - man those pictures are making me want to get back up to the North Coast. Keep 'em coming!
Take care - Bird

I looked at the bouy page yesterday and was seeing tiny swell up by you and big winds down by us so I figured you would head out. great work and GREAT PICS! ( )

Eric, nice report.  Let me know if you need company fishing that reef.  Think I'd rather paddle up from the Mattole than wheel it.  Always prefer paddling over wheeling.

Once again Abking, good stuff.  Thanks for the escapement!

AK, Nice report that shoot of the bouy is over the top. Frank

Your reports always leave me wanting more, especially since I haven't found my way to salt water since Nov.

Cute cab,


dale

Nice to see someone else using the Roleez as a trailer.
Works great as long as you don't go too fast.
Can't wait to get up there. gonna be awesome when I do.

Great report Abman! Good read too. Thanks!

Nice report, that beach looks like the land of the lost.  How do you like that costco kayak, I almost bought one recently when I was in san diego just to get out for a day down there.  Purchased an olympus stylus instead.