Monterey/ML/Santa Cruz regular from Salinas

 
Hey everyone, was invited here by Alan Larp earlier this year, but just getting around to posting for the first time.

I fish about 2-4 times a week, mostly around Del Monte, PG, Moss, Stillwater, and Santa Cruz on my vintage 14' Aquaterra Prism and a 2020 Soloskiff. Been fishing around here a little over a year now, but grew up fishing around Catalina Island, SoCal, and Baja.

I'm a marine biologist>Navy Seahawk pilot>local MEDEVAC pilot based out of Salinas. Hope I don't see any of you at work! My name is Jimmy, but I answer to Solo also.

Always looking for new fishing buddies and any tips or tricks.

Hi Jimmy, welcome to NCKA

See ya on the water this next year !      I am in salinas.


Alex

Nice setup. I hope to see you on the water. 

Welcome aboard Jimmy 

Welcome to NCKA Jimmy.   

Welcome aboard Jimmy 

haha Prunetucky! Thanks!

See ya on the water this next year !      I am in salinas.


Alex

Thanks Alex! Definitely, still going out just for sand dabs and exploring new spots just for fun before the New Year. Tight lines!

Welcome! Nice rigs!

Welcome! Nice rigs!

Thanks! Did you end up getting on the water this past week? I saw on your thread you were launching from Capitola.

Hey Jimmy, welcome to NCKA!

Welcome! Nice rigs!

Thanks! Did you end up getting on the water this past week? I saw on your thread you were launching from Capitola.

I did, decided to lunch from the harbor instead after watching the swell from the wharf for a several minutes. Nothing that couldn’t be timed or launched from. Just wanted to stay dry, looking into getting a dry suit after the holiday.
Launched around 10/11am. Started collecting live bait outside the harbor, was fast work. Then headed out towards 90’ of water, to drop a crab pot. Only made it 60’, made my drop around 1pm with old squid and some smelt id just caught.
Started going south towards a reef where I’ve witnessed prolific ling fishing.
All morning the fog was dense, sitting inland and along the coast(one of the reasons I started late). I Was itching to fish tho.
After about thirty minutes I felt the conditions for visibility were getting worse... Feared I wouldn’t located my pot later in the afternoon if this continues and daylight dwindled. I turned around and went back for my pot, instead of letting it soak for a few hours-no crab.
The reef i intended to go fish was a good mile paddle. Headed back west to 40’ of water where I’ve caught rock fish, rather than my original plan of fishing south at 70-80’
Drifted with the current thru the kelpy area, with no significant action.
No crab.
Happy to have gotten exercise and not be struck by any boats, in some semi sketchy conditions.
A reminder that fish finders are not only important for locating fish/bait/ocean topography, but navigating safely when landmarks are not visible.