NorCal camping/fishing/yaking
I finally packed up my truck and spent a weekend kayaking/fishing/camping. I headed north to Mendocino county. The ocean was blown out and nasty but I was able to do some fishing and a lot of exploring.
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On Friday night I found a sweet camping spot with good access to the ocean. I was pretty happy to find this spot because I left the city without knowing where to spend the night. On Saturday I fished the leeward side of a cove. The only way to fish in the wind and rough seas was to use a drift anchor. Caught a bunch of undersize lings (min. = 24") before finally catching a nice cabezon & black rockfish.
The wind continued to build all weekend and was 21knots gusting to 29 knots by Sunday. I spent more time hiding behind rocks and exploring tide pools than fishing.
I met some pretty cool people in the campground. They were more interested in diving for abalones than fishing but we were all there to enjoy the ocean and relax. They cooked abalone & fresh fish for dinner so I had abalone for the first time. It was pretty damn good. I'm thinking about getting some gear so I can start free diving for them. You need a good wetsuit to get in 50 degree water.
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On Friday night I found a sweet camping spot with good access to the ocean. I was pretty happy to find this spot because I left the city without knowing where to spend the night. On Saturday I fished the leeward side of a cove. The only way to fish in the wind and rough seas was to use a drift anchor. Caught a bunch of undersize lings (min. = 24") before finally catching a nice cabezon & black rockfish.
The wind continued to build all weekend and was 21knots gusting to 29 knots by Sunday. I spent more time hiding behind rocks and exploring tide pools than fishing.
I met some pretty cool people in the campground. They were more interested in diving for abalones than fishing but we were all there to enjoy the ocean and relax. They cooked abalone & fresh fish for dinner so I had abalone for the first time. It was pretty damn good. I'm thinking about getting some gear so I can start free diving for them. You need a good wetsuit to get in 50 degree water.
posted by brian | 5:52 AM
6 Comments:
Good to see someone is going outside. Looks like quite the spot you got there! I have not had abalone in a long time, last I recall all the gear you need for 'huntin' them is an old flat head screwdriver. However in Cali there may be specifics on the brand, length, handle size, color...
There is crazy regulations on abalone out here and I think the wardens put most of their effort into busting "poachers."
You can only collect abalone between the times of light and dark. Only abalones that have mated in the last 30 seconds are allowed to be harvested. No abalone living or dead may be posseseed by demons. Daily bag limit is 0.5 abalone. You must hunt abalone with a gay person that resides in the state of California. They get the other half. California abalone licenses can only be purchased in combination with lifetime memberships to Sierra Club and the Democratic party. Legal means and methods of collecting abalone include only the use of biodegradable gear (including clothing, tools, kayaks, etc).
The abalone season is only open on the 5th tuesday of every month.
I got that straight out of the California game and fish regulations, so you better be careful out there.
Wow, that is strict. Seems dangerous too, I would think skin diving with some Sierra Club folks would be a good way to get tongue punched in the fart box if you aint careful
Alan, obviously you have been studying the regs. It should also be pointed out that abalone may not be harvested in the presence of orange starfish or purple sea urchins. Regs are subject to change 2 weeks ago without notice. Poachers will be violated by Sierra Club members with help from volunteers of the Marine Mammal center.
Happy to see you got outside, Too bad about the need for a wet suit, the gulf of mexico is rapidly approaching bath water temperatures
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