Homer Winter King Derby March 22, 2014- Organization Thread

 Looks like a great plan.
 I've fished a lot in Eldred Passage in my PB. Caught quite a few salmon off the SE point of Yukon Island.
 A sonar unit is a very good idea--the contour changes quickly if you are fishing the edges.
 You guys should be protected from wind pretty well in that area for most of the day. And it's only about a half hour run back to Homer.
 With a 18 foot tide change I'd suggest using 8 to 12 oz. of lead trolling herring if you are not using a downrigger. But I always like to keep it simple.

 Good luck to all of you...show the pb'ers how it's done.

Thanks Mark,  great to get a little confirmation from a veteran!!!!  I've caught a few off powerboats near Grass Island so I think we have a shot.  With all of the powerboaters, I think they will also serve as a pretty good "fish finder" may go out and pick a mdeidocre pair of compact binoculars.

Dang thats a pretty big tidal swing.

Good luck this weekend all y'all!

Dang thats a pretty big tidal swing.

Good luck this weekend all y'all!

Thanks!  It's a decent tide but its only a 15 ft differential.  On April 1 there will be a 24' (vertical feet) tide differential between High and low!  That's some water exchange!!!

Ok.  Here's the final call.

I have 5 spots reserved.  So its Rudy, Jeff, Sarah, Matt, and Pam (tentaive for Pam).  We will meet no later than 7:30am at Ramp 1.  Ramp 2 is by the Salty Dawg Saloon.  Ramp one is near the Harbor master on the Homer city side of Ramp 2 .  If you are motivated, the Mako water taxi will be at the end of Ramp 2.  The cost is $86 per person ($80 plus tax).

We will shoot to cast off lines at 8am.  Should arrive at the beach around 8:30.  get ready and lines in at 9am.  The water taxi will pick us up at 4:30pm so we will get to fish the whole tournament.

I will PM everyone my cell number.  Please reply with yours and if you like where you might be staying.  I am taking tomorow off mainly for preapration, but with the late sunset, if the weather looks good, I may try to warm up the legs with a run in the afternoon by the Condos/Land's end.
LET"S DO THIS!!!!!!!!!!!

What does this mean "If you are motivated, the Mako water taxi will be at the end of Ramp 2."

Sorry to report that I didn't get the OK from the MD that I'd hoped after the MRI. I've torn the MCL in my right knee. Was hoping it was just a sprain, but no such luck. No pedaling for at least six weeks, probably more. I'm disappointed about this, but I've got to bail on the Derby to preserve my hopes for the summer. 

Go get 'em, you "hardy Alaskan anglers".  Hope to see one or more of your names on the winner's list. 

This is the year!

The a major bummer. No paddling attempt???  Lol. It's only the start of the season. And with the trip being only out to the island, as long as we have two it's the same price. Hope you get better soon.

Matt, I just meant if you get there early, you can run your gear all the way down to the end of ramp two where mako taxi is docked. Sorry for the confusion.

So we are meeting at ramp one but departing on 2?

Pam you can ride on one of my tramps if you want. I could always use a deckhand

Arghhh. No I'm confused. I think ramp one where Mako is docked. Find their water taxi and we will me there. It's at the end of the ramp near the harbor master, not the ramp by salty dawg.

The weather has taken a turn for the worse. New plan. We will get dropped off at porters beach which is north of Sadie cove. But a veteran said we will be sheltered there on a NE wind and we will have a nice long stretch. He said on a NE wind the wind will come howling out of Sadie cove right at grass island. All subject to change but he said the fish are consistently bigger near porters beach than grass island. My limited experience is out of about 6 fish I've caught or seem caught near grass island, they are all under 10lbs. Update and we will stay flexible. If you are studying charts focus on a Anisom point area. If weather allows we will head south towards Sadie cove.

Eager to learn how you all fared today.... What gorgeous weather for the Derby!

It was smooth sailing on my couch! I believed the weather forecast and stayed home

Rats... that means only three rods fishing from NWKA. I think all three had downriggers to deploy though -- so if they marked fish, good odds on hook ups. I saw ththe final count of 202 fish caught in the Derby.  I just want to see one of our folks with a shot at the purse. Wouldn't it be great to see Rudy take it all? Poetic justice right there...

It was not to be. 7 hours after a 3 month layoff was tough! Had two nice whacks. We were part of the 78% (assuming no one caught 2) that didn't hit a fish. This is a tough derby. I should just say, forget it. But some mental illness has me pissed off enough that I'm going to enter this dang derby till I catch one.  The the same illness will have me entering till I win it!!! Lol.

Beautiful day though!!!!  Islands was a good choice. Sloppy everywhere else. My only weather complaint was "it was too hot!!!"
http://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Zg8VRZsBwQs/Uy5OG6p05UI/AAAAAAAAEe0/IAjd8ugPv9Q/s1024-no/IMAGE_560.jpg

http://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-tMiJI96eCaw/Uy5ONL8B9mI/AAAAAAAAEe8/wd24qrM5bq0/s1024-no/IMAGE_561.jpg

http://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-lUJruIbCcVo/Uy5OTfAggwI/AAAAAAAAEfE/vbrC0DUUgQk/s1024-no/IMAGE_562.jpg

Darn the luck. But you're earning those experience points, Kard. I'd be willing to wager you'll get your fish and more sooner rather than later.  The appetite's been whetted. I'll hope to join you next year.  Sorry you guys didn't hook up with a trophy. But boy, those pictures are gorgeous.