Hey dudes,
Launched from NPH at 0640 on 9/11, with my oldest son, with rockfish in mind. I left all the bass gear at home as I have found that I simply carry too much stuff.
About a 30 minute paddle out to 180' of water. Water temp holding about 164.9F and not a whole lot of structure on the sonar, so we just started blind dropping to get an idea of what might be around.
(http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj252/D_Legacy/9E314B43-8699-4F57-B065-C76AA1BE317E_zpsxmcrpoa7.jpg) (http://s274.photobucket.com/user/D_Legacy/media/9E314B43-8699-4F57-B065-C76AA1BE317E_zpsxmcrpoa7.jpg.html)
So, two small rockfish. Evan's was able to swim down on it's own, but mine needed the assistance of a descender. I decided to move as I didn't want to put anymore little rockfish at risk.
I found a big cloud on the sonar at the bottom around 170' so I had Evan make a drop just to see what the fuss was about:
(http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj252/D_Legacy/99ABC3E0-5052-4152-95EB-E561FB0397BA_zpstr1xtsqk.jpg) (http://s274.photobucket.com/user/D_Legacy/media/99ABC3E0-5052-4152-95EB-E561FB0397BA_zpstr1xtsqk.jpg.html)
(http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj252/D_Legacy/7ECC25C8-AD32-4CDD-BA9B-0FFDA61F1B72_zpsfmaujgmr.jpg) (http://s274.photobucket.com/user/D_Legacy/media/7ECC25C8-AD32-4CDD-BA9B-0FFDA61F1B72_zpsfmaujgmr.jpg.html)
Got my answer with a double-Mack-attack. I should have sent one back out on a hook, but I really wasn't prepared and I didn't bring my bait tube. We released them both.
Drifted into about 165' and Evan caught two Sand Dabs and a Lizardfish:
(http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj252/D_Legacy/4D0F6060-9E1B-45A8-85C5-BFD07F9366D0_zps9yj0qzsa.jpg) (http://s274.photobucket.com/user/D_Legacy/media/4D0F6060-9E1B-45A8-85C5-BFD07F9366D0_zps9yj0qzsa.jpg.html)
(http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj252/D_Legacy/00171DDA-4D8A-4D8A-B368-7A6939BB15CD_zpsgvfp5jil.jpg) (http://s274.photobucket.com/user/D_Legacy/media/00171DDA-4D8A-4D8A-B368-7A6939BB15CD_zpsgvfp5jil.jpg.html)
Evan decided to keep the larger sand dab for dinner, so on the clip it went. Sun started to peak through around 10:00:
(http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj252/D_Legacy/3007C950-3CD4-4F92-9362-E5891CE5C385_zpstiwytazw.jpg) (http://s274.photobucket.com/user/D_Legacy/media/3007C950-3CD4-4F92-9362-E5891CE5C385_zpstiwytazw.jpg.html)
I got seasick on the first drop, so I was really just sticking it out for my son. I was starting to feel the breeze starting up, so I decided it was a good time to head in at around 10:30. Gave a quick holla to some BigWatersEdge dudes over the VHF and fought the tide back in.
Quick glimpse of Pirate's Cove:
(http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj252/D_Legacy/5EB325C7-11A1-4B37-97F8-E7009DB3E9DE_zps2gihhz2a.jpg) (http://s274.photobucket.com/user/D_Legacy/media/5EB325C7-11A1-4B37-97F8-E7009DB3E9DE_zps2gihhz2a.jpg.html)
Seemed only appropriate to get a shot of my boy with his catch at the launch to finish up the day:
(http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj252/D_Legacy/6F503526-FB17-4E77-98A5-9CF24819BD9C_zpskitgxpdt.jpg) (http://s274.photobucket.com/user/D_Legacy/media/6F503526-FB17-4E77-98A5-9CF24819BD9C_zpskitgxpdt.jpg.html)
Despite the vomiting it was a great time playing guide for my son. Next time I'll do some trolling, so I can fish while still navigating the kayak.
Best regards,
Dave
Great post Dave! What a great trip with the kid! I especially like that last picture. 8)
(Man, you really get seasick... Have you found anything that helps?)
It's really hard to tell what might work, because I'll often lead a trip with 4 hours of sleep. I have some more scolpamine patches, but I'm kinda nervous about trying it again after becoming so violently ill the last time I used one. I might get with my doctor to see what other ideas he can come up with. Dramamine isn't working, so I'll try Bonine next. I have made some real progress in that I can paddle around on the open water and sometimes not get sick at all, but if I stop "driving" it gets ugly fast.
Very nice outing for you and your son, hopefully you can keep the barfing under control.