first trip of 2012 - may 3rd, 2012

first trip of 2012 - may 3rd, 2012

so dad called earlier in the week.  "when are we going fishing?" was the question.  there was a break in the weather on thursday.  it would be blowing hard monday through wednesday, then down to zero wind thursday and back up friday and saturday.  looks like thursday was the only day.  nevermind that that boat had been sitting for 6 months.  oh, well.  roger and i (um, mostly roger) cleaned the boat, did a full systems check and i found some gear oil leaking from around the lower unit of the port motor.   hopefully one trip will not ruin it.  we're going fishing. 

half moon bay would be the most exposed, and if the salmon were scattered, we had a possible fall back to rockfish, but they would have been scattered by the storms as well.  moss landing would be the most sheltered, with no fall back at all if the salmon had left the area.  monterey would probably have decent seas, the commercial guys were working the area the day before, and we could always take a 20 mile run to point sur for rockfish if salmon fishing was a bust.  so monterey it was. 

the boat, downriggers, and rods all worked perfectly.  even though it had been a year since i fished for salmon, everything was dialed in and worked just fine.  we fished just north of point pinos and great sonar marks from 50 down to 200 feet.  radio chatter was light.  no one was catching anything. 





after two hours of nothing, we decided to run to point sur.  the water was beautiful.  a few swells came rolling through and the wind was so light we couldn't even get a drift going.  but at least we were fishing. 



banging the bottom straight up and down was not working, so i got a 2 ounce jig and started casting.  a little extra work, but this was my reward. 



dad nailed a nice vermillion on a shrimp fly. 



and our driver/deckhand roger, was once again mr. lucky.  this guy is always smiling.  well, i would be to if i was always hooked up!







we ended up with 3 lings and 26 assorted rockfish for the three of us after only 3 hours of fishing.  we used jigs and shrimp flies tipped with cut up anchovies.  rule number 70.  always bring a box of squid.  salmon fishing was a bust, but at least we sent dad home with some fish.  the boat goes into the shop next week.

Sweet looks like a great time had by all for sure! Glad to see you still get to go fishing with your dad!

Good decision making and congratulations to the rewarding fall back position.
Dad must be happy.
Congrats to you Roger. It's been a while since we fish together.

Danny

Roger, I didn't know you played golf. Nice haul there fellas.

Jedmo

Nice Allan. Pretty cool you can fish Pinos then decide to go to sur.  Roger is going to have to manage a WAF for the first time this year.  Good for the fish.

Glad plan B turned out OK for you and your Dad.  Thanks for the report and pictures Alan.

WTG. I'd take that over working any day