Homer Derby Planning and Intel Link

Ok, we are less than a month out.  Time to start scouring the interent, friends, and your own experience to put together a decent strategy for the tournament.  Frankly, its more of a way to pass the time and get other s to divulge their secret but its fun.  lol.

Ok.  So I will start.  This year is different than normal years so far.  Barring a major cold snap, I think this odd year will remain odd.  That's a good thing.  Negates the experience of some of the veterans out there.

So here's what I know:

Big bait balls of 4 to 6 inch herring out by Bear Cove.  That's good I think. 

Seldovia producing halibut, salmon, AND Salmon Sharks. 

Bluff has been quiet meaning they are catching some fish up there.  Intel ALWAYS dies off prior to the derby. 

I plan to give it a go Saturday or Sunday 2/28.  I should go Sunday to get my March fish out of the way.

Until I say otherwise, I am concentrating my efforts off the end of the spit.  Hopefully I can fish it a few times, especially right prior to the derby. 

From a tide perspective it sucks.  Low tide at 10 am  High tide at 4pm.  Means we fish an incoming tide the whole derby.  PERFECT...if you are on a powerboat.  Sucks off the spit where the flow of water makes fishing always better as the tide is going out.  If we have strong western winds prior to the derby, the area off the spit can become silty.



If I get super hot intel, who knows, I may try and hitch a ride somewhere but I am not going to plan for it this year. 

Ok, if you got intel or hear something, post it!  I hate listening to myself ramble......

Tried it Sunday Mar 1.  Beautimous day!  Of course that means I flailed and failed for fish.  Tons of pollock as reported.  They moved back in for sure.  Sure looked fishy on the sonar and otherwise.

Most marks down at 60 ft in 80 to 120 ft of water.  Marks shallower as tide began to fall.  Oh well.  Keep at it. Hours in the bank till the next fish.

Here's a video only to show the day and the birds I encountered.  22 seconds

Thanks for the effort Rudy, I always appreciate your intel.

Thanks for the effort Rudy, I always appreciate your intel.

No problem.  Except for the "catching" part, getting balnked and the report is equally important to catching fish as are the stringer full days.

A few more "issues" I had.  Ok, can't drive down the morning of.  Did not expect it to be so pleasant and warm and I just about fell out of the kayak two or three times as I started to nod off.

Keep in mind, that this winter derby is a crap shoot for even the powerboats.  If you need to catch a fish, this isn't the derby for you.  It's about getting that one strike for fortune and glory and in the case of us Kayak fishers....HISTORY!

The past two years I have fished this derby its been something on the order of 175 fish for 750 anglers out of a powerboat.  You MUST persevere. 

You also must make every strike count.  Sharp hooks, clean line, net at the ready.  I typically don't video tape much while on the water for a derby since I have lost fish before getting the camera turned on and such.

Still contemplating strategy.  Default is still to fish off the spit.  I got skunked Sunday, but it appeared fishy enough.  I am going to try and gather intel on the "other" side.  Gull Island and area is within derby distance as well.  I need to fish the spit on an in-coming tide as that is what we will face.  I don't like it.  I catch 80% or more of fish as the tide is falling in that area.  So that keeps crossing over to the other side or launching from Bishops Beach and traveling offshore 2 to 3 miles in the thought process. 

I ran through two trays of bait Sunday.  Too many pollock.  Even though I like the Silver Horde Coho Killers and needlfish hoochies, I am contemplating running full size spoons and/or hoochies if the pollock are that thick again.  Maybe I just need to get in better shape.  Seemed like I would get a strike from pollock as soon as I slowed down. 

Ok.  We will keep gathering intel.  We can do this!!!!

Do you keep a separate logbook of dates, times, temps and other variables? I do for non kayak fishing and am thinking about keeping a separate one for the little plastic boat

Do you keep a separate logbook of dates, times, temps and other variables? I do for non kayak fishing and am thinking about keeping a separate one for the little plastic boat

I don't.  Just videos, pics, and a story.  It woud be pretty interesting though I don't think it is as vital as other fisheries.  I think it would be great!  I just don't have the discipline.

Agree, definitely looks fishy with all those birds.  Thanks for the update.  I will probably drive down the day before so I can fish the spit on the outgoing tide (its around 4 pm on the 20th as well).  A day of fishing, without catching, is fairly common for me and doesn't bother me all that much.  But I definitely would like to stick with the other kayakers.  It will be fun either way.