Maiden Voyage!!

Thanks guys...

The wind was there and made it chilly before the sun was up...but it wasn't super sustained and it was definitely fishable...little but of mixed swell pumping through which made the surfers happy, but no problems on launch or landing. I had wanted to go further towards Santa Cruz and work some areas that I haven't been to yet this year, but with the iffy forecast and being alone decided to stay closer to home...

There were actually some nice flatties and lings caught where I was at, but I couldn't get any of them to bite!!

http://capitolaboatandbait.com/2010/05/23/capitola-i-will-huff

http://capitolaboatandbait.com/2010/05/23/capitola-and-i-will-blowwww-your-house-down

Yeah, I am working on getting the new boat all set up...now that I have space to put safety/floatation stuff I figured I have no excuse not to get some!!

-I stuffed 19 pool noodles in the hull along the sides
-I bought a small dry bag and put a first aid kit, 2 flares, air horn and strobe light in it
-I borrowed a buddy's bilge pump and have ordered a Scotty one
-I also ordered another 2 piece paddle to stash inside

Still had plenty of room for my balloon wheelz and two rods, my light/flag pole, hawg trough and gaff.

I got my cooler in the tankwell that has several rod holders on it and holds my bait and some extra tackle.

I also got a small soft-sided cooler right in front of the bigger one that holds six cans and a few of those freezer ice packs...easy access behind the seat for hyrdation purposes.   

I got a little cutting board and knife along with lip-grippers on the top of the rod pod and the hawg trough strapped on top of the sonar shield.

Was really great to be able to feel out the new boat, see what parts I could reach easily and what parts were harder to get to, practice stashing and removing gear from the RodPod on the water, and get used to strapping the bigger yak onto the Wheelez and wheeling it from my house down and back.

Had only a teaspoon or so of water in the yak after I got back on the beach!! When I got home I took a hose and sprayed it all over the hatches at force from different angles and no discernible leaks at all!!

Thanks again to everybody at GS4 who made my dream of owning such a beautiful boat a reality!!!

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Fitting that your new yak got devirginized by a gopher rockfish! 

Yeah you right PK!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Check out the size of some of the pinners I caught yesterday on FB...amazes me that fish so small can fit the hook in their mouth...I like to fool myself and say it takes great skill and touch to catch such small fish!!!

 

Good thing it's so shallow in Cap that I've never had any problems with letting them go!!

I switched to bigger tackle after I had three for dinner and had struck out on the flatties...not one bite though!!

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Way to go JIM!    Love the look of your new ride, and it seems you had everything you needed to outfit it from your old yak    When ya get ready to install some rod holders and the FF let me know! 

NICE!!!!

Man now your talking....that last pic of the fish dish...Say's it ALL  I'm going to book mark that page...

WTG...your making me jealous with all the gear u can stow...I definitely need a bigger yak........................

Thanks for the stellar blooded yak report..with pics.........

Congrats on the new ride Jim. Judging by your posts, you seem to be a pretty cool cat. Glad to have you as an NCKA member and hope to fish with you one day!

Nice!

Wow pescado frito and plantains...man Jim, you know how to make someone hungry all over again. Great job on getting blood on the new yak. WTG!

Way to get your new ride wet and  smelly with fish oil and blood.

Check me out in my big new boat!! 

My buddy Erik snapped these shots...he was meant to come out with me, but he was up all night with his new born daughter and was feeling too spent to come out...

Sincerely,

Jim

Awesome dude! Its a great feeling for sure taking your prize-boat out for some fishblood!

Very Nice! Congrats on the new ride.

Martin

Looking good Jim!  Boat set-up looks sweet.  But your going to need a bigger net for the butts and salmon!  WooHoo! 

Take care - John

Hi Jim, Congrats on your new boat, it looks like it fits you better!! You added some information about 19 pool noodles, I have never heard of anything like that, but I am new to this so that is not a surprise. Is this something that needs to done to all SOT Yaks?

Thanks,

Kicker