Monterey Salmon Opener (the morning after)

I couldn't fish on Opening Day so instead I listened to my VHF radio while doing yardwork. I didn't realize I would get reception from Santa Cruz, Moss, and Monterey...at first it was novel and cool, then it made me giddy hearing all the excited chatter, but I was having an anxiety attack by lunchtime because it sounded like people were catching tons of salmon throughout the bay!  I would have to bide my time and focus my energy on the next-day's mission. So I went to bed early and rehearsed the gameplan in my head as I struggled to fall asleep.

I knew the best chance to land a kayak salmon would be from Moss Landing. But we had a gameplan to launch from Coral St and troll in 180-250fow off Point Pinos. Joe & I carpooled down to PG and fished with Brad & Josh. There weren't any boats fishing the area (bad sign) and everybody on the radio was complaining about how slow it was compared to yesterday....but this is not yesterday, it's the morning after. 

I started out dragging a watermelon hotspot & purple/white double glow hoochie behind a double deep 6. Then switched to a big Kone Zone with RSK chovie behind a 8oz cannonball on a sinker release. The swell wasn't huge but it produced big rolling sets with a slight ripple on top.

We covered about 5 miles going out past the buoy and back. We fished the right area, but at the wrong time. I only got 1 solid bite but it came unbuttoned after like 10 seconds. Undeterred yet feeling a bit defeated after pedaling nonstop for 5hrs, my effort appeared to be fruitless, confidence fading and it suddenly felt more like a trudge through slop instead of a well-planned assault.

I slowed down and tried to prolong my time OTW as Joe & Brad continued toward our destination. Then, as we made our way back to the launch, in about 180fow, I hooked up! All the negative feelings and frustration instantly went poof...all it took was a fish on the other end of my line and everything else became peripheral...the only thing that mattered now was this fish--I must not lose this fish! My heart was racing and I was already thinking of witty things to tell Joe if I managed to secure this fish on my gameclip!  Do I talk shit; do I play it cool; should I urge them to turn around and paddle back out to where I hooked up; do I even say anything...maybe just roll up onto the beach holding the fish over my head triumphantly?

The bigass net was across my lap as I cranked the fish up from the clutches of Neptune (I had a LOT of line out). That's when I saw the unmistakable gaping green maw of a lingcod ascend from the depths....Noooooooooo! Damn this fish was lucky it isn't May yet because I would've brained this party-crashing m'fer. After releasing her, I took my time re-rigging and cracked a beer. That's when it hit me--that was fun...who cares if it wasn't a salmon? OK it would've been even better, but I was still pretty amped from the rush that fish gave me.

I continued trolling back to the beach and ended up catching a few blacks & another lingcod before navigating the mellow rockgarden and landing safely. It was a good time with good friends and that's what it is all about. Don't get upset about the things you can't control (like which fish [if any] bites your lure). Especially when the things you can control (like hanging out with your buddies and making new friends) are so much more important in the grand scheme of things.

With sore muscles and dehydration taking their toll, sleep came easy that night. And I woke up feeling refreshed & ready to do it all over again, the morning after.

Great write up, PK!

That last pic looks ugly.

Stupid Lingcod!

Amen!  Amen! Amen!!!   

Fantastic writeup and report - I know your pain and share your consolation. We are lucky to be so Alive!   

You got the thrill of something being on the line.  Now wait come May 1, all you will get is stupid salmon....lol

When we got close to the buoy by Pt. Pinos the water was like a kayak treadmill!
Had to double time it to get out of turbulent water.
Had a great time out there with Pat, Brad, and Josh!

Glad you guys got out there and had some fun!!!

You'll get your chrome soon.

 

 

Sincerely,

Jim

When we got close to the buoy by Pt. Pinos the water was like a kayak treadmill!
Had to double time it to get out of turbulent water.
Had a great time out there with Pat, Brad, and Josh!

Yeah that current was no joke.   That five miles Pat reported would have been closer to 10 on a lake.

Always great fishing with you guys.

Nice write up Pat!

Josh

Great write up...I was sooo hoping that hail mary fish was a salmon.  You'll get her next time Pat.

Thanks for the report.

Awesome pictures

thanks for the pics & details!   Swift currents will make us men! 

you'll find that shine soon!

Great report Pat! Bummer not getting into the target species but ya can't complain about a beautiful day OTW! 

Awesome report PK and thanks for sharing!  I can't wait to get out there and get salty...

Thanks for the report and solid effort fellas!

P K you said just as it was. I was there.  I am the  guy in the red and white eddy, we talk brefly on the beach. I thought I had one hook up but only landed 5 linkcods and 5 blue's that morning. Had a close incounter with a wale. It went directly under my Yak. will take more next time.