Saturday washing machine ocean

[ron m]

Went out Sat about 6 a.m., couldn't hardly believe the bar was unrestricted, though the waves were not breaking on the bar, just short periods and quite steep. While I don't have a lot of experience, it was the worst bar conditions I've encountered and it was as bad as i want to be in. I didn't feel unsafe, just beat up by the ocean. (BTW, my boat is a 23 ft. Edwing) Noticed lots of folks turned around and went back inside, but we went fishing. Dropped crab pots and trolled towards the rockpile for an hour or so, no success so we pulled up and ran to the pile. Fished the eastern edge, Danny (a friend from work) caught a big ling cod which we released. Drifted about 3 miles before getting our one and only halibut, 46 inches and about 40 pounds. Caught it on shad, cut kinda like a cut-plug herring, only bigger scale (that's a bad pun about the size of shad scales!) It's a really good thing we got a halibut after releasing the ling 'cause Danny would have ribbed me forever about making him release the ling if we had come home without a halibut!

The swells were from both the west and the southwest (or so it seemed to me) and the wind blowing pretty strong out of the south made nasty windwaves, which on top of the swells made a very choppy ocean. None of us wanted to make the run to the ranch in those conditions, but I ruled that out anyway. Guess I'll be known as a wimp among the Salty Dogs, but it's hard to want to go out in conditions like that (or worse) again when I can go when we have nicer weather. I'm in awe of the folks - and of their boats - that ran out to the ranch on Saturday. Can't say we didn't try though, I think it was after 5 when we came back under the bridge. Be nice to hear what some of you Salty Dogs thought of the conditions on Sat.

The next time I take some hali-virgins out, if I get a hook-up first, think I'll do a handoff, want to make sure they get initiated. Besides, if I fill my halibut quota too early, then what'll I do for white gold this fall?

ron m

[gimmeumpqua]

I will never go out again when the swell and wind are opposed....THAT is what makes me green.


Kurt

[WP]

You got further than I did. I ran out to the pile and decided I didn't need the ride so ran back in. It is not a testosterone battle, it is for enjoyment. Nothing to prove, and when it stops being fun, I go do something else, no regrets.
Dave

[lor]

Your not a wimp.
We turned around after the first can, since this was our
second halibut trip. We may try again next weekend if the
sea's are better.

[Bait O' Eggs]

Ron, it was a confused ocean that didnt know which way it wanted to go.

If you leave earlier next time, while it is still dark you wont be able to see the issues until your already quite a ways there thats what we did.

I was in the same hull you were in, and we pounded our way out to the ranch. I think there were 2 boats there when we got there not counting the 47 foot CG boat. While going out between the jetties I was passed at a high speed by a half dozen boats, which I passed in the first few miles. I actually thought I was gonna be first to the Ranch as there were no more boats in view ahead of me as we closed in on the ranch, but when I got there, there was 2 other boats already fishing.

I learned a lot about my boat on Saturday, on the way out I spent the bulk of my time watching the tach, and the compass on the plastic Jesus, on the way in, I spent the bulk of my time watching the speedometer and compass on the plastic jesus.

On the way out - once the speed was found that we didnt launch over the swells, I just left the throttle alone and held a constant tach.

On the way in - I would get to much speed up when I went over the top of a swell and started to surf. I had to back off to almost no throttle while surfing on each swell, then hammer the throttle down when I dropped in the hole and had to climb the back of the next swell. I was on and off the throttle on every swell. I was a bit concerned I was burning a ton of gas on Saturday on the way in, hot rodding up the back of the swells to hold the 18 - 20 mph I was running. Friday I burned 33.5 gallons, Saturday I burned 34 gallons. It was really nice having the extra ponies in reserve to easily power up the back of the swell. When I didnt back off the throttle when surfing and the speed got to about 24 mph I would stick the nose in the next swell and we would all be piled up on the front window It would have only took a couple times for most to figure out what we didnt want to do As we approached the jetties I was figuring it out

I would have made the run again in the same seas, I was not in the least concerned all day about my safety, .... well thats not completely true, there was the few moments when we had to call the CG over to standby in case I fell in while working on the motor at the Ranch.

[jet]

What happened to the big motor...?

Jet~~~

[skein]

Same hull, but different outlook.

I had heard the reports and decided I wasn't up to flogging my way out there and back. I remember a trip last year out to the pile when we really shouldn't have been there, but hammered our way out, caught a couple fish and hammered our way back in. I think I was down to 9kts before we got back to the jaws. I never felt unsafe, but I sure wasn't enjoying the ride. I had no desire to repeat that at twice the distance.

Glad you guys made the round trip safely, and glad you like your boats. I was happy to sit and have coffee with Aquaholic and listen to the radio. :grin:

Had halibut for dinner last night. Mmmmmmmmm

Skein

[retaliate]

It was rough all day, & this whimp got sick , but I hung in there all day, since this was my first trip of the year. We got a 58"(caught by a first time halibut fisherman) at the north end of the pile in 300' of water, ended up going to the Ranch for the other three 36",35", & 34 1/2", we were the last boat to come in at 5:30, Teem Crazyfish was out there with us til 4:30, I've fished worse,
but that sw. wind is tough to take. the ride in was good 22mph average, & we ended the day with 15 nice crab.

