Whiskey Gulch July 12th and 13th

Another dead calm outing, which was nice. Two chickens, which I did not keep, and the biggest Irish Lord I have ever seen. Interesting lessons learned:

If you go out too early, the outgoing tide will take you a long way out - holy crap, almost felt like we were in Homer! Thankfully the incoming tide quickly carried us back up the inlet, but still quite a bit of paddling after the tide slackened.

And a bit unnerving to be out on Cook Inlet in the dark - finally got back to Whiskey Gulch around 1:30 AM. I fished quite a bit at night in the summer in FL, so not too traumatizing, but the guy I was with (guest from CO) was not pleased.

Speaking of that poor SOB - he got seasick. Started to turn green about 30 min in and, of course, almost impossible to paddle back against the tide.

Have to say I prefer the incoming tide. Seemed like the outgoing pushed us back to the beach so hard to maintain 50+ ft depth, requiring a decent amount off paddling. Seem correct or am I off base?

Lots of salmon jumping off Anchor Point/River - assume they were reds. Lots of baitfish as well. Did not fish for salmon - it was late and focused on riding incoming back to beach. Do reds feed while still in saltwater?

Your feedback would be appreciated - thanks...

The problem with the out going tide is it pushes you against the shallow shelf off of deep cr. Then if wind/current pushes you closer to shore, it gets that much shallower. Argh. Can't take a screen shot. But about 3 miles south you hit the shelf. You need to be like 4 miles out to find 60ft of water west of anchor point. But if you follow the 40 to 50ft line, I've had good luck south.

When starting early in the tide cycle, I like to find bottom, put it in the rod holder, and "bactroll". I may still go backwards but not as fast. Like you found out, drifting can cover lots of miles.

I think rimfirematt and Kenai guy have drifted from deep cr to whiskey Gulch. I just don't think drifting is as effective as maximizing your scent plume. So I typically paddle against and cross current. If I'm close when the tide shifts and I wNt to fish longer I just paddle the other way. Of course I'm pedaling but you could do what I do with a paddle.

Yes reds feed. Commercial trollers catch them in Canada as well as sportsman in WA. Nobody has unlocked these reds yet. Ive tried trolling bare red hooks behind a flasher like they say to but no luck yet.