We did the right thing...FB salmon

I had been in touch with Pescadore (who lives in Fort Bragg) and watching the bouy and it looked like perfect fishing and water conditions were in the mix to hit Fort Bragg for a little salmon trolling.  We got to the water around 0930 and there was a big fleet offshore a few miles north.  We had a big humpy blow right by us on the way out...COOL!  The water was as nice as it ever gets around here...



On the way out I got a little tappish hookup but it didn't stick.  We made it out to the fleet after about 2 hours of trolling and nets weren't flying, but we saw a few fish here and there.  We trolled a bit longer for nada, even though there was bait busting everywhere.  Just about the time Dave had convinced us that trolling a straight WM Apex wasn't going to cut it I saw his rod load up.  "Dude...your ON!"  We only had one net between us so I reeled in so I could paddle over for the assist.

After a short tussle that had us thinking it was a shaker,  I saw the fish and screamed..."its a nice fish!" and Dave gingerely worked it into my smallish net.

Money!!!




We trolled some more and found a nice fishy area along a rip line.  Dave still doubting the Apex ( even though it just boated a salmon for him...) had switched to an RSK and lost his bait immediately.  I trolled on and yelled that I saw a salmon cruising the surface.  A few seconds later I went bendo.  Dave was immersed in his bait scene, and by the time he looked up, I had this in my lap...



Not a monster, but I was thrilled to have such a decent fish be my first yak salmon.  Dave came over and took a shot...



My fish came in at 31 " and 13.5 pounds, Daves looked nearly identical.  We trolled a bit more, and missed a few nibbles.  Checked out some cool caves on the way in.  Grilled some for dinner...YUM!  Tired but happy.

And then...?

For gods sakes brother...I wasn't finished  

Nice fish Sean! FB has been pretty hot this year for the PB'ers glad to see you yak guys get them as well.

Congratulations on such a nice fish, Sean!

a salmon is next on my list!  

details like sinkers, etc?

Good job dude!  Looks like a beautiful day out there.  The water looks like glass.

Congrats on your first salmon brother!!! I got your phone message as we were driving home form Fort Ross....I tried calling you back but had no reception.

Anyway - enjoy your fresh salmon!!!!

Joel / Mooch

Cool.... nice salmon.... Congrats on your first yak salmon, Sean!
I bet it was all worth the time it took to wash the salmon scales and stink off your wetsuit

jmairey-I used the Mooch (aka Joel) system.  I had a 8 oz banana sinker and a WM Apex behind that...simple rig.  Worked great, and definitely less work than bait.  

Chuck-I was freaking covered in scales...is that normal when you land a salmon in a yak?  I was thinking my cheap ass net was just too scratchy.  When I would net the fish and swing em into my yak they would go nuts, so I would just kind a pin em between my leg, but damn I got slimed big time.

It was amazing out there yesterday and kinda funny too because as we were heading way off shore we started talking about sharks.  After about 5 minutes of shark talk Dave looks over and says..."hey, I'm not kidding here, but something just came out of the water over there and it was'nt a seal"  I could tell he wasn't kidding. A few moments later the humpback came up right off my bow and took a big breath through the blow hole, we were relieved it wasn't the taxman and stoked to get such an up close shot of a whale.

Sorry to interrupt your post midstream. Technologically speaking, I'm not sure how I intercepted half a post?!
    Anyway, awesome fish! The answer to the scale thing is, don't ever wash that wetsuit! It's like Monica's dress...

 

The Cheesey Guide to Fshing with Sean:

1)  To avoid smutz, blood and scales in the boat, remember to "forget" your net.

2)  To ensure continued minimal smutz etc in your boat, pretend that you're hard of hearing when Sean gets a fish on.

3)  When approaching large, unidentified, and potentially dangerous sea animals at two miles offshore, always make sure to remain behind Sean.

4)  Make sure to paddle to hell and back, which will ensure that by the time you get back Sean will not rember that you "forgot" to pay him the 25 bucks you owe him.

Kidding:  Sean, Thanks for the trip - it was an adventure!  How can I pay you for the rod holders?

Great catch,

What a rush it may have been... fighting your first battle with the KING...Pole's bending, line peeling , vibrating head shakes that make's your muscle tens, and finally your covered with slime and scales of your KING...........Nothing left but Memories.

Great catch,

What a rush it may have been... fighting your first battle with the KING...Pole's bending, line peeling , vibrating head shakes that make's your muscle tens, and finally your covered with slime and scales of your KING...........Nothing left but Memories.