Davenport Whales and Ling 5/31

Met up with PISCEAN at Daverport at 6AM to find flat calm sea and very little swell.Efficient team carry and lack of surf made the launch a breeze.We headed North, fishing the shallow reefs out to about 90 FOW as we headed toward a flat-topped finger reef with a slight drop that PISCEAN had marked on his GPS.Half way out to the reef we are greeted by small gray whale! This little beauty popped up between us, less than fifteen feet away and eyeballed us before disappearing into the deep.On my first drop I nail a black and yellow that puts up a great fight, throwing the hook at the boat.I paddle out to fish the iron a bit deeper and my 4" white grub teaser gets bit by a 25" keeper ling.The ling was even kind enough to spit up a fresh octopus on my deck.I then proceeded to catch a fatty 4lb brown, a chunky blue, a blue 20" underling and big sand dab on the octo tentacle teaser.PISCEAN was on a c&r mission and landed several gophers,a male kelp greenling, and at least three underling.The water temp was a chilly 50 degrees and the overcast skies dictated that we land.On our way in we get another surprise visit from a gray whale.It may have even been the same whale from the morning bidding us farewell.Outstanding paddle with great company!

Nice report, Aaron. Glad to hear you guys had a productive day on the water.

The whale looked very much like this.Sorry I wasn't quick enough with the camera.The stunt whale will have to do.

Stunt whales are cool.  Way to get out and go for it close to/in the red triangle.   

That will work, WTG supporting the stunt double whales, I heard they've had a lack of work lately. Octopus= kick ass ling bait

 I drove down to davenport around 2pm hoping to see you guys land but it was already blown out with white caps. Big difference from yesterday. Glad to hear you guys had something pulling on your rods.

Seems like a great day on the water.  Thanks for the report and pictures.

Whales close to the kayak is a great experience, especially when you can see the eye.  Had a pink calf and mama swim right pass me and give me the "eye."  Made that day one of my best days on the water.

Very nice. Sounds like a great day...  like the pics, thanks.

Ben

Conditions were great on the north coast of SC this weekend. For something different we tried the Mooch-declared "fishless" waters of Davenport. FINALLY got my fishFinder working (corroded terminals) Saturday so that was a big help. We metered fish here & there, but the bite was slow for me. My best luck came on a white twin tail. My final tally for the day was 4 underlings, 2 gophers, & that beautiful male greenling. With all the flat area out there I probably should've tried the hali rigs I tied up. Next time.

Regardless of no fish on the clip for me yesterday, the whale encounter was reward enough. That whale came along close enough to scope us out, stayed around all morning, then bid us adios as we paddled in.

 I figured the anthropomorphised (sp?) version would have been something like this:
Whale (6:30am) "Hey guys! Whatcha doin? Fishin today? Me too! Sweet, looks like a good day for it. Have fun out here, I'll catcha before you take off, K?"
Whale: (7:00-11:00am) "Ooh, looks like they're gettin fish!
Whale: (11:30am) "Hey guys, you outta here? Cool, well it was fun hangin out this morning! See ya on the fluke side brahs!"

Good weather, good water, good company, & even some fish. A really nice morning to be out there. Bonus was hanging on the bluff (Aaron's first pic) talkin' story while watching a couple of yak surfers playing in the small but clean break.

I do love   the ocean lifestyle.

-Sean

great report guys! thanks