Written The Lost Anchovy
This week I travel down the Beautiful Coast of Big Sur; The land of Reds on my annual pilgrimage to this remote, distant and primal land where the Big Reds roam, and the fish are plentiful. I will find out there are bigger fish lurking under the kelp beds besides filthy Lings, Olives and Big Reds.
My fishing Buddy for the voyage is an old friend, and a constant companion on these annual trips. Captain David (Quang) Bui, is my first fishing buddy when I first learned to Kayak Fish.
It has been nearly ten years since we first meet at still water south for the Rock Fish opener. Since then my views on “Rockies” have changed while the cpt. hold steady and true. He’s a Rock Fish enthusiast—Plain and simple.
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THE BEGINNING
The Big Sur coast is remote as it is beautiful. No boats, No life guards, No Coast Guard. It is you and Mother Nature — at her best and her worst. To travel to this remote land is to take a step back in time.
If you are knowledgeable and prepared the rewards are plenty; however; stay cautious and humble. Mother nature is a woman to be respected, and more important – Feared.
I arrived at the launch a little after 8:00 a.m. The host was a courteous lady in her late forties with light brown hair, tan skin and rough hands. I presumed from working outside. She routed me to the new renovated beach parking lot adjacent to the beach. I unloaded my gear and made my way through the rocks and paddled my way through the crashing surf line where the hungry seagulls sat, waiting for an easy meal.
In the distance, beyond the breakers, the whales can be seen gorging on large schools of, what I presume to be anchovies. The gulls flew off to investigate the commotion. My fishing sense suspected King Salmon, but the southern Salmon closure was last week, so I had to just wonder … “what if??”
Kayak Fishing Rock Fish Tutorial
THE BIG REDS
I turned my attention north to focus on my prize – BIG SURE BIG REDS. The Jewel fish of this remote land. I paddled nearly 3 miles until I reached the teaming kelp paddies. The gulls were busily working the end of the kelp looking for an easy meal. My mind raced through the possible scenarios – King Salmon blowing up Anchovies? Rock fish attacking anchovies? Smelt?
I dropped my line and immediately got hammered by an olive rockfish. My Fish finder was lighting up with large schools of Black, Blues, Olives, Grass and Copper Rockfish – Yup… I was I Big SUR. There was no doubt.
My lure couldn’t make it to the bottom without getting hit by the schooling fish. I didn’t need scent. I didn’t need squid. I didn’t need a lure. I’m sure anything shiny would suffice for bait.
I moved to the outside of the kelp beds, away from the ravaging piranha schools of blues and black in search of my REDS where i find marks on my fish finder hovering on the bottom near the scattered rocks. I moved away from the large marauding schools, my lure finally hit the bottom, and I get the hit I wanted.
The tug is the drug and I was shooting up.
The bite flexed my rod, and took drag. From the depths of the ocean my beautiful baby came up. VERM!! I get it on the stringer and soon found myself in a school of beautiful REDS.
I THOUGHT I SAW A GHOST??
In the distance I see Cpt. Quang flag me with his arms –something was up. He’s usually never this excited. As I approach his voice lowers and he points to a mukey large and silver figure hovering under his kayak.
“What??? You get into a Big Filthy?”
“Keith…shhh…There is a White Sea Bass under me. It’s HUGE. It’s pecking at my little Blue”
“hahha…you must be out in the sun too long!”, I spoke in a soft voice as I approach his kayak tethered to the kelp bed.
From the distance I see a large white looming figure rising to the surface
GHOST??? OMG; WTF
Did I bring my laser plasma gun??
My jaw drops in disbelief at what I am witnessing. The 50lb White Sea Bass lazily cruise under his kayak; then another and another.
I hastily grab a fresh squid and pin it on my jig and send it down. The Sea Bass lazily swims over and circles my offering before deciding it wasn’t interested. I position my fresh squid into its face. It pecks my offering as it inspects this “Free” meal.
One after another, I threw everything I had at them: swim baits, fresh squid, jerk baits and a live small blue. Nothing was giving. They just weren’t going to bite.
My heart sank
As quickly as the showed up; they were gone, back in the lush kelp forest and murkey green water.
White Sea Bass Kayak Fishing Tutorial
Back on Land
I grab my Stack of REDs and started to pout at my lost opportunity in this beautiful remote land. Like a spoiled child, I hardly spoke on the way back, demanding I get what I want!!
“Mommma I WANNA WHITE SEA BASS!!!!”
“THAT’S ENOUGH FROM YOU YOUNG CHOVY, Another word and you will be in big trouble Mister!!”
“But but but… I wanna sea bass”, (Speaking softy)
The Big Sur coast is as beautiful as it is remote and mysterious. This land has a strong pull on my Chovy Soul that is hard to describe, and gets me coming back year after year — The Land of the Big Sur Reds and mysterious white ghost – TLA