Shelter Cove Fishing 'The Hat'

So I've seen this place mentioned in a few posts online...apparently a great place for big lings...has anyone fished 'The Hat' and exactly where is it and I'm curious as to why it's called the hat.

Just trying to do some Gimme Shelter home work.

-Murf

It's near the old man.

 

Search Google for Tolo Bank - that's The Hat.  Nearby is "the Old Man", another submerged reef.  These features are far enough from the Cove that I've not gone there on kayaks - going that far south and chancing not getting back if north wind and current come up is not wise - especially when the fishing is arguably as good or better AT Point Delgada (the Cove).  I'd like to paddle down there, but it'll take a really good forecast, an entire day, and a backup plan (like ditch to Bear Harbor).

Keep learning about the Cove and the reefs around it.   

Yeah...most of the reports I've seen are from fishing boats...they have a bit more range than my Hobie does...funny how the Hobie is so fast in the morning then it slows down considerably in the afternoon....must be those currents you mentioned Eric!


Happy Easter everyone!
 

My friend that I fish with in the Cove has shown me the whole Old Man, but I have a hard time seeing it all.  We have been slayig salmon at the Eye of the Old Man.  I have been to Tolo bank a few times. I believe the Hat is further, but Im still learning the area myself.  The same day Racin Rob got his 39" salmon, I went to Tolo on my Outback and got a 38.75" and 36" salmon as well as a nice green ling cod near the beach on the way back.  Its not a trip for your average yakker.  It is only 4.1 miles southwest though.  As far as big lings there, I don't think its anything special.  I don't recall catching much lings there.  I did catch lots of blues and a yellow eye there once.   It can fog in bad near the Cove so you better have a good battery on your GPS or be comfortable following the shore back.

Thanks for the info. I appreciate it.

-Murf

Map from here: http://www.oceangrafix.com/chart/detail/18620-Point-Arena-to-Trinidad-Head-Rockport-Landing-Shelter-Cove

Ahhh....I think I see the 'Old Man's' head and his chin appears to be right above a 'Hat'. I'm guessing thats the 'Hat'...yeah, that looks like it would be a good paddle for sure.

I've tried for halibut west of the airport with zero luck. I was thinking about working south of the cove for GM8 and maybe staying closer to the shore. I guess I'll be able to playing around for a few days before the tourny to get a game plan down.

Old mans head with a Hat. Damn you kids have some imagination. All I see is damn lines going each and everyday.

The old man is named after a pirate that frequented the reef for jumbo bluebacked lobster. The Hat is for the large amounts of hatless fish

Maybe just my imagination but if you follow the second blue line in from the white to blue area the 27 seems to be a chin, 37 mark seems to be the upper lip, 16 nose area, 25 eyebrow, the 28 forehead, and the red circle wouldbe a hat area? I guess i am looking at the deepest contour line shaded blue on both sides?

This is how it was explained to me, I don't know if its correct.

 Been fishing the cove for 30 years now but only the last three from my Outback. The hat is technically off limits to bottom fishing because even if it is above the 120 ft line you have to go past 120ft to get there. You really don't have to go that far for good lingcod fishing. Just use BIG BAITS for BIG LINGS. Like a black label cut plug herring.

Been fishing the cove for 30 years now but only the last three from my Outback. The hat is technically off limits to bottom fishing because even if it is above the 120 ft line you have to go past 120ft to get there. You really don't have to go that far for good lingcod fishing. Just use BIG BAITS for BIG LINGS. Like a black label cut plug herring.

You can cross deeper than 120' to get to and from your RCG grounds as long as you stow your gear in transit across deeper waters.

 It's good to know. I called a friend of mine and I learned they changed those regs. years ago. Not that I would ever go that far in a yak.

We fished the hat with Sam that used to own the Anika out of the cove for huge lings up to 53 lbs nothing smaller than 27 lbs but it is along paddle for a kayak and the currents are rough