Capitola Slow Pick

Managed to escape my Daddy Duties around 10 and ran down and launched off the floating dock at the pier.

There was a MOB of boats and kayaks over in the main kelp beds, most likely because of the couple of flatties that had been caught there earlier in the week, so I decided to go try a couple different spots where I have had luck in the past.

My first stop at the first kelp bed straight out from the pier resulted in a big lot of nothing...not even one nibble.

Then moved over to the Mile Reef area and started catching a bunch of LITTLE RockFish...nice and shallow there so no problem throwing them back...kept 4 that were big enough for pan-frying whole.

Then decided to switch gears and drifted a whole squid on a halibut rig all the way back in...nothing.

Then moved to the gap between the two main kelp beds and drifted up and down several times hoping for a flattie...one take down, but was a football GrassCod...still better than nothing!!

Worked the kelp for a little bit more, caught and released a bunch of baby Browns, and picked up one more for the weekend's consumption.

Enjoyed a beautiful dinner of whole fried RockFish with the wife and two friends, and will be cooking up the rest for Mother's Day!!

Not an action packed day, but weather was great and really enjoyed being out there...
 
Sincerely,

Jim

Slim pick-ins lately eh. I got one 2 pound brown in my fridge and that is it. I went out yesterday too. Trolling live bait in front of potbelly I got slammed and hooked up on something big. it was likely a striper. After it spooled about 50 yards of line it broke me off at the leader and that was it for me all day.

another nice day on the water, that third pic is cute, that shrimp fly is about as big as him, thanks for sharing jim, cameron

another nice day on the water, that third pic is cute, that shrimp fly is about as big as him, thanks for sharing jim, cameron

I know!! Couldn't believe he managed to even get the hook in his mouth!!

Takes special skills to catch a fish that small!!

Think it might be a new record for smallest RockFish ever caught on hook and line!!   

Thanks for sharing Jim. My buddies and I used to rent a boat from the wharf and fish the reefs there. When we catch those little guys, we just drop them right back down and wait for a couple minutes. Many times a ling would grab it and wouldn't let go. If we could bring them close enough we just net the ling without even hooking it See you at GS4.


ernest

another nice day on the water, that third pic is cute, that shrimp fly is about as big as him, thanks for sharing jim, cameron

I know!! Couldn't believe he managed to even get the hook in his mouth!!

Takes special skills to catch a fish that small!!

Think it might be a new record for smallest RockFish ever caught on hook and line!!   

It just look small in your hands big jim = big hands.

Thanks EWB, but no it was just super tiny!!   

However, here is how to make even a pinner 10 inch Capitola RockFish into a delicious full meal...and the remains after I am done with it!!!

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Good Job Big Jim!

you catch, you cook and you clean Doesn't look like you cracked the scull for the pea size brain though. Looked Good! thanks for the sharing.

Question: Any word of any kings being hooked in that area?

Alex 

Looks like a big cat went all over that fish big jim
nice report

Still a nice stringer, I am still envious of your lingcod catch last week at Stillwater.  I was there and saw you boating them!

That deep fried fish looks delicious!  Make me hungry    Thanks for the report and pictures Jim.

Jim,
I should try the pan fried whole cooking style. So you just remove the scales, guts and dorsal? That will save me some time in cutting all the fins and tail. Love the rice.
It sure is nice to be living within 5 min. of your launch site.
Thanks for the post.
Danny

another BigJim Report...with pics of fish in the water, on the clip & OnTheDish!

Thanks for doing some clickin (NOWi'mDOINGtheLICKIN)

Way to go, Jim.  That meal looks TASTY!   

Nice work Jim, you have the mojo fo sho'

stoggie