5/1/07 - Stillwater South. Rockfishing begins !!!

There were a bunch of 'yakers out there today. I bumped into sackyak, Fuzzy Tom? and Peter (usagi?), and there were probably a total of 10-12 out in all. Come to think of it, akakimo might have been out there too. I was a bit frazzled trying to get on the water ASAP, due to a late start.

The fishing was pretty good actually. Hard to ask for better water and weather this early in the year. I wound up taking 4 assorted "keeper" sized blues and olives and a nicer kelp rockfish. I tossed back probably 3 for every one I kept. Zero for three on legal lings, though the last one probably was ok. However when you think it measures right at 24" on the water, and you're dealing with a boat rule, swell, and a fiesty ling, it's hard to be certain. I tossed him back on the basis it was too much of a risk. Sure enough, DFG was there waiting for folks to come in. Looked like even the sketchy skiff contingent was legal, always a good sign.

I caught most of my fish by buzzing a 4 oz diamond jig up from the depths. It seemed to trigger their aggression much more than bottom bouncing.

I saw a good sized cabezon, a nice vermillion, and a couple legal lings on shore. I'll let some of these folks tell their own stories, as well as post a couple pix.


Scott

I am SOOOO jealous!
PK

It was a fun day to play hooky and get out on the water for the opening of rockfishing. I caught a few small rockies and a nice fat 22" cabezon. I didnt get the cab's weight but would guess 6 or 7 lbs, mostly head. Had one juve ling that was just over 22", back he went. We saw some great lings back on the beach and a young girl with a huge vermillion. Hope to see you guys out there again soon, KIMO

This one was undersized by a good few inches.




The Kelp and the Blues that I kept.




Nice weather.

thank you for sharing a taste of home while I am hundreds of miles away.  I am soooooooooo looking forward to my first fresh rockie.

It was a fine day.  I met several NCKA brothers (FuzzyTom, akaKimo, E2G and Scott at the launch) plus a guy named Ron about 5:30 or 6.  We made the first shift on the water and headed straight for the pinnacles.  Usagi and Jim joined us later along with plenty of others including a few in aluminum boats and inflatables.

The hits were slow to start with the 10-inch grub on 8-oz leadhead so I switched to squid and got the first of five underlings all 22-23 inches.  I tried other baits and lours and found the shrimp fly did the best today.  I had one with red white and blue and big eyes.  It even got several of the lings.  I had one double hookup a vermillion and a 23-in lingcod with a Crocodile and a shrimp file.  I probably caught 25 fish and kept 8 (3 each olives and blues all 12 or 13 inch., one small kelp rf and a 17-inch vermillion).

The wind came up about 10 and increased till we all (except E2G) decided to leave many arriving at the launch to the welcome of a very pleasant game warden just before noon.  He commented on my nice stinger and said I had the first vermillion of the day.  He did not even check my license.

I have some nice photos I will post after I have time to download and reduce file size etc.  In general a great day.  The vermillion was delicious.  The rest goes to people at work so I can go out again next weekend.  I need some legal lings.  I was sure the double with the vermillion would be a legal one when it took drag half way up.

Good times..........

Right on!  Sounds like a great gathering and nice fishing conditions.  Wish we'd had the same up north!   

Great report guys and rearing to go!

The fishermen were out in force today!

It was a good day to be out on the water fishing, but I had already made plans to do some spearfishing with a couple buddies today.

Lots of fish, calm waters, & decent viz.  Since my freezer is stocked, I made an effort to be more selective.  I passed over most of the game I saw and ended up taking home just 1 husky ling & a cab.  The ling measured at a bit over 35".   

Here are some photos

WTG guys!  Thanks for the pictures.  I wish I could have joined you!
Dinner looks delicious!

wow! nice fish! where the hell have i been???

i had no idea RF opened in May for boaters!

Thanks!

John

Nice pic's ......Can't wait for some HMB action !

WTG everyone. Will try to make it out there soon.

Scott

It was a nice day out there, even if it did get windy.  I arrived late with my coworker Ryan (although neither of us were working yesterday!), hitting the water just before 8am.  Called out on Ch. 69 to see where the NCKA folks were, and headed straight to the Pinnacles.  Fished there a bit without much luck...Ryan caught an undersized ling & that was about it.  After a bit he decided to move back in toward the cove, since the wind was picking up.  I was in the middle of re-tying a new leader for my 2nd rod so I told him I'd be headed that way soon.  As I tied the leader my first rod started buzzing.  I'd left it sitting with the clicker on and a swimbait attached...up came a nice cab, later measured at 21".  After getting that bad boy on the stringer I looked around & noticed that I was the only person still at the Pinnacles, other than a few guys in a small Zodiac.  Time to head in.

Worked the kelp here & there as I headed toward the cove, with no joy.  Stopped in about 70 feet of water as I passed Scott (if I remember correctly), who had just caught a small Olive.  Decided to drop my swimbait in and troll it as I peddled towards the cove...10 seconds later I get hit by a nice 17" Olive, my 2nd and last fish of the day.  Enough for fish tacos though, which were delicious!  BTW, the cab had a 3-4" crab in its belly, much to the joy of my 12 year old boy who was watching me clean the fish.  I have a couple of pics that I need to upload before I can post them.

BTW, I have the best wife ever...spent the weekend playing paintball from Friday-Sunday, worked Monday and then said "Hey Sweetie, Ryan wants to go fishing tomorrow..."  She laughed and said to be sure to bring something home for dinner.  Sweet!