Bean Hollow/Davenport Report

Met up with Joe (Skyboy) and Chuck at Bean Hollow on Sat AM.  It was RAGING.  Surf breaking outside the cove on a BIG minus tide.  I'm sure it would have been better had it not been for the tide.

We all drove to Davenport and were met with the biggest surf I'd ever seen there.  It was big, so we all stuffed our gear on the way out.

On the outsite there was a stiff breeze with the occasional whitecap.  By the time we paddled all the way to the stretch off Scott's Creek, it was really windy with whitecaps.  It was a huge struggle to keep our baits down.  Constant paddling with a fast drift.  We all paddled more than we fished.

I only had one bite and landed a butt that was a couple inches short.  No other hits.  Chuck drifted both the flats and the rocks and had 1 legal and 1 sub legal ling (released).

Overall, it was a big surf, blustery day.  Less than optimal for butt fishing.  Oh well, maybe next time.

Jmairey,
You were right, HUGE surf.  Would have hated to see what Friday looked like.

Stuart

Darn.  I was hoping your optimism would prevail over the predictions.  I have yet to secure a halibut this year as well and was hoping for an opening somewhere........
Pat

Hey, you got out. you paddled, you got adventure and exercise. And you did catch a halibut, just short.  props earned! declare victory. and thanks for the report.

regarding halibut:

pat, my pet theory is that the lanes between the giant kelp (not bull kelp) off the stretch from capitola to pigeon point are good halibut locations for kayakers. the skiffs and powerboats can't hit these spots. This is where brendan got his double and I got my first halibut.  The kelp is way less thick than in your photos of stillwater. It is possible with a really slow 'guided' drift to 'swerve' between the stalks, or super slow troll it between them. If your style is to pothole or move around you are all set. you just need 100 times the patience and perseverence for halibut vs rockcod.

small live fish do seem to be the thing to use for bait, but I don't think they have to be anchovies, a 5" croaker will work too.  I would like to try a fishtrap threaded on a leader, or in a RSK, or a floating minnow lure on  the reverse dropper loop too.

santa cruz is super protected from the nw, so as long as there is not a south swell, it seems capitola is a decent halibut hunting location, from pleasure point down to the wharf.

I have been wanting to try this more, cause mainly I have lost bait, either to unbutttoned fish to unhooked hits or snagging/tangling, but my confidence that I'm doing the right thing is strong. My bud Leo likes the simplicity of going to less fished reefs and catching rockfish. and it's hard to argue with that one, so that's what we have done the last few times out, but I hope I get another chance this summer, but if not, summer comes every year!

Oh yeah......that patience thing.......   funny..............
I will keep the Capitola area in my outlook for October.
Pat

While packing up to go sharking with alex, the wife says 'hey, try weighing Eric with the scale', so I get him to hold the handle and I lifted it by the hook to measure 27lbs, then pop - his elbow dislocated.

An hour or so later at kaiser, they weigh him again and say he's 27lbs, so I lean over to the wife and say 'hey, the scale is right on!'.  They popped his arm back together and he was fine again right away.  Not that he was all that upset about having a dislocated arm in the first place, he's a trooper.

Fortunately, weighing him was her idea, so WAF broke even.  Unfortunately it did cost last nights fishing expedition though...

Most importantly I know how to fix him once it happens again, which is likely, knowing him...  

Now that is a fishing story! If it hadn't been your wife that got the idea, there would have been 2 dislocations!

I spoke to Joe / Skyboy and asked him what he caught on the Davenport trip.....this is the reply:





I'm hoping not to offend anyone by this post......if so, I will delete it asap.

how did this get here, I was trying to keep this affair out of the public's eye...thanks Mooch!, Bring me back my scout!!!!

How the hell did you get pictures from my Texas family reunion!?!?!??!?!?!

Where was the picture taken?  and is the scout gone?

The pic was taken on the ranch in Paicines, ca. 40 miles south of hollister. As far as the scout is concerned, it might be, I loaned it to Mooch, and haven't heard from him since, not returning phone calls, emails, Pm's, nothing.....so the answer is, Maybe!!!! . just kidding, he does have it, and from what I understand enjoying it. Ill get it back sooner or later.......

oh by the way Cuzzin Bill, Have you heard of any sheep ranchers in our parts.....

Ill get it back sooner or later.......

Joe - I can't seem to find the scout....I remember leaving it in the drive way with the keys still on the ignition...but when I woke up this morning...it wasn't there.....I thought that maybe I just misplaced it....but I still don't seem to remember where I last parked it......I think you better get another one just in case I don't find it    

anyone wanna go 4 wheel'n?  

well my next 4X4 is going to be http://www.unimog-forever.com/I might have to crush my old scout......don't make me do it

That thing is pretty cool.  I like it!

So, which side of the truck do I go to place my order for tacos and super burritos?