Video - Pacific City Dreamin'

The fish checker was mostly interested in if it was a halibut or not.

How often do you encounter a fish checker at PC?  I've only been a few times, but have never seen one.  This isn't a warden that can write you a ticket, or is it?

I have been checked almost every time I've gone out. I can think of two times I haven't been checked. But I'm usually there on the weekends when there's a lot of boat activity. These are ODFW checkers that are tallying fish. They don't check licenses or anything but I think they could/would call the sheriff if you were harvesting illegally. One time one gave me a dirty look on a barely-legal ling (it was a tough day, OK?). 

Cool video!! I've been trying to get back to PC for months. 

I trust you have since graduated to not dragging fish around?

Thanks! Yeah I still do drag them around sometimes depending on which boat I'm in. I haul them in when the sea lions get close  I really haven't found a kill bag solution that works great for me, but I keep trying.

Cool video!! I've been trying to get back to PC for months. 

I trust you have since graduated to not dragging fish around?

Thanks! Yeah I still do drag them around sometimes depending on which boat I'm in. I haul them in when the sea lions get close  I really haven't found a kill bag solution that works great for me, but I keep trying.

Why not use a gunny sack? Drybag? I'd hate for you, or anyone else for that matter, learn that lesson the hard way.

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I use a cotton bag made for hauling deer parts out of the bush sometimes.

What lesson in particular are you referring to?

Tillamook Sporting Goods has the burlap "gunnysacks" for under 5 bucks last time I was in there. I run my big game clip trough the closed end and just periodically dip it and drape over the fish, you can turn it inside out for beach landings to keep the spin cycle from filling your fish with sand 

I prefer to keep my fish alive in the water as long as possible.  Bleed just before landing.  Never had a problem with Sea Lions in PC.  I'm sure I will now!

I rip gills once on the clip without the wood shampoo if possible that way they pump out good.

I use a cotton bag made for hauling deer parts out of the bush sometimes.

What lesson in particular are you referring to?

The lesson of how easily large mammals, or perhaps very large fish, can sneak up on a kayaker and decide to take advantage of a free meal. I've read first hand accounts of what happens and that certainly was enough for me to change what I was doing. Sea lions and seals up here have not quite yet associated kayakers with free food like they have down south. I, and I'm certain others, would like to keep it that way for as long as possible.  Your cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated.

Well, like I said, I pack them in when I'm moving and when the pinnipeds are around, and as for sharks I don't really see the difference between my fish soaking on a drift and blood pouring out of my scupper holes. I don't think I'm causing anyone problems. It's a great point about not training them to see kayakers as a food source.

Thanks for the pic.  Petrale sole, 99% sure!  The big mouth and gradually-rising lateral line above the pectoral fin are telltale signs of a petrale.  I haven't caught one personally, but I've seen plenty loaded off commercial trawlers and several friends have caught them incidentally while targeting Pac halibut in NorCal.  I bet that was a tasty fish!

Cool, thanks for the info. It was indeed a very good eating fish! The reason I didn't think it was that was the habitat; I wasn't deep and it was rocky bottomed where I was fishing. But of course the physical characteristics of the fish are more important in IDing. Thanks for the help!

For sure, and I agree: a petrale in <100 feet is quite a surprise.  But that AOTY photo is spittin-image petrale, and fish like to defy the textbooks at times (like that dang ratfish I caught from the surf earlier this month  ).  I like rockfish and lings, but I'm also game for chasing the lesser-known fisheries and the flounder/sole fisheries seem to go under the radar most of the time.  I've been reading various Oregon halibut reports and it sounds like there was a plethora of sand sole marauding peoples' halibut baits last summer.  Sand sole are awesome eating fish and can grow over 20 inches.  I'm very excited to see if I can tie into some this summer!

Well I'm sincerely interested in hearing what you find and fishing with you for flounder/sole/etc. Let's meet up once this weather calms down!

Well I'm sincerely interested in hearing what you find and fishing with you for flounder/sole/etc. Let's meet up once this weather calms down!

Right on, looking forward to it!  I definitely want to hook up with you at PC, at the least!

Thanks for posting the video Redbeard.

It is a long wait for calm seas, I wonder how many people (like me) went and checked the surf report after seeing that?

Thanks for posting the video Redbeard.

It is a long wait for calm seas, I wonder how many people (like me) went and checked the surf report after seeing that?

Every damn one of them! Thanks Capt'n

I did,   even looked at the webcam at Kiwanda.   Looked again today and then at MSW.

What a fun & creative video Lauren, got my blood pumping for the salt. Nice flying harpoon action & thanks for keeping it G rated with the bleeps!