Simpson Reef hat trick

[rogerdodger]

think of your favorite spot to fish, like your favorite hole for steelhead or favorite trolling run for fall chinook (right at high slack), and now imagine being there on a beautiful day....and being all alone.

I dropped my 2 crab pots along the way and got to Simpson Reef about an hour after launch and I was all alone; not a single powerboat fishing on of my favorite places to visit at water level and under my power. I was expecting a "Powerboat Hatch" at about 9am but it didn't happen, the few boats I saw went by and fished further south, today it was just me and nature.

and the Ling Cod wanted to play.

this is hook set on the Ling that I kept (I released 4 others that were legal but not big enough to keep as my 2nd....), this is a trolling rod that I consider almost too stiff for fall chinook.

[IMG2=JSON]{"data-align":"none","data-size":"full","src":"https:\/\/i.imgur.com\/jRxy8Ul.jpg"}[/IMG2]

best was that after switching to lighter spinning gear to jig for rockfish, an absolute hulk of a teal Cabby tried to kick my ass and lost (I got the whole deal on video, plus the keeper ling and others). I did destroy my Lancer Jig in order to release it but that's cool, that fish earned it.

[IMG2=JSON]{"data-align":"none","data-size":"full","src":"https:\/\/i.imgur.com\/97G3aN7.jpg"}[/IMG2]

I ended up with the Hat Trick- a dark brown Ling, one Black Rockfish, and 6 big solid crabs. (no big 'schools' of rockfish today, just some 'gatherings' of them and lots of little ones)

[IMG2=JSON]{"data-align":"none","data-size":"full","src":"https:\/\/i.imgur.com\/NXKUQtf.jpg"}[/IMG2]

bottom line, not a bad day. cheers, roger

 

[killigan]

Looks like a great day in the salt Roger! Amazing how hard fighting those ocean fish are, that stiff rod has a huge bend in it!

 

[billfisher]

Awesome day, awesome fish! Way to keep after them Roger!

 

[hobster]

Sounds like a peaceful, serene day! Right on buddy, looks like you will have some tasty meals this weekend :thumb:

 

[00Swede]

Such a great place. I've never fished it though. If I am ever there on a day like that, the Hobie inflatable might have to go in.

 

[Gulfstream]

I think all the lings ran the school fish out of town!

 

[EOBOY]

Roger ;

Spent an hour watching your vids nice stuff!

 

[rogerdodger]

Roger ;

Spent an hour watching your vids nice stuff!

thanks Dana, sure hope your steelhead catching is going better than mine, I'm still 0-7 on winters this year.

I get lots of positive feedback from folks looking to rig up their TinyBoats in ways similar to what I have done, or just wondering if it's possible to catch big fish from them.

YouTube is the easiest way to share what I have been doing with family and friends, plus I have always been a huge fan of the "Survivorman" series. I've learned lots from watching what other kayak fisherman have done, hoping to pay that forward, plus I don't put ads up on my YouTube channel, it's not like a 'make a bit of money' thing for me, cheers, roger

 

[EOBOY]

thanks Dana, sure hope your steelhead catching is going better than mine, I'm still 0-7 on winters this year.

I get lots of positive feedback from folks looking to rig up their TinyBoats in ways similar to what I have done, or just wondering if it's possible to catch big fish from them.

Roger got busy with christmas and the holidays. My son came from Ak. for a couple of weeks, then my dr. gave me some new pills and I had a bad reaction and I'm just getting back to normal. I got a new trailer and am having some work done on it, then I plan on hauling it to the coast for a month and hit the steel hard.

I liked that GigBob, but if I get another floating device Rosemary may kill me in my sleep. I'm still scared to get on a kayak, they look to much like a floating motorcycle. I learned a long time ago I shouldn't get on a motorcycle:sad:

 

[Bo Peep]

Awesome great story, congrats on the trip. I hope to be getting there soon as I really need a salt fix.