Kayak fishing has strong following among Sonoma Coast anglers

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WB Staff
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Joined: Thu Jan 26, 2012 10:56 am

Kayak fishing has strong following among Sonoma Coast anglers

Post by WB Staff »

Kayak fishing has strong following among Sonoma Coast anglers.png
Kayak fishing has strong following among Sonoma Coast anglers

Paddling from Ocean Cove on the Sonoma Coast north of Jenner, the kayak pulled a lure through the murky green water in hopes a Chinook salmon running to its natal stream would first latch onto the steel morsel.

Out of the cove, about a mile to the northwest, the treeless and windswept Salt Point State Park jutted out from the redwoods and mountains in the morning light. The hope was that a 35-pound Chinook, toned for the difficult swim inland to small creeks and steams after a few years gaining size in the North Pacific, would take the kayak for a ride.

In the fight between kayak-bound angler and fish, it’s the fish that dictates the movements of the small boat, either towing it out to sea or toward rocks. When the angler takes control — reeling in the fish little by little — the subdued, yet stubborn, fish can be brought onto the boat.

But on this day, as the swells increased to a few feet, no sign of a salmon.

At that point, guide Dennis Spike, an affable yet salty old fisherman with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth, said it was time to change gear. There were no salmon that day, and it was best to drop the lines to the bottom and pull up rockfish and lingcod instead.

Kayak fishing has a strong following on the North Coast, with locals and people from all over the state testing their skill on the rugged coastline and often-tumultuous waters. There are a handful of guides and numerous tournaments for anglers to learn the craft and compete against each other for the biggest catch and to win a few prizes.

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MKA
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Re: Kayak fishing has strong following among Sonoma Coast anglers

Post by MKA »

I can't wait to get out there and give saltwater a try.
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