Stormy Stillwater South 10/24/10

Forecast was for big seas, strong winds and rain...they were right, but the rain held off while we were underwater!!   

Was planning on going out with Rey LapuLapu on his boat but we called it due to the WX...good call Rey!!

Went to SWS with Joe Bloodbath, my buddies Erik Erickson, and Robert and Jim Okumoto. Borrowed a yak for Jim O. from Porky (thanks bro!), put Joe in the BigYak and I was in the T15. Robert and Erik stayed on shore and Jim, Joe and I paddled out into rough windy seas.

Joe wasn't feeling it so came back in early...Jim and I paddled over to just inside the point and anchored up.

The vis was 15 to 20 but the swell was big enough that we didn't see any suspended fish...saw several nice chunky greenlings, but every time I pointed my gun at them they swam away!!   

Hunted hard for a LingZilla but could not find him anywhere...found two nice chunky GrassCod and a decent Black and Yellow though!!

After an hour or so of hunting I went and shone my light in a nice looking hole and come face to face with the ugliest thing I have seen in awhile!! Even though I have never seen one alive, I knew right away it was the head of a MonkeyFace PrickleBack, and so I shot him right in the eyeball!!
 

Jim O. shot a grip of perch and rockies and a nice Greenling!!

REALLY had a a lot of fun working on my bottom time and diving/hunting techniques....I still pretty much suck, but feel like I learn and get better each time out!!
 

After we loaded up the yaks we headed to the Central Texas BBQ in Castroville for a NICE meal that Robert treated us to...he really enjoyed being out there on the coast even though his Lymphoma is keeping him from diving right now...hoping we can get him on a boat soon to let him GET SOME before he has to go back in for more treatment!!

Great day with good friends...made the most of the poor WX AND brought home some yummy treats for the table!!
 
Sincerely,

Jim

A few more!!

Special thanks as well to e2g for giving me some great advice on where to go hunting!! Thank you Eugene!
 
Sincerely,

Jim

man thoses are ugly, never caught one yet. Don't look like i'm missing out..lol. Do they taste better than they look?

They supposedly are very tasty!!!

I froze the filets to share with my brother in law for his birthday next weekend...I will let you know how it turns out!!  I'm going fry and eat the head tonight...got some meaty cheeks!!
 
Sincerely,

Jim

LOL, enjoy. Not sure why i never picked one of thoses up. I know we got the monkeyfaces here

Jim, nice monkeyface you got there.   Too bad the weather didn't cooperate for us to go out in the boat.  But, it looks you and Robert was able to have a good time and spear some good eating fish.  Glad to see you guys having a blast even the weather wasn't so great.  Man, that bbq pic made me hungry. 

Rey

Ana is under the weather so no family fish fry tonight....vacuum sealed the MFPB filets to eat next Saturday with my brother in law for his birthday, will eat the two chunky grassies tomorrow, and I had the Black and Yellow and the MFPB head tonight!!

The cheeks on the MFPB were delicious and there was a lot of meat in the shoulder/collar area....really tasty!!
 
Sincerely,

Jim

Not a bad hunt for a stormy day.  Thanks for the report and pictures Jim.

Dude you're an animal! Nice work and great report! The lilBigYak sure gets around, now Joe's had her too?    Coors Light plus Cen Texan = Awesome!

I love seeing how you fry your fish bro, heads and all. I honestly think that is the
best way to cook rockfish. Just pick the meat off the bones. Glad to see you scored Jim.

Jedmo

Killer dude, bummed i missed this one. Glad the yak came in handy. Fatty monkey face.

Thats A hog of an Eel there buddie! Great job!!! You should have noodled for it not shot it!!!!! Just put your little pinky in the hole and wiggle it! Ask Fishunter hows it done!

OMG...that eel is a FATTY!!! Great report...thanks for sharing!

Great report of another great adventure.  You're doing it right!   

I kinda "noodled" a big ol' Monkeyface out of a hole once - I was screaming like a Mooch when I pulled that thing out!   

Nice shooting Jim, glad you made it out.