Big Sur Aug 4-6 (lots of photos)

My sincere thanks to Chef Stephano, Allen Bushnell, and Pat and Randy for joining me in Big Sur this weekend. We were rewarded with the friendliest conditions I've experienced in a couple of decades of annual trips (no, I've only been kayak fishing there for the past 4 or 5).

Calm seas and an absence of wind allowed Steve and I to paddle north of Lopez Pt on Sat - incredible, glassy water. We tallied many miles, intent on taking advantage of unparalleled opportunity.

Surf was small with the odd set that could have pummeled the unwary.

Reds and lings were up in quality if not quantity. The blues were on the rampage.

Chef cooked up a storm.

Without further ado, the photos:

   

Sweet trip and pics!The shot of miniture-yak along the cliff is crazy Thanks for sharring!

right on paul ...i glad to see you got home safely   i will post later today my story and pic's  ya we paddle in two days right around 25 miles!

chefstefano

Thanks for including us, fellas.  This was the best conditions I have ever enjoyed down there as well. And since I DID look over my shoulder for that 8 footer that would have made for a nasty landing, it was all dry launch and land.  The pilot whale, the school of sharks, the sweet little male kelp greenling, the small but lovely cabezon, the fun variety of rockfish including the typically rampaging Blues (but very nice quality) and the terrific company made for a special Sunday.  And stir fry rockfish just made for a tastey lunch.......

And here is a shot of Randy as the sun rose behind him.  Big Sur and small boat..........

Beautiful pics, excellent report.  Those conditions are a dream come true!

Nice red Seabreeze!

I love the shot of Santa Allen with the guitar!

MolBasser

Very nice guys and gal ! Looks like you all had a great day and the food looks really great.


Hey chef are you going to be at elk this weekend...like to try some of you'r great cooking 

alex

Sounds like a hit of a weekend.

It was a terrific  weekend indeed! 

It was great to meet Paul and see Steve and Allen again.

I snapped pictures all day only to find when I got home that I'd left the memory chip in my computer.  Doh!   

I'm glad there were more accomplished photographers in the party.

(By the way, rumor has it that we will only be able to enjoy the sight of Allen in Santa mode until he catches his next halibut).


Randy

(By the way, rumor has it that we will only be able to enjoy the sight of Allen in Santa mode until he catches his next halibut).

Allen... I sincerely hope you catch a halibut by Christmas, but just in case you don't.... can I book you now for a kids holiday party? ...

Beauty red there Seabreeze.

Hi, Where did all of you camp? I know how you feel since I did one at Limekiln. Great pics!
Randy - Wish your photos would turn out even better.  No, you need another camera.

OK Chuck.....this actually guaruntees me more time for halibut hunting, as my wife does not like the beard.  hee hee.

I got down to Big Sur for dinner on Saturday and camped with the boys.  Chef's fish tacos are SOOOOOOO good.  We did not even cook the steak i brought.

Conditions were stellar.  We paddled down to the wash rock and caught fish after fish.

Quite a few smaller blues and olives that went back to the sea.  I must have caught 50 fish, kept 9 for food.  One nice red for me.

Outstanding scenery, beautiful, weather, willing fish, and boon companions.

Could not have been better!  (except for maybe a halibut and a little more time on the water for your truly.  I had to book by noon, so headed back in with pat and Randy around 10:45 or so)

The landing was a little hairy with some poweful beachbreak sets.   I landed OK on the back of a smaller wave, but could feel a presence behind me, The next set wave boomed just off the stern of my boat right as I got my feet on the sand and shot my yak up the beach.  I was still holding my paddle with leash attached (sorry Jim S) It stretched out tight till I realized the boat was going in the correct direction, so I let go.  Sproing!

I turned out to sea and signaled to Randy that I had successfully avoided disaster, and happened to see in the outgoing wash was a strange object??.... it was my lamiglass/newell combop still strapped safely in the rocket launcher rod holder.  Apparently the paddle leash had knocked the whole rod holder off and now my rod was zipping down the steep beach headed for the drink.  I dashed over and snagged it at the last second.  whew!

Also, I wish I had a picture of Pat pulling the big  U-Turn when another set stacked up outside of her.  I think she threw up a rooster tail on that turn.

Allen

I probably did....because when that skiff hit the throttle to clear out one moment after I had hit reverse I felt just a tad bit of adrenaline encouraging a touch bit more effort..........

Y'all timed it perfectly with the calm water. Must have been beautiful out there!