Fishing n Monterey

I was starting to feel down last Thursday when I had to tell Fish Flogger that I was put on call for work this weekend.  Well, I ended up canceling my Sunday fishing therapy and felt so ready to retire so I can fish anytime I want to.  However, by Friday it looks like that I may only be on call for Sunday.  Things were starting to look better Friday afternoon when Danny (Superd270) PM me to go fishing on Saturday in Monterey.  I still wasn't sure if I can go but prepared anyway just in case.  By Friday night, I was all prepped to go and no call was going to stop me anymore.  This is only my second time trying to fish in the ocean in my newly found toy and I want to catch something other than sardines (HMB).  For those of you who are thinking of getting an adventure island (AI) and new to fishing in the ocean, my story might help you decide.  There is no doubt that the amas (outriggers) in the island will make you feel safer.  It's heck a lot easier to pee even when there are 5 foot swells.  It's also a lot heavier but when your peddling using the turbo fins you can still keep up with the paddlers.  Never fished Lover's pt before and didn't know what to expect.  Launching from the surf was a breeze and off I go trying to keep up with Danny and his tandem mate.  I was doing fne and moving quite fast when suddenly all I saw in front of me was a jungle of kelp.   I must have read it wrong but I thought I read from someone here that the mirage drive does not get stuck on kelp.   Well  after trying several times and pulling off the kelp from it, I gave up and raised it up.  But, by now Danny and his mate were not shouting distance anymore and they didn't have a radio.  So, I took out the paddle and started paddling, huffing and puffing and trying to paddle out of the kelp.  Now, I know it's almost impossible to paddle the AI through the kelp if you are out of shape.  A few minutes later, I see Danny and his mate was coming back.  Wow, what a relief to see those two.  They tied the AI to their tandem yak and for a minute there I thought they will be stuck too.  But, those two can paddle and now I have my towing crew.  Off we go to the legal fishing ground and caught some fish within a few minutes.  I've got some fish pics from Danny and a video of my towing crew going through all that kelp.  I caught my first rock fish with the AI and learned a few lessons about fishing that area in an AI.  I'll post the pics once I figure it out and will put the funny towing video in utube soon.

Rey

 I must have read it wrong but I thought I read from someone here that the mirage drive does not get stuck on kelp.   

Boy did you ever read that wrong!     All us hobie dudes know that you WILL get the drive hung up in kelp. 

Glad to hear you got into some fish.  If MB conditions were anything like in Santa Cruz, then you had a REALLY nice day.  Looking forward to your pics, Lapu

Hey Rey!

My arms are still sore you know. Just kidding!!!! But we sure did have tons of fun. As you said, just staying there OTW was fun in itself and catching those rockies were added attraction.
I'm looking forward to the pictures and the video on the tube.

Well, this Saturday, we will be shooting for WSB's, right?  With live squid bait? Dont forget to post invite to your seasoned friends Kiel and Darius. We need to get those WSB's.

Nice hooking up with you and looking forward to more fishing trips in the future.

Danny

Danny and his LIng

My first fish with my new found toy.

kayak towing crew and the kelp bound AI

How'd you like the NCKA's free towing service?    I always pull the drive & rudder up when fishing in thick kelp beds.  Gald everything is OK.  Thanks for the report and pictures Rey.

Glad you had a fun time OTW and got out of the kelp alright!!!

That AI sure is crazy looking!!

Thank you for sharing!!!!!!!

Sincerely,

Jim

Sounds like you guys had a blast and way to go on your catch. Always nice when you have friends with you to help out. That AI looks like a water spider.

If I have that AI? I'd rather put a trolling motor on it!    Congrats on your catches Pareng Rey. 



Kiel

Hey Rey, did you have to use your triple A card to be pulled from the kelp? Glad you were able to catch some rockies at least. I see that
you are also a golfer. The hat gave it away.

Jedmo

Hey Rey, did you have to use your triple A card to be pulled from the kelp? Glad you were able to catch some rockies at least. I see that
you are also a golfer. The hat gave it away.

Jedmo

Yeah, I'm a hacker too.  But that fever is settling down.  Had to stay close to Livermore yesterday because I was on call, so I watch this two cuties play.  Couldn't get close to them so the cardboard was available.

glad you got out o.k. i have been wanting a mirage drive boat for a while now. i too remember reading a post about being able to peddle through kelp. not sure but i believe it was otobepelagic who posted it. congrats on your fish. if that was my boat, i would get rid of those pontoons.

glad you got out o.k. i have been wanting a mirage drive boat for a while now. i too remember reading a post about being able to peddle through kelp. not sure but i believe it was otobepelagic who posted it. congrats on your fish. if that was my boat, i would get rid of those pontoons.

Learned a lot from this trip when AI fishing on thick kelp grounds where there's not much room to maneuver.

Lesson1:  No pontoons on kelp.  Too heavy to paddle.  Pontoons are great when you can use the mirage drive especially in large swells like in HMB a few weeks ago.
Lesson2:  Pull out the mirage drive and put the mirage drive plug in.
Lesson3:  Raise the rudder and forget about using it at all.
Lesson4:  Always have company, you never know what can go wrong.
Lesson5:  Those darn shrimp rigs don't work as well as swim baits for kelp RF's.
Lesson6:  There's a lot of bugs/critters in those kelp beds.  Don't get them in your kayak or they start crawling on you.

haha Good stuff Ray every time i go out I learn so many things and you know wat that means it puts a dent in a wallet cus now you gotta go buy more gear or some shit haha lol well n my case anyways

Keo