MBK Non-report 9/7/08

My fishing buddy bailed on me last night, making the right choice in staying with his very pregnant wife for the day.  Good job in building up those WAF points Ryan...too bad it will be MONTHS before you'll be able to hit the water again!    Anyhow, I was already loaded and ready to roll, so I decided to head out by myself. 

Inspired by Flyaker's recent success and never having caught a halibut myself, I decided to give MBK a shot.  Truth is, I'd never even targeted butts until today, so I did my studying last night by reading the old forum posts, tied up my leaders accordingly and went to sleep anticipating victory.

Hit the water at MBK at 7:30am.  First time launching there too...usually I head over to Breakwater when I fish this area.  Nice launch, although the beach was a lot more crowded when I floated back in 5 hours later.  But I digress...

I had packed three rods for today's venture; a Shimano/Cardiff combo loaded for halibut, a little Sabre Seeker set up to sabiki, and my trusty Baidarka/Tekota rockfish rig just in case the halibuts weren't cooperating.  Anyhow, I spent about 30 minutes peddling around looking for all the bait that I heard was out there.  Not having any luck and getting bored, I decided to head toward the kelp off Cannery Row.  I barely cleared Breakwater when my fishfinder started going all jiggy on me...went from 60 feet to 6, 15, 4...then a very happy seal popped up and I realized that I was hovering over a HUGE bait ball.  Pulled out the sabiki and reeled in 5-6 really FAT sardines in the 6-8" range.  Turned around and headed back to the beach for a butt hunt.

Sadly, it was not to be.  The halibut population must have been stuffed to the gills with sardines, because I trolled up and down the beach in front of MBK for a good 70 minutes with nothing to show for it but a slightly chewed sardine.  Getting somewhat frustrated    and a little bored (again), I decided to head to the kelp for some rock fish.

Peddled over to Cannery Row where 4 other guys were having relatively good luck on grass, blue and gopher rockies.  Pulled out my Baidarka and went to work.  Yes, work...because by this time it was feeling like work.  Fished for a couple of hours for nothing but a lot of FAIL.  After dropping my rig in several spots I decided to head out toward the red can and try some deeper water.  More fail.  Headed back to the kelp as the other guys were leaving, and fished for another hour for...you guessed it - fail.  By then I'd been on the water for 5 hours...my legs were killing me from the constant peddling, and I really needed to pee.  So I bit the bullet and called it a day. 

It was a nice day on the water, even if the wind did kick up pretty good around 11:00.  Still, I would have been happy to catch at least ONE fish for dinner tonight.  I'm feeling like quite the failure as far as fishing goes this year...due to scheduling, family matters and a WAF account that is apparently missing a drain plug, I've only been able to hit the big blue twice since opening day.  Yes, I said it.  Other than that, the only other fishing I've gotten in is at Bear River during our recent camping trip, and that was full of fail too.  I'm glad I donated funds to AOTY, but I'm ashamed for making such a poor showing.    Luckily, I know my pals at NCKA won't hold it against me! 

Hey, at least the traffic cooperated and I made it home in 75 minutes.  Better than the usual Sunday crawl...

Terrific report - had me in stitches, but sorry for the "fail."  It builds character and before long will reward you with success.

Michael

Great report Usagi! Wish I could have joined you. Sounds like you had a good time on the water. You know we all have those days Keep in mind the derby in Santa Cruz on the 20th of this month. Many of us will be there with high hopes

Ben

Hey Pete....at least your report represents the true meaning of a "fishing report" and not a "catching report" 

I'm just trying to cheer you up......that's what friends are for

Great report, Usagi.     I have been dreaming about getting back to MBK ever since my first trip there, but I have to build up that WAF account too!   At least you got out on the water this weekend.    Its always better to be on the water than not - fish or no fish.

Great report Usagi! Wish I could have joined you. Sounds like you had a good time on the water. You know we all have those days Keep in mind the derby in Santa Cruz on the 20th of this month. Many of us will be there with high hopes

Yep, I've already printed up the entry form and am working hard on plugging the hole in that WAF account. 

Hey Pete....at least your report represents the true meaning of a "fishing report" and not a "catching report" 

I'm just trying to cheer you up......that's what friends are for

   I knew that if anyone was going to give me cr@p it'd be you, Joel!

Thanks for the kind words & encouragement, folks.  I know the skunk will lift eventually, until then I'll just bide my time until the fishing gods are done toying with me.  In the meanwhile at least I have a way to vent my frustrations; I'm headed to Ohio on the 11th for a 3-day scenario paintball game.  Shooting fools always makes me feel better, and there's no luck involved there, just skill!

 

Usagi

I have been skunked at MBK so don't feel bad. Did you fish for dabs at the red can?

Scott

Usagi

I have been skunked at MBK so don't feel bad. Did you fish for dabs at the red can?

Scott

No...didn't think of that, dang it!  Not long after getting out there my FF started acting weird again, giving off random readings that didn't make sense.  I put water in the donut before launching, but I must not have pushed the transducer in far enough.  I can't think of any other reason for the intermittently odd readings.  Anyhow, since I was fishing blind I decided to head back to the kelp.  Naturally, the FF started working again about halfway back...   Next time I'll drop for dabs though...I haven't tried that and I hear that they're tasty.

The kelp beds off Cannery Row have been very slow this year (and last year too!). You're probably better off fishing the jetty, the red mile bouy, or the yellow can. Hey, at least you got to go fishing!