Monterey 08/05/06

Arrived at MBK about 5:30am and met up with Ark and a few minutes late with Sackyak. Same routine, we prep ed the kayaks and fishing gear before the launch. The morning air was crisp and fresh to the breath. There was no wind and the water was flat with a mirror finish. NO doubt that it was going to be an easy launch and paddle to the fishing ground.

Once everything was ready I found that I didn't bring any fishing weights and Ark realize he didn't bring his Paddle Bummer! because Monterey Bay Kayak doesn't open till 9am for Ark to rent a paddle. Ark was nice to loan me a couple of sinkers and said he will catch up latter.

I went and launched to meet up with sackyak who allready was fishing at the kelp beds. Once I caught up with him e2g (Eugene) was also there fishing hooking up to some small blues and sackyak had 3 nice size blues on the stringer. I dropped down and immediately hooked up one keeper blue. By this time Ark radio's in to tell us he was on his way out so we decided to paddle out to the yellow can. again it was so flat out there I was surprise that this surfer passed me up to beet me to the yellow can

Anyways, here's some pic's:  I ended up with my limit and CR a underling I'll let the others boys tell there story.

oops heres one more pic

Alex,

Thanks for the pics.  I had a great time fishing with you guys.  I wish I could have stayed longer but the WAF compromise made me leave early.  In fact, I had such a good time, I lobbied for fishing on Sunday but no luck.  I will probably have to wait for two weeks now since I promised I would do a sailboat/kayak thing for the girlscouts this weekend so probably no fishing.

Anyway, I ended up with three nice sized blues.  I had a few others that were released plus a really nice vermilion that slipped from my hand while trying to get him on the stringer  .  I hope the lip gripper arrives soon. 

It was great to meet you guys.  Let me know when you are going again.  I can't believe how flat and calm the water was.  What a great day.

Thanks  Alex for showing a newcomer how the game is played. It was nice meeting you too Sackyak.
It sure was a  bummer when I realized after dragging out the yak to the beach that I had forgotten my paddle at  home. As it turns out, it wasn't too bad since I got a bit of a chance to sleep in the yak while waiting for Monterey bay kayaks to open. Once I got the paddle ($5 bucks for the day), I paddled out to the yellow buoy. 
Lots of smallies out there though the fish did seem that they were moving with every drift.
I pretty much released all of the fish though fishing from a yak was a blast.

I really oughta find a way to prepare for a yak trip in the best way possible. I found that it took me a bit of time to head out since I was trying to assemble everything I thought I would need (too much stuff). When returning back, it was the same thing. I took way too long to get the car loaded and fit everything in since I was just so tired.
I'm glad we have great folks on this board like Alex to help other people around especially newbies like me.
 

Alex -

Fished for an hour on my way back from my surfing lesson on Monterey Bay 8/6/06 with James (AKA shark bait) and picked up 2 nice rock fish on the kelp. My fishing skills are much better than my surfing skills. Southwest winds made for a tough paddle back.

Scott

Is that small fish a bleeny??

Nice report and pics!

Hi, Alex - what is the brown-ish fish called, next to octopus(lure)? If it is legal to keep, It tastes good?

Hey Guys,...


Sorry about the picture quality.  I really need to upgrade the camera.
~The small fish I believe is a Sarcastic  Fringehead. I know its hard to tell from the picture but I matched it up with the description from The Peterson Field Guide (Pacific Coast Series) Ark caught it while fishing in the kelp bed near sandy bottom.


~Hey Ark, I  hope  your drive home wasn't to bad. I know you were pretty tired just like i was. I ended going back to the wharf to fish for mackrel, with some old friends. The bite was wide open! It was elbow to elbow, it must of been 200 people just pulling up fish. We were there from sunset till about 10pm and got two five gallon buckets full of mackrel. My friend who stayed till about 5am got like 10 bucket full! Just a lot of Mackrel right now at the Monterey wharf. Take care man and see you again.


~Hi Scott, what part of Monterey where you surfing? It was nice and flat almost around the whole bay. Look at this surfer he can't seem to catch any wave>>>


~Sackyak, That Vermilion you let go ahhh...I mean that got away was a beauty! Will get him next time around when he get bigger.  Fish-On ! See you toward the end of the month if your fishing


Take care all and Good Catching!!!

Alex

That looks like an absolutely great time! I'm a newb and have yet to fish Monterey but am really looking forward to it. I'll have to meet up with you guys out there soon. If you see the red Zeelander lion flyin', that's me!

Hi Zeelander,

  You are more than welcome to join us for an outing next time out.


Alex

it was truly a great day, felt like a pond most of the morning!  Lots of small blues but did manage a few good ones for the stringer.  Nice to meet you Etienne and Ark.

Alex, after you mentioned grilling mackerel, I tried it and now I can kick myself for all the mackerel I have tossed badk in my life or used as bait. 

Ark, I have to warn you, this kayak fishing gets really addictive and I dont know if there is a cure so BEWARE!

Eugene

Nice report, fellas.

Welcome to the madness, Ark!   

Nice job. especially the Vermillions. I've caught Blacks, Blues, and even Olives--but never a Vermillion. Adn only fished Monterey once. I hope to catch it again sometime soon.

Don't know why I didn't notice this earlier... a small fish to identify.

Anyway, the small fish is a blenny... more specifically it's a fringehead.  Whether it's a sarcastic fringehead or a onespot fringehead, I can't quite tell from the pictures.  I would need a better look at the jaw.

You've got to love something named sarcastic fringehead.  I think I may have been called that sometimes.  Not sure if it was a compliment or not.