Stillwater Cove9-06-08

Stillwater Cove lived up to its name this weekend as di most of the coastline in Sonoma County.WE left Petaluma at 10:00 am on Saturday and it was getting hot already. By the time we reached Salmon Creek beach we knew we were going to be in for some flatass water.By the time we got to Jenner My mind was all over the place. All I wanted to do was be on the water. We got to Stillwater and checked in at noon. I declined to go to Horseshoe cove and dive with the other three in our party. I asked for pity because I am Sick in my mind now and all that will cure me is being on the kayak and feeling that leadhead hit bottom. Off they went. In I went. The water was a murky 8 to 10 ft of viz on the surface a halfmile out. Large jellies were drifting spookily through the water and I was in heaven. The first couple of hours only yielded me 2 small blacks but that was dinner and I felt cool with that. Dave W was coming down from Ft. Bragg to pick up an old paddleboard from me and he was supposed to be there by 3pm. I'm like, crap is it 3 already. OK, just 15 more minutes. I mean I know all of us would understand not being able to get off this water.On the north side of Stillwater I paddled over to the outside edge of the kelp and went straight out to where there was a PB in 100ft of water. We chatted and there were5 people on that boat with one vermillion for them for the day. I said later and paddled about another 100yards out and sent the 8oz with a halloween fishtrap down for the final try. BOOM, I know its a ling. I reel up about 20ft and gone. Damn. I drop it right back down and BAM, fish on again. Boated and in the hatch. I dismantle the tackle, stow stuff and head in saying a little thanks to whoever runs the damn show. When I get to the PBers , well you know I had to tell them how much I just love my fuel consumption rate and by the way , The guy in the kayak has a ling. Dave W. showed up later and took possesion of his new old toy. What a nice guy. Dont worry Abking he didnt even tell me anything about abalone( wink, wink). Jim aka redyak came by a little later and showed off his nice ling/ limit. Another super nice guy. We had an abalone/ lingcod dinner that couldnt be beat and watched the sun burn down into the water under clear skies and calm wind and flat water. I hope this is what heaven is like and I won't mind dying a bit.

Nice report.  Sounds like a good time.  I like this part:

My mind was all over the place. All I wanted to do was be on the water....I am Sick in my mind now and all that will cure me is being on the kayak and feeling that leadhead hit bottom....I was in heaven.

Addiction at its finest.   

Right with you on that sentiment. I could have surfed, dove, rode the dirtbike or any other hobby you could think of, but with those perfect conditions I too got pretty charged up to fish. Good to see you guys up there.   jim/redyak

Good to see you got your medicine, and a ling to show the PB was nice too, 

this may be the last year for us to take anything out of Horseshoe, but there's still time left, 

nice pics, made my GAF building this weekend even more painful....

Thanks for the report.

Thanks for the great read this morning ravensblack. Congrats on the nice
ling.

Jed

Nice work at Stillwater.  I knew I should have gone out, but Family duties kept me busy this time around.  See you out there....

Norm

Craig, good to meet you and your friends, and thanks for the 20 foot project .  My wife really appreciates it.  I'm thinking about fishing in the Moat Creek / Point Arena area next Sunday if you're interested.  You too, Norm.

If my Wife is off work, I am there Dave!!  Give me a call later in the week to confirm.  You planning to do the cove launch south of the point?  Hope to see you guys out there.  Late....

Nice day it turned out to be!.....and thanks for the details also....re-dropping, after a let-go, then re-HOOKIN it is a THRILL!!
I love it when you first see the water and you KNOW it's gonna be FLAT at the destination.
MAKESmeWANTtoGOpee,IGETsoEXCITED! 

What was really great was that when I cleaned the fish the other half of my fishtrap was in its belly.