30 lb Salmon Shelter Cove 9-16-2016 (LATE REPORT)

OK .. this report is in the spirit of posting more often on NCKA … I got out of the habit. 

I SHOULD HAVE POSTED THIS WEEKS AGO!!!!   

This will be short because, technically, Loleta Eric already filed this report.  It was from a trip on 9-16-2016.   Here is his report.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=74907.msg853140#msg853140

I was his client that day.   It was  -- THE MOST EPIC FISHING TRIP EVER … (turn on the reverb for that one.)




That trip is one I will remember for a lifetime. 

His narrative of that day in his report is great, so I won't rehash it.   But I've got a few pix and a video of what happened to add to it -- Aside from that first pic up top, these are new.

Eric's account is right -- I thought I'd snagged the bottom, we were trolling/mooching.  But it woke up.  Once I saw the fish roll beside the kayak I knew it was HUGE! and was just praying "please don't f*ck this up"  (over and over)  I was thankful to see both Eric and Dominic coming over to assist.  I did NOT WANT TO LOOSE THAT FISH!  I also didn't think it would even fit in the net I had. 

Yes -- the fish took off and ran four times, Yes, it took me for a small ride.  No, at first I had no idea what I had.  While it was just blind stupid luck that I hooked it, I did my best to keep a bend in my really stiff rod.  (That rod has a story to tell, btw).  But I so appreciate Eric and Dominic's help in guiding me, and helping net (land) that fish.  WOW!   Once it was boated, the whooping commenced.





And here's some video I shot, right after Eric subdued it.  He was speculating it was 25 lbs but it turned out to be much larger



One thing Eric didn't say was what we realized after we got the fish in - Notice the bottom hook on the mooching rig.  It was broken!  DANG!  we came very close to loosing that fish I think.



I want to stress how much I appreciated both Eric and Dominic on this trip.  I managed to get a shot with both of them fishing.



After a 30 lbs salmon right off the bat, what do you do?  You fish all day -- and have a blast!  I've sort of lost track of how many lings and rockfish we caught / released / kept but it was an amazing day in an amazing place with two great guys.

I'm sure I released this beautiful little ling but it's a great picture -- It was a memorable day in an amazing place.



Shelter Cove really is a special place and I'm so glad to have had this 2nd shot fishing there.  It will not be my last!



I especially appreciated Eric's help breaking down that monster fish.





It made the most amazing meal, and I had people showing up as guests out of the woodwork that weekend so I served lots of fresh grilled salmon!



One of my former students, Cin Dee, from CSUDH (in LA) even showed up! 








And then I fired up the smoker and OMG -- brined and smoked over pecan wood - so delicious! 

 










So I don't know what more to say except -- Thanks Eric -- that was an awesome trip that I will remember for a lifetime! 



And I hereby promise to post more often on NCKA.   

congrats on a fish of a lifetime!!! and thanks for the report

that's a beast of a fish, i like reports that include fish porn and food porn.  even if its late, it doesn't matter! great job

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

No worries about it being a late report, David. It was great hearing your story and getting to see the food pictures!

EPIC!!!
Thanks for your side of the story

Spoken from the heart. Nothing could be better.
Congrats on that epic adventure/experience.
You made me hungry and drooling.

DUDE

WTG!

What a beautiful fish

Thanks for the report, Dave.  That was a really fun day. 

Dang it! Ive been trolling with the beer! I need to switch to Sierra Nevada 

Trolling with the wrong beer...that is

Shelter Cove rocks!!

Truly fish porn with a beer!

Congrats on the nice catch.  Thanks for the report, pictures and video Dave.