first trip of 2012 - may 3rd, 2012

alantani

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 24, 2005
Messages
140
Reaction score
0
Points
16
Location
saratoga, ca
first trip of 2012 - may 3rd, 2012

so dad called earlier in the week. "when are we going fishing?" was the question. there was a break in the weather on thursday. it would be blowing hard monday through wednesday, then down to zero wind thursday and back up friday and saturday. looks like thursday was the only day. nevermind that that boat had been sitting for 6 months. oh, well. roger and i (um, mostly roger) cleaned the boat, did a full systems check and i found some gear oil leaking from around the lower unit of the port motor. hopefully one trip will not ruin it. we're going fishing.

half moon bay would be the most exposed, and if the salmon were scattered, we had a possible fall back to rockfish, but they would have been scattered by the storms as well. moss landing would be the most sheltered, with no fall back at all if the salmon had left the area. monterey would probably have decent seas, the commercial guys were working the area the day before, and we could always take a 20 mile run to point sur for rockfish if salmon fishing was a bust. so monterey it was.

the boat, downriggers, and rods all worked perfectly. even though it had been a year since i fished for salmon, everything was dialed in and worked just fine. we fished just north of point pinos and great sonar marks from 50 down to 200 feet. radio chatter was light. no one was catching anything.

1_04_05_12_12_57_48_61832486.jpeg


1_04_05_12_12_58_07_61852013.jpeg


after two hours of nothing, we decided to run to point sur. the water was beautiful. a few swells came rolling through and the wind was so light we couldn't even get a drift going. but at least we were fishing.

1_04_05_12_12_58_07_61852013.jpeg


banging the bottom straight up and down was not working, so i got a 2 ounce jig and started casting. a little extra work, but this was my reward.

1_04_05_12_12_58_58_6191868.jpeg


dad nailed a nice vermillion on a shrimp fly.

1_04_05_12_12_59_07_61921542.jpeg


and our driver/deckhand roger, was once again mr. lucky. this guy is always smiling. well, i would be to if i was always hooked up!

1_04_05_12_12_59_16_6193339.jpeg


1_04_05_12_12_59_27_61941182.jpeg


1_04_05_12_12_59_37_6195612.jpeg


we ended up with 3 lings and 26 assorted rockfish for the three of us after only 3 hours of fishing. we used jigs and shrimp flies tipped with cut up anchovies. rule number 70. always bring a box of squid. salmon fishing was a bust, but at least we sent dad home with some fish. the boat goes into the shop next week.

1_04_05_12_12_59_46_6196211.jpeg
 

Average Joe

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 21, 2005
Messages
479
Reaction score
0
Points
16
Location
Chesapeake, VA
Great to see a report from you again Alan. Looks like Dad was right, it was time to go fishing!
 

Tuna Man

GreatGrady Captain
Joined
Mar 11, 2005
Messages
536
Reaction score
7
Points
18
Location
Rahway/Waretown NJ
Looks like a pretty successful trip. Nice to see you and your father spending quality time together. I guesss I better make some plans with my dad when the boat finally goes in the water in a few weeks.

Curious what kind of reel is that? Looks like a TLD15 with star drag and your custom 'super size' handles.
 

alantani

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 24, 2005
Messages
140
Reaction score
0
Points
16
Location
saratoga, ca
the reel is a little daiwa sealine 17 line counter loaded with 50# spectra. they've been subject to quite a beating but they've held up fine.
 

Tuna Man

GreatGrady Captain
Joined
Mar 11, 2005
Messages
536
Reaction score
7
Points
18
Location
Rahway/Waretown NJ
Thanks for the quick response. Based on your reviews I suspected they might not have been tld's. My next small reeels may be a pair of Sealines.