4-Mile Sunday 9/7/08

   Launched with Rocketman, Slomo &Gloria at 7. Easy, altho at the break a few surfers had already arrived.  Marked a lot of fish on the way out past the kelp, but couldn't get anything except a small copper to bite.  Headed out to 60 fow, about the fog line, where we drifted for flatties for a couple of hours with no luck, maybe a couple of hits. I was using squid, Steve tried for some live bait, but I don't think he scored.   Several power boats also out there drifting, including a rental from the SC wharf.    The wind came up about 9 to about 9, it never got worse, but it was bouncy and we had the chutes out. The sun would peek out for a minute or two to show us the pretty coastline.  About 10 I started to troll and right away I got a maybe 18" hali to color before he unhooked, this in 30 fow straight out, but close to the kelp.  That was the last action I saw.
  Landing is fun, because you go right past the surfing break close enough to be a photographer - and a good show-and tho you are in pretty flat water, those are some steep breakers they are riding, and you start to imagine what that would do to a yak. 
   It's about half the steepness and length from the parking lot to launch as Elk, good wheels a must. I'd go back again especially on one of our fac fall days, it seems fishy, even if we didn't have to worry about cleaning any. A pretty beach for non-yakkers/surfers, the parking lot was full at noon.

Thanks for the report! I had wanted to join you but I had in-laws in town all weekend.
 That was my go-to spot for many years until it shut down about 2 years ago. Maybe things are turning around there. I've seen halibut there in the spring, and all the regular RF suspects. There should still be an NCKA sticker on the back of one of the RR signs there .
I've also heard that 5 mile & RWB beach hold halibut too.

Hey Tom, thanks for reporting in. I actually started to yesterday but made the mistake of reading the reports from Mill Creek and BH and got depressed at yet another trip without fish  . Yeah I know, poor pitiful me and whine, whine ,whine. All this self pity after what was all in all a really fine day, maybe I just need a good whack in the head  to regain perspective.
The beauty of the morning was well worth the trip. We arrived in the predawn dark to a greeting from a coyote across from the parking area which reminded me to keep a look on for bobcats which I have seen many times here on the hike down to the beach. Always cool to stop and watch these guys hunt. For those that know this beach not much more needs to be said, it's a post card. We played in and out of the fog all morning, I tried numerous drifts down towards three mile to look for the reef that John passed intel on about, but each time had the fog completely close in. Main concern with this was getting run over by a  PB more than finding my way back in, so I decided to stay closer in 4 mile and throw out my drift chute to hold the position.
Only real exciting fishing moment was when my wife, Gloria (2nd time out fishing) had a really hard take down that came off after a few minutes. She was funny, keep looking over at me with questioning eyes, like what now, do I really want something that pulls this hard to land in my boat!!

I've also heard that 5 mile & RWB beach hold halibut too.

Yeah, there is a lot to explore in the area and I agree with Tom that it really seemed fishy, my FF was constantly marking fish. I will be back for more, but in the mean time I made camping reservations today for two weekends at Limekiln this month. Got to get the skunk off

bottom/bounce trolling is a good way to go, very cool that tom got a halibut to color using that technique.

I have probably surfed that spot more than any other over the years. beautiful spot.

John

Sorry I missed it. I would love to launch there. I know there would be good fishing from there to the harbor at some point. I think the south swell has a lot to do with putting the flatties off the bite. My diver friends have done well from NB to the lane recently in 15'-30' of water. Looks like the swell will be around for another week. I will wait it out, until then good luck in Big Sur. LK is an awesome spot.