China Camp 1-10-09

Allen, Patrick and myself launched at 10:30 am to brisk easterly winds, full sun and a wind chop of 2-3ft.I pumped45 or so ghost shrimp at Tomales bay last night and they were some lively and large shrimp. We stopped at LL and scored some grass. These were way larger than the last time. Allen had some eel and so we took off to find the SPOT.We were on the hook just as the tide topped out and we started to get settled in for 6hours of being in the saddle.As the tide turned our bows were facing the south with the easterly not letting up and the wind waves with the occasional wake from seen and unseen boats hitting us on our left side almost all day. One thing about kayak fishing in these conditions is that you know you are alive the whole time because you just can't afford to doze off or get to complacent.Another kayaker joined us at around 11:30 or so. Ithink it was either Doyle or Brent.Not much action the first 4hours os so. Two rays. Allen got bit and it was a nice fish but broke off right at his bow I got pumped soon after that and caught my first sturgeon ever(can you believe that?).Bringing it to the kayak I knew it was undersize but it was cool to finally after all these years of not being the guy to hook one I finally did. I released and we paid the utmost attention for the rest of the trip. Thinking all these hail marys have been coming to people lately we were still optomitic things would happen. NOT! Any way I bought a new/used trident 15 and after paddling my scupper proTW for the last 5 or so this was a sweet ride. I was higher which felt funny at first but settled in with the east wind waves at times buffeting the side without feeling tippy I was sold. I LOVE IT! I can wait to get on the ocean with it but man,thats going to so cool. I feel like a kid with a new bike. My new hummingbird565 with scupper transducer gets here next week and I will be more electronically challenged that I ever have fishing for anything. I got to catch up with you all. Here are some photos of the day. None of the fish I am afraid with the condtions on the water I could only do one thing at a time. Thanks to all who are helping me with questions that may seem redundant bou they are all bits of kayaking wisdom I take to heart. Tote, your anchor system worked beautifully. Oh yea, I almost forgot At a -1.6 its along way to the beach through the thickest mud you could imagine. We pushed on the back of thekayaks(allens tip of the day) Through about50 yards of goo. We were craking up and it was a fitting fun thing to end a great day on the water with 2 great guys.

I know how frustrating it can be to create a report and have it disappear or malfunction.  Way to persist!  Hopefully Bill will figure out what went haywire on this - it sounds like it could well be your camera...

I was soooooo excited to hear you (craig/Ravensblack) brought your camera. We were actually going to take a picture of the infamous camera but it never surfaced for our eyes...hehe. It was so cool to be there for your first kayak bass and then again for your first sturgeon .........even if it was a bit short. The last year has been full of our  and others firsts..........the adventure keeps on growing!   Actually this is a cool thread........only those who make the effort see the results............