Felt the need to deep drop for some rockfish the past week or two. Originally planned on bringing Omar, but he fell in a hole in a rainstorm and then he got abducted by aliens and then his dog ate his homework so he couldn't go.
So I launched out of Dana Point at about 0700 with the sunrise.
(https://i.imgur.com/BXN1HqZh.jpeg)
A bit of onshore breeze to help push me to the 14. A little bumpy going out but the main swell was flat. It teetered off to a glossy sea by the time I got to the 14 around 0800.
Took a minute to get bit on the first drop in 500'. I was starting to worry about the reel-up of shame after a few minutes then I finally got hammered on the fluke by a decent bocaccio. The next drop was more instant with a greenblotch.
(https://i.imgur.com/j392gmyh.jpeg)
Instant on the next drop with a greenspot.
(https://i.imgur.com/0EgfI9th.jpeg)
I got to about 9 with 5 eaters before the bite died with the turn of the tide. It was pretty hot, and there were about 20 boats doing circles and turning the flat sea into a washing machine, so I decided I'd had enough and should troll back. I had out a new 6" skirt and a new hot pink Yozuri High Speed Vibe, going about 10mph, looking for tuna or maybe wahoo. Then I came up on a nice sleeper marlin. Made a bend around him and he wanted nothing to do with me. Switched the High Speed Vibe to a pink MadScad 190 a little later.
(https://i.imgur.com/CjKdIRsh.jpeg)
Got back to the ramp around noon. I probably could have trolled for another hour but I covered the water that I was curious about.
I installed HDPE bunk slides on the trailer last time I went out because I heard they really help the boat slip off the trailer, and the boat was really sticking to the bare wood, and I assume carpet would only make that worse. But as I loaded it last time, there was a weird hesitation. I assumed some of the rivets keeping the keel guard on cut into it, but this was pretty ferocious for a single load and unload:
(https://i.imgur.com/YDVj3jxh.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/QMl2Bcnh.jpeg)
It might have done this gelcoat damage as well but I can't confirm. Regardless I should patch that up real soon.
(https://i.imgur.com/iBzdSr7h.jpeg)
Also, my hatches aren't attached and one blew off on the freeway. I normally weigh them down with something but forgot. Add it to the list of things to do...I'm guessing I will make a mold of the other one and make one from scratch...
We got a kitten a few weeks ago. He's already doubled in size. I tried giving him a treat.
(https://i.imgur.com/sjnHPTPh.jpeg)
Nice conditions, glad you found a few and the cat is happy too :)