Stillwater North Saturday 9/20

M'Lady and I will be hunting Vermilion and Lings at Stillwater North this Saturday. Launch ~7.30am. All company welcome.

I should be rigged up by then and will be there! I have a new topo map of the area that I will be bringing along as well

Hello Northern Boy,

If I can find a sitter for my kids on Saturday I'll be there. With tons of meds so I
don't miss anymore action this time. Will you please PM me with directions once
again.

Thanks,
Jedmo

The first time I evr dove for abalone at stillwater cove was in 1974.34 years later its still great spot to go.Thats where  I caught my first kayak fish in 1980. I still cant figure out what took me so damn long to figure out to bring a rod out with me. I guess because no one was doing it. I hadn't even heard of it. and still the fish are there. It kind of shows us that the rockfish are still OK after all these years. Good luck on Saturday. Maybe I will join you. On the left side out of the cove if you look to your left you will see a big rock round in shape covered with bird droppings.. If you go straight out from there to 100ft you will find fish.I never had a fishfinder and most times did just fine. Rocky spines of land jutting out from the land is usually indicative of a reef out in deeper water.   

Would stillwater be a good place for a salt water beginner like me? I want to get out this weekend. Where is it located? Thanks. Jeff

Stillwater is a very friendly place for newcomers to the salt experience. Another great place is the fort. Both are in Sonoma county Approximatly15mi north of jenner. Google stillwater cove or go to the sonoma county parks for more info. If I dont go up north on sunday I would be glad to show you around on sunday Good luck, Craig

It'll be something of a newbie expedition with Jedmo + Yakattack making their second and third trips in the saltwater respectively. I'm barely into double figures. It'd be great if you could join us, the more the merrier. The launch is supposed to be very easy and we won't be going miles out. I'll happily trade you what little I know about rockfish for some Delta Striper tips!

Count another newbie in! I'll be driving from Fremont and planning to get there around 6:30 a.m. I may or may not get my Kayak Cart in the mail in time for this trip so do you guys know how far the parking lot is from the launch site? Also, channel 69 right?

Looking forward to meeting those who can make it.

Frank

You might have to park in the day use area at stillwater cove campground or at the top of the cliff directly above the cove. You can un load your stuff at the driveway that leads down to the cove just dont block the gate as that is for emergency vehicles if they are needed. After you unload you walk your stuff to the beach, we have never even used kayak carts and its only a couple of hundred yards to the beach. There are some nice tables down there to put all your gear on and we have never had a problem with thieves ever.Try tyo be quick about loading and unloading as many people are trying to use the facilities as needed. Save the bs for at the parking lot. You will all have a great time there I am sure.

i missed the opportunity to be in fort ross for rockfishing today.  i don't think i am going to miss this one out.  where is excatly stillwater located?  can someone provide me with a detailed direction?

Frank. Would you want to carpool up there sat? Ive got an extra hull a port. What is good tackle up in stillwater cove?

Jeff- Carpool sounds awesome! I do have to pick my wife up at Oakland Airport at 9p.m. so if you think we can leave Stillwater by 3ish or 4ish it should be okay. Otherwise, I may have to go solo.

If I miss the airport at 9 P.M. WAF account will be down to $0. 

PM me if this is going to work for you.

Frank

Where is excatly stillwater located?  can someone provide me with a detailed direction?

It's on Hwy 1 between Jenner and Gualala. Put "Jenner" into google maps and scroll north, you'll see it on a hairpin just north of Ft Ross. Or else google "Stillwater Cove Sonoma" and look at the park site.

What is good tackle up in stillwater cove?

My basic rule is something shiny tipped with something smelly.

The DFG rule is no more than one line with two hooks

It's been said many times that rockfish are dumb and catching them is easy.

You can use a simple two-hook shrimp-fly rig straight out of the packet. Just add sinker (4oz+) and tip with squid. Or else you can use one of the shrimp fly hooks as a teaser above something meatier for the bigger fish. Leadhead jigs, 4oz+ with fishtraps or curly tail grubs. Some folks use megabaits, diamond jigs or even just put a hook on a shiny chrome sinker. I tip everything with squid but you can use anchovy, shrimp etc.

Gearwise I can only tell you what I use; a medium-heavy action boat rod + conventional reel, 20lb + line. I use braid 'cos it seems to provide less resistance but with mono topshot 'cos it's easier to snap if I get snagged.

Halloween fishtraps5" or 7" 6 or 8 oz leadhaed. Teaser fly 18in sbove bottom swivel You waont need to tip the leadhead with anything. you can tip the fly with small strip of squid or abalone trimmings. Parts of the guts work good too for cabezon.

What time is everyone launching. Looks like im going to have to leave early. Lol