Sharkin' in RWC

Yakuza (Martin) and I hit up RWC for some paddle time and sharkin' After a bit of searching for a launch we found a nice new ramp and hit the water about 9ish. The out going tide was just about done and we had a bit of a head wind. Weather was great and it was nice to have some company. We got just about to the main part of the bay and made a few drifts as the tide was starting back in we each got a few nibbles but no take downs. I decided to anchor up and chum the water with some freezer burned smelt. I pinned on an squid....and Wham-O. Well, it was just a nibble. I reeled in a dink Maybe a 12inch. I re-pinned the squid and added some weight. WHAM-O and this was a good tussle. The bites went on for another few hours. Martin was drifting and finding the bites hard to come by. So we daisy chained of the back my boat so we both were on anchor. He got a few and I got a few more. All told I think were got 7-8 sharks and a ray. Snapped a few pics which are below. Paddled back about 1:30 with the wind and tide pushing us in.

Good times indeed!

Mooch the Aquan fish count is now at 20 of 100

Always Good to Have something tugging on the end of your Rod....

 I was down by Jack London Square today and saw something I've never seen...

 Good sized Mud Marlins crusing the surface around the Boats....

 could have just Flylined some squid and had fun all day....

 Is this their spawning season????

After ewb anchored up, he really started slamming em.  I didn't have an anchor, but ewb was cool enough to let me daisy chain off his 5 lb anchor.  The leopard population is very healthy.  Beautiful weather, great workout, and pretty close to home.  AND ewb hooked me up with a beautiful new knocker.  Great day!

Nice report you guys! Looks like a lot of fun for sure. I never get tired of looking at the markings on a leopard shark for some reason.

-Eliot

Glad you guys had a good time on water.  Thanks for the report and pictures.

Looks like fun!

I keep reading that Leopard shark is good eating if bled out promptly. Is that true?

Where (what) is RWC?

Ben

Thanks for the report and pictures ewb.

Ben, I was able to try some leopard shark meat for the first time at
the Berkeley pier. One guy we were fishing with fried the fish with some
bread crumbs and it was delicious.

Jedmo

Frickin' bendo city down there. Cool shots EWB. You going to Albion? Yakuza, if you need an anchor I have one for you. Gifted. Craig

RWC = Redwood City

Cool side-saddle bendo shot of Martin.  Way to hook it up, Guys.   

This was my first extensive paddle of the Caper.  Compared to my Adventure, the Caper is SLOW!  It's a major workout trying to horse that thing up to speed and keep it going.  We paddled out past the channel markers, about 2.3 miles from launch.  I tried to keep it pegged above 4 mph, but after about 20 minutes, I was getting really tired (but then again it probably had a lot to do with early season lack of fitness).  It was also HOT, the 15 knot winds never materialized, and the sun broke out big time.

Stability was great, could sit side-saddle and tug on some toothy critters no problem.  I bought the Caper with the intent of using it as my river boat and for short paddle potholing trips, like SWS, Cowells, or San Carlos.  I'm not sure I'd have the patience or stamina to fight that thing for 6 miles down in Sur, although its so light the portage would be way way easier.  I suppose its not fair to compare the Adventure and the Caper, but that's exactly what I'll have to do each weekend in selecting a boat.

Hey for you newbs out there, take a lesson from ewb.  That's one guy who has really studied the sport.  He's got power boat experience which he's translated very well to yakfishing.  His trip preparation is good, as is his washdown routine.  It all shows in his results too. 

sweet action!!  reads and looks like a good ol hookun'!! 

Some one tell me its shark season?  the best season of the year

This was my first extensive paddle of the Caper.  Compared to my Adventure, the Caper is SLOW!  It's a major workout trying to horse that thing up to speed and keep it going.  We paddled out past the channel markers, about 2.3 miles from launch.  I tried to keep it pegged above 4 mph, but after about 20 minutes, I was getting really tired (but then again it probably had a lot to do with early season lack of fitness).  It was also HOT, the 15 knot winds never materialized, and the sun broke out big time.

Stability was great, could sit side-saddle and tug on some toothy critters no problem.  I bought the Caper with the intent of using it as my river boat and for short paddle potholing trips, like SWS, Cowells, or San Carlos.  I'm not sure I'd have the patience or stamina to fight that thing for 6 miles down in Sur, although its so light the portage would be way way easier.  I suppose its not fair to compare the Adventure and the Caper, but that's exactly what I'll have to do each weekend in selecting a boat.

Hey for you newbs out there, take a lesson from ewb.  That's one guy who has really studied the sport.  He's got power boat experience which he's translated very well to yakfishing.  His trip preparation is good, as is his washdown routine.  It all shows in his results too. 

Thanks for the props Martin....Don't let him BS you. He smoked me out and back paddling. I finally gave up trying to keep up with him. I can only imagine if he had the hobie AND been in shape. He would have made it to Newark before I cleared the channel! I learned my lesson never to try and keep up paddling with a tri-athlete!

Looks like fun guys! We've been seeing quite a few rays and leopards in the Elkhorn Slough lately too.Maybe it is spawning season or something?