South of Carmel 6-3-07

Chris (MByakker) and I fished for rockfish on Sunday, 6-3. We got a late start and launched around 8:15. Conditions looked great from shore and the waves were managable if you timed it right. But once we got out there, the wind came up big time! Drifting and seasrching for structure became difficult and we resorted to tying onto kelp.
The downside of tying to kelp and remaining stationary is the seasickness. The mixed swell just makes matters worse. And we were fully exposed to the swell +wind.

The fishing was pretty hot. Not as good as I dreamed the night before....but good enough to score 12 or 15 fish with 2 lings. Chris caught more fish that I did. But I had a keeper ling that was released. Caught it on a white scampi on a 3oz red leadhead but it came off my gaff when I removed the jook from his lower jaw...I was pushing away from me to get the hook out and essentially pushed him right off the gaff (that was through his lower jaw) right as the hook came out...all in one motion...D'OH!!!

Oh well, good karma, man. He was only about 25 or 26 inches anyways. I caught a 20 incher on the same jig later. The other fish I caught were blues, blacks, coppers, kelp, grass, and a cabezon. Almost all of the kelp and grass rockfish we caught were busting with eggs! I moved a couple times to avoid them but they were everywhere! Chris caught a bunch of preggos too. It was weird. All fish were released today. Didn't even have to use my Shelton Releases because we fished shallower than 50 feet all day.

We didn't stay out there very long. And Chris had to get his bearings back on shore before returning to fish some more. [HEY! That rhymes! HA!] Fishing would've been great if the wind wasn't so bad. Guess I gotta get there earlier next time. Wish I could go tomorrow but it will most likely be a couple weeks.

See ya,
PK

Good fishing there  PK. Its good karma  for sure to release all your fish once in a while.

ditto on the eggs thing for a few fish at Bean.  It was actually kind of gross that they were spewing everywhere.  Major preggo.

I almost forgot to mention that the trail to haul our kayak down and back was awful! And I am not looking forward to that part again.

And also forgot to mention that we saw alien, marmite, and maybe ark loading their kayaks at Monastery beach as we drove home (actually drove to RG Burgers in Carmel).

PK

looks like fun,id love to join you guys sometime

Good report, PK.