Ling Opener

Went out for my first Lings today and got skunked by Fishnut (Rich)!  GREAT time look forward to going back out, Rich was a great help today... No lings for me but I did catch my first Rockfish (zzzzzz).

Here are a couple of pics of Rich's 32 inch catch, great looking fish that he made a point to show me more than once...

Nice ling.  It looks like it was a beautiful day on the water.

Nice catch, Fishnut!

Fishing R.B.?

Nice one!  I got skunked (unless you count sand dabs and anemones) and my first sunburn of the year.

First off,Craig, I dig your avatar(hot off the press). Secondly, Pisco, what is R.B?  Met tenhunter for the 1st time and we launched at an undisclosed, fished out area. Weather and water conditions were absolutely fantastic. Got out to where there was structure and began fishing(sort of). I was using 50lb PP with 30lb
leader with 4oz twin tail scampi. For some reason my line would drag slowly off the reel and it would take forever to get to the bottom(fished 50-85'). Okay,what's wrong? After two recent rt eye surgeries, I threaded my line improperly through the guides.Let's fix that. Then the cluster f... My rod tip went through my net and I had major problems seeing to get it untangled. Many expecitives and situation somewhat under control as I cursed the 2 eye surgeons and myself. Decided to use my Steelhead rod with Calcutta reel
with 20lb braid and 15lb leader. Several drops to the bottom and as soon as I hit and barely brought it off the rock,Slamo. Cranked down to get the ling out of the rocks and it was a fun fight with the light gear. Done by 9:00am but kept company and BSing with Jon for several more hrs. All in all a fun day with great company. Changed my avatar and a few more pics to follow.

Fishnut, congratulations on the Ling, and my condolences to Tenhunter. 

I was north of Fishnut and Tenhunter and somewhat south of Yarjammer.  Much later in the day I pulled out 2 at 24" and one at 27", plus a couple brown rockfish.  But, it took me 6 hours.  Everything went back except the keeper.  Will post the keeper to AOTY in the nest couple days. 

I'd never caught a ling before and did not realize what strong fighters they are.  Even these small fry were pulling line off a tight drag and way bending my stout Ugly Stik Tiger while they pulled me around.  They feel like MONSTERS, and seem to make runs back to the bottom as they approach the surface.  The bite picked up around 2PM after the tide stepped up after the low at 11AM.  Caught everything between about 1:30 and 3:30.  Point of pride that of the 6 boats out there with me only one other got any fish. 

Berkeley Saltwater GULP! rules.

My ling opener wasn't so great fishing wise as our spot was covered in divers nearly the entire time we fished.  It was a great day out on the water though.  SLF enjoyed some time on the Coosa and thanks to Rav, both my daughters were able to join us.

Congrats Demonick. They are fun aren't they. It was a kick on light Steelhead gear.

Fished Bowman Bay with two buddies.  Caught a half dozen lings that were short 20-22", cabezon ,copper rockfish and one large black rockfish.  All caught on pink/white gulp grub tails and Kandlefish bar jigs.  Saw a few divers with spear guns as we were leaving. Is spear fishing legal this time of year?

A great day on the water!

Not for lings it isn't.

A few more pics from Sunday opener.

I'm home a day early because of the storm today - but the awesome weather over the weekend made it more than worth it.  Its great to see all the fish pics from opening day.  Fishing started red hot on Sunday morning at Sucia with four fish on the first 6 drops.  It slowed a little after that but they got bigger.  For the day, I ended up with 8 lings (three keeper sized with one pushing 33") and two rockfish.  I lost one that must have been a monster based on the way it was unwinding line - broke me off at my loop knot for my shrimp fly ganion - heartbreaker.  Also saw HBH fishing from his PB which was great.  Here's a pic of the yak on the bow, and me trying for flounder on Saturday while I waited for ling season to open.  And the glory shot of the one that did not get away. 

Dang!!!!  That's some beautiful weather and some equally beautiful fish.

Thanks for sharing your pics and reports!

-Spot-

Nice reports, looks like you all had a great time!

It was nice, but no donuts.