Cardiff Reef Report - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Trout · 02-05-2009, 10:43 AM

I know... just kidding... plenty of room for everyone (kind of

). And I agree, because even when it is "flat" there are always 1-2 footers sneaking in. My favorite story ever is when I finally talked Art (Aguachico) to come fish with me up here. He was at his "playing weight" and I'll be nice and leave it at that. If you know Art, he's a big boy. He had just picked up a OK Cabo, which is actually a 3-man. Classic. He's one of the only guys that I know that can paddle that ship solo. Anyway, as he crept out toward the surfline I stood behind him and told him not to worry and shouted the now infamous quote, "Don't worry, buddy... I got your back!!!" That was the truth until he timed the set as bad as you can and all I saw was a blue missle with a very large Afro-American man comin' right back at me. I doubt he'll fish with me up here again, and it's probably the reason that many others won't frequent this spot a whole heck of a lot!

esdees · 02-05-2009, 11:24 AM

I got the evil eye after taking this one

Art watching and waiting...

I had a fantastic landing that day. Fantastic that I managed not to lose or break anything.

dos ballenas · 02-05-2009, 01:52 PM

That doesn't look too bad for a north county launch.

Next time try it in the dark, but wait for the guys working in the restaurant turn off the spot light, throw in some pea soup fog, and add a few extra feet to the sets

, talk about cold shower!

dsafety · 02-05-2009, 02:12 PM

I'd sure hate to to the "el rollo" or any of the other stupid kayak tricks some of us have mastered with an un-protected gaff hook pointed at the back of my head. I get chills just thinking about it.

Bob

Trout · 02-05-2009, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dos ballenas

That doesn't look too bad for a north county launch.

That photo from esdees is looking like LJ. Believe me... it was a lot different than that

Double the size, eliminate the lull and then take his new kayak and add 3 feet in length (Cabo length), wait for a set and then stand behind it. That story is about 13 years old... so it is improving like fine wine. By 2010 it will be in the impact zone at Pipe with no paddle and I was balancing an apple on my head...

paddydigital · 02-05-2009, 10:26 PM

I'm always fishing the kelp off pipes between Swamis and Cardiff reef. Most of the time the fish are small 8-12 inc. Calico's and Rock fish. However, I have had some nice White sea bass last year. This past week was insane conditions but slow movement. I had better luck inside between the kelp and surf just south of swamis. A few just short Halibuts and a ton of fun Calicos and grupy sandies.

I hope we all can make a day of it real soon!

bellcon · 02-06-2009, 05:59 AM

Classic pic:

thanks for the report
i camp at San Eliho 4 or 5 times a year that place is beautiful
my daughters convinced that it is the best place on earth for sunset pics

j mo · 02-06-2009, 06:09 AM

I’m pretty sure I saw you working the way inside. It was so tiny you must have been in less than 6' of water. That’s a great zone for hali, especially in spawning season, nice finger like reef structure bordering sandy pockets

. The problem is the surf is usually bigger than it has been making it tuff to fish in a kayak.

PS
Nice photo w the dolphin in the background....

02-05-2009, 10:43 AM	#1
Trout Looks are everything Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Cardiff by the Sea, CA Posts: 64	I know... just kidding... plenty of room for everyone (kind of ). And I agree, because even when it is "flat" there are always 1-2 footers sneaking in. My favorite story ever is when I finally talked Art (Aguachico) to come fish with me up here. He was at his "playing weight" and I'll be nice and leave it at that. If you know Art, he's a big boy. He had just picked up a OK Cabo, which is actually a 3-man. Classic. He's one of the only guys that I know that can paddle that ship solo. Anyway, as he crept out toward the surfline I stood behind him and told him not to worry and shouted the now infamous quote, "Don't worry, buddy... I got your back!!!" That was the truth until he timed the set as bad as you can and all I saw was a blue missle with a very large Afro-American man comin' right back at me. I doubt he'll fish with me up here again, and it's probably the reason that many others won't frequent this spot a whole heck of a lot! __________________ Trout

02-05-2009, 01:52 PM	#3
dos ballenas Vampyroteuthis infernalis Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 585	That doesn't look too bad for a north county launch. Next time try it in the dark, but wait for the guys working in the restaurant turn off the spot light, throw in some pea soup fog, and add a few extra feet to the sets , talk about cold shower! __________________ ____________________________________________

02-05-2009, 10:26 PM	#6
paddydigital Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: OSIDE Posts: 33	Its all good in the kelp I'm always fishing the kelp off pipes between Swamis and Cardiff reef. Most of the time the fish are small 8-12 inc. Calico's and Rock fish. However, I have had some nice White sea bass last year. This past week was insane conditions but slow movement. I had better luck inside between the kelp and surf just south of swamis. A few just short Halibuts and a ton of fun Calicos and grupy sandies. I hope we all can make a day of it real soon!

02-06-2009, 06:09 AM	#8
j mo Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Encinitas Posts: 600	I’m pretty sure I saw you working the way inside. It was so tiny you must have been in less than 6' of water. That’s a great zone for hali, especially in spawning season, nice finger like reef structure bordering sandy pockets. The problem is the surf is usually bigger than it has been making it tuff to fish in a kayak. PS Nice photo w the dolphin in the background....

02-05-2009, 11:24 AM	#2
esdees The Good Clone Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Clairemont Posts: 520	I got the evil eye after taking this one Art watching and waiting... I had a fantastic landing that day. Fantastic that I managed not to lose or break anything.

02-05-2009, 02:12 PM	#4
dsafety Olivenhain Bob Join Date: May 2008 Location: Olivenhain, CA Posts: 1,121	I'd sure hate to to the "el rollo" or any of the other stupid kayak tricks some of us have mastered with an un-protected gaff hook pointed at the back of my head. I get chills just thinking about it. Bob

02-06-2009, 05:59 AM	#7
bellcon Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: San Pedro Posts: 999	Classic pic: thanks for the report i camp at San Eliho 4 or 5 times a year that place is beautiful my daughters convinced that it is the best place on earth for sunset pics