Dunkin bait off China Camp

I read al least one report that said stripers were finally showing in San Pablo Bay so I hit China Camp this morning about 8.  paddled outside of rat rock and anchored in about 12 ft of water. fished there about an hour as the wind  built until I was in a field of sheep. Moved in to about 50 yds offshore between Rat rock and the launch, still about 15 ft. In these 2 spots just a couple of rat-a tats.  

While there I got a chance to do my good deed for the day.  A couple of swimmers passed by and kept going about a hundred yds past Rat Rock (with the current), as they were coming back I could see that one was allot stronger than the other so as they got between me and shore I asked the straggler if she was OK, she said yes and kept going, within minutes I hear, sir could I hang on to your boat for awhile?  She didn't look afraid, just tired, I had just pulled anchor and said sure, I had her grab the bow handle and gently started paddling back towards the launch (about 150yds off).  Her companion checked in but pretty much kept swimming slowly back to the launch.  I figured she would just hang on for a few minutes but then I could see she was shot. At this point I couldn't keep up with the current with her holding on to the front and I had too much crap in back to haul her aboard so I had her grab the rear handle and proceeded to tow her back to her launch, she helped a little by kicking, and with her and the current it was some work but I got her into about 3 ft of water off the beach, thankfully sand, not mud and she thanked me and explained that she and her partner were training for a triathalon and that her strong suit was running and that she'd "never" swum against a current before.  I wished her luck and headed back out. As she was only about 30 yds offshore when she asked for help and not panicked I figure all I did was make her life a little easier, I think her and her friend would have been fine without me but you never know and I'm a helpful guy

During all that the wind actually died down and stayed down the rest of the day.  I went down to about half way between McNears and China Camp and out to about 12 ft of water where I ended up with 2 bat rays, (thankfully small ones), 2 14" bass, and a nice looking baby 7 gill, pretty fish.

I had bulheads but never got around to putting one on, I just used cut anchovies. I fgured with them if the bass were around I'd know it.   Beautiful day after the wind died down.  

Good report and great karma to you. 
Last time I was there I retrieved some kids' soccer ball from the water - not quite the same as helping someone back to shore...
It seems the stripers have been a bit evasive the last couple days.

I drove by on my way out to Petaluma River, and saw you anchored up there (about 9am or so), figured i'd hear the report so kept on going.  Glad to hear you got something - was this time last year (tuesday actually) that i got a sturgie just about where you were anchored up

Thanks for the post Dale L. You'll be blessed big time for helping that lady  Did you go out today solo?

Jedmo

Great report, Dale, but where's the pics of the swimmer-assist?!   

TOTALLY KIDDING!!!   

You are the MAN for doing that.  The sequence of events that you described (and the fact that you've shared it with us in the way you have) reveal things about you that show us all why this is so much more than a fishing forum.  What's become apparent to me in the last almost 4 years here is that the vast majority of folks here, if not ALL(!), are the type that would give you the shirt off their back.  When I was a kid I'd hear that saying, and I think I knew what it meant, both literally and figuratively.  I've now come to know that kind of idea much more intimately, and this place is largely the reason. 

Not a threadjack - just appreciating real stuff.   

Good report. I have never fished there. Good to hear a bit about what its like.

Good job on the rescue. To continue Abking's thread jack (just kidding Abking
This is just another confirmation the quality of the kayak fishers in this group. But to me personally, it is also a bit more. It is a good reminder to me why we need to be conscientious about out skills, fitness, safety gear, and emergency preparation--others may have to rely on us out there. I wouldn't want to be in a situation where I was called but fell short of the best I could do because of my own lack of preparation or readiness. The North Pacific can be an inhospitable place to the weary, injured, or unprepared. It is good to know we have kayakers like you out there.

Thanks for the positive feedback; seems like just about anyone here would have done the same.  I have been the reciepent on OTW aid more than once over the last 35 years always in a PB though and never in a life threatening situation.

While it may be contrary to the Macho thing I find it a good idea to offer aid or ask someone how they're doing (if it looks like they might be in need) before they have to swallow thier pride and ask for it.

It wasn't a big thing, I figure all I did was save the girl from a painfull (sharp mossy rocks) or really unpleasant (mud flat) exit from where she was.  We were almost within casting distance of shore.  And if she'd headed directly for shore going across or with the current instead of against it I'm sure she would have made it. Although if panic sets in people don't seem to think well and it could go down hill.

It did give me something to think about, I had my PFD, a shorty wetsuit as a base layer and a VHF so I was set, but I think maybe a little forthought about being ready to render aid might be a good idea.  With the gear I usually carry I think if I add a throwable float I'd be there. Any more than that and I'd be pretending to be a rescue operation.


Dale L

Good job. On another note, remember the area, it is a "GREAT" palce for the dino's too. A lot of people have caught a few good ones. Once again, good job on helping out the swimmer

Hey, Dale, I saw you bringing her in. I got there pretty late in the morning, and was about to bag it on account of the wind, but when I saw you, you seemed to be moving pretty easily against it, so I payed the parking fee and unloaded my boat and then realized that I didn't have my fishing license. So I went home and came back to china camp and fished on Sunday instead. I covered the area between McNears and rat rock, pretty much like you did except I didn't anchor. I was trolling with lures in one direction and drifting with cut anchovies in the other direction, no fish, only one soft bite. The wind came up at about 1:00, so I figured that was enough. I had heard the same reports about the stripers, I even caught two from the beach at point pinole two weeks ago. No sign of them this weekend, though.

Sorry to hear about the cancellation, I've done that too, my memory went over the side years ago.

good deeds get paid back x10...you're in for it now Dale!  Way to help out...and yes, you did......swimming against current and getting tired is bad combo.
Thanks for postin the report and the pics......keep at it!

Cool report & really cool pic of the little 7gill!

Wow. You make it all sound so calm! But you could flip it on its head and say the fact that she was only 30 feet off shore but still had to ask for help suggests she was in more trouble than anyone wanted to admit. The current rips through there, I can't imagine how hard it would be to swim against it. Fishing off the McNears pier we'd have to use 10oz spider weights just to have a hope of gripping the bottom.

Either way, well done for helping out!