ARW - 07/12/08 - Saturday

Greetings,

Location:  ARW
Start:       9:00am
End:         2:00pm
Bait:         Live Anchovies from Pier 45, Assorted Frozen(herring, bullhead, etc..)
Crew:       7 Anglers (B-A-R-F, Goutless Angler, Promethean Spark, Shicken, Snapperhead,
                              and +2 others)
Keepers:   23.5inch halibut(B-A-R-F), 26inch halibut(Shicken)
Shakers:   20inch halibut(Snapperhead)
Other:       Mud Marlin(Goutless Angler)
Sightings:  2 x Sturgeon Jumping
Water:      Warm and gentle
Wind:        Picked up in the afternoon, but still fish-able.

Additional info:  Shicken was testing the secondary stability of the P15.  He "practiced" a wet exit at the end of the day.  <---that's why I didn't catch a halibut...  

Good to see everyone. 

Here's are the pictures.

Do you know if it is a requirement to have a  landing net onboard with you on a kayak or not?

Do you know if it is a requirement to have a  landing net onboard with you on a kayak or not?

Yes, 18" minimum diameter opening.

http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/pdfs/oceanfish2008.pdf

Page 51 gives you the pertinent details, but I recommend that you read through the whole thing.  Based on your question I'm guessing you're not up on the regs, and it's better to be knowledgeable that to get a big fine because you didn't check.  IMHO.

Good one(or two)...seem like the 23" are becoming the norm(except on my line) and anything bigger that that is a real plus so far.  Maybe ALL the attention they got earlier this season, got to catch the bigger ones then.
Thanks for the Detailed Port&Pics  

That one butt looks like Michael Jacksons'(not that I've seen his) but I think it would be close.

That one butt looks like Michael Jacksons'(not that I've seen his) but I think it would be close.

Hahaha....ew...  Adam, I don't even want to know how or why that thought popped into your brain! 

Do you know if it is a requirement to have a  landing net onboard with you on a kayak or not?

Yes, each kayak should have a fishing net.

"No person shall take finfish from any boat or other floating device in ocean
waters without having a landing net in possession or available for immediate use to assist in
landing undersize fish of species having minimum size limits; the opening of any such landing
net shall be not less than eighteen inches in diameter."

it states OCEAN....i think you can do w/o on the bay. 

Do you know if it is a requirement to have a  landing net onboard with you on a kayak or not?

Yes, 18" minimum diameter opening.

http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/pdfs/oceanfish2008.pdf

Page 51 gives you the pertinent details, but I recommend that you read through the whole thing.  Based on your question I'm guessing you're not up on the regs, and it's better to be knowledgeable that to get a big fine because you didn't check.  IMHO.

Okay, Usagi, do you know if you are required to have a flare onboard a kayak?

I had a bite taken out of one of my baits, but that was it for me.  I personally saw two dinos jump, and someone on the radio said another was seen earlier, so it was at least 3.  That's the first I've seen sturgeon jump.  They were just SE of the hole in the wall about 100 yards offshore.

I doubt you can do w/o on the bay.  18" is a pretty dinky net, and IMO insufficient for dealing with legal sized fish like halibut, lingcod and salmon.  Halibut in particular are difficult to net.  I got the largest net available and have never had a fish get away at boatside, and having a big enough net you don't need to carry a gaff.

Okay, Usagi, do you know if you are required to have a flare onboard a kayak?

I do know, in fact, and I carry three flares with me anyway.    Along with a horn, and a couple of water dye markers.  I don't have any nav lights for nighttime, but that's because I'm way too lazy to ever get up early enough to be on the water while it's still dark. 

I hope you didn't take my post the wrong way...I was merely suggesting that you read the DFG regs for your own benefit.  The question about the net was pretty common knowledge, and while I'm not faulting you for asking about it I do think that you'd be wise to check into the regs that pertain to your targeted fishing area & species.  Better safe than sorry, and all that... 

Okay, Usagi, do you know if you are required to have a flare onboard a kayak?

Nope. And yep. Possibly maybe. Depending...

Good report, Goutless.    I caught my first halibut on a small fly at ARW many years ago.   I also had a sturgeon take my fly, and it peeled line off so fast i thought i was connected to a freight train.   Good thing it spat the fly out because there was no way i could have landed it with the rod i used.

This has been a good string of information for me, since i am new to kayak fishing.    I too never knew a net was required.    Looks like I better read the regs!

Is ARW a recommended place for a beginner, or is it too rough?

The afternoon wind will be your biggest enemy, then the tide will be the next to pay attention to.

Go early when the usual wind is lowest....somedays it will be blowing early in the am.....No GOOD!  that means the noon-wind will be even worse.

from this years previous posts...the better tide/time is a small moving out-going tide.  Halibut are lazy and don't like exserting themselves chasing food. They'll wait/hide and attack something that falls into there mouth. 

This is what I've learned from reading and have only 2 butt's knotched out.

thanks -  so much to learn about this stuff...  So completely different than my past fishing.

Good report, Goutless.    I caught my first halibut on a small fly at ARW many years ago.   I also had a sturgeon take my fly, and it peeled line off so fast i thought i was connected to a freight train.   Good thing it spat the fly out because there was no way i could have landed it with the rod i used.

What pattern did you use when you caught the flatty, dino? Rod? Line? Were you over at the breakwater or on a boat? On occasion, I tried deceivers on 330 gr line with no luck. Ken Hanley has some great tips but can't seem to make it to my flies... keep trying, I guess.

LL