Professional deck men Jerry and Mike joined Debra and I for a Sunday jaunt out the gate. We have had precious few  salmon tries this year due to other distractions so it really felt great to hit the salt. We had an uneventful trip past Point Bonita and turned up the line. Conditions were high overcast and flat ass calm.  Bait was all over. The A.M. fleet was from Duxbury north to the towers and seemed to be enjoying spotty action.

We ran all cable baiters, 2 on the wire and 2 with releases. A few nets were out but looked slow so we bolted for the channel buoys. Huge fleet there and the bite was snapping. Got a tip From Pacific Ryder as they looked to be finishing up. We dropped deeper and at 60 feet we got a quick flurry. First fish in the high teens  was grabbed by a gluttonous mass of seal blubber before we could get it in the bag. Stellman’s little girly arms and barbie reel could not get it in quick enough. But he quickly redeemed himself on the next bite which we got boxed despite some creative network.

Mike had the next chance but decided to horse it and busted it off boatside.

Bait was crazy thick and boiling.

We had a break for home made lamb burgers which really rocked.

Then the whale show started.

We were west of the first channel bouys most of the afternoon. This location is a fascinating place to hang out  for a few hours with all manner of skiffs, party boats, Long liners, pilot boats, freighters etc.
Although disappointed we only brought home one fish, it sure felt great to be on the ocean.