[Zodiac-Fisherman]

What happened to the big motor...?

Jet~~~

He had a line tangle in the prop.

Same thing happened to me while fishing at Tuna town with Greg. Best way to do it, is to put on a PFD, and have someone hold your shirt while leaning over to the lower unit of the engine.

[KChookem]

Perhaps others will learn from my story about fishing in confused seas... A friend almost knocked himself out, literally, when he was pitched into the side of the boat.

He was kneeling on the floor unhooking a couple of fish, but after being thrown head-first into the side of the boat, he had the seim-conscious look of a person who is "knocked out on their feet. He was still woozy hours later, and did not feel good for a couple of days. At least he did not go overboard, or drive a hook into his body.

The water itself was not hazardous, per se, a 4+ foot swell, but the windwaves were up to 4-foot and topped with occasional white caps, all with relatively short duration. Windwaves were coming from the NW, and the swell coming from the W-SW. It was sloppy enough that it was very difficult to maintain balance when not watching the waves that were hitting the boat, like when netting a fish, rigging rods, baiting hooks, etc. Consequently, all of us found it better to kneel when we were unable to watch the water, or hold onto something.

Normally my son and I would not have fished in this water because it is not fun. But my desire to get my friend into fish overcame my better judgement. I'm grateful my friend has a thick skull, and his gray matter was a little spongy before the trip.

[Chromaflage]

I was with Ron on Saturday during the big agitation cycle. I must say, that I am still a bit stiff. Being a newby to the salt, I did not realize how much work it was just to maintain balance for several hours in those conditions. That said, I have to give Ron a big slap on the back! He handled it like a pro. Although I felt a slight twinge of conern the first time the boat fell out from under me, I never felt unsafe at all. In fact, although the ride out was bumpy, I was enjoying every minute of it and every spray of brine that hit my face as we plowed through the bar.

Thanks again, Ron, for a great day - the parts I was awake for, I really enjoyed!

CrF

[Bendman]

I think that when you have newbe’s on your boat and the bar is a little stacked up they look to the captain for reassurance. I’m sure they are thinking that “well I guess if the captain isn’t concerned we must be ok“.

I will never do this but I have always thought it would be funny to get half way through a stacked bar and start screaming “o my gosh ! We’re in deep trouble! We’re all going to die ! Don’t flame me, I’m not going to do this, I’m just a little bit of a practical joker :tongue:.

[Chromaflage]

LOL! Truth be told, I couldn't even see the captain - I was watching Boatdog - he was my "Oh-crap-ometer." As long as he was smiling, we were in good shape. :grin: :grin:

This was my vantage point during bar crossing.



BTW - nice to meet you out there Bendman!

CrF

[Bendman]

It was nice to meet you and Boatdog also.

Now what would you have done if Boatdog started screaming “GET YOUR LIFE JACKETS!!! O MY GOSH!! This is BAD!! This is real BAD!!” I hate to say it but I would have loved to see the look on your face!

[Chromaflage]

You're right..... I'm sure that would have been a sight to behold. However, my good friend and buddy would never do such a thing to me..... right Boatdog?....... Boatdog?...... Boatdog? Maybe I'm wrong.

What did make me wonder a bit was the number of boats going back in as we were headed out.

CrF

[Megabites]

We ran out of Depoe on Saturday. As we were backing down and getting hit in the face with the spray crashing into the back of the boat our captian "Serious Fun" said "Now this is the May Halibut fishing I remember!" We all agreed and sucked it up. Lets face it its May after all and we have been in worse. The ride home actually wasn't bad as we ran with the swells and didn't rush. We were lucky to have gotten our fish quickly so we didn't have to beat our way back in.

[tracker]

Bendman your thoughts of a practical joke remind me of something that happened two trips ago out of Neah Bay. We had six souls on board and one of them was sleeping down below. The conversation turned to what should we all do in an emergency. I pointed out what all should be done by each and then said that while they were doing that I would be sending a may day to any that could hear. Someone asked what the procedure for the call would be so I demonstrated a call. "Mayday, Mayday, Mayday, This is the Just Keep Fishing, Just Keep Fishing, Just Keep Fishing, 125.... 45..., 125... 45... 125...45... We have hit a deadhead and are going down.. I repeat we have hit a deadhead and are going down." About this time we all heard a loud "Oh sh_t" from down below followed by a loud bang at the cabin door. Well it seems the guy sleeping woke up during the middle of the demonstration mayday call and then hit his head on the bulkhead making a dash for the deck. He also was dazed a bit and when we all quit laughing we explained the situation. Very funny stuff!

[Megabites]

Tracker

I am going to use this one.

[tracker]

Worse part was it was my boss!

[Bendman]

That's freakin hilarious

[fishbait]

Tracker,

reminde me not to fish with you and Pete :shocked:

[Lepper]

that the only thing that makes you green??? :grin:

[Maverick Maxcat]

Gotta love that washing machine! That's the main reason we own a catamaran. It only rolls about 1/3 as much as a v-hull, and it's gentle instead of "snappy". 4' windchop is no big deal, trolling, drifting broadside, or running. Double hulls=double fun----