Anchor Point Derby May 16 Report & Vid

 Good luck out there guys. Kick ass and take no names.

Thanks.    Latest spot forecast is breezy but seas 1 in am.  Variable wind 5 by PM.   HOPING they nailed it this time.  Stand by for pics ...

Soooooooooo Jealous!!! Good luck guys...GO NWKA(Team AK), show em what our kayaks can do!!![emoji106]

OK - for those dying for the pics ... heres the good, the bad, and the ugly (not necessarily in that order)

AM - seas were pretty calm, likely 1' with barely any shore break.  We hit the water early - before 6 - with a plan to ride the tide south to the northern Anchor R. limit marker, in time to start in the tourney 'on time' at 7.   Doh - Tournament delayed start to 9, so it was out a bit deeper for halibut first.  Didnt have to work hard for some eaters.

No joy for me on the Kings, though I fought one, and missed a second take-down.  Ah well.   Was able to take home some good filets all the same. 

The wind kicked up strong as the tide changed, definitely over 3' with some solid swells, so we pushed hard to get back to the truck, and I got trounced on the landing... ouch.   Felt like a Jelly-roll wrappped in my tethers.   Undignified landing, but recovered my gear and only broke a rod-holder.   

Re-thinking my tether and landing strategy as I work to get the sand out of my hair and my reel!

Planning to check conditions in AM and assuming my spare reel checks out I'll make the call then as to an early strike before heading north.

Sweet! sitting here mostly jealous!

I've been told I forgot:  The Derby Results - as best I remember for those keeping score....

53 Fish called in, 51 were weighed at the launch.
Top fish was over 42#, and top boat was paid about $3200.
Second largest fish was around 33#, but hadnt entered the side bet. 
Second place side bet winning fish was 28#, won roughly $600
Average Fish was 18.50 lbs, and the winning average fish was 18.55# and this side bet earned $300.   
On the order of $6000 was the total gross proceeds, so the remainder after prizes went to the Chamber and youth fishing, etc.   
  -- >  I Only know of three non-power boats, one SUP and our two Kayaks, which delivered 2 fish to the weigh-in.   Probably average for success per rod, but we didnt hit the big money fish, but probably had more fun all the same!    💤

Great report.  This is the second time I've fished this derby where the kayaks for out but still the canceled or postponed the derby because the power boats couldn't hack it. Bwahahaha!!!!

Poor video coming.  Actually one of the SUP might be ok. Mine was pointed oddly...argh.

Ok.  Video number one.         The camera was pointed too high  up.......     Argh.  Live and learn.

Two small chickens, a king, and a sea run dolly. 

Nine consecutive months catching a king from a kayak!!!!!!!!

I had zero expectation today...just wanted to get away and fish in leisurely fashion.  I saw Akrider and Kardinal as I pulled into WG...cleaning their bounty of the sea.  Nice catch and thanks again for representing the kayak division.  I had stuff to take care (more important than fishing) and couldn't make it out for this event.

Kardinal gave me usually pep talk...you could do it if you believe in yourself.  Just go out and fish your heart out.  Well, maybe not exact words but he does have that unforgettable voice when he talks. 

I began my journey to 40 feet of water around 2pm.

Fish report:  caught 3 king salmon(released one and I kept two with proxy). This happened in quick succession within 45 minutes.  I must have stumbled into king salmon school because it was maddening experience.  First king gave 10 minute fight. As soon as I rigged with fresh bait and dropped less than 15 feet, I got another hit.  This one didn't stick because I lost it less than a minute. The third king was a workout.  It ripped and dragged me around for eternity.  At the end, it got tired from pulling me and succumb to my landing net.  The fourth salmon was excruciatingly painful to land.  My arms were tired from the previous fights and I just wanted this to be over. It had to be at least 30lb.  Double hooks, awesome getting the fish, painful getting them off.  I was beat. I saw other boats catching halibut...but I was afraid to hook another king.  So I started pedaling towards to shore thinking this was a good day.

Awesome!!!!!!  The only truth in fishing is that "the fish are in the water!"  Gotta have your line in to have a chance!!!!!

Great job!!!!!!! Sweet fish!!!!!!!

Wait. You tacked that on to my report? Totally should be a separate report for such an epic day!!!!!!

Awesome report guys......

Sweet Reports (especially the trip-kings in 45 minutes, some people are gonna be lucky to even get in contact with one this whole season)! Was planning on making it down to check out the fishing scene down there but some vehicle troubles kept me in Anchorage... I did get some leader tying in and pulled the trigger on Kokatat Hydrus; in preparation for the weekend of the 30th, possibly.

Damn! I'm hopefully planning on heading down this weekend to fish hard. Nobmore trolling lures, just bait for kings. I haven't figured out how to rig bait yet. One hook , two hooks, crippled plastic thing, toothpick?

Two hooks   Bait length or two apart. Use a helmet unless you can rig it to spin. Three ft behind a flasher. They are super shallow. We were using 5oz sinkers. 10to 15 ft down in 15 to 45 ft of water. Green label herring for me.