Garrapata, Sunday June 3?

Hi all,

A buddy and I are considering a shot at Garrapata this coming Sunday.  Neither of us have fished there though...I understand that getting to the water is a 2-man job, but what about the fishing itself?  It looks like it'll be a bit windy on Sunday, so do you think it's worthwhile given the forecast?  We've both been dying to try Garrapata, but we're willing to wait for a better day if need be.  We can always hit Stillwater or somewhere else (Stillwater owes me one anyway)   BTW, Garrapata-experienced company is more than welcome if we head there. 

Conditions don't look so good. Granted, they don't look awful either....just not ideal.
.SAT...NW WINDS 10 TO 20 KT. WIND WAVES 2 TO 4 FT. NW SWELL 4 FT AND SW 2 FT. PATCHY FOG. .SUN AND MON...NW WINDS 10 TO 20 KT. WIND WAVES 2 TO 4 FT. NW SWELL 4 FT AND SW 2 FT. PATCHY FOG.

I think the wind may make the fishing at GP difficult this wknd. Regardless of whether you plan to launch from Soberanes Pt or Garrapata beach, you will be relatively exposed to the wind. Soberanes is slightly more protected inside. Big potential for lots of paddling against the wind in breaking wind waves. With a mixed swell. That doesn't sound fun to me.
But who knows? Maybe the wind will subside and the mixed swell won't be so bad.

Best thing to do is drive down there and check it out before deciding to launch. Its only about 15 minutes past Monastery beach. 

Good luck,
PK

I wish I could.  I have to leave town on business that morning.  I am dying to get out there for a fish.  Next time.

Here's another forecast:
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/firewx/fwpfm/fwpfm.php?latitude=&longitude=&citylist=%2C%2C&wfo=mtr&interface=firewx&click.x=355&click.y=560

I have no experience there, but from what I can tell from the areas I know, the wind predictions are the least reliable, the swell predictions are better.  Have a good trip.

It seems most times you'll have a window to fish early in the am. You should go for it and if its blowing in the am when you get there, can it.    One of my rules; if I show up late, the wind will start to blow right as i start to paddle out.  Always arrive super early on wind forcasted days.  Good luck out there. jtf..

Current forecast:

SAT...NW WINDS 5 TO 15 KT. WIND WAVES 1 TO 3 FT. MIXED SWELL NW 5 FT AT 9 SECONDS AND S 3 FT AT 16 SECONDS. PATCHY FOG IN THE MORNING. .SAT NIGHT...NW WINDS 5 TO 15 KT. WIND WAVES 1 TO 3 FT. MIXED SWELL NW 4 TO 5 FT AND S 3 FT. PATCHY FOG. .SUN...NW WINDS 5 TO 15 KT. WIND WAVES 1 TO 3 FT. MIXED SWELL NW 3 TO 4 FT AND S 3 FT. PATCHY FOG.


Those are definetly 'go-for-it' conditions.  As JTF said . .the earlier the better.

Also, if it's a no-go when you get there, you can make a quick retreat to Carmel River SB just North on Hwy1.  That should be good.

According to NOAA (http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/mtr/marine.php), Sunday looks better than Saturday.
Here's the Monterey Bay forecast:
.SAT...SW WINDS 5 TO 10 KT. WIND WAVES 1 TO 2 FT. MIXED SWELL NW
3 TO 6 FT AT 9 SECONDS AND S 2 FT AT 16 SECONDS. PATCHY FOG IN
THE MORNING.
.SAT NIGHT...W WINDS 5 TO 10 KT. WIND WAVES 1 TO 2 FT.
MIXED SWELL NW 2 TO 5 FT AND S 2 FT. PATCHY FOG.
.SUN...NW WINDS 5 TO 10 KT. WIND WAVES 1 TO 2 FT.
MIXED SWELL NW 2 TO 4 FT AND S 2 FT. PATCHY FOG.


And here's the Pidgeon Pt to Piedras Blancas (out to 20 miles) report:
.SAT...NW WINDS 5 TO 15 KT. WIND WAVES 1 TO 3 FT. MIXED SWELL NW
5 FT AT 9 SECONDS AND S 3 FT AT 16 SECONDS. PATCHY FOG IN THE MORNING.
.SAT NIGHT...NW WINDS 5 TO 15 KT. WIND WAVES 1 TO 3 FT. MIXED
SWELL NW 4 TO 5 FT AND S 3 FT. PATCHY FOG.
.SUN...NW WINDS 5 TO 15 KT. WIND WAVES 1 TO 3 FT. MIXED SWELL NW
3 TO 4 FT AND S 3 FT. PATCHY FOG.

Not quite ideal. Doable….but not as doable as July/August will be.
And don't get me wrong, I am not telling you "don't go." I hope you DO go. And kill it! Limits all around.
PK

The condition (wind and swell) looks pretty good (IMO). You should have fun time. Who will be going out?

Hmmm...I'm getting more and more tempted!  I'll be driving down with my coworker, but coming from Sunnyvale means we won't be there at dawn, that's for sure.  We'll probably swing by around 7:45-8:00 and see what the conditions look like.  I won't mind a little wind since I peddle an Outback, but Ryan paddles so if it looks windy we might bail northward.  But you guys are convincing me to give it a serious look, that's for certain!  Neither of us have ever been to Garrapata but we've both been talking about it since last summer.  Thanks for all of the input!

Pete

BTW, still happy to have some company!  If you see a blue Toyota pickup parked at Garrapata, try us on ch 69.

Garrapata should be fun. It requires 2-men job. Sunday I am going to BH, which is closer to me.

Garrapata should be fun. It requires 2-men job. Sunday I am going to BH, which is closer to me.

Yes, I understood as much.  Use our roof straps to lower the yaks down to the beach, right? Any other helpful tips?  (like maybe a good landmark to look for when we approach it on 1?) 

Knock 'em dead at Bean!

I recommend you go for it. Today was beautiful conditions light wind and small swell.  If it is anything close to the same you can do Garrapata tomorrow.  Sorry I can not join you I will be high in the Rocky Mountains or in the sky above them by then.  I think you can launch near the red barn without needing ropes etc.  Park in the northern most dirt area on the west side of the highway just north and across from the red barn and north of the trail head to Sobranties Point.  There is a narrow channel that cuts in from the ocean with a small beach at the end that can be used for a launch when conditions are right.    I checked it out after the Chef Memorial last weekend and it was doable.  You can easily check it out by walking down and taking a quick look before deciding on this spot or the one than needs ropes.

Here you go: http://www.californiacoastline.org/cgi-bin/image.cgi?image=200508553&mode=big&lastmode=sequential&flags=0&year=2005

Park right where that white sedan is parked. You can see the trail leading down to the beach/launch.
You'll know you are getting close when you see the big, round hill on the west side (that is Whalers Knoll and Soberanes Pt is the west side of that knoll). You park north of the knoll.

Good luck,
PK