Sat 3/26 - Marin Brickyard Stripers

Headed toward Marine Brickyard in search of that "Secret" launch spot. I knew where those rocks were pictured in SteveS's fat striper photo. As I headed down the bend, saw the "Band of Brothers" just launching from the far end of rocks - wow, guess the "secret" launch spot is no secret no more.

The whole gang was here, as well as a number of shore fisherman and PBs. The wheather was perfect and the water calm. You can see the swirls and boils as stripers worked the shallow water.

Started off w/ a swimbait that got a couple short nibbles but no takers. Switched over to silver greenback R-T-L trap, which was the closest thing i had to the 4" rapala x's that Ricky (Chuck's nephew) was killing them on (i'll let him tell his story). No takers on the RTL so I switched over to a chartruese 2" swimbait w/ the light wire hooks. Picked up 2 dinks in short order. Then the bite DIED.

After an hour of NADA and a rumbling stomach, decided enough was enough and headed in. Right in the middle of the cove I got slammed hard enough to put a nice bend in my lil 5' Okuma rod. Unfortunately, the stiffness of the rod and the unforgiveness of braid, topped w/ too tight of drag was the recipe for this striper to unbend the wire hook - DANG! I totally underestimated the strength of a nice size striper, or more like overestimated the strength of those lil wire hooks. How come a fish can unbend those hooks, but when you try to press em back to shape w/ your thumb, it's nearly impossible. Learned a valuable lesson today, always check your drag. I'm sure the tiny lil barb on those wire hooks didn't help any either.

Next time...

Ahh...elric- stripers are strong aren't they?

I managed 8  I think-- including three or four that were keepers, the biggest going about 22" -- not the hog from yesterday, but still fun.

I'll be out tomorrow-- weather permitting...heck even if weather doesn't permit I might still be out...

Today, I introduced my godson Ricky to kayak fishing... and he out-fished everybody.  He caught at least 10 fish including several keepers.  He kept the last two for his grandma.  I've been taking Ricky fishing since was a little kid and he's always learned quick and done well.  Today was no different.  He made his godfather very proud

Here's a picture of his first kayak fish...

... and here's what he took home


As for me.... I caught/released 5 little ones and lost 6 to short strikes.
-Chuck

Yeah,

HOmeboy was on FIRE! He was on the move the entire time, excpet when he was hooked up!