West Cliff Santa Cruz Kelp Beds

back in the day we called that "Total Blood Containment"...

I think I'll look into this. My current approach is sort of the polar opposite of total blood containment...

back in the day we called that "Total Blood Containment"...

I think I'll look into this. My current approach is sort of the polar opposite of total blood containment...

It came out of Dennis Spike's SoCal website, in the early days long before things like Shark Shields existed. They were fishing a lot of yellowtail and seabass and were pretty keen to bleed the catches as soon as possible. After a number of guys got scoped by big sharks they came up with TBC. IMHO it's still a very good practice especially if you are solo.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CAp-EICjtYl/?igshid=1akxh0mc5ohiu

I especially like the approach given how often they are being sighted around here now. This is from the surf cam at pigeon point. Surfers like to think the kelp beds keep them safe, but current research says otherwise.

weather looks awesome

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.

Technically, kayak launching from Cowell's is not allowed. Esp in the summer months, they have the swim only section boyed off.  You have to paddle through that area to get past those buoys.  There is a public Launch dock on the wharf you can use which features the benefit of not having to push through waves on the launch or land.  Lots a times the lifeguards don't care you can get away with it.  But, the actual law is clear for cowell's Beach.  Mackerel if the appear this year will be in a litttlelater in the summer, but can be jiged in the shallow water.  Right nor we have pinhead anchovies, some decentsize sardines (near Capitola0 and good sixed smelt.  All of which can serve aas great live bait for halibut and ling cod.

Great little excursion though, and thanks for sharing.  For my part, I commit to posting better, more complete and classic fish reports. (which means I will have to kayak fish more often and I know that is a good thing for me.)

The bickering here is not unexpected. Transposeds ito political beliefs and attitutdes which always raises hackles. WE're in a very unstable period now, and everyone (whether you kow it or not) is afflicted with hegightened levels of anxiety and even fear,

the great thing about NCKA, is freedom.  But it's not a free-for all.  Personal attacks are # 1 no-no. 

We prefer to let the community work things out among themselves. God forbid we ever morph to a Facebook or Twitter situation that bans and deletes contributors due to their perceived political affiliations.  I'd say hard and fast: NO racial invective, and valiant attempts at stating an opposing point of view, We can hate the sin, but love the sinner.

I have confidence things wil smooth out soon.  Feel good about yourself, especially when your opinions differ. Slurs are not appreciated, direct character attacks are unneccesary.

More fish reports and helpful advice is necessary.  Like ex-kayaker, I'm a member of this group since before it became a group. I've been amazed at hw much good positive momentum we have built. I think that's the strongest aspect of NCKA, and it wil take a lot more than petty bickering to bring us down.

Bushy

ps got out with Aaron T (Code3) last week.  Conditions were quite pleasant despite a rather dubious marine forecast.  Fishing was farily slow out by the Mile buoy in SC, but we both got a smattering of rockfish, undrsized lins, and I lucked into a soft-biter halibut I was stoked to hook that I''m still eating this weekend.  Great time and reminds me how much I love kayakfishing, especialy with a friend!  Arron's halibut was from just a week prior.  And, what a noble dog in the pic!!

Uncle Bushy

Glad to see you got out and got some water therapy and thanks for posting such a positive report Allen.

Appreciated .

Congrats on the Hali. 

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.

Technically, kayak launching from Cowell's is not allowed. Esp in the summer months, they have the swim only section boyed off.  You have to paddle through that area to get past those buoys.  There is a public Launch dock on the wharf you can use which features the benefit of not having to push through waves on the launch or land.  Lots a times the lifeguards don't care you can get away with it.  But, the actual law is clear for cowell's Beach.  Mackerel if the appear this year will be in a litttlelater in the summer, but can be jiged in the shallow water.  Right nor we have pinhead anchovies, some decentsize sardines (near Capitola0 and good sixed smelt.  All of which can serve aas great live bait for halibut and ling cod.

Great little excursion though, and thanks for sharing.  For my part, I commit to posting better, more complete and classic fish reports. (which means I will have to kayak fish more often and I know that is a good thing for me.)

The bickering here is not unexpected. Transposeds ito political beliefs and attitutdes which always raises hackles. WE're in a very unstable period now, and everyone (whether you kow it or not) is afflicted with hegightened levels of anxiety and even fear,

the great thing about NCKA, is freedom.  But it's not a free-for all.  Personal attacks are # 1 no-no. 

We prefer to let the community work things out among themselves. God forbid we ever morph to a Facebook or Twitter situation that bans and deletes contributors due to their perceived political affiliations.  I'd say hard and fast: NO racial invective, and valiant attempts at stating an opposing point of view, We can hate the sin, but love the sinner.

I have confidence things wil smooth out soon.  Feel good about yourself, especially when your opinions differ. Slurs are not appreciated, direct character attacks are unneccesary.

More fish reports and helpful advice is necessary.  Like ex-kayaker, I'm a member of this group since before it became a group. I've been amazed at hw much good positive momentum we have built. I think that's the strongest aspect of NCKA, and it wil take a lot more than petty bickering to bring us down.

Bushy

ps got out with Aaron T (Code3) last week.  Conditions were quite pleasant despite a rather dubious marine forecast.  Fishing was farily slow out by the Mile buoy in SC, but we both got a smattering of rockfish, undrsized lins, and I lucked into a soft-biter halibut I was stoked to hook that I''m still eating this weekend.  Great time and reminds me how much I love kayakfishing, especialy with a friend!  Arron's halibut was from just a week prior.  And, what a noble dog in the pic!!

Uncle Bushy

Is the public launch dock the one opposite the boat rental place?

For my part, I commit to posting better, more complete and classic fish reports. (which means I will have to kayak fish more often and I know that is a good thing for me.)

Glad to hear that, Uncle B. And, lots of great advice (fishing and otherwise) in that post!

Whoever he is posting as today wrote:

I liked the "old School " reports better than a running thread ..but hey I`m way off center

I hadn't thought of it, but now that you mention it, I think I do, too. I mean, the running threads are kinda cool to see how the bite is going for a specific specie, but the individual reports can be much more fun to read. Center? What's that? 

Looking forward to getting out on the salt. Last year about this time I had just come back from fishing with Uncle Bushy and Coho Joe, had been out at least 6-8 times in my local areas, too.