First to Post in 2010

[Sea Weed]

Isn't anyone fishing since the first of the year. A friend went out in power boat and caught 32 Humboldt squid. He said they weighed about 50 lbs. I bet that would be c challenge on a yak and maybe a little dangerous.  Made me think has anyone ever caught squid from a yak?

[spotfin]

I haven't been out yet this year. Just got a new fish finder and want to install that first. The big swell this week looked scary.
We got rain forecast all of next week, but hopefully we'll have a window of opportunity after that. I want to try out the fishfinder and try to locate some of the small spots in Redondo.
Not sure I want to catch a Humboldt squid on a yak, tough to handle and a huge mess!

[Sea Weed]

Just read a weather report possibly rain and high wind from Mexico to Oregon. It is suppose to last two weeks or so. Think I'll go pig hunting instead.

[Spike]

Thanks for making that 1st post.  People will post again when the season gets underway.  Readership to the web site is at 400 people a day and many are gleaning info from old posts.   New readership will explode again somewhat, starting in March.  Personally, as I watch similar KF forums unravel from frustration of longtime contributors over answering the same questions and butting heads with other "expert"opinions, I truly  appreciate that contributors here respect the Forums, readers and the spirit of the CKF Forums.

Humbolt squid are 20 miles off the beach so I dressed warm and took The New Sea Angler out of Bodega Bay a week ago Wednesday.  Owner/operator Rick Powers is a bit of legend pioneering the crab/salmon/rockfish combos and the big squid fishery.  Powers has singlehandedly kept the party boat scene alive up here.  I think the squirts averaged about 35# and it was a blast.  Normally a big swell on a small day on this coast, we had nearly flat seas  Lots of calamari and a dozen giant squid heads in the freezer for the best candy bait.

I need to do this trip again, mothershipping a few kayaks, on a work related thing.  Either this season or next but the next 2 weeks are shot by weather.  A Wednesday or Thursday trip.  If anyone would like to join in, drop me a PM.  This isn't a guided trip so you'll need experience and safety gear.  Close lodging is about $75 per night and cold, foggy, inexpensive camping is everywhere.  Bodega Bay is about an 8 hour drive from LA.  If you like SWRF, lingcod and cabezon, consider planning a summer trip to the North Coast.  It's extremely fishy all the way up to the Oregon border. 

[Sea Weed]

Wow you did catch those off a yak. Impressive I would think they would get a hold of you instead. the ones my friend caught averaged 50 lbs. They had to drop the first drop 600 ft into canyon off moss landing. let it hang at 150 ft the others followed that one up and stayed while it was on line. I hope to go in a power boat when storms clear the next couple weeks. I have an electric pole for the long drop to hang the first one on then it is all Manual Reel. I'm too nervous to try one on a yak.the little teeth on suction cups I'm sure would be a problem. Not to mention the beak. 

[Spike]

These were landed from the deck of the New Sea Angler out of Bodega Bay, not the kayak.  We do fish them from the kayak via mothership.  Despite what the captains say, squid do tire and are like a WSB by the time they come aside the kayak.  I slit the squid lengthwise in the water and haul it aboard with a gaff.  They do not attack you....out of the water.....the way you'd think.     

[Sea Weed]

Thanks for clearing that up

[Falcon]

Den how is the quality of this squid meat compared to what we encountered in the Sea of Cortez.  It seemed the Mexico stuff just went to mush after a couple of days and couldnt be frozen and eaten later.  Isnt this the same species?  Maybe the cold water makes the difference.

Hope to see you soon buddy!

[Spike]

Those Mexican squid had little rice size pockets I thought were fat deposits in the meat.  Not even close, it turned out to be a parasite according to the crew of the New Sea Angler.  I see it here and there on fish and squid but the Gulf of CA squirts were infested and you're right, the meat was bait quality at best in comparison to the #1 grade calamari.   It could be water temp, seasonal, normal??  Most commercial giant squid is caught and processed in Mexico and South America so they must have the good stuff too.

[Sea Weed]

Well I will find out tomorrow. we caught 15 ae wt was 35 lbs A guess I'm under if any thing. they were 600 ft deep caught during the day by the Montery bay canyon. Froze most today and cut small slices to fry tomorrow. these were caught Sunday. You can't make the rings they would be 12 in in diameter. If it is crappy I have alot of bait.

[Spike]

That squid is fine.  Treat it like abalone by pounding both sides.  I also slice the steaks in half or thirds, depending on the thickness.  Don't overcook, try to let the center finish off the fire/oil.
Harvested 2 limits of California mussels last night, last minus tide opportunity until the 20th I think.

Big rings?  How about a big fried head?  Get out the turkey fryer.  A comment on the squid story at Outdoorlife.com suggested a giantsquidturducken.  Hmmmmm........

[Sea Weed]

These squid are all over the central coast it seems I hope they don't mess up our fishing. and stupid state will shut all fishing down. and squid will get it all.
It seemed when you dropped down wait a min reel up and one is on. Scary ike being in a school of tuna that will fight over your hook.