Headed out in the afternoon Friday for Catalina. First mistake; late departure. Though it wasn't too bad, half way over the swells were so close it made the boat ride harder and I had to head further east than desired to take them at an angle.
On the way over 40 foot plus yacht radio'd and complimented "us" (C-Dory owners) on the the boat. That was nice.
As usual, my luck with the swells ended up being good in the long run. I ended up further east of Two Harbors and discovered Goat Harbor. An idyllic little harbor with deep water which rapidly shallows near shore, secluded, and I was able to anchor 20 feet off shore. A little jump in the water with a throw preserver and my hair din't even get wet and I got a nice walk on the shore with my bottle of wine. Though I DO need a fresh water rinse to eliminate that itchy salt skin afterwards.
Anchoring with the help of recomended anchor books listed here and as always, "Dr Bob's" patience with my endless e-mails and phone calls kept me tight on the hook all night though the waves bounced me a bit all night. The thought of unhooking made me restless but I got enough sleep overall.
The next am I fished and caught 3 small halibut and a scorpionfish, between Goat Harbor and Two harbors.
At Two Harbors I fished Bird and Ship Rock and caught a few fish but the sea-life in the clear kelpy waters around Ship Rock was amazing! Even saw a Sunfish (?) for the first time, that big round fish, with fins on the top and bottom. It stayed in the area for awhile.
A large Coast Guard boat was moored in the Harbor and a CG gunship was heading south out in the ocean to San Diego. So, as surmised, I was boarded by the Coast Guard in the harbor while I was fishing. Large crowd in a small dinghy came aside and I think it was "school time" as a newbie Coasty checked me out with a senior coastie observing. All went well, though they did say I need the original documentation paper vs. a copy, but I had to tell them that it was a diesel stove, not electrric and that the little 3 gallon gas tank for the kicker was not my main fuel tank for the 90 Evinrude.
They didn't even question my beer breakfast
:beer
Weather Saturday was superb though. Sunny and calm.
Decided to head back Saturday afternoon and was able to go over 20 mph on smooth seas.
Saw some cattle boats in the Horseshoe Kelp on my return and wetted my lines with no success (besides mackeral).
Btw, one crew member on the cattle boat got irate implying I was too close to them. What is the "area" they get to themselves to fish on the ocean, does any one know? Or was he just in a bad mood that day?
The Huntington Beach launch (Sunset Aquatic) was quite crowded upon my return and re-enforced my growing intolerance for the "masses" as I was being polite and all it got me was further back in line and then waiting longer as someone hurriedly backed in to launch before I could pull mine out....
Best wishes to all and hope to see you on the water one day.
Jeff
On the way over 40 foot plus yacht radio'd and complimented "us" (C-Dory owners) on the the boat. That was nice.
As usual, my luck with the swells ended up being good in the long run. I ended up further east of Two Harbors and discovered Goat Harbor. An idyllic little harbor with deep water which rapidly shallows near shore, secluded, and I was able to anchor 20 feet off shore. A little jump in the water with a throw preserver and my hair din't even get wet and I got a nice walk on the shore with my bottle of wine. Though I DO need a fresh water rinse to eliminate that itchy salt skin afterwards.
Anchoring with the help of recomended anchor books listed here and as always, "Dr Bob's" patience with my endless e-mails and phone calls kept me tight on the hook all night though the waves bounced me a bit all night. The thought of unhooking made me restless but I got enough sleep overall.
The next am I fished and caught 3 small halibut and a scorpionfish, between Goat Harbor and Two harbors.
At Two Harbors I fished Bird and Ship Rock and caught a few fish but the sea-life in the clear kelpy waters around Ship Rock was amazing! Even saw a Sunfish (?) for the first time, that big round fish, with fins on the top and bottom. It stayed in the area for awhile.
A large Coast Guard boat was moored in the Harbor and a CG gunship was heading south out in the ocean to San Diego. So, as surmised, I was boarded by the Coast Guard in the harbor while I was fishing. Large crowd in a small dinghy came aside and I think it was "school time" as a newbie Coasty checked me out with a senior coastie observing. All went well, though they did say I need the original documentation paper vs. a copy, but I had to tell them that it was a diesel stove, not electrric and that the little 3 gallon gas tank for the kicker was not my main fuel tank for the 90 Evinrude.
They didn't even question my beer breakfast
:beer Weather Saturday was superb though. Sunny and calm.
Decided to head back Saturday afternoon and was able to go over 20 mph on smooth seas.
Saw some cattle boats in the Horseshoe Kelp on my return and wetted my lines with no success (besides mackeral).
Btw, one crew member on the cattle boat got irate implying I was too close to them. What is the "area" they get to themselves to fish on the ocean, does any one know? Or was he just in a bad mood that day?
The Huntington Beach launch (Sunset Aquatic) was quite crowded upon my return and re-enforced my growing intolerance for the "masses" as I was being polite and all it got me was further back in line and then waiting longer as someone hurriedly backed in to launch before I could pull mine out....
Best wishes to all and hope to see you on the water one day.
Jeff