Salmon Fishing with some noobs PP,HMB,LM Sunday 4/29 CANCELLED do to WX

Looking to practice salmon fishing before gimme shelter this comin May ! Tim aka Krusty and I are looking to mooch mostly as it would be the best fishing for both salmon, rockfish, and halibuts gear wise. Any pointers or company would be much appreciated like I said I am a noob I have only ever fished (unsuccessfully) for salmon in the river . I like the idea of fishing the SMC sense thats where Im close to but if the bite is off the hook some where else Im willing to move. I have a wildernes systems ride so Im not as fast as the hobbie guys but Im young and willing to paddle for my food. Hoep to see some ppl out there next sunday!

Wes

Wes - If you are planning to mooch, you need to find where the bait is holding.  A good fishfinder is helpful.

Goodluck!!

Mel

I would be down to go for some Salmon and Crabs out of HMB. Not sure where the salmon are but I'm up for trolling some distance. Let me know whats up

Chumchum, rockfish season is still closed. All the salmon out of hmb are eating krill. You can tell by their flesh colour and stomach content, and I've seen quite a few recently. That doesn't mean they won't bite bait, but a hootchie/flasher is the way to go, imo. Yesterday all our fish came on that setup, even though we had twice as many baits in the water. rf & hali aren't shy of this setup at all, but if you are catching those you are probably a little deep in the water column for salmon (usually, but not always). Unfortunately, out of hmb, the fish are only within expert/sail range from a bean/pidgeon launch.
This time of year the weather man uses a magic 8 ball to come up with the wx because its slightly more accurate than science. Yesterday instead of the predicted calm winds and sunshine it was fog, rian and E 25knt. Next stop hawaii! I'd say moss or monterey.
Good luck.

Chumchum, rockfish season is still closed. All the salmon out of hmb are eating krill. You can tell by their flesh colour and stomach content, and I've seen quite a few recently. That doesn't mean they won't bite bait, but a hootchie/flasher is the way to go, imo. Yesterday all our fish came on that setup, even though we had twice as many baits in the water. rf & hali aren't shy of this setup at all, but if you are catching those you are probably a little deep in the water column for salmon (usually, but not always). Unfortunately, out of hmb, the fish are only within expert/sail range from a bean/pidgeon launch.
This time of year the weather man uses a magic 8 ball to come up with the wx because its slightly more accurate than science. Yesterday instead of the predicted calm winds and sunshine it was fog, rian and E 25knt. Next stop hawaii! I'd say moss or monterey.
Good luck.

Thanks man I know rockfish is closed Im just talking about trying this set up so that when Im at shelter cove next month I can bring less gear but still have the potential to catch salmon, rockfish, and butts. Ive padled quit a bit at PP and the bean I know what you mean about the WX mans predictions  Im hoping to bet used to the gear and fishing method and from what ive been catching in the bay this week Id say CA Halibuts could be the back up fish if no salmon are present out there. Krustys got the fish finder and Ill be following him and the birds to find the bait ball. Does any one have good pictures of a hootchie/flasher set up? just want to know what a good yak set up would be. Thanks again

Wes

The bite off pidgeon slowed significantly on sun. For everyone posting limits, there were dozens with one or less fish per rod. The fish weren't that close to the launch. About 7 miles out in 260 fow feeding on krill, mostly down at 80-120ft. I swung in closer to pidgeon to scout for a yak trip, but no fish, water wasn't right, no bait and lots of jelly. The weather is VERY unpredictable this time of year. Yesterday, instead of the wx of calm and sunny it was fog, rian and wind blowing 25knts straight to hawaii. Soon the fish will move in closer to the beach feeding on anchovies and smelt.

7 Miles out?! That is a looong way to paddle for your food. No salmon closer to shore?

Notice the distance between the back edge of the flasher and the front of the hootchie is 2x the length of the flasher, including the swivel. People often make it too long.
This very rod and gear took 80% of our fish yesterday.

Sharky thats a nice setup. I think i'll move my bait/hootchie back further now.

Sharky thats a nice setup. I think i'll move my bait/hootchie back further now.

a little shorter isn't a problem (1.5-2x length of flasher) imo, especially for yak purposes. Too long and the hootchie looses its action.

Hope you guys get into some fish...if I lived closer I'd join ya........sharky great intell...............

Thanks for tips Sharky. What do you use for weight?

Notice the distance between the back edge of the flasher and the front of the hootchie is 2x the length of the flasher, including the swivel. People often make it too long.
This very rod and gear took 80% of our fish yesterday.

Sharky,
Thanks for posting the picture of your rig.  For us nobs that means a lot less guess work.  If you were ever so inclined to post a thread on various set ups and photos it would be gold to many of us.  How long is the flasher in that setup?

Dave

8" Hotspot. For yaking I prefer the plastic flasher over a small metal dodger because its lighter and has less of a tenancy to sink and tangle.

Truthfully, I dont like  trolling flashers on a yak at all. Its a real PITA, especially  without a mirage drive and makes a tough job even tougher.

 I only use it for early season krill salmon. In a few weeks ill go to straight bait al la Abking rigging or a FBR rigged with 2 snelled 1/0 hooks.

Thanks, Sharky.  I'll have to pick up a hotspot and a hoochie or two while in town.  I've got a mirage drive.  It does move around pretty good but the fins still make me feel like the bait.

Looks like WX is not cooperating going to cancel this trip and go another day. Might just try tuesday at the rockfish opener in carmel sense the canyon probably has some epic upwelling and some nice fish near by.

Wes