NCKA Armada @ OAP

EB and NB... wow, congrats! NB, that's one of the most ridiculous hail mary's I've seen. Oh and how many times have you been fishing for dinos??

Z

NB,
     Talk about the bottom of the 9th ... full count ... and all alone in the batter's box.....Way to hang in there...!!! Great Job...!!!

Gue

NB, way to go!!!! 

I was cackling like a madman while the batray towed you around, that was insane!  And I can't imagine hooking a 60" fish in 5 feet of water....  that is nuts!

And yes, Chuck, it was a thrill, but I have to confess I was verydisappointed in my handling of the situation.  Once I saw the thing come up I started losing control a little bit, shaking...  Wondering how I'm going to measure it, unhook it, and get a pic...  I was a mess, with my camera out, measuring tape everywhere, trying to do everything at once.  Thanks again Sean for the help snaring and measuring it.

I am kinda proud of my fish handling skills, having released tons of prickly, puking rockfish at BH using only my bare hands, but I was totally unprepared for the size of a sturgeon when it happened...  (Ariel, I will try your method next time).

Before that I caught a ray and a tiny leapard shark.  Kinda fun, as this was my first time catching any of those.

I owe major thanks to Erik Kuntz for the tutorial, Fishunter and Dave for bait and rigging tips, and of course Mr White, (aka Champ).

Thanks for all the kind words folks. I am so sore today, all the paddling plus two very big fish has my muscles singing.

NB, way to go!!!! 

I was cackling like a madman while the batray towed you around, that was insane! 

That was soooooo much fun. Enough fun to make me seriously consider going back out armed only with squid to actually target the batrays. I remember Amphibian doing something similar last year.

BYW how in hell  do you clean a sturgeon in an apartment?

Ha! In the bathtub! Don't tell the landlady. It was like a scene from Psycho in there. BTW, his belly was chock full of big ghost shrimp and some crunchier crustaceans, maybe small crabs.

EB and NB... wow, congrats! NB, that's one of the most ridiculous hail mary's I've seen. Oh and how many times have you been fishing for dinos??

Z

That was only my second time on the yak, but I was adding it up yesterday; all told, counting shore, PB and yak, I've spent over 60hrs in pursuit of a legal dino. Actually any dino. Monday; first yak dino hunt, first dino. Yesterday; second yak dino hunt, first legal dino. Plus I got it in a spot where PBs would have great difficulty fishing safely.

Is any more proof required that Kayak is King?

WE have just got to see the pic from the bathtub! Please, please tell us you took one. If you did another small request; send a copy to PETA titled "Bathing my sea kitten"

I tried to explain to him what had happened but could only manage a stream of breathless gibberish.

  It was f'ing AWESOME! So funny - As we were packin' up I looked back a few times & noticed that NB was just outside the launch--seemed to be just hangin' out. Wondered for second what the heck he was doing but just figured he was just wrapping up his stuff before coming in. I didn't look long enough to see he was actually on a shallow water sleigh ride!

Finally, he appears at the top of the launch, staggering, practically crawling the last few steps. At the chain fence, he just stands there with a kind of wild look in his eyes and his arms outstretched. He's looking right at me trying to say something and I just figure it's his way of saying, "What a day - Victory, I finally made it back!"

Turns out his gesture meant, "I caught one - it's this long!" He finally manages to get the words out and, honestly, for a second, I thought he was BS'ing me! I just couldn't believe he landed a big ol' sturgeon right there in front of us & we never even had a clue! Truly a great tale - one of the best overtime plays ever! 

LOL, and that's how legends are made!  Great story!

Congrats on the awesome solo adventure, Phil.  Great story - what a rush.   

Congrats too to EricB, and way to go on the release as well.   

way yo go!

I didn't know you were a LEFTY?  welcome to the lefty sturgeon club

Thats a helluva story!  Way to stick it out until the bitter end, NB.  Congrats on the catch and release, Eric.

way yo go!

I didn't know you were a LEFTY?  welcome to the lefty sturgeon club

I'm not really, but I like to fish conventional reels left handed 'cos I was raised on spinning reels which you crank with the left. I used to use a righty but fish it upside down. Then Fishin-Jay had a lefty for sale............... much better.

Does anyone remember this many slot sturgeon in such a short time from one place? I can't wait for the weekend report! I just know it was killing NB to not use that last shrimp. He has become a fish magnet for whatever he targets. All I ask is not to post a photo like the Cabezon butcher job from this summer

I am kinda proud of my fish handling skills, having released tons of prickly, puking rockfish at BH using only my bare hands, but I was totally unprepared for the size of a sturgeon when it happened...  (Ariel, I will try your method next time).

These fish do have a way of throwing people off! Northern Boy's reaction at the launch was priceless - the scene is still playing back in my head.

Eric, the photo of you & your fish turned out great - the grin says it all. Good work, SBD on the assist & photo. Way to go, Eric B, on landing & releasing a big keeper unharmed!

And EXTRA POINTS to Eric B for picking up trash near the launch. Great example to set. 

WE have just got to see the pic from the bathtub! Please, please tell us you took one. If you did another small request; send a copy to PETA titled "Bathing my sea kitten"

ROFLMAO!  I would love to hear that story on a Saturday morning NPR radio show. I about lost it coming home from Del Valle today, this girl is teliing a story and I know the guy behind me thought I was nuts.

WTG Northern Boy and EricB...

 Wow,  right in front of the launch,  Great Story... Awesome..

  I should have stayed with the pak,

I tried the deep holes by the Ferry.. 40' FOW!!!!!!!!!  Nothing...

 then tried out in front of the point and then hanged with Relentless...  Zippo...

 I think you guys getting the Fresh bait has a edge, My Ghosties from Mikes were a little tired...

 But 5'fow.... That's incredible and brings a whole lot more intel to the game...

 Strong Work....