Islander 2014 - REPORTS

Ok, sorry for the late reply on this I knew it would take a while to write and this week has been CRAZY!

What a fantastic trip! Made the long drive down with legendary kayak angler and generally great guy Raydon. We took our time, had a lot of great conversation and a few stops for coffee and ice cream. Arrived late thursday night to find all the homies tucked in and fast asleep. Woke up friday intending to fish LJ but it was too blown out so we took the opportunity to do a little kayak maintenance/rigging and hangin' out with the NCKA bruthas. As has already been mentioned the Dolphin team was beyond hospitable so our wait to board the Islander was pleasant and relaxing.

Loading gear and settling was a breeze thanks to the great crew and skipper. We were soon settled in and off to the receiver to get bait. Many of us took the opportunity to soak a bait while the crew stuffed the tanks unfortunately to no avail. The bait was a little disappointing, small chovies and large macks, nothing in-between, no dines  After loading up on bait I decided it was time to settle in for the night and rest up for the first day of fishing.

Just before daybreak of the first day we were treated to the first of many excellent meals prepared by Chef Rick know affectionately to the crew as Geezer. Once we were tanked up the skipper made some recommendations regarding fishing and the yaks began to hit the water. I chose to use the first day to fish the big macks in hopes of finding a YT or big hali. Unfortunately it was not in the cards for me but my bunkmate Raydon managed a 23" halibut and took the first day's jackpot.

Day two started much the same, looking for the big "exotics" but again they did not cooperate. Mid-day the skipper decided to make a move to the lee side both to change the focus to Calicos and other more plentiful species and to pick up a load of live squid from another boat that was headed back to port. I took the opportunity to work the boilers and breaks with flylined acnhovies and had great time catching bass after bass in the 14-16 inch range with only one being big enough to keep. I returned to the mothership late to find Keit and Co slaying the sheepies and whitefish off the stern of the boat. After a short break my fishaholism kicked in and I joined in on the fun. All I managed were three or four good sized blue perch and having no idea that a two or two and hlafpound blue perch was good eating I sent them all back  I think everybody caught some decent fish this day but in the end Kris/Cochino was the man of the hour having speared a really nice Calico to take the second days jackpot.

The last day turned out just like last year. The wind laid down and the weather side was looking good enough to try. Remembering Bloodbaths last day WSB from last year I wanted to take advantage this last chance so I grabbed a BIG B-2 Squid and pinned a couple live squid on it and headed for the outside edge of the kelp. Immediately my bait was slammed and my hopes soared. Soon it was obvious that I had a nice fish on but was likely not a WSB. Sure enough it turned out to be a good sized Calico that I was grateful for but not satisfied with. I tried for another hour or so to capitalize on the good weather and grey light to get on a WSB but alas, it was not meant to be. I knew from last year it was time to change up and take advantage of the live squid and rarely fished territory deep in the kelp. So when the skipper came over the radio with a pep talk about getting in there where only kayaks can i willingly made my way deep into no-boats land. I found a nice pocket and started flylining live squid and again was rewarded with lot's of medium sized Calicos. After maybe 10 fish it was clear that flylining was not going to produce the jackpot the quality fo fish that I was hoping for so I added a quarter ounce rubber core about 24" up from my hook started working the bottom.

Quite quickly I started catching better sized Calicos and some decent Sheephead too. I began to remember how much fun it is to fish this challenging environment for fish that know quite well how to use the kelp to their advantage. After about an hour of consistent catching and mostly releasing I hooked into something altogether different. This fish was STRONG and even with the super clear water I couldn't get a look at it. I had been very patient with the bite and when I finally set the hook this monster, whatever it was ran straight to the kelp and wrapped it self in good. I worked the paddle with one hand and made my way across the pocket to the strand it had chosen and nervously but patiently began to unwind and reel the fish up. After about five minutes of this I had reeled it up to the flouro top shot which was about fifteen feet long at this point. I decided it was time to try and get a look at it but just as I leaned over to try and glimpse it it schooled me on giving it ANY slack. It turned it's head and again it muscled it's way down to the bottom and across the open kelp pocket to wind itself around another few strands. And again I one handed my way to its chosen shelter and the back and forth of unwinding and gaining line resumed. This process happened two more times and for a total of about twenty nerve wracking minutes. When finally it was tired enough I was able to force it to the surface but when it came up it was completely covered and hidden in kelp leaves. It was only a foot and a half  away and no longer under water but I STILL COULDN"T SEE IT  I quickly grabbed my virgin gaff that I had only completed building five days before and started pulling the kelp away from it. After what seemed like an eternity it appeared, bright red and striking black with huge canines jutting out from it's smallish mouth above a pale white chin, it was huge and gorgeous. I anxiously slid the gaff under its pectoral fin and quickly lifted and as that shiny steal penetrated that soft white flesh I let a primal scream of victory.

At this point I was so elated that I decided to take a break just enjoy the high. I paddled over to where D-Rock and his crew were and showed it off a bit, took some photos of Dustin with his stringer and held his spot while he went to get more bait. I fished about a half hour more and then decided  to return to the mothership and have lunch and hydrate up. I think that was the best burger I have ever had, at least it seemed so.

After lunch I went back out fully satisfied with both the lunch and my fishing. I continued to fish as the Islander moved back down to where we had began our day but the bite was pretty much over as was the trip.

The afternoon turned onto evening and I enjoyed some of the greatest camaraderie and friendship that this fine club has to offer. After dinner the crew placed all our catches on the deck and we all gathered around to congratulate each other on what had turned into an amazing trip for us all. After much back slapping, high fiving, fist bumping and general admiring of all the catches it turned out that my PB Sheephead was (just barely) the biggest fish of the trip and the third days jackpot.

What a great trip!

ruben

more pics

I'm starting to think polepole and Raydon were separated at birth 

And after 11 hours in the saddle Raydon was still smiling. Brings new meaning to the title "hardass"

Awesome report Ruben!

I will do my best to post some pics tonight. I have been having problems with posting pics lately.

I'm starting to think polepole and Raydon were separated at birth 

Man, I had fun that last morning.  Launched from the boat and went straight to the rocks.  Kyle midwestdude was already there.  We hung at that spot the whole morning.  At one point I asked him if he wanted to paddle the mile+ towards the boat or just hang here.  It was an easy sell to stay as the bite was on.  Raydon was in the area too.  Had a great time fishing with Kyle and Raydon.  Around lunchtime we started paddling towards the boat, but the wind had shifted a little.  Raydon's rudder broke and it was an easy call to just stay put and fish there.  I put those 2 nice calicos on board in just a few drops right there where Raydon broke down.  It was fate.  We heard with the wind shift that the boat was going to come back towards us after lunch was over.  I paddled the least amount of distance that day, hardly anything really, and caught the most amount of fish for the trip for me.

-Allen

I will do my best to post some pics tonight. I have been having problems with posting pics lately.

Well?  It's almost 11pm and no pics yet.

highlight of day three beside catching Calicos and Sheeps non stop with Allen(Polepole) was the warm bacon cheese burger, potato salad and coke getting delivered almost right to are fishing hole. I had a great last day fishing pulling in two calicos around 6.5 lbs. I think next time I need to ride/sit in the lucky fishKraft mobile as both occupants won the jackpot ( nothing to do with their fishing skills  )

I will do my best to post some pics tonight. I have been having problems with posting pics lately.

Well?  It's almost 11pm and no pics yet.

You got me! I will try again tonight.

 .. Just give up while you have the chance Vic.

Slideshow and video.  Don't fall asleep.  Watch on HD if you can.

Enjoying seared Calico and reminiscing.  Couldn't help it     

Enjoying seared Calico and reminiscing.  Couldn't help it     

Too weird, I had Calico, Lagunitas  IPA, and a salad tonight too.

-Allen

bon appatite

Man, I gotta stop reading these reports over and over.

I'm so fiendin' for an Islander trip again already.