Rockfish opern Stillwater South

It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything because I don’t get to fish much. Freezer needed to be filled and wife said GO GO GO for the rockfish opener. Left San Jose by 5:30 picked up my brother and a friend in Santa Cruz and on the water by 8. First time ever to Stillwater South and I must admit, that is a beautiful place. Water looked aqua-marine like some place in the tropics. I see about 20 yaks on the other side of the island so we decided to join in. Short easy paddle around the island and time to drop line. I used a light 1oz. glow in the dark scampi and my first drop at 50’ goes tap, tap, WHAM.  A 26” ling for my first fish. What a way to start the year. Second fish is an 18” Cabazon and I’m thinking this place is Heaven. Nice mix of rockfish and two more short lings released. Overall, I ended up 8 and I still had the same 1oz scampi on. Cool, no lost tackle. The wind was picking up so we decide to paddle in but before I came in, I gut, gilled and scaled the fish on the water using the paddle for support to clean the fish. Not limits but enough for dinner and fresh fish for the freezer. Wife loved the fish and what was better was I didn’t make a mess at the house, cleaning fish. The best question ever, “When are you going again?”
I need to thank porky for the intel. The parking was smaller and narrower than I expected. Not a place for a full sized crew cab truck.

Nice turn of events for you Kwonsoo. You got a good score there to keep the wife/family happy and a prepaid ticket to go again the next time. What a score!!!!!!
Congrats.

On my side however, I tried my usual spot at Lover's Point. Easy and smooth launch by the kayak rental place. Water smooth as glass. Big difference though at the fishing ground NW of the point: 7 ft swells, wind chops and wind gusts up to 30 knots. Tried holding up to a kelp and almost got tip over. Tried fishing for 30 mins but just lost 2 tackles. Paddled back and waited a while. Tried again with heavier tackle after 1 1/2 hour. Same results only worst conditions.

Should have listened to "Alien" forecast being a local there. Had a good dinner though at Jim's Restaurant which is Alien's recommendation. Told the owner about how Alex recommended the place and she was very happy and wants to say Thank You Alex.

Still got a good learning time and exercise OTW: how to deal/ride the nasty waves and wind chops.
Sometime, I'll try the SWS with you. I live in Palo Alto so I can meet up with you in San Jose.

Good job Kwonsoo and good choice of place for the RF opening day.

Superd270 

I looked at the wind and swell forecast and didn't like what I saw. I figured the protected areas were to place to fish. When I picked up my brother at Pleasure Point, the surf was about waist high. Couple of boats and a yak OTW there but I've never had good fishing in Santa Cruz. I always read and saw videos of Stillwater and I'm glad I made the trip. Yeah, Let me know when you want to hook up Superd270. Always nice to meet NCKA members.

Kwonsoo

Kwonsoo,
Will hook up and PM you next time.
Most NCKAer's opted to go today so I believe they will have the same results as you did.
Danny

No worries on the parking intel, looks like you had fun bro.

Thanks for the report Kwonsoo. Congrats on your opener haul.

Jedmo

Thanks for the report, sounds like you did pretty well for fairly rough conditions. The cove gets a lot of pressure from guys in rubber rafts, small metal boats and divers during the year, so it's often hard to get much inside.
  It's a little out of your way from your buddy's place in Pleasure Pt., but not much - you can stop at the Santa Cruz harbor (northwest entrance at the end of Brommer at 7th Ave) and filet and skin your catch at the cleaning stations.
And lie to the PB's about where you caught them as they clean their gophers! 

Congrat on the nice catches on the RF openning day.  Thank you for the report Kwonsoo.

great job man sounds like you did well for the opener!