Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Marlin team practice

On Sun 23rd we got 4 of the team together. (one back up)

Reviewed procedures and then did a small casting practice ride.

I spent part of the day just rigging lures. Very healthy day off for my head.

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Sailing for charity

A friend at the club talked me into being part of the crew on G-Rated for Saturday. it was a nice experience. Just gotta love getting out on the water.

Celebrity on board was Zac Sunderland the young man who set a new record as the youngest person to solo circumnavigate the world recently.


Here Thomas is taking in the view while Zak was on the helm.

We came in first in our class. And raised cash for the Jennifer Diamond Foundation that provides libraries for cancer patients. A very worthy endeavor. It was nice to meat such a worldly and well rounded young man. And to introduce him to my sons.

So a special thank you to my hosts the Lamperts.

Keith.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Calico trournament at Cat Harbor

Hosted by DRYC this was a Charity event where the Calico Bass has to be released alive in order to count. Charity event for the benefit of the Two Harbors community.

Many local MDR clubs compete. This year there were boats from about 5 different clubs. DRYC, MDRA, CYC, PMYC. And I forget the other one.

I was helping a friend with his boat and anchoring system tryout run when it became apparent that he needed another hand and I was not going. Matter of fact the DRYC Calico event was not on my radar at all. My focus was on the bigger fish shoing up in the counts down south just a 1 & 3/4 day run out of San Diego for a full freezer of quality fish. Richard asked me to go with him. So I saved my big boat trip for later and decided to go on this "fun" little trip. (not that the big fish are not fun too)

The boat the Wavelength is fast and a sweet ride. I was happy to be aboard. I was happy to pull the mooring and run deck runs. We had a young boy on board that was the same age as my son. 12 years old. I took to calling him Gillie and teaching him all the deck hand tasks that a boy can learn. Knots etc.

Here we are at departure. And we gave Matthew a welcome noogie to make him feel welcome.

Out at the island Friday night was a dinner and captains meeting at the DRYC shore facility in Cat Harbor. It was very cool to see many old fishing club friends. Many of them I've known via MDRAnglers for a lot of years. Boat loads from Bait-n-Switch, Bali Anne, Big Momma for example.

On Saturday morning our third man aboard switched to his fishing ride and even lightened our load of some Live Bait for his boat Three Flags. That live bait could have come in handy for us. Many boats ran out this day.

On the day of fishing we headed out to the area between Ben Weston point and Little Harbor and made a few anchoring attempts to get set just outside the kelp line. It was a hard set as there was a strong uphill current that sometimes put us in the trough and pushed us sideways to the kelp line. A bit frustrating. We stuck with it all day long. A few fish came and went. A big bat ray for excitement. A big shovel nose shark for Matt. And then a really nice halibut for Richard. I opened the swim step door and as Richard brought the fish in softly ... Was able to do a smooth gaff job and land the big flatty with no problems. One smooth swoosh.

This was a good money fish for the side bet that we all put in the extra $5 for. With Richard as the winner it could not have gone to a nicer gentleman fisherman. Shortly after that when we were nearing our "do we go home now" stage I casted out up current a bit further than usual and got a big bite. A really nice 3# calico bass. He looked like a contender in the target species to me. (having be so few caught) So not I had a maybe in the running fish. Not first be maybe a 2nd or 3rd. Especially since the fishing had been slow.

We pulled the hook and ran fro Cat Harbor. Hoping that the fish did not die from the bendz as it did not like being up on the surface after I pulled him out of 70+ feet of water.

Then wrangled to get our fish weighed ASAP and released. it swam down fast once over the side. But it was only 2.8 lbs on the events scale. On the other hand it gave a reading of 26# for the big halibut. It was big enough that it could have weighed much more. It was skinny. But still enough to win the Jackpot side bet handily.

The event was keeping the participants in the dark as to the winning fish to build drama for the dinner party and awards ceremony. The event was catered and we ate mightily. But in the end the true winner was Team Big Momma with Wayne Pecot having weighed in a massive 8 lb bass!

We had a very pleasant trip back home after a little morning fishing at west cove. It sure is nice to have a boat the blasts across at 22.8 knots!

Thank you to Richard. The Halibut was delicious. We shared it with friends and had a fiesta. With a little help from Jeffery on the grill we fed a bunch of ladies having a fun time making a party of it. Fed eight of us!

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Ramblin' report for August trip number 1

Just back on shore after some deep sea fishing. Ramblin' was out on the open sea from Sunday Aug 9th to Tuesday Aug 11th. We were hoping to get a bit of yellowtail on some drifting kelp patties or a first marlin. No luck. 3 days at sea. 2 nights of Avalon. Good water conditions. Great trip.

Fished 277 and almost down to the 209 on Monday. Plenty of patties holding bait. No yellowtail or Dorado or marlin. Did find 70.8 degree water and plenty of whales etc. The El Nino has not brought them up here yet. But sometimes you do the Exploratory trip anyhow. How else do you get on the trophy that says First!

Not often that I get to go deep sea fishing with my wife, Trish, along for the whole ride. Trish's sister, Karen, was down from Idaho and brought her fishing boyfriend, Vern, along. He was a knowledgeable Southern California boater that was as eager to fish as I am. Karen too was hot to find some of the right kind of fish. 5th person was my son Ryan who did a great job as my paid Gilligan for the trip. Ryan was spot on with deck hand chores and mooring and Dinghy and tending to business for the trip.

Now I have to hand it to Ryan... He was a great Gillie. Good company. And together we had a good trip. Thomas was up at a YMCA camp for the week. Unfortunately Thomas had to come home early. He got a bug of some kind. The poor guy. Now he is home and plugged into a video game. Hard to have sympathy for that.

"Fish Wish Granted" in that we had good company and really nice outing. Life is good.

Keith <"><



Words for Today...

"gillie" – noun Scotish origin:
a. a hunting or fishing guide.
b. a male attendant or personal servant to a Highland chieftain.

Boaters example: "The name Gilligan was made famous in the TV Show of Gilligan's Island as the captain of the ill fated USS Minnow was Scottish supposedly. "

"fug" - noun
a. Stale, humid, and stuffy atmosphere, as in a crowded, poorly ventilated room. ETYMOLOGY: Of uncertain origin, perhaps from fogo (stench).

Boaters example: "In order to avoid a fug one must wedge open the cabins hatch with a shoe before going to sleep."

Tuesday, August 04, 2009

MDRA Youth Fishing Trip

Wow. I rarely see such a nice day on the Santa Monica Bay and I go out there often.

The kids on our boat today had the best views and some of the best fishing. The young man I spent the most time with today was a hot stick in that he caught the first and last fish. Fellow mentor Jerry N. hooked the last one and passed it off to him. He got to reel in a big bass in the 15 to 16 inch catagory. Waiting for the photo.

Fun and very few kids got seasick. (did have some swell)

Feeling very proud of the MDR Anglers fishing trips and the program that this year has the benefit of my good friend Jeffery Morris and other friends like Stan, Bob, Jerry, ... ... ... I could go on.

Keith

Sunday, August 02, 2009

Guy time with Thomas


Thomas and I got out and had some guy time with a few new friends.

We watched Rally cars at the X Games.



2009-08-02 X-Games

Then Thomas played some instruments at the X Fest. The older boys gave a try at the Navy Seals training and qualification course. They did well on the Sit Ups, Pull Ups, and then worked hard on the Rope Net Climb.

We all had some fun.

Special Thanks to Keith Guyot and the Guyot family for having us along.

Keith <"><

Party in the park

Here we are having a good time in Marina Del Rey.



2009-08-01 Music in the park

CYC event

Ramblin took 3rd.