Timber Cove 08.17.14

I arrived at Timber Cover at 0630.  My first surf launch was very easy in the almost flat conditions.  Recovery was a little more exciting (see below)
I didn't know where to go so I just started searching blindly just outside the kelp beds.  I started south first, then worked my way north about a half mile.  I got into several schools of small blacks but was getting frustrated with a lack of success for keepers.

 I finally hooked what I thought at first was someone's discarded old tire.  Felt almost like being hung up in the kelp but as I'd gain line it would make a run back down.  After 3 good runs I finally netted a 28" fat orange ish whatchamacallit.  OK, so my rock fishing newb brain struggled to remember how do you tell if it's a forbidden fish or dinner?  It looked orange like a bowl of cheetos......... that means  something, but what?
OK, rub the chin!  Rubbed it front to back - smooth as a baby's butt.  That can't be good. 
Rub it back to front, feels like he forgot to shave this morning.  Uh, confusion set in.  So I took it's picture and released it. 
Can someone tell from this picture........... forbidden or food?  My guess is that I released a nice Vermillion that I thought was a Canary.

Later I hooked into a freight train, at least that's what it felt like compared to all those little blacks I've been catching.  After a good fight I finally netted my personal best Ling.  33".  Yes, finally a fish too long for the hawg trough.

I'd of taken his pic fresh out of the water but he tried to kick my butt out of the boat twice. 

I had to cut the fishing short and get over to Lake Sonoma by 2pm for warm water self recovery practice.  So now for the surf landing...........

I pulled the mirage drive out, stowed the rudder and was paddling in with speed trying to time it between the waves to hit the beach.  Unfortunately 2 small children were playing in the water.  I had to back paddle to keep from running over a little girl, but the wave behind caught up and lifted the kayak straight for her!  I reached way back to my right into the wave face and braced while turning the kayak to miss her and surfed that wave in LIKE A BOSS.
Yep, surfed that hugh 2ft wave like I knew what  I was doing.   

Im a newb too but my guess is vermillion. Congrats on the PB ling!!!!!!!!!

Nice job on the ling!
Good job on releasing a fish you couldn't ID. That is solid ethics in my book.

Now on to rockfish ID. Before I headed into the blue many years ago I did some research, and reading. Here is the best book I came up with. 


Shows every fish that swims in our Pacific off o our coast. Names, where to target, how to target, and if they are good eats or not.

Highly recommend it. Available at CCK here in Sac, and at fine bookstores everywhere.

Looks like a solid verm to me.

Verm.

Nice Verm & Lingcod!  Thanks for the report and pictures Ghan.

Yup, it's a Verm. Nice size lingcod!

Next time try to post a hookup and fish with other guys. One of my rules of going out in the ocean is never go out alone.

Glad you made back safely.

Great job for a first launch!  Nice!

Yup, it's a Verm. Nice size lingcod!

Next time try to post a hookup and fish with other guys. One of my rules of going out in the ocean is never go out alone.

Glad you made back safely.

Actually I posted on someone else's hookup thread for TC.  Unfortunately I think I got there before he did.
There were two guys camped on the beach and they launched just a couple minutes before I did so I followed them out.

Sorry we raced on Saturday night and we just went to ft Ross  I only got 4 hrs of sleep but glad to see that ling & verm  ! We scratched for limits at fort Ross Sunday . Fishing was slow . We will be at ocean cove for Labor Day weekend . Fishing every day if weather cooperates hope to see some of you guys there . I'll be there from Thursday on !