China Camp 12/23/08 - Christmas Dino

What an incredible day on San Pablo today.  No wind, flat calm, nice tide, storm coming in tomorrow... all the right ingredients.

Also, with the weather in Oregon/Washington, Ghost shrimp are in short supply.  Called around to all the shops and Leonard's had a few left.  I buzzed over there for some nice lively ghosties... probably the last in the bay area for a while. 

Met Guitarzan in the parking lot... SteveS was already on the water off of Rat Rock... Fishhunter came in a little later.

I paddled up to my usual spot (aka the honey hole)... the others stayed closer to home.

Caught one little kingfish early, then at about 11:30 I set the hook and immediately knew it was the right kind.  Nice hot fish did some nice acrobatics so I knew what I had might be a keeper.  No matter how many times you do this, it is ALWAYS a huge rush to set the hook on these fish and watch them go ballistic. 

After a valliant effort, the fish blew bubbles and I got him in the snare.  He went past the 46 inch line on my kayak, so I introduced him to the punisher.  Game over.

Wound up being 47 1/2 inches... nice eating size fish which I will be sampling tonite on the BBQ.

Off the water and on the road by 1:00... I wish it was always this painless.  It's been a solid year or more since I've had a legal dino... this felt really good!

I know SteveS had shook an undersize dino a little before 1:00.  Hopefully Adam and Ben lay some lumber as well. 

Pics later... Adam took the money shot.

EK

Congrats, Big E.  Thanks for sharing - I'll be looking forward to that $-shot.   

Good job on the sturgeon! Can't wait for the pictures!
 Miguel

Can't wait for the pics! Congrats EK!!

Z

Nice! Showing us how it's done...again!

WTG EK!!! Way to lay it to 'em

-FF

The master scores again!!! Way to go EK. You make it look so easy.

The Master Strikes!!!!

 WTMake it look Easy......

 Stopped by a couple of hours ago, I was in the area walking the Family and Dog...

 Saw GuitarZan and Hunter Hanging by Ratrock, did not look like much excitement was going other that

 A real relaxing NCKA brotherhood in action, 
 
 
 Hard to watch from the shore, Man I'm Jones'n.....

Couple of Landlubber Pics before the Money Shots,

 Check out the Optio 20 ZoooMmmmm....

 and watch your Tide at China Camp, that sludge is only going to get worse for the Late Crew...

Good goin' man! It's nice when it all comes together as hoped for.
I wish I could have gone today!

Here's the "driveway shot".  Looks like my 4-year old would make a good measuring stick for the lower end of the slot limit.

Congrats on the sturgeon Kz. Perfect timing, just before Christmas. WTG!

Jedmo

One Kingfish and a bullhead for me, back on Sat, and big congrats Eric!
Cool card Don!

Congrats, Erik!

And Adam...  if there was an award for most days on the water, I suspect you'd win.

Congrats to the master,

git er doooooooooooone!!!      Damn dude, way to show everyone who the BOSS is!

Ben, I still think your primo to buddy.   Adam, if you caught sturgeon as comparatively as large as your bass you would be in trouble in that 13 of yours.    Thanks for the report guys.  JTF