11/20/2021 Doran beach report

First report (and first time fishing from my kayak!). Got out on the water about 10:30 am. Launched from the beach near the Jetty. I took a hoop net and a fishing rod. I stayed close to shore and Jetty and dropped my hoop net. I kept the net down for about 15 minutes per drop. First drop got an undersized dungeness and a rock crab with no claws. Tried about 5 more times, 15 minutes each, but didn't get a legal crab. I would fish between the drops and managed to catch 4 Jacksmelt. I know that is probably pretty silly for most of you, but these are the first fish I caught on a kayak, so I was pretty excited. Real busy on the Jetty and didn't seem like many were catching crabs. My wife took the kayak out next (while I stayed on shore with the kids) and she was able to get one legal crab. We made crab cakes and smoked the jacksmelt (yes they have lots of worms, yes they were pretty good).

No such thing as a silly report. First time fishing from a kayak and you came home with dinner - you're doing it right ! You'll be pulling in lings and halibut in no time ! Thanks for the report.

First kayak trip and no skunk? LESSS GOOOOOOOOO

Grats man! Sounds like a fun lil family outing that's awesome.

Sure beats WFH and things can only get better from here 

I agree with the others - catch is a catch! My first several kayak runs involved no fishing at all, just getting used to getting around in it (and one test run and tipping it over and self-rescuing).

Didn't catch anything my first fishing run if I recall correctly, and then my first successful catch was also jacksmelt. I had fun and that's all that matters.   

I also went to Doran for my first crabbing adventure. Showed up around 7 to glass like water met a few guys from ncka who handed out some solid info. Went out north west of the jetty dropped two nets and then ran over to seal rock to jig a bit. No fish out there but the water was infested with jumping seals and dolphins which was very cool. At one point my buddy was swarmed by seals, I wish I had taken a picture. Anyways slow going in the am then the wind picked up and the conditions got nasty. I had one jumbo rock crab and one dunge on board. We were about to go in when I talked to another ncka guy who handed out some more advice. I gave it one more chance and dropped my pots back down. Ended up with 3 dunges and 3 rock crab plus one rock fish. So much fun. That wind got fierce though. I have officially caught crab fever.

That’s good on the table. Way to go gentlemen 

Great first report BD1 forecast was calling for wind 23rd…woke up to still conditions-thinking they got the WX report wrong, but then it started to blow…

I put in some time yesterday for 7… 3.5 hrs 35-40 FOW using Ling carcasses-past jetty on the outside of boat channel… sweet day OTW…

Nice clean looking crab… had a grip of rock crab with HUGE claws I gifted to a family that was diving off jetty with not much luck….

If you go out past seal rock 65 FOW there’s some structure that hold some nice size RF…

Thought I would append to my original report. Got out there again on 11/27. Tried some beach launches a bit farther from the Jetty. Report said 6 foot swell and breakers seemed to be a little high, but I made sure everything was tied down and was prepared to get wet. I got out there with no issue, dropped my hoop net just a little past the breakers. First drop caught a dungeness that was a bit undersized and a rock crab that was too small. Fished a bit but didn't see anything. Tried another drop and got a legal rock crab and a dungeness that was JUST under sized (one of those that you have to check three times just to be sure...). I had a kid with me on this trip out, and other family on the beach so we went back in. Tried my best to time the beach landing and was able to get in without too much issue. My wife was waiting and jumped into the surf to grab the boat and haul us in. I think this helped a lot. My wife and Brother-in-Law went out next. They got in the boat ok, but the paddle got a bit tangled when they were trying to get it out and before they could start paddling a wave hit them and they flipped. We gathered everything and tried again. This time they got out without any issue. They dropped 4 times, but only came up with one rock crab to keep. We are still staying pretty close to shore until we get more used to kayaking out there. They came back in and by then the breakers seemed to have gotten much worse. A wave hit them hard and they took another dip. No injury or lost equipment though (except my wife's glasses, we brought the glasses strap and forgot to put it on). I know it is easier to get in and out near the jetty, but we were having some fun practicing launching into the breaker (and getting back to shore). We might try some alternative strategies next time (like getting out of the kayak before landing). Looks like the weather isn't going to be so nice next weekend, so we probably won't be going again for a bit.

Those are great lessons!  Thanks for sharing.  Over the years I’ve learned to unleash my paddle on landing mostly because I go to jump out at the appropriate depth, which takes intuition and timing, yet my foot would get trapped in the leash and I’d get tackled by the leash then the wave.  I’ve also trusted to unleash on launch as well for the same potential mess that has occurred many times.  I am glad that you “had fun” during that session.  That’s the key and once you’re wet, we laugh and commit to the sea’s tolerance of our learning.   I’m glad it was fun. When we’re all decked out for safety and the reality of learning to get slapped around in the surf is super fun. 

When we’re all decked out for safety and the reality of learning to get slapped around in the surf is super fun. 

Refreshing! :fish:

Thanks for the reports and pictures guys.