Sonoma Coast

Hooked up with friends and family for the holiday.  The ocean was nice and flat so it was ideal for the family from Sacto to get out and enjoy the water.  Also had the enough family and friends around for something aI REALLY enjoyed, I got to fish with Leah for a few hours.  Fishign was so-so on Sat., but much better on Sunday.  Still managed to catch enough to make everyone's bellies soooooooper full by Monday morning! The kids also had a ball being kids.

A rare moment with my favorite fishing partner (sorry Mooch, but yur still way up there)...



We were deep into a big school of blues for a while.  Leah kept a few bigger ones...



On Sunday the fishing greatly improved.  A few fish in the fish box on the Dorado. This kayak is growing on me big time...



My second ling of the day started out with a little rattle followed by a big tug.  I reeled in a tiny olive and a nice ling neatly threaded onto my megabait!



My brother in law loves to yak fish when we get together.  He popped a nice copper...



His dad came down from Chico to give yak fishing a try.  He loved it and caught a few nice fish himself...



The crew...



My daughters and my nieces made this freaky pile of dead Jellies while playing on the beach...Jelly was disturbed and scared!

Sean. What a sweet weekend. The "Sonoma coast" looks like a lake. looks like everyone had too much fun. Your sister's Father-in-law looks familar. If he ever wants to carpool/caravan please feel free to give him my number In Chico. I got the Roleez and flushmounts last week-Thanks. This "Sonoma Coast spot, How far from Mendo and do you think I could fit a quick/overnight trip in over my long weekend there at" bendo@mendo"

Glad you got your stuff.  You would be much better running over to the Mendo coast on Hwy 20 while you are at the lake which is only about another hour....the Sonoma Coast is approx 3 hours. 

If you frequent Chico you may reconize the father-in-law as the owner of "Nobbies" the unbelievably delicious burger joint!

I'll definately stop in and say howdy and grab a burger. I only live 15 miles from chico and go to work there daily.

Go early or late...they get SLAMMED by Chico State student, but its worth the effort...super tasty!

Are you going to make it to Randy & Pats On the 10th

looks like and sounds like another great trip Sean being the outstading gentalman......... picking up a nice hickhiker



what a great way to spend the last weekend in summer

Goodtimes with family,friends,pictures and FISH TOO!?  You know howto do it Right!!

A rare moment with my favorite fishing partner (sorry Mooch, but yur still way up there)...

Sean, how can I even compete with such a lovely sight......A beautiful woman with dead fish on both hands 

I'm loving the Pinky Hold technique too... that's textbook... I want to see Mooch using that hold more often.

I'm loving the Pinky Hold technique too... that's textbook... I want to see Mooch using that hold more often.

I think only Leah can pull that off  .....but for you EK, I'll do it.....for a custom made rod of course 

Sean

My old yak is glass and I was looking at the Dorados for a while. I imagine it's got a bit more speed and I'm wondering about stability in rough water, using it for trolling etc Like to know what you think

Definitely got some good stowage going there and if it was only a bit lighter and had better aft stowage I'd be all over it

thanks

Paul

Blue:

To be honest if there is a yak on this planet for you, this is likely it.  While the published weight seems a tad high, this boat is actually quite light in real life, and considerably lighter than any plastic boat in the same size class.  Ditto on the speed...this things smokes most boats at an ez pace.  I have been using it in combination with a carbon "wing" paddle from S.A. and it cruises effortlessly.  You could go a LONG way in a day in this yak.

It is also very seaworthy and up for all of the poor judgement you are likely to throw at it.  That said, REAL surf launches suck big time, and be prepared to do some serious bailing and sponging once outside.  After that it actually takes on very little water. 

I have rigged the lid of the box to hold a gasketed Plano at your finger tips and you would dump those Chinook between your legs...the tankwell pretty much becomes obsolete.  Maybe as a place for a folding net, but thats about it.

The cockpit is also remarkably comfy, I did about 5 hours with ease on Sunday.  Still getting used to living with the Jeckel and Hyde durability/fragility of glass, but I love how easily it cleans up.  I htink it would be ideal in an all epoxy layup...save another 8 pounds and increase the abuse factor for something approaching nirvana.

Looks like a really fun trip.  Nice report.

Nice meeting you Sean.  It was nice meeting everyone.  

If anyone else has pictures, please post them.  My wife, after she got over being being mad at me, asked to see pictures of the ho-down.  

Nate