First timer - HMB tomorrow 7/15

Tomorrow morning will be my first kayak fishing trip. I am planning to launch my inflatable kayak from the old pier (I say that as if I know what I'm talking about-- I presume you launch from where W Point dead ends near the pier?).

Hoping to be on the water by 6:30. If you want to come laugh at me it should be quite the amusing spectacle.

On the positive side, I will be wearing a wetsuit, carrying a compass, and the south wind should blow me back into the harbor if anything goes horribly wrong.   

Krishna

Don't know if you're familiar with HMB. There are places to avoid there. There was a recent thread on this.

This one? http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=57055.0

I knew about the breaking reef and the MLPA, but thanks for pointing out that thread.

Krishna

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=56130.0

Also read the Safety board and I recommend my lessons post for HMB.

The VHF radio and PFD are not optional, just like the wetsuit you mentioned having.

Where's the report?  How did it go? 

Here's my report.

It was foggy and gloomy as I was getting geared up, foggy enough that I couldn't see the end of the pier. I was having doubts about leaving the harbor in such poor visibility. I launched before 6:30, and as I paddled my inflatable pool toy toward the jetties the fog lifted and I was happy to be able to see for miles. The rising sun lit up a patch of fog over the boat ramps, making it glow like fire.

As I was cruising close to the north jetty I saw a nice big red crab just under the water. I climbed out and snuck up on it, grabbing it by the back legs. It was a male mate-guarding a much smaller female, which is probably why it was easy to snatch. At this point I realized I didn't really have a good place to keep a large feisty crab while I was fishing, so I let it go.

A few days before I had been snorkeling in the same area and had seen lots of baitfish, which I think might have been surf smelt. I looked but didn't see any today.

Rounding the end of the jetty I immediately felt the power of the open ocean. There was a light south wind and a swell of maybe 3 feet, which is basically flat by NorCal standards, but it is still a dramatic difference from calm inside the harbor. I set off towards  the first green buoy, feeling nervous and thinking about sharks.

I saw lots of what looked like crab floats towards the shallower reef. I didn't expect to see much crabbing now that dungeness season is over. Are they snagged/abandoned? I didn't see any sign of anyone checking them.

I arrived at the green buoy about 20 minutes later, feeling a little queasy from the swell and my lack of a good breakfast, but eager to fish. Not having a fish-finder or knowing of specific spots I started fishing right near by, bouncing a jig with a brown plastic tail. I had a home made rockfish fly several feet above it.

I had to get back for a 9:00 meeting, which left me about 15 minutes to fish.     To complicate things my spinning reel malfunctioned: the mechanism that moves the spool up and down for an even wind failed, so the line piled up near the top of the spool until it fell off in bunches and tangled. In short order my time was up with no fish to show for it.

On my way back I cruised along the jetty again in case any crabs wanted to save me from skunkdom, but the only one I saw was a small rock crab.

Here is my GPS track from the outing:

http://www.strava.com/activities/166298120

Thanks for the report,  it's a good one, I think rock crab is open all year and those may be the bouys you saw especially close to the reef.

Your enthusiasm will translate to pure joy when you get on a real yak and have a functional reel with you.  Getting out of the boat to chase crabs indicates you have 'one foot on shore still'...  Good luck in the weeks to come - you sound like you're on your way to being a kayaker, but please be sure to learn the safety aspects first.   

PS - I liked your report. 

Thanks for the advice and encouragement, everyone.

You will get them next time.  Pretty cool tracking your first kayak fishing run with Strava.

Nice report. Some of the best posts are where no fish are caught. Inflatable kayaks are harder to paddle in the wind.