Another lurker comes out...

Hello, I've been visiting this site and reading your threads since Nov.  I want to thank you all for inspiring and educating me.  I bought and rigged my yak right at the tail end of the halibut run here in Santa Cruz.  It's been 20+ years since I left the partyboat and commercial fishing industry (Monterey) and it's sooo good to be back on the water.  I'll try to post my trips and pics here as much as possible.  I went out of Santa Cruz harbor about a week ago (a lull in the weather systems)  and paddled out to about 130 ft.  It was good to be out and the weather was great.  I caught about 30 sand dabs before the wind came up.  Here's some picks, enjoy.    Dan

Welcome, we look forward to your posts and reports. Thats quite a clean setup you have there. See you around.

Jeff

Sweet ride!

 Thats quite a clean setup you have there. See you around.

Was gonna say the same thing. Welcome to the madness.

Welcome aboard, witness.  With the experience you've had it's no wonder you got setup properly before venturing out.  I'm sure we'll be hearing some great reports from you - nice pics btw.   

Welcome. The trident you have will exceed all expectations I believe.I can see that you didn't make the mistake that I did on mounting the base for the power head on the FF. Does it clear on the right side when folding it down? Everything you set up looks great. When do the halibut start coming in down there?Come to the 2008AOTY awards pot-luck on the 21st with your ride so we can all meet . I would like to check out that forward rod tube mount. Again, welcome. You have to come up to Sonoma county when abalone and rockfishing starts. Craig

Thanks for the feedback.  Unless things have changed, prime time here is June and July when the halibut move in to spawn.  Incredible season last year and I was going crazy hearing about it (I hate buying fish).  When I finally got may gear together, it was over.  I did catch one barely legal fish in front of the harbor, very tasty.  I'll be ready this year, live bait tank, etc., probably overkill. 

Craig, the FF folds down nicely and none of the forward equipment interfere with the compass.  I put the Ram tube up front for trolling and quick deposit. I didn't like craning my head back and up to see my rod tip.  I haven't used the tube much, so far, we'll see.   Thanks for the potluck invite, I'll research that. 

Who took the shot of you kickin it with the pole?  WTTM!

Welcome witness, I like the setup you have there. Looking forward to many more
of your reports and pictures. See you on the water soon.

Jedmo

 You are going to so much fun...!!! Welcome...!!!

See ya out there,

Gue

welcome to the fray!  nice looking trident!

Yup, nice set-up, wait till rockfish season and there will be more blood on yer deck.

Welcome!  From your post, it seems you are local to Santa Cruz.  There are a handful of Santa Cruz Guys that are always looking for company.  Stay in touch.

congrats on getting out!

to get to 130 feet, you had to be out far past the mile buoy right?

e2g, yes the last picture depicts the distance and conditions.  I didn't log the spot on my GPS, I'm guessing I was about four miles, maybe five.  I made a point of going up from the harbor (in case the wind came up and it did of course), I probably ended up outside of natural bridges in that pic. 

jprtroy, the first pic of me lounging was taken awhile ago, by a friend.  The other three were about a week ago.  You got me on the "WTTM" part.

khmunger, like you from Scotts Valley.  I updated my profile a little and thanks.