Kayaked the ocean today!

Might as well have been.

 Sheesh what an afternoon. Launched my new T1160i at 2pm to a slight breeze and partly cloudy skies. Paddled around to get the feel for the kayak and began fishing. Water had about 8" of visibility so I wasn't expecting much action. Threw a swimbait for a while and got bored with it then I switched over to the trusty and first cast into a pocket, water swirled and felt the tick tick. Set the hook and immediately got an air show. After a few sluggish runs I lipped my first 2009 Delta bass. She weighed in at 3.1 pound. Not bad. Worked the same bank for about 45 minutes and then the wind came briskly and never let up. I tried to find cover but it seemed like it was blowing in every single direction. I ended up beaching the yak on a tule island to see if the wind would let up. Nope. 1 mile paddle back into the headwind of I am guessing 20mph winds. The waves were so bad they wear crashing over the bow and just soaking me, and keeping me from really seeing where I was going. Head down, and paddles hard. Made it back safely. I will let the pics and video explain themselves. Off the water at 5pm.

Jeff

Dude, that is nasty.  I was wondering what the conditions were like out there today when I got home.  Congrats on getting the first of hopefully many bass in 09.  What part of the water column were you targeting?

Thanks, fish was in less than 2 foot of water. I also hooked up with a small striper I lost on a rat-l-trap but it doesnt count. Lol

Great report, Jeff.  And that's a pretty boat.  Those tough conditions make for a very satisfying day, and it's all validated in the rush you get when you get back ashore and on the road.  Nice job.   

The first of the year is always a sweet one!  Nasty weather wind-wise...I hope the conditions will be milder on Saturday.

Congratulations!

Doubt the waters will clear up by then, but it's all good.

That is some rough Delta action, good work on such a windy day.  Do you ever anchor in the delta or just ride it out?  I have been wanting to fish the delta, but tides and wind make me wonder if I should hold off.

Jeff you seem like you know the delta pretty well-Do you like fishing the tides for bass?  Not stripers, but LMB and Smallies?  How hard is it to paddle against the tide?

The tide is nothing, it's the wind that sucks. Usually wind is not a huge issue here, but I caught some. Current is good for largemouth. They hold in the pockets. I have anchored before but don't do very often. I may try some later spring. If you want to hook up let me know.

Jeff

You ain't gonna find work out there.

Jeff,
    Way to break in the shiny new ride....Congrats....nice fish too.

Gue

O boy!! Youd love the Monterey Bay!!!

Well you had me going with the title. I thought I had an ocean fishing buddy for the upcoming season. Way to make an adventure of it out there. Congrats on your first Delata bass of 2009 and your first for the new kayak!

Ray

That is some rough Delta action, good work on such a windy day.  Do you ever anchor in the delta or just ride it out?  I have been wanting to fish the delta, but tides and wind make me wonder if I should hold off.

Jeff you seem like you know the delta pretty well-Do you like fishing the tides for bass?  Not stripers, but LMB and Smallies?  How hard is it to paddle against the tide?

Let me add that back/side slough fishing is very different that open water areas like Rio Vista/Decker/Sherman. While there are decent currents in most areas of the delta, there are areas which get ripping and you will not want/ be able to paddle against those. The delta can be windy and flat but when the tide flips it can go crazy. There are lots of pockets of water that are fishable due to the relative small size of the sloughs with tules and high banks, but get out of those protected areas and its a different story.


-Brian G

Dood!...when I see water like that...plan B(not involving yaks&dangerous waters) are getting made as I drive back home. No fish is worth getting flipped and/or seperated from your yak.(that's what I say now)
I do agree that learning your limitations is nessesary, but those WX are meant to be on land. (IMHO)

Don't be foolish, even though I throughly enjoyed the vids, and put yourself on the line.   
Be Wise, Learn to Tuck Tail. 

beautifull fish bravo