Hunting for White October (WSB/MBK) Friday 10/2

Red Tides are very patchy.  Yesterday it was from San Carlos beach down towards the beach hotel.  Out by the mile buoy it has not been as strong.  In otter cove the water is disgusting, but that is usually from sewage and rotting kelp.  Then outside of there it was looking good.  This wind and swell should help break up the bloom. 

Mike,

When & where should we meet?

Also, I've never fished with live squid. Is the rigging different than if you use sardines?


Ben

Just picked up two different types of squid jigs at Bass Pro in Manteca. Costs something like $6-$8 dollars.  I'll be at MBK @ 7:30ish tomorrow, Thursday.  Never done the squid jig thing before. Just picked up some Lucanus too that I want to try out.

Hello All,
This is a general information email to all of you that have responded and I will try to cover all points.

Location: Parking is available at Monterey Bay Kayak or better known as MBK, Google this location if you do not know where it is. There is also some parking across the harbor near the Coast Guard station and boat launch area, though I have never accessed from that location. Parking at MBK costs 1.50 and hour and the meter bandits cruise the lot regularly, so don't short yourself on estimating your time on the water.

Rigging: I never heard back from Calbear, so to the best of my knowledge a standard Sabbiki rig will work, but there are squid specific jigs. I tried Mel Cotton to no avail, they do not carry any? I will try Outdoor world tomorrow, but may just try my luck with a Sabbiki, most of the PB's out there said they were using a Sabbiki out by the Red Can and did well. The rigging I saw and also used myself was a main line to a barrel swivel and a leader 24-36" off of that to a live bait or octopus/circle hook and that's it. You hook the squid at the top of its hood right between the fins and then flyline it by letting it drift out and away in the current. You want to keep the drag fairly light and if it hits just let it run with it for a good while before setting the hook and trying to fight it back the boat.

Bring a big net and a gaff to make sure you are able to get it into the boat. I would also recommend a club or small handgun-(joke) based on the size of the fish to dispatch it quickly, they are very powerful fish. The minimum length is 28", so make sure to net and not gaff if you are unsure that it is legal.

The report of red tide is outdated and it has cleared out of Santa Cruz and the Bay as of today.

I will try to be there by 6:30 and will park in the MBK lot. Hope to see you there.

Mike,
I am off on friday! Can u pick me up a sabiki or squid jig if you are going to get one?
Joe, call me on Thursday.    Mike

Guys,
Parking at the Coast Guard is $10 for the whole day. It's worth it. Big lot, plenty of spaces. Coast Guard is past the tunnel, bear right to Cannery Row and turn right at the first light.
Danny

Rey,
This is where we are going to launch on Saturday.

Danny

Go get em' Mike. U2 Joe.

Guys,
Parking at the Coast Guard is $10 for the whole day. It's worth it. Big lot, plenty of spaces. Coast Guard is past the tunnel, bear right to Cannery Row and turn right at the first light.
Danny

Rey,
This is where we are going to launch on Saturday.

Danny

Yeah, I googled earth it and saw the ramp area.  Not as good as Moss Landing but it will do.  Seems to be a lot of parking.  I think they raised the fees to $12.  I hope we get a good report from some of this guys today.  If so, we probably should go tomorrow too?  I'm itching to go.  If the WSB is not around we could always get some RF's. 

Rey

Sorry I haven't responded sooner, Mike. I've been busy the last couple days and wasn't paying attention to the computer. We use these jigs by dropping to the bottom and jig up and down till you feel a bump or resistance. Then reel in with constant pressure. If you stop reeling the squid could come off due to the lack of barbs on the squid jigs. The squid aren't always on the bottom, yesterday I watched a small school of fifty squid cruise less than ten feet under my yak. Next thing you've got to be prepared for is all the jelly fish. Just about every drop you'll reel in through jellies. Nasty sh!t. Very annoying. Be careful not to get any jelly pieces in your eyes. Nasty sh!t stings where ever it touches your skin. While reeling in with squid on your jig you may reel through a jelly, just keep on reeling up, take your squid off the jig then shake off the jelly. Some jellies are huge so you will feel it when you snag one. I hope this helps every one out.

I bought a squid jig last year from Bayside Marine, lost it and bought one this year from J&D's in Sand City

Calbear,

Do they have the ones that light up?  I heard those are better for catching squid.

Rey

Goodluck tomorrow fellas. I hope each one of you land a whopper WSB.

Jedmo

Rey, I don't think I've seen the light up ones but I bet they would work

Any local intel on the weather?  Looks Ok in the forecast. Saturday looks like it will be blown out.    Just wondering what today was like.   Yak is on the rack and the car is loaded.  Plan on launching at the CG pier at around 7am.

Jody

hey all,

mind if I join you for the fun? bad thing is I get off work at 8am so I won't be launching til after 9... see you out there!

rog