Humbled in Humboldt - 6/30/08 - Video Added

After watching the ocean get flatter and flatter over the past 72 hours I was stoked to get out there this afternoon with Matt - he just bought a red X-Factor from Hawk.  We headed over the hill and found dense fog all around the Cape.  The lack of wind and swell were factors that allowed us to get out into that fog and onto the reef.  Using the compass sparingly (with GPS and second compass as backup in my WP bag), we went right out onto the fishing grounds.  2 hours later it was apparent that the bite is funky even up here!  I only landed 3 blacks today - worst day ever!  I had a great time out there, got some good footage, guided Matt onto some fish, but I was shocked at the slow bite.  Something's up, and I hope it's temporary...     Matt landed 3 blacks, 3 greenling and a china.  He kept 2 blacks and a greenling and I kept one of my blacks for him as it had a hole in its lip.  I was jigging first the 4 oz. Megabait in lavendar with a fly above, then briefly the 10 oz. leadhead with big giant white split-tail, ran for a bit with a 6 oz. head and a bubble-gum split tail, then the 6.5 oz. Megabait in Dorado - I was tipping with ab guts for an hour or more and was surprised at the lack of a bite on that.  The water started out greasy smooth like Rustic Andy and PJ show us so often, then it chopped up just a bit.  The fog was relentless and got cold.  We saw dolphins that I didn't get on video, and a few seals buzzed us too. 

The peacefulness of the water, with the distant rumble of the mild shorebreak, did allow for a pleasantly calming meditation onboard our kayaks.   

But your still out there and way to get your friend into some fish.

Nice pics Eric.
Something funky is going on for sure.
I have 12 abs on my card so far and I have yet to even see a fish on any of my dives this year.
Most of my dives are only in the 15-25 feet range but in the past I have always seen something.
Did see all kinds of 1'' shrimp on Sunday cruisung around, but nothing feeding on them.
Weird.

It is likely that the really cold temperature so far this year just have the fish in a torpor.  In the last couple days the water has been warming in Bodega Bay, but it might talk many days of warm water to get the fish to wake up and feed.  There are lots of juvenile fish around.  I was diving fort ross last week and saw huge clouds of baby rockfish and those 1 inch shrimp are likely krill.   If the ocean warms for a while and we still get slow reports then I will worry.

Jim

Glad you go a chance to get out anyway Eric.  Dave and I were feeling bad for you yesterday when we were out at Caspar.  I'll post a report shortly.  A bit slow, but nice results anyway....

Norm

The redds that Norm and I caught (mostly Norm ) were stuffed to the gills with baby rockfish about an inch long.  So maybe presenting something like that is the ticket.

All in all, from looking at the tremendous kelp production and indications of the swarms of baby rockfish, I think we are have a very productive marine cycle this year.  Finally some good news.

I was stumped just as the rest of you with two trips and two skunks. Given I was fishing from the rocks, not a kayak, I still usually have no problem slamming the fish when the ocean is that calm. I went Friday and Sat and had maybe two bites. My buddy managed to catch a tiny 9" cab and thats it. 

nice grey-out shots....seems the waters are colder than usual at this time.(secondhand info.) I sure feel better about my RF huntdowns(lack of quality) after reading "YOU" have had sloooow days too.
Thanks for confirming that it's cold/slow all along the coast.
CONGRADs' Matt on your first RF!! like the Carpenter once sang "it's only just begun".
Good one, on getting someone to join in on the UpperNorthCoastMadness!
It's supposed to get hot again....maybe kickin up the water temp some?

hey Abking,

That was a nice out going, nice pictures. But isn't July known for the best fishing month.
what is going on?

These are Santa Cruz water temps but I think it kinda says it all.

Z

Thanks for the graphics Z!
looks like it's heating up some each day......hope it gets where it's supposed to soon.
This RF slowness has me a little upset! but soon to be happy again.

I'm wondering if the rate and amount of kelp growth has any effect? That warm weather sprouted some big kelp beds really quickly. Right now a lot of boats around here are doing better in 185+ feet. Getting in a lot of school fish out there too.
   Nice shot with the lenses. Got all the gear in there and everything.
                                      CoS

Right now a lot of boats around here are doing better in 185+ feet.

Are we allowed to fish that deep?

Right now a lot of boats around here are doing better in 185+ feet.

Are we allowed to fish that deep?

I'm in the South Central Management Area (SLO County) we're allowed up to 240ft

Good report Abking! That reflection shot was sweet.