Gimme Shelter III - VIDEO DIRECTIONS added on Page 43

Abking.... Dude... looks more and more like you need some cool prizes and a fancy belt buckle.... Maybe next time for me... Looks like a blast...!!!

Gue

Abking.... Dude... looks more and more like you need some cool prizes and a fancy belt buckle....

There are some ideas in the works.   

1. I will try to upgrade to a rockfish/ling rod and reel, any recommendations as affordable as possible as I am a substitute teacher and the work up here is feast or famine?

2. what pound test should I spool it with?

3. terminal tackle suggestions, hook, sinkers, swivels?

4. bait?

5. lures?

6. anchor system? I have one do I need it?

7. do any of the crew bring instruments for camp jamming? I play bass, banjo and guitar.
 
Too many questions yet? I have more but they can wait till later.

by the way, yes I'll wear my PFD and heed the advice the ocean vets!

I will want to stay in the campground and not get a room.

Tad - I'm glad you're stoked.   

Here's some advice from me, and it differs from what many others have to offer:

1.  Affordable rod and reel combo that comes with 20 pound mono = Shakespeare Big Water Combo from K-Mart or Wal-Mart.  I'm not kidding!  It's around $40 brand new and it'll slay rockfish and lings for up to a few years with only a spray down from the hose when you get home.

2.  Stick with the 20 pound - it's heavy enough to land a big fish and not so heavy that you can't break it off when you need to.

3,4,5.  The most common tackle for what we'll be doing is a "shrimpfly rig" with a lead-head, Megabait or other metal like Diamond Bar at the terminal end.  You have to remove one of the shrimpflies to comply with a two hook restriction.  When the fishing is hot you can leave a bare hook above your leadhead, little blues and blacks will still bite the bare hook, and lingcod and big reds will hammer either the leadhead or the little morsel that bit the bare hook.  If we fish off the rocks you can just put a 2-4 ounce weight where the leadhead was and pile gobs of squid, ab guts, mussels...etc. on the shrimpflies or trade them out for hooks of varying sizes.  You can also go as simple as dropping a hooked anchovy and a little weight down around the reef and do well, but I think jigging is more fun.

6.  I'd say leave the anchor at home - too dangerous in the ocean and no real need.

7.  Oh yes - bring it!

8.+  PFD of course, and look into other items that are good to have on the ocean - VHF, GPS, compass...

      Campground is good and many will stay there, but I'll warn it could be cold and windy.    

A few years ago I went to the Cove, and was too cheap to get a motel room, and too cheap to even pay for a campsite.  My buddy and I ended up sleeping under my truck in the backyard of a house under construction.  That was a cold, windy, miserable night.  Great view the next morning though, we were parked not 30' from the bluff.  The swells were pumping pretty good, but the fishing held out and we manged some nice blacks/lings...could've done without the shark though!

Tad, let me know if you want to check out some gear.  Phil's has some salwater stuff, I think Strictly Fishin does too if they're still in business.  I'll shoot you a PM...
-ben (beenfishin)

Thanks again ABking, I'll look into your recommendations (and others) about gear.

I checked out the recommended shakespeare big water combo (nice price) and noticed its a spin cast reel with 10 ft. rod,

next question(s):

1. isn't 10 ft kind of long?, I notice most like around 7 ft.
2. do you prefer spinning reels to conventional level wind bait casting?, I was thinking of a level wind.
3. A FF and VHF are on the wish list, open to affordable suggestions?
4. GPS can wait awhile, cheap compass suggestions?
5. I have farmer john neoprene waders, should I bring it or use it to stay warm?
6. Am I a pain in the A$$ with all these questions? I didn't get a sub call today so I'm home alone and jonesing to fish!

Tad

6. Am I a pain in the A$$ with all these questions? I didn't get a sub call today so I'm home alone and jonesing to fish!

Hey Tad!  We all been there, so no your not a PITA!  However you can do A TON of research on ALL of these topics by looking at the rest of the forums if your just looking for suggestions.  IMHO a VHF should not be on the "wish" list, it should be on the "MUST HAVE" list!

This looks like it's gonna be nuts. But I do have a little girl who should be here in the beginning of April. So for at least 3 months I'm gonna be a zombie. Can I bet on who I think's gonna win the MBF??

Z

6. Am I a pain in the A$$ with all these questions? I didn't get a sub call today so I'm home alone and jonesing to fish!

Hey Tad!  We all been there, so no your not a PITA!  However you can do A TON of research on ALL of these topics by looking at the rest of the forums if your just looking for suggestions.  IMHO a VHF should not be on the "wish" list, it should be on the "MUST HAVE" list!

Thanks Al, I will heed your advice!

1. isn't 10 ft kind of long?, I notice most like around 7 ft.
2. do you prefer spinning reels to conventional level wind bait casting?, I was thinking of a level wind.
3. A FF and VHF are on the wish list, open to affordable suggestions?
4. GPS can wait awhile, cheap compass suggestions?
5. I have farmer john neoprene waders, should I bring it or use it to stay warm?
6. Am I a pain in the A$$ with all these questions? I didn't get a sub call today so I'm home alone and jonesing to fish!

You can get the Big Water Combo in 7 or 8' - keep looking.

They usually come with a spinning reel, and sometimes you'll see them with a level-wind.  You wanted cheap.   

Fishfinders are over-rated.   

GPS is an important item, but do NOT go on the ocean w/o a compass - please!

Waders on the ocean are not a good idea.

Al gave good advice re:  searching the forum for this info, and I don't mind at all giving whatever info I have.   

Congrats on the baby girl on the way, Zee.  We'll be thinking of you.  Oh, and you can place a bet on who'll win the MBF, but the house gets a cut!   

And don't forget the camera.  You'll fall in love with the beautiful sceneries there!

I like to go Phat-Pimp and stay in one of the hotels right along the rocks at Coral Point - probably The Tides Inn for around $120-$150/night. 

Eric -

Any of the hotels allow dogs? If yes, I am 50% in.

scott

Hi Eric,

There're a couple hotels that allow pets for a small fee, I think the Beach Comber is one of them.  Here is the web site which have the lodging and many useful info about Shelter Cove:

http://www.vacationsheltercove.com/

Sonny

Thanks for providing that link, Sonny.   

Scott - I found that the "Inn of the Lost Coast" allows pets (I don't have details), but it's at the north end of town, about a mile from the action.  My family has stayed at the Beachcomber a few times and it's nice - comfy, kitchenettes available, great location to hang with the campers too.  I hope to see that foxy little dog of yours (and you too!   ).

I believe the Marina Motel has the lowest price in town. It locates right next to the camp ground and the boat launch so it's very convenience but I'm not sure about their pet's rule.

I believe the Marina Motel has the lowest price in town. It locates right next to the camp ground and the boat launch so it's very convenience but I'm not sure about their pet's rule.

I'm pretty sure it's still $100/night, and it's nowhere near as scenic as the hotels on the water.  Sonny's right about the access though - it's literally a stone's throw from the cleaning table, the campground, the store, and the cove/launch.

Are most people staying in a hotel, or camping?