Trying to Target Homer Winter Kings this Sunday

If weather holds I am headed down to Homer Sunday to try Winter Kings.  As always, more the merrier & safer.  Hopefully it doesn't snow like crazy in the pass. 

PKZ141-290300-
KACHEMAK BAY
400 AM AKDT FRI SEP 28 2012

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THROUGH TONIGHT...
.TODAY...SW WIND 25 KT. SEAS 3 FT BUILDING TO 7 FT
IN THE AFTERNOON.
.TONIGHT...SW WIND 25 KT. SEAS 7 FT.
.SAT...SW WIND 15 KT BECOMING VARIABLE 10 KT IN
THE AFTERNOON. SEAS 3 FT.
.SAT NIGHT...N WIND 10 KT. SEAS 2 FT.
.SUN...NW WIND 10 KT. SEAS 2 FT.
.MON...S WIND 15 KT. SEAS 2 FT.
.TUE...SE WIND 20 KT. SEAS 3 FT.

I plan to launch by condos near Land's End Hotel.  Basically I work the shoreline near the condos and out to the Green Buoy.  Typicall in 50 to 100 ft of water working the bottom third of the water column unless fish finder tells me different.  Last year the bait fish in the area were smaller than the red label herring though I did catch them on green label herring behind a flasher.  Because of the depth I use a downrigger.  You don't really need a sonar because you will likely see a few boats in the area.  But if you don't its hard to fish since it does quickly change from 60 ft to under 20 ft and the most productive areas areas seemd to be right at the edge of the deeper water.  I'm thinking 75% chance as of today.

To add some incentive, I am hoping to fish the Homer Elks derby but I may have to be on a powerboat to "teach" some friends how to do it.  http://forums.outdoorsdirectory.com/showthread.php/119993-Homer-elks-lodge-king-derby

I hope some of the guys can meet up with you for Sunday, Rudy. The weather looks like the best window we've seen in quite some time.  I'm ignoring the reports I got today from friends in Homer who said white stuff was falling from the heavens. Must have been lint.

Unfortunately, my poor mom has been under the weather this week so I'll probably stay close to town if not at her bedside. If she miraculously rebounds by Sunday, I may head south.  Unlike you, I have yet to catch a king this year.  Time's a-wasting. But responsibility comes first.  I'll look forward to the report, if your 75% turns to 100%...  Vicarious thrills.

Oh man I want to go. I have spent a ton of money on gas this hunting season. I'd go if someone would carpool with me

Matt, if I go I have to take my civic and Michele down. I just bought a 1991 4runner but its not set up and I don't want Michele driving my civic without snow tires in the pass yet.

There is a king tournament next weekend in Homer. I may be on a power boat though. Lets keep an eye on the weather if it stays flat maybe I'll take a day off during the week and pay for gas if you provide the vehicle.


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sounds good rudy. Yeah I better stay home this weekend. Been hunting constantly for all month. I still need to rake the yard and mow, plus put away all my hunting crap. With snow on the grass this morning I better do it this weekend! Ill try not to book any work for thursday, friday.

Ok. Beautiful day to take the kayak out!

Infinitely better than getting skunked but about 10% of what I was hoping for. It's so cute!  arghh.

Still it's a feeder king and it will be tasty! A one meal fish. Did see two halibut landed plus a giant wrymouth off a powerboat.  So the halibut are still around!


Much bigger if you take the fat guy out of the picture!!!





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  "take out the fat guy"-------what fat guy ?...
   Nice feeder Rudy/

   What is a wrymouth ??Never heard of that one...

Nice ! I raked the yard.

Fabulous!  You're still king of the kings on the Alaska forum -- even though that one's just a princeling. It still eats like royalty.  Great fun out there judging by the smile. Plus, what a gorgeous day!

I didn't get out, but managed to get outdoors to walk along Potter's Marsh for a break. I was counting trumpeter swans -- >70, not counting cygnets.  Good photo opp for Michelle there -- she takes beautiful pics, and the color is high and bright.

How'd the Upper Kenai look on the drive back through? I'm hoping to float it Thursday or Friday...

Mark,  here's a wrymouth from the internet. Always thought they were deep water fish but these guys were fishing halibut in about 80 ft of water.  They had a 40 pounder and I saw them land maybe a 20 pounder too.  So the Halibut are still in close.



AKfishergal,  We saw the swans but had to get back to the house to get the kids.  It was actually humorous as 90% of the swans we saw weren't so graceful with just their butt sticking out of the water.  lol.The Kenai was still running high.  Did they lift the boating ban on the upper Kenai? If not it should be soon.

The before and after of the catch. Not too bad. Loosely followed smoking procedure. Dry brine over night. Rehydrated a bit, then just smoked it in a barbecue grill with charcoal and alder chips.

A little too much heat which overcooked it a bit. Will likely use it in a salmon dip.






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dude that looks yummy! Good job on the fish! I might have to try and catch the late season halibut !