From PlanA to PlanC..aHalibutHuntingAdventure Sun7/26

Was gonna hit CrissyFields, since the winds&tides looked good on Saturday. Well, the wind came up late Sat-afternoon and never let up. I was still determined to check it. Got the call of aborting due to winds. Made a left and was at Alameda, watching the sheep gain momentum. Did a test paddle and YEP! it was windy. We all made the collective decision to head towards the other side in an effort to hide behind the MarinHills...Paradise being the last resort. Ended up at SanQ~/SRBridgeArea55
Got out as fast as we could, because the wind seemed to be catching up to us.

I had my Herring still rigged, so I wanted to get it in the water, so it would feel a little better(it was dry-riding from ARW and needed a drink)..I got all ready, pulled up my rehydrated Herring and to what do my eyes see?

Pic1~ Prelaunch&BS'n

Pics2&3~ these THINGS were like Pirana..it coulldn't have been more than 10min. in the water.....DON'T GO BAREFOOT THERE!

We hit the water and HIT IT HARD!  I had just rigged up my "VERY FIRST" Flasher/HoochieCombo and was determined to stick with it, after seeing Jim get his that way.
We were all doing different things, from Flying to drifting to trolling to "I give up and gonna just drift-troll?"

pic4~Allen,Chuck&Lino begin the hunt.

pic5~Nate drifting bait.

pic6~ Chuck paddlin for points

.....I went to the same area that produced a 22"er for me. I began to think my "set-up" was not right in someway. So I just drifted it below me and reeled about a foot of line in so the flasher wasn't draggin bottom.
Never thought it would work, but I was gonna take a lil'break....and you know what happens when you become distracted!
WHAMMO!..clicker starts a'clickin...I put some thumb pressure on and paddle away from the pilings as I guide my unknown correspondent into the open water. Get it to color, then put it back down as I grab the ol'net. Looks like an upgrade from the just legal one I had from Friday!,SWEETNESS!...taped-out at a whoppin 24"....2" upgrade!  It was released with a smile.

Congrats on the 'butt upgrade. And seriously, WTF happened to that herring??? That looks so nasty!

Z

Congrats on the 'butt upgrade. And seriously, WTF happened to that herring??? That looks so nasty!

Z

Thanks Z!....yeah nastyXgross! 


...as the action was non-exsistant and choppy, again I find myself at the end of this pier. Nate was near, as I recanted how I had to paddle as close as possible to it, then dropped my bait down next to the pilings....as he answered, "Like This!" and proceeded to land him a keeper!

Pics1,2&3~Nate&theYakStorage "Pay-Off"

....so i'm thinkin about my defleshed herring incident back on the shoreline and became hungry....just so happens I have the last of the leftover AOTDII TriTip Sandwich, just in time to let the "just crowned" AOTD II CHAMPION know it's officially DONE! 

Pic1~ could it get any better?

....Upon returning to shore I did a time test: How many licks does it take to get to the center of the HerringPop?

Pic2~ Before

Pic3~ After 15 min.
THEYmustNOTlikeMETAL&MONO!?......
Another NCKA'n day I wouldn't trade for the world!!  Pricele$$!!

What are those things eating the herring?

-Brian G

What are those things eating the herring?

-Brian G

Brian...Jim...Naoaki?

Another great job!

GrossXcool!

The critters on the herring are isopods (a type of crustacean), not sure which species.  If I were to guess, I'd say Cirolana arcuata

       For once I showed up late (wish they would light the entrance to the "tube"  to Alameda....looks more like the entrance to a dark parking lot) as I was lost, but Patrick talked me through it on the cell. Arriving late was a blessing in disguise as we were able to witness Adam taking a beating out on the bay. Chuck made a call to Adam on the water where it was decided to search for an area that might be more sheltered thus Plan C. Wish I could have gotten a picture of the caravan heading up the highway but the camera was in the back of the pickup.
       The launch at the MR&GC is sweet but after seeing what happened to FisHunter's bait I did the old sand scoot launch......didn't want any of those critters in my booties. Fishing a new spot is always fun so I took full advantage and covered lottsa ground including under the bridge and over to (near) San Quentin where I had my only hit.......didn't stick. The others were hooking fish so I trolled back just in time to see Nate landing his fish.
       Spent the remaining  hour or so trolling around the pilings and chatting with the others before time was called. Pretty cool spot and to think I have driven over that same area many times while thinking to myself...........wonder how the fishing is there. Another Great day on the bay....thanks for the tour!

Nice work men!  Way to go get those Flatties!

HobieBlue

Pics1,2&3~Nate&theYakStorage "Pay-Off"

I was telling Adam about how in order to keep my kayaks at my folks house I am expected to provide them with fresh fish.  Its been awhile since I've paid "rent", but I'd say I'm up to date again.   
Thanks for the OTW pics, Adam!

.....I went to the same area that produced a 22"er for me. I began to think my "set-up" was not right in someway. So I just drifted it below me and reeled about a foot of line in so the flasher wasn't draggin bottom.
Never thought it would work, but I was gonna take a lil'break....and you know what happens when you become distracted!
WHAMMO!..clicker starts a'clickin...I put some thumb pressure on and paddle away from the pilings as I guide my unknown correspondent into the open water. Get it to color, then put it back down as I grab the ol'net. Looks like an upgrade from the just legal one I had from Friday!,SWEETNESS!...taped-out at a whoppin 24"....2" upgrade!  It was released with a smile.

Hey Adam! You-Da-Man! I was drifting my popsies, you were right behind me... then the next thing I saw was your rod bending like mad! It felt good though watching you land that flatty. It's always cool  fishing with you and the rest of the crew. BTW, I did not make it to that next-day shark hunt. Wind did not cooperate.

LL