GS5 Fantasy Morning...

I'm getting a little preoccupied with thoughts of the Cove.  Hopefully a salmon fix soon will help me get through the 5 weeks before the tournament.   

Here's one version of a little fantasy I've been developing - I thought it might help to get everyone focused on the potentials of May 15th:

We've lucked out.  The forecast has 2-3' swells from the north coupled with the tamest wind forecast:  light and variable to 5 knots from the NE.  There's no fog in sight, and unseasonably hot inland temps of mid May have us in t-shirt weather as the warm land to sea breeze accompanies us as we paddle out toward the Bell Buoy just before dawn.  About half way out small groups begin to break off in teams of 2 to 4 - these enthusiasts consist of both long-time friends and first-time partners, and they're all wearing smiles.  The sun comes up over the King Range, illuminating the blue water and vivid kelp beds like the best Bachar drawing.  Though only a limited number of participants are targeting salmon, it soon becomes obvious that the bite is on!  The radio, usually pretty quiet during a tournament as the players focus on the challenge, starts going off - the shock and utter joy are palpable as multiple 15-20 pound kings are boated.  Soon most of the tournament field is either trolling, mooching, trooching or doing their damnedest to Mooch some salmon gear from a brother!  Around sane-person-breakfast-hour, a unique phenomenon occurs - dozens of yaks bee-line for the launch.  Radio messages up to support crews and family at camp ask for pickup of the pink meat!  A traffic jam of wives, girlfriends, kids and buddies shuttles salmon up the hill into coolers, and the competitors head back out onto the reef, now wearing even bigger grins than 3 hours previous.  The rockfish and lingcod bite is steady through the morning, with a 20-22" black or verm, 15" greenling, 20-24" cabs, and fat lings to 39" being commonplace.  There will be lots of high scores on the old standby's, and some have factored in the importance of targeting the more obscure point-bearers of the day.  The long distance crew has managed to land multiple pacific halibut - likely the toughest yak-caught fish of the day.  Others know the value of some dab points.  And many whip out the dinker hooks and shrimp in a try for a surf perch near the check-in station at the launch.  All 8 potential species are caught this day by our group of happy-go-lucky paddlers and pedalers with rods, grins, and unmatched camaraderie among most fishing groups.

It may not happen this year, but there is a very real opportunity for one of us to achieve something like this, single-handedly:

I know it seems extreme, but please have an open mind, and don't allow me to be the only one self-actualizing this.  I'd hate to see you shaking your head in disbelief when I pull it off.   

- 40" salmon                       200 points
- 40" halibut                        200
- 40" lingcod                        200
- 24" cab                             168
- 24" rockfish                      168
- 18" greenling                    198
- 16" perch                          192
- 18" sand sole/Sin Candy      144

Make this a reality:           1470 points!  (1500 points in one day is actually possible!!!)

"They may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one."

Eric, I love the way ya dream Can't wait for GS5!!

Is there any regulations regarding hooks being used for rockfish on board a boat that has a salmon? I thought you could only have barb less hooks when catching a salmon? Just trying to make sure my points do get compromised when I bring in everhything. 

(someone needs to catch a starry for the flounder and push this to 1500!   

I caught this rock/sand sole right where we rockfish. It was about 18" and tasted like candy!


Can barely see it buried underneath a pile o' RCGs.



[and GREAT idea to dropoff my salmon w/the wifey, so I can paddle back out & target rockcablings unimpeded by barbless circle hooks!]

Damn, that sole does look nice and tasty! 18" ain't no joke either!!

Lovin' that Cooler Carnage, Pat!   

I'd like to apologize in advance for being such a nut that tears might flow when I taste Martin's brew, eat Jack's tacos, and watch my kids having a blast along with all of us.   

Everything you say Eric + dancing girls!

Everything you say Eric + dancing girls!

Bring on the dancing girls!!!   

Everything you say Eric + dancing girls!

Bring on the dancing girls!!!   

If you can put me on the fish, I can put you on the dancing girls. 

It that's my dream...I don't want to wake-up! 

+1 on the dancing girls... where do we donate for that?

Everything you say Eric + dancing girls!

Bring on the dancing girls!!!   

If you can put me on the fish, I can put you on the dancing girls. 

Let's make a deal....

 

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Is there any regulations regarding hooks being used for rockfish on board a boat that has a salmon? I thought you could only have barb less hooks when catching a salmon? Just trying to make sure my points do get compromised when I bring in everhything. 

If you have salmon onboard and you are fishing for rockfish, you better be using barbless hook or otherwise you will be getting a big fine if you get caught.

IslandYak