Stillwater South Fri 12/29/06

Launched at 9:15 am cove calm, sky clear, wind more than predicted, not less than 8, at times 15 mostly from NNE. Hardly any swell even way outside.
The nasty storms have ripped out all the surface, and most of the below-water kelp.  Marked lots of fish on way out.  Got fairly close to the Pinnacles, trolled floating 4 1/2 rapala-like lure behind 8 oz ball on 18" dropper, hooked up numerous times, everything from 10" blues to 15" Olives, a large brown, a maybe 20" ling, and a 20" mystery rockfish: mottled bronze color, no spots, clear lateral line, smooth chin, jaw stops in front of nor near middle of eye, head elongated.  Closest I could guess from my fish chart a Boccacio, but I was not very sure of that, and it wasn't hooked badly, so I let it go, as I did all but 5 medium rockies.  Water very clear -surprised me, I guess that's the winter condition there.   I fished mostly 90-150 ft, never needed to try anything but the one lure, and it was too windy to drift  fish.  Trolled as close to the bottom as I could get most of the time, but just for fun, I trolled mid-water and got some decent fish too.
   There was actually kind of a crowd of fishing yaks and small craft - "The Lingcod King" with his 10 foot alum. boat, a guy with a double inflatable pontoon boat, several groups of SIK's, a zodiak.  Several groups of spear divers.  Looked like a couple of big party boats way out on the Pinnacles.
   After 4 hrs of paddling, it was losing it's appeal, so I headed in and hit the beach at 1:00.  It was fairly low tide and the sand had left leaving, guess what? Pepples, of course. And a bunch of boulders to dodge on the landing.
   I'd worn my new Kokatat w/p pants over fleece bottoms over my farmer john, was a little too warm at first, but glad I had it all on as the day wore on, and the fleece stayed dry.  Now I've got to work on w/proofing my booties or socks to keep my feet warm.
  The Beach Club was very busy in the early afternoon holiday weekend - remember to park in the Public Access spaces to the north of the Club.  I just walked back to my car, dressed, got my wheels and rolled my yak back up there rather than mess with the tight turn around near the wharf amid the luxury cars.  I needed to unkink my legs anyway.

Cool report Tom.  I was thinking of going out but thought it would be better to let it settle one or two more days after that huge swell last week.  It sound like I was wrong.  Glad you had a good day.  I am hoping for some light wind for one more day of rockfishing before new years.   

   I'd worn my new Kokatat w/p pants over fleece bottoms over my farmer john, was a little too warm at first, but glad I had it all on as the day wore on, and the fleece stayed dry.  Now I've got to work on w/proofing my booties or socks to keep my feet warm.

Tom, Thanks for the report. I just got a new Kokatat  pants and will try it out soon. Thanks for the update. Also let me know what options you end up with proofing my booties or socks to keep my feet warm.

Eyeatbay:  I'll have to search the footwear posts, but I might start with some plastic newspaper bags, rubber bands, thick fleece socks, and Ban Roll-on!   (I always have to do it the hard way first.) 
  Also, I think what I caught was a big Widow rockfish. The chart helps, but my Christmas present of The Rockfishes of the Northeast Pacific book narrows it down a lot.

great job Tom!

I think your feet would stay warm even if they are wet as long as you can keep the
wind off them.

I think rubber galoshes over booties would keep the wind off.

Jmairey: Not a bad idea, and wiser than one I was flirting with: a flask of brandy.   
 Who's the old -time movie comic/curmudgeon with the bulbous nose?  I recall some story about how he picked up a hitchhiker who persisted in trying to convert him with "The 10 ways to get into heaven".  He finally stops the car, kicks the guy out, and throws him a bottle of whiskey and tells the him "And here's 5 ways to stay warm in a ditch."
   Happy New Year!