Late Fort Ross Report. 7-8-06

Fished Fort Ross on Saturday morning with Bob. We arrived at the cove just after 7:00AM to find a few of the regulars getting ready to launch. Shortly after Kayaked and his buddy showed up. There was a mixed swell first thing in the morning, with some 7+ footers coming from the NW, but it was definitely doable. We fished a little bit north of the launch for the first hour or two with slow, sporadic action. The drift was minimal so when you drifted over rocks there was decent action followed by long lulls when drifting over sand. The action picked up big time in the afternoon, though. We found the best action pretty much straight out from the cove in 110’ of water (thanks to a reading from Troy’s FF, who showed up later in the day).

I ended the day with two large vermilions, a pretty skinny 33” ling, a couple of coppers, and a bunch of missed hook-ups. Bob did well, too, landing a couple of just legal lings, a few various rockfish, and one monster copper. We met up with Kayaked and his buddy on shore and they had some really nice stringers, too.

All of my fish came on a 7" rootbeer curly tail grub tipped with a whole squid.

I'll post some pics after lunch.

Here's some pics.

Bob's ginormous copper and my mediocre copper.

My skinny ling and decent vermillion. I had a bigger vermillion on deck, but after about five minutes of lounging in my tankwell he decided he had enough and jumped out. He sat lazily on the surface as I padlled around in circles trying to get him with my lip gripper. Bob came over for the assist with the net and literally seconds before Bob got to it the fish snapped out of its lack of oxygen induced haze and swam away with a solid flip of its tail!

Did you scrape up any fish, Troy?

PS - those pics were taken in the cove on the way in. That's why I'm breaking my two biggest ocean kayak fishing rules.

Can anyone guess what they are? 

THat's one hell of a copper 

I would have to guess, 1. no legs over the side and 2. dont turn your back on the ocean? 

You got one.

I almost never hang my feet over the sides of my yak in the ocean and I try very hard not to leave my paddle laying across my lap like that.

Ummmm ... your legs are uncrossed?   

-Allen

Dustin,

What is the rationale behind those rules of yours?  I do both of those things regularly, however the "don't turn your back on the ocean" is actually something I try to follow.  I have a bigger fear of "sleeper waves" than sharks.

Having my legs in the water seems to stabilze the kayak for me when I need it and sometimes I just find it a bit more comfortable.   I suppose there could be a concern about sharks or aggresive sea lions.

As for resting my paddle on my lap allows me to grab it if needed in a hurry.  With a little practice, I've found that I can actually paddle a bit with one hand using my body as a brace while fishing with the other hand.  Maybe you fear you'll loose the paddle if it slips off your lap, this doesn't seem to be a problem with a paddle leash.

Than again, you are a "two time kayak dumper" so these rules obviously work for you.

Brian

Nice fish guys, at least your catchin some there in your neck of the woods.  In two trips, 1 at linda mar and 1 at hmb, i've caught a copper and a black .  What has worked in big sur and up in elk has not worked to well for me close to home.  jtf..

Nice fish!!  That is a big copper.

I'm curious as to why there is an issue with feet dangling, and with your paddle accross your lap.

Trust me, if The Man in the Grey Suit is sizing you up, he could care less if your feet are in or out of the boat, and for the life of me I don't understand why you shouldn't have your paddle in your lap.....I put it there all the time.

Can you help a brother out?

MolBasser

Just tryin' to minimize lookin' like a sealion I guess.

I'm not worried about a shark grabbing my legs if they're hanging over the side...just don't want to present the profile of a sealion. Same with the paddle.

I always hang my legs over the side of my yak in the lakes and bays and stuff...I guess I just try to minimize the risk of looking more like a sealion than I have to.

Just gives me a little bit more of a warm fuzzy...

OK.

So is it the same deal with the paddle?  Don't want the sillhouette of the paddle?

I say this with all due attempt to not sound like an ass on the internet because I know I can't convey voice tone or anything, but dude.....

Honestly, if a white is gonna hit you, he is gonna hit you.  I refuse to spend any time worrying about it.  The odds are so great against it that it is not worth my attention, and if the Land Lord decides otherwise, well.... the BIG Land Lord made that decision and I have nothing I can do about it.

But hey, if it makes you feel better go for it.

MolBasser

LOL...believe me once you're out over the reefs and you're getting slammed on every drop Ole Whitey is the last thing on your mind.

It's just a habit...especially since I have the smallest kayak out there 90% of the time....LMAO.

i had luck not much 2 busy try 2 teach shauna how 2 fish for rockfish man what was i thanking
oh well she put up a good fight but sill got sick not me