Alameda Rockwall Butt - Sat. 06/03/06

Eugene "paddlefish" scored a nice 37" butt off the Rockwall this morning.  I'll let him tell his story.  Here's the proof...
 

Wow! Totaly cool!

Nice one Eugene!

I am sick again (did I ever get better??) that is why I didn't make it out today. Glad you guys had a good time.

I guess this is what you call beginners' luck.  It was my first real keeper on my kayak.  Today was a beautiful day on the bay.  Couldn't ask for a better day, but the action was slow consider the number of boats out there.  Anyway, I couldn't have done it with out John (JTF)'s help.  I tried to net  the fish on three seperate occasions with 3 different net (my dinky trout net, Sandman, and John) the butt managed to get away.  I guess I didn't tired him out enough. Finally, I borrowed John's gaff and club and got the fish in the boat.  Thanks John for helping a newbie out.  Anyway, came home weighed the fish on the official certified bathroom scale: 22 lb.  Can I sign up for the pool now  ?  

Eugene.  

Congratulations Eugene... that's an awesome catch!!  Glad you got him in the boat finally... I know how tough they can be to land.  You'll have some good eats there for sure. 

I guess this is what you call beginners' luck.  It was my first real keeper on my kayak.

Beginner's luck?....No way.  Eugene, I know you've got skills.  After all, didn't you score those two fine dorado (in your avatar) from a yak when you first discovered kayak fishing while on vacation in the East Cape?  Heck of way to get introduced into the sport

Congrats on that fine halibut!

Good job, Eugene!

way 2 go nice fish
i rather be fishing then in Texas

The day started (5:00 AM) for us casting net newbies with Eugene (Paddlefish) at MLK Park teaching us how to make bait from one of the bridges.  Adam (Fish Hunter) turned out to be a natural and helped with the catch.  Craig also broke out his new casting net and added to the harvest.  Good save by Adam...he put on his waders and unsnagged Eugene's net from the rocks.  Cast of characters: Eugene, master caster (sounds better doesn't it Duane?), Kayak James, Danglin, Craig, Adam and myself.  BTW, I ordered a 1/4" net from Bass Pro Shops (most reasonable price) and want to test it out before I make any recommendations.

One quick note; there were lots of 'boils" on the surface from the smelt when we first got there.  I casted around the edges of the boil with a hair raiser without any hits then I got snagged up.  We went back there with the cast net and that when it got caught on the rocks.  Once the sun came up, the boils and fish went away.

Once we had enough bait we caravaned to the ARW.  We passed out bait at the launch and then scattered in our search of stripers and hali's.  Last week the wind blew us to the left of the launch so it was interesting to see what was to the right of the wall.  Lots of holes, some going as deep as 40'.  PB's everywhere and 2 party boats.  NCKA had the plastic navy out there with lots of chatter on the radio.

When Eugene stuck his hali it took forever for it to tire out.  Once Eugene got it on the surface we could see that it was bigger than any of our nets (Oh Shit!) and JTF had a huge net.  Good thing that JTF had a good gaff because Eugene was about to grab it with a gloved hand...not a good option.  Anyway, good going Eugene but I think we need bigger nets and/or a gaff.  ChuckE had a better picture but I'll try to attach mine (first time posting pics).



On my way in I passed by Ben with his ARW striper.  This should be a familiar pose for him.



I suspect that the fish will be around there for a bit so let's keep fishing.

Gary (Sandman)

OK, got Ben's picture but not Eugene's...let's try this again:

  That's the - WTG.

Nice hali', makes my 21" striper look like bait! I landed my first hali also- a baby of 10 inches or so. ARW is great to fish, and the conditions could not be better. Thanx for the bait, again, sandman!
Sorry Adam and JTF, but I fudged the camera somehow and the pics are not there... Too bad, they would be some good pics, oh well, next time...

Way to go!!.  I knew someone had to hookup on Saturday.  What great conditions too.

Jason

 

FISHINGMASTERBAITER NOW FISHINGMASTERBAITER TOMARROW FISHINGMASTERBAITER FOREVER!!!



The day started (5:00 AM) for us casting net newbies with Eugene (Paddlefish) at MLK Park teaching us how to make bait from one of the bridges.  Adam (Fish Hunter) turned out to be a natural and helped with the catch.  Craig also broke out his new casting net and added to the harvest.  Good save by Adam...he put on his waders and unsnagged Eugene's net from the rocks.  Cast of characters: Eugene, master caster (sounds better doesn't it Duane?), Kayak James, Danglin, Craig, Adam and myself.  BTW, I ordered a 1/4" net from Bass Pro Shops (most reasonable price) and want to test it out before I make any recommendations.

One quick note; there were lots of 'boils" on the surface from the smelt when we first got there.  I casted around the edges of the boil with a hair raiser without any hits then I got snagged up.  We went back there with the cast net and that when it got caught on the rocks.  Once the sun came up, the boils and fish went away.

Once we had enough bait we caravaned to the ARW.  We passed out bait at the launch and then scattered in our search of stripers and hali's.  Last week the wind blew us to the left of the launch so it was interesting to see what was to the right of the wall.  Lots of holes, some going as deep as 40'.  PB's everywhere and 2 party boats.  NCKA had the plastic navy out there with lots of chatter on the radio.

When Eugene stuck his hali it took forever for it to tire out.  Once Eugene got it on the surface we could see that it was bigger than any of our nets (Oh Shit!) and JTF had a huge net.  Good thing that JTF had a good gaff because Eugene was about to grab it with a gloved hand...not a good option.  Anyway, good going Eugene but I think we need bigger nets and/or a gaff.  ChuckE had a better picture but I'll try to attach mine (first time posting pics).



On my way in I passed by Ben with his ARW striper.  This should be a familiar pose for him.



I suspect that the fish will be around there for a bit so let's keep fishing.

Gary (Sandman)