Does anybody think it would be a good idea to fish the kelp beds from a tube out of Monterey? I know guys fish calicos in so-cal with a tube, is this the same basic thing? and if so, what would you fish with?

Nico and I launched off New Brighton last summer to try for halibut or seabass. Since those species weren't playing we went out in the kelp and caught a bunch of grass rockfish aka grass bass. It was pretty fun, just drop your bait in the holes in the kelp and hang on :) We caught all our fish on 5" Big Hammers with 3/4oz leadheads. Color probably wasn't real important, anything that looks like an anchovy or any of the brown/olive colors are reliable rockfish catchers.

It's all fun and games until the man in the grey suit shows up!!

Dude we had seals all around us the whole time. Nico was in his kickboat but I was in my float tube. Yeah it was a little haired tubing for the first time north of pt. conception. Luckily we didn't die or anyhing :D

I have thought about this a couple of times here on the central coast (there are some great kelp beds close to shore in Shell beach) But I don't have a Kayak and the way I fish is by tube or Kickboat....soooo needless to say I have been alittle skitich about going out there (Due to Great Whites being in the nieghborhood)....I have been out at Port San Luis and Hearst State baech though...I would dig on fishin some Big Hammers in those kelp beds though...

lol, as a grom I used to get sketched even in OC in a tube (before all the grey men showed up in numbers like they have the past couple of years), I just don't like the mobility factor!! I figure the longboard offers a much better profile and I can get the hell out of Dodge if need be!

I gotta say that I'd be sketched too. I think the term "Shark Doughnut" was invented up there. I think Chris' idea of a longboard is a better on. Although, they eat those too. So, I guess what I'm saying is, do it. If you're gonna be food, providence will let you know when the time comes. Chances are though, you'll just catch lot's of fish.

Amish Ed
You can't catch it again if it's dead!

This is Wade on Joey's computer.

I've logged 12-all day Rockfish/Halibut/whatever trips in my round tube and 4 more 1/2 day trips. That makes over 150 hours. I was skunked on only 1 trip and I haven't been eaten yet.
I have had a few hair raising experiences and I'm glad that I now have a Kickboat so I'm not the bulls-eye of a "Shark Donut". I feel much safer in my kick because it has the wrong profile for a Great White to mistake for a Seal. So far, I have 11 trips in the Kick with all but 2 being full day trips. 1 of the 2 short trips was aborted due to wind and the other was started late. The wind is much more of a factor in the Kick but the sleigh rides are better too.
As for Monterey, I've only made 4 trips over there. All 4 I'd rate as good to very good and if you want someone to join you when the season opens give me a call at (408) 778-7410.

Tight lines,
Wade

Wade, it is good to see that you are back on line, even if on someone else's computer. I am sure that many members, even those who have not met you, are wishing you the best of luck in your pursuit of work (and fish).

By the way, in case that you are not aware of it, www.fishing santacruz.com is back on line, in time for the salmon season in norcal and Monterey Bay.

Bob

"mmmmmm- water isn't too clear.. is that a kick boat or a sea lion pushing vibes down my lateral line? One way to find out!"

This was actually a quote from the man in the grey suit!! }(

For those of you out there interested in finding out more about great white encounters and attacks off california I recommend checking out this site.

http://www.sharkresearchcommittee.com/unprovoked_kayaker.htm

It documents in detail shark attacks in california over the last 100 years or so. I was suprised to find that the county California with the most attacks on record is none other than San Diego County. I thought it would have been up north for sure. San Diego is also the only county to have recorded a Hammerhead attack which I believe was an attack which resulted in fatality. I believe San Diego is also the only County in which a victim was whitnessed and reported consumed. There's a guy up in Norcal who has been attacked twice with the attacks taking place something like 30 years apart. It mentioned that the guy is now well in to his 60's and still diving. The second time he got hit he was blind sided on and his head was completely in the sharks mouth he said all he all he could see though his mask was a white triangle (the tooth of a large guy in a grey suit). They also have information and details regarding great white encounters off of california.

Don't let the info keep off the water though the chances of attack are slim to almost none. You will need to pay close attention to the weather and I wouldn't recommend going alone. Even if your going with others let someone know when your leaving and when they can expect a call letting them know that you got back safely.

JerryG

nice link, thanks for that- stoked to finally see a white after years on the water, saw two at Trail 1 at San O- pretty stoked I saw them from the beach, not from the water, I don't need to see one like that- not the big girl but 6-8 foot juveniles, they were hanging right on the reef at Trail 1, epic to see them in real life. Probably the coolest fish I've ever seen.

I have put in a lot of time on the water and have yet to see one. The attacks are pretty amazing but I also read about some of the encounters that peopel have gone through and it's pretty amazing too. I read the one about the surfer up in Northern Cal who was just sitting on his board with his feet over the side dangling in the water waiting for a wave when he feels both his feet plant firmly on the bottom. "Wait a minute it's about 8" deep here how can my feet be on the bottom?" He looks down and he realizes his feet are planted right on the back of a GWS with a back that's about 4' across. Looks over his shoulder and see's a huge swirl behind him. Time to paddle like hell and never look back. Scary stuff.

JerryG

A friend sent this photo to me the other day. Not sure where it was taken. But its an awesome shot. That would have been an incredible sight to see, but glad its not me on the board!

I've seen this one but that's a dolphin in the wave not a shark. I saved a close encounter photo of a large shark taken by an unknown kayaker if I can find it I will try to posting it.

JerryG

that pic of Flipper has been around the internet more then Parris Hilton! always get stoked seeing those guys in the line up-

Not sure where these were taken but I'm glad I wasn't the one taking them.

Jerryg