capitola 6/29

I know SC X factor.  ScX is a friend of mine.  you sir, are no SCX. (for you non political junkies, Dan Quayle was ripped in a debate, comparing himself to JFK)

I met up with Stoggie (nice to meet you) and headed for pleasure point area where SCX nailed the dream halis.  We made bait along the way, I filled my pvc bait tube and headed towards the kelp line.  I got a 25 inch ling, one of those nice thick guys.  Its odd how some 25-26 inch lings are really thin, others more like a cabbie.  This guy was fat.  Good start

I then got zip after that along the kelp.  Beautiful frisky live anchovies, smelt, and sardines.  Rigged live bait style they're swimming so natural.  Any fish has gotta hit that right?

I get a 'funny' hit and notice my line coming up.  When I load up, I swing and miss.  Bye bye sardine.  Sent down a smelt and the same weird take down, then it swim left and goes slack.  Again no bait.  Third time a finally see this seal that has figured out how to pull bait off a rig without getting the hook or treble stinger.

Stoggie and I decide to head towards New Brighton, then the kelp patch by the cliff.  I picked up a few small rockfish, released.

So no halibut (YET) but a nice ling for the grill.  Found the bait tube works great and is easy to paddle with in the water, so my plano bucket will most likely see only non yak duty.

Oh and Als hobieoutback...BEWARE the dark side.  Motors seem tempting but...

Eugene

Congrats on the ling, Eug, and keep trying for the hali - you'll get it.   

Nice going E2g...looks like the bite is getting better as move into the summer.

you know, I always have fun just making bait! seems like something always eats it.

E2G

Thanks for the company it was a great day to be on the water. I liked your setup for the live bait, that is going to be this weeks project for me. Too bad the bite was still slow.
The fish are starting to come in, but there was probably less than 1 in 10 boats that caught anything to mention.

I didn't see much on the FF as far as any real schools of fish outside the bait fish.

The lings and butts are invisible to FF being so close to the bottom.

All in all it was a good weekend to be on the water, there will be better days I am sure.

Santa Cruz is starting to see more schools, they hopefully will become more plentiful as the summer goes on.

Let's get out some more.

Stoggie

you know, I always have fun just making bait! seems like something always eats it.

just got a sabiki rod and loved NOT hooking everything in sight BUT, did take the fun out of it.  Catching bait on a trout rod is fun, on a broomstick sabiki, not so. 

Oh and Als hobieoutback...BEWARE the dark side.  Motors seem tempting but...

Heh, i'm not tempted in the slightest after that run!  I went out with a guy from work that refuses to get in a kayak, due to his numerous years of fishing and annoyance with sharks.  It was kinda too boring, less comfortable than my comfy kayak...  Having the motor was great, to always have to fuss with it, instead of just a couple back paddles, trying to get the damned thing in reverse

We had issues making bait, only caught 6 anchovies, 1 shiner, and a few annoying smelt.  With one chovie I managed a small brown, which took a tour as ling bait for about an hour before I released him back to get bigger.  Had several hits though, almost all in the middle, missing my hooks each time!  Stogie was kind enough to let us Mooch some bait off him, and we decided to head out twards the 2 mil bouy, and drift for butts.  Drifted, and drifted, and drifted, for nada

Nice seeing ya again E2G and Stoggie!  Ill be back on Friday, this time on the yak!

Alain-