Lots of Fisherman at Elk!/Tommy's first ocean paddle

Took my nephew Tommy for a last hurrah before he had knee surgery. This was his 1st time on the ocean in a yak and he had a blast.

The fisherman.....


We paddled out on glassy kelpy water and looked for a hole to dive in.


I watched Tommy until he had his three then did a couple dives for a quick limit for myself.


Now for some fishing. We paddled back out to deeper water passing a haul out full of seals. Tommy said he felt nervous about sharks but I kept going to small spot of floating kelp. I paddled around till I marked some fish on good structure and made a drop.


After a couple Blacks and Gophers we moved, Tommy hadn't got bit yet.
I saw some kelp farther out in around 80ft. and made for it.
Bingo! I hooked a couple 28-30" lings and a 19"verm.


Then Tommy lets out a whoop and has his first yak fish on, then another, and another. He hooked a nice verm and a couple gophers and a canary. Tommy hooks something bigger, its a nice keeper ling.
We paddle back to the high spot and drop again Tommy's line gets wacked as he bounces it  of the bottom. His rod is doubled over and line is peeling off. In a panic he tightens the drag, after I told him he was going to get rocked. Now he's going for a mini sleigh ride, I tell him to back it off. He gets the fish coming up but before we can see it his line breaks at the jig.
I know it was a big Lingzilla and luckily he hooks up again to a keeper size one that he boats. It was a good learning trip for him and now he's stoked.
Then it was time for the dreaded hill  We ended up making two trips because of all the crap we had, abs,fish, dive gear, fishing gear. What a workout, and a long day...........
I had told myself "never again" after doing the combo with Bluefin17. But special circumstances call for extra effort, he had a great time and surgery went well on his knee today.

Beautiful. Way to get out there, Shimmy!

Sweet Pics and Report Mark!

I spoke to your parents the other day and they said you guys did good, so I was waiting to see/read your report.

BTW, did Tommy tell you he got the tractor running just before his surgery?

Nice combo catches!  Thanks for the report and great "action" pictures 

I wanted to add video but I had the new camera set to avchd and don't have that software. I switched it to motion jpeg, doh... The video with the rod all doubled over is funny.

Nice fish and nice report, verms look healthy. Thanks for the report, looks like you guys had a nice day OTW, too bad about the lost mystery beast.

He's about to go in for knee surgery and you take him to Elk????!!! I'm sure he was reeeeally ready for surgery after that hill  What do you have in mind for his rehab? Maybe a nice little trek up the Indian Fire trail on Mt Tam  Sounds like you guys had a great time. Give him some motivation and something to look forward to.

Glad you got out Shimmy!!!

thanks for the report and pictures Mr Shim!
youve been missed

I've been thinking of another combo trip soon.  Again ?  Nice to see you getting out of the shop.

I have that spot marked!We found it except by chance, the 5-6 floating kelp bulbs were the only visible signs. But the abundance of kelp also make for landing the big ones tricky!
The water temp has warmed to the 50's so the fishing has definitely picked up since Albion and the 48 degree water, brrrrrrr... 

Fantastic report shim!

He's about to go in for knee surgery and you take him to Elk????!!! I'm sure he was reeeeally ready for surgery after that hill  What do you have in mind for his rehab? Maybe a nice little trek up the Indian Fire trail on Mt Tam  Sounds like you guys had a great time. Give him some motivation and something to look forward to.

I was thinking the SAME THING!   

Sounds like a fun time Shimmy!   
(except the hill...)

Great report and sounds like u guys had a blast, and the pre surgery workout... Abs/fishing rocks...thx...

He's about to go in for knee surgery and you take him to Elk????!!! I'm sure he was reeeeally ready for surgery after that hill   What do you have in mind for his rehab? Maybe a nice little trek up the Indian Fire trail on Mt Tam   Sounds like you guys had a great time. Give him some motivation and something to look forward to.

I was thinking the SAME THING!    

Sounds like a fun time Shimmy!  
(except the hill...)

Well you know how a 22yr. old "Katonk" thinks, "so I'll fall a few times", or it can't hurt anymore than it does already. Must be a family genetic defect.