First trip out on the Briny

Howdy all,

Made it out onto the big water yesterday for a quick jaunt around the Haystack with FishesFromTupperware.  I rolled into the parking lot around 930ish, due to poor planning on my part, and was getting ready to play in the surf solo when Wali rolls up next to me.  From there on out, it was a hoot.  The Pacific was very gentle on me for my first time.

Wali, it was awesome to have some advice and help.

I managed to land a little bitty cab (13"), and Wali reeled in a couple of underlings, a 24" cab, and a black rockfish that he tossed back before I could tell him that there isn't a size limit (It looked like it was about 13"+) on them.  I spent most of my time wrestling with bull kelp.

We had to call it a day around 130ish, and landing was just as easy.  I can see how it could get hairy with any amount of real swell or wind.

Some lessons learned.
1.  Bring bigger gear.  Big fish like big food.
2.  Get the fishfinder running.
3.  Don't bring expensive rechargeable batteries in non water resistant containers.  I had tossed my rechargeable AAs into my livewell in the rush to get out the door, and promptly forgot about them until this AM.  $48 worth or corroded junk now).  Live and learn - good thing I was with Wali.
4.  Weedless jig heads.  Actually, all of the snags I had with the bull kelp were the shrimp flies I had on the line, and not the jig head at the bottom of the rig.

My mom was on the beach, and so she got some good pics of us heading out and coming back in.  FFTW's camera wasn't playing along.  The only pic I got was with my cellphone of the cab in my lap.

I really want to just quit everything else right now and keep fishing.

Cheers,
Madoc

HEHEHEHE....You've found the madness and the cure in one trip!!! Congrats

HEHEHEHE....You've found the madness and the cure in one trip!!! Congrats

Hey! I resemble that remark!

don't worry about the kelp.  No need to fish around it to catch fish.  IMO its only good for losing gear LOTs of fish in other places that aren't so grabby

Great job on getting out there and having some fun

I really want to just quit everything else right now and keep fishing.

This one line says so much!

Awesome job on making it happen Madoc.  Big gear IS good!

-Spot-

Way to get out there!!!

Elephants eat peanuts.

-Allen

Elephants eat peanuts.

-Allen

Only at the Circus.  In the wild they eat Bananna Trees. 

 

-Allen

I'll make sure i bring some peanuts on the next outing.  I'm sure hauling in an Pacific Ocean Elephant would result in all kinds of excitement.  Are they the ones with the big or little ears?

Wali was kind enough to leave me with his big fish - I guess there isn't much you can do with a cabezon on a plane.

Anyway, while I was busy filleting/ mangling the fish, I decided to check out its stomach contents.  Loads of what were probably graceful kelp crabs - stomach was about the size of a softball.

Elephants eat peanuts.

-Allen

Elephants eat peanuts.

-Allen

Only at the Circus.  In the wild they eat Bananna Trees. 

Just like bears and sharks, elephants eat whatever they want...

Cabs are mainly crab eaters.. I think that is why they taste so good?

Some pics that my mom got of us

FFTW giving me the lowdown on how to get through those enormous breakers


Heading out.


Paddle like you mean it!


The only pic I got while out on the water - used my iphone.


On the way back in.  Check out the surfboard angler on the left of the pic heading out.


Check it out, I made it through the surf!


Wali with his Cabezon.  roughly 24 inches.  Since he isn't playing AOTY, I only did a rough measure with my hands.  Otherwise, some of you would have some real competition.

I had a great time out there with you Madoc and you handled up like an old salt! The surf was light, but it was not exactly lake pacific with a confused 5' swell out there and you seemed right at home. Here's a pic of Madoc preparing for brining and officially getting the stink off the boat. (phone cam )






I had a pretty steady pick of Lings that measured 21.5" In fact, I'd have argued that it was the same fish, but a couple of his cousins came up with him a couple of times.



This one looked at the camera then tried to go back home. (Don't look at that top secret, 2 oz jighead and 9" white curlytail bait )




Thank your mom again for me for the pictures, but next time remind me to suck in that gut! Oh my God!  
I gotta lose some weight (either that or quit wearing a life preserver under my dry top )

Congratulations Madoc! 
And, way to spread the love FFTW!

Funny how active a Floridian can be in the Oregon kayak fishing scene 

Great first trip on the big blue Madoc, way to go!!

Wali's good company on the water cause you know anything strange will most likely not happen to you...