Return to the Roots: THE ORIGINAL Kayak Connection Derby Santa Cruz 9/29

Hola todos mi amigos


I'm going to post this here, and also make an additional post so this info is at the TOP and front page.

I found out today the Harbor does NOT have the cross channel shuttle running.  So, we will do the weigh in on the WEST SIDE of the Harbor.  I will be at the Hand-Launch Ramp near F Dock WEst/Lower Harbor from noon-1pm for all weighins.  Map below.  Also, I will attach a waiver form for those of you who may still need to fill one out. 

Dave and Squidbly (Travis) wil be at the Kayak Connection shop at 6am for last-minute entries or waivers. You can also slip a waiver form under the door prior to 6am Sunday morning.

So.  park and launch from West Side of the Harbor A dock near Aldo's or Hand Launch ramp near F Dock.  Return before 1pm and bring your winning fish to me at hand-Launch near F Dock.  Then put your fish on ice, get changed whatever.

You can then drive over to the East side, or (simpler) just walk over the bridge and you are right at the Kayak Connection Shop for BBQ and Awards. 

Post questions or comments on this thread please, the other one will be locked.  And, stay tuned for my cryptic suggestions and advice for the winners........

Bushy

I'm in! 

Yay!

Ooops, forgot to ask about the waiver. Will it be OK to slip it in the door the morning of the derby or do we have to hand deliver it in person prior to the event or that morning . Thanks

you can either email the waiver to the shop at staff@kaykaconnection.com or drop it off any day prior to, or the morning of the derby, slipping it under the door is cool with me. The shop owners, Dave and Jessica, and I will be at the shop at 6 am to help the last minute sign ups and renters. Hope the bite is on!

sent my waver in !  Theres a typo on your email address.

I had a chance to do some PB scouting this morning to see where the fish are for Derby Sunday.  Things are really different out there.  Water temp has dropped 6 degrees since last week, it's 55 in front of the harbor and 54 out off West Cliff.

There's still clouds of rockfish out there, just fewer clouds, and smaller.  Good spots I found for RF:

70 FOW off West Cliff out from the 'apartments."
50-70 FOW  directly off Steamer lane/Lighthouse Point.  Long reef holding fish
70 FOW directly off the Mile Buoy, and the reef next the buoy and the little reefs inside the buoy and to the East, all holding fish.

I saw mostly blacks and blues. One Brown, no reds.  Lotsa small fish I caught about 30, kept 7 including one BIG black. All on white shrimp fly. Some red tide working near the harbor and the boardwalk.

Threw a Big Hammer over and over for one ling, and one BIG takedown, butt it came off.  Thank you Craig Ravensblack that red one works good! Ling was released, it's waiting for YOU!

My prediction is a ling will take the derby 1st prize unless someone catches a "Hailibut."  (That's a combination of halibut and 'Hail Mary')

To help out, I posted this snap of the GPS.  That location might get you THIS fish.

Oh, what's that?  Can't quite read the #'s?  Darn water on the lens or something.......

1st correct guess on location gets the coordinates posted.  heehee   

Bushy

Also another note:

One of our brethren asked if "Harbor Caught Salmon" would be eligible for winning.  I took a look at the harbor rules, and while they don't specifically exclude people from fishing from kayaks or boats for salmon while "in" the harbor, they do specify an OK for slip renters to fish from their boats when tied to the dock.

Anglers of any age may fish at the north harbor location on odd days, and along the jetties on any day. No fishing is allowed from any dock, pier, or shoreline within the harbor waters. Slip renters may fish from their own boat when tied within its slip only. California Fish and Wildlife regulations are being strictly enforced throughout the harbor.

So it's ambiguous.  That one word "only" suggests they do not approve of fishing from any boat unless it's tied to the dock in their own slip.  Yeah?

I think you could probably get away with it on any random day, alone, and going stealth.  But Derby Day is different.  We are representing.

For the purposes of the DERBY, I say no harbor caught salmon will be eligible. Go out and find some fish in the ocean,  that's what it's about.

1.  The rules are ambiguous from Harbor

2.  More importantly, four or five kayaks floating around in the channel fishing will un-do a lot of good will we've been building with the harbor for years.  10 or 12 doing it would bring down the wrath, believe me.

Bushy

Excellent.  Looking forward to seeing the kayak onslaught in Santa Cruz.  Have a tentative boat count? 

Over 30 is what I got this afternoon, but Dave Grigsby wasn't in the shop....Great turnout, I thought it would be a smaller, more intimate affair with late posting and all.

No guess from DC on the lingcation gps #'s??????

Over 30 is what I got this afternoon, but Dave Grigsby wasn't in the shop....Great turnout, I thought it would be a smaller, more intimate affair with late posting and all.

No guess from DC on the lingcation gps #'s??????

That's good ol' reef #4 of course! 

 

Have fun everyone.
Wish I could have made this one.....it was MY first one ever....back in the day.

We'll keep it going Tote, prolly switch to the beginning part of the season for next year.  I might see you soon, have you and Diroblo give me some tips on Kokes and Macks?

Tahoe?
Donner?
Secret spot?

2 weeks?

Bushy

Hey Allen, can we still launch from the main launch ramp at the harbor?  The last time I called up KC, they said its ok too but I'll be paying little extra.

Thanks
John / C K

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2

Sure if it's OK with the Harbor it's ok for the Derby.  Weigh in is on the other side though as described above.

We'll keep it going Tote, prolly switch to the beginning part of the season for next year.  I might see you soon, have you and Diroblo give me some tips on Kokes and Macks?

Tahoe?
Donner?
Secret spot?

2 weeks?

Bushy

Sounds completely doable!