West Cliff Santa Cruz Kelp Beds

I didn't want to go too far from shore for my first time out in my crappy craigslist kayak yesterday. Launched from Mitchell Cove and started fishing the kelp beds after practicing launching and landing a few times. A few nibbles for the first hour and a half. I went a bit farther out to the edge of the kelp for the last hour, caught two brown (kept) and two grass rock fish (too small). A harbor seal was following me for a bit waiting for its chance to steal one. Popping up each time I pulled one aboard or dispatched one.

All four fish were caught on a dropper loop setup, 2/0 circle hooks, and squid (I am not good with swimbaits).

Thanks for the Report
Conditions Look Great

Thanks for the report.

I wouldn't venture out too far without some type of immersion clothing as back up and safety gear as well.

Tight lines

Safety Monitor here!  Safety Sally alert!!

Haha.  JK.

When I started out in kayak fishing we would go offshore at a remote spot in wetsuits - no PFD or radios.  It was dumb, but we learned.  We didn't have resources like NCKA though.

Wasn't there a fatal shark attack a week ago near where you went out?  And did you see that yesterday a shark bit a kayak that wasn't far offshore a couple hundred miles up the coast?  What's your plan?

Did you have a radio?

Anyway - congrats on your first fish from your yak.  This sport is super fun and the potential consequences of not using good judgment are super serious.  I think you'll feel better going a bit farther out if you dress for immersion and carry the basic safety gear like a radio, GPS, compass...etc.

Peace out.   

Thanks for the report.

I wouldn't venture out too far without some type of immersion clothing as back up and safety gear as well. The immersion gear is lackluster and far too hot. I would have had some heat issues yesterday if I had used it.

Tight lines

Definitely. I have almost all the safety gear recommended here, just lacking a hand pump and GPS.

Safety Monitor here!  Safety Sally alert!!

Haha.  JK.

When I started out in kayak fishing we would go offshore at a remote spot in wetsuits - no PFD or radios.  It was dumb, but we learned.  We didn't have resources like NCKA though.

Wasn't there a fatal shark attack a week ago near where you went out?  And did you see that yesterday a shark bit a kayak that wasn't far offshore a couple hundred miles up the coast?  What's your plan?

Did you have a radio?

Anyway - congrats on your first fish from your yak.  This sport is super fun and the potential consequences of not using good judgment are super serious.  I think you'll feel better going a bit farther out if you dress for immersion and carry the basic safety gear like a radio, GPS, compass...etc.

Peace out.   

The fatal one was a surfer at Sunset Beach. The sharks seem to like the new seal population nearby at the cement ship on Seabright ever since it broke up in storms. At least that is the current theory.

I had a VHF radio and compass, just need a GPS.  I plan not to venture more than two hundred yards from land or the wharf for the foreseeable future.

My plan is that if a shark sighting is reported nearby over the radio or if I see the surfers at lighthouse point scrambling out of the water to make for the nearest spot to land. So likely one of the beaches or the small dock on the wharf.

From what I can tell the shark up in Shelter Cove went after a lingcod bleeding while strapped to the side of the boat. When I went out I just cut the fish's gills over my small cooler and stored the knife and towel in it, not letting it bleed out into the ocean.

Thanks for the report.

I wouldn't venture out too far without some type of immersion clothing as back up and safety gear as well. The immersion gear is lackluster and far too hot. I would have had some heat issues yesterday if I had used it.

Tight lines

Definitely. I have almost all the safety gear recommended here, just lacking a hand pump and GPS.

For the warmer days i usually wear 3 mil neoprene pants , long sleeve kayak t and carry a 3mil neoprene jacket stored safely behind me for emergencies . Always, always a pfd. You never can anticipate an accident and being seperated from your kayak or any other unforeseen emergency.

The fatal one was a surfer at Sunset Beach. The sharks seem to like the new seal population nearby at the cement ship on Seabright ever since it broke up in storms. At least that is the current theory.

I had a VHF radio and compass, just need a GPS.  I plan not to venture more than two hundred yards from land or the wharf for the foreseeable future.

My plan is that if a shark sighting is reported nearby over the radio or if I see the surfers at lighthouse point scrambling out of the water to make for the nearest spot to land. So likely one of the beaches or the small dock on the wharf.

From what I can tell the shark up in Shelter Cove went after a lingcod bleeding while strapped to the side of the boat. When I went out I just cut the fish's gills over my small cooler and stored the knife and towel in it, not letting it bleed out into the ocean.

Good moves, man.  Thanks for the conscientious response.   

Live long and properous.  I think Spock said something like that.

Fascinating!

That's a great area for rockfish, especially once you get the kayak/nerve/gear/experience to venture further out and about. Some big halibut hang out around there too.

How were you able to wrangle your kayak down and (especially) up the steps?

If you fish there regularly, I'm sure I'll see you out on the water one of these days...

Fascinating!

That's a great area for rockfish, especially once you get the kayak/nerve/gear/experience to venture further out and about. Some big halibut hang out around there too.

How were you able to wrangle your kayak down and (especially) up the steps?

If you fish there regularly, I'm sure I'll see you out on the water one of these days...

I am also curious if I can get some mackerel a few hundred yards off the end of the SC or Capitola wharfs. If I recall correctly it isn't all that good within casting distance of the wharf. I've only gotten a handful and really like them when I broil them with cayenne pepper.

I made a strap with some rope and carried it down the steps. It isn't fun. I think I will be launching from Cowell Beach from now on.  I live just up Pacific Ave from Cowell's so if I can get a good cart I can just walk it down to the water.

How did the water visibility look? I'm thinking about hopping in for a bit of a dive later today or tomorrow

How did the water visibility look? I'm thinking about hopping in for a bit of a dive later today or tomorrow

The visibility was actually pretty good. I could see what I was reeling in well before it got to the surface.

 When I went out I just cut the fish's gills over my small cooler and stored the knife and towel in it, not letting it bleed out into the ocean.

back in the day we called that "Total Blood Containment", and that is an excellent call.
I haven't fished that are recently, but over the years I've pulled some big early season lingcod out of that place, and some nice halibut from the kelp lanes too.

Qey tlhegh!

Conditions look pretty rough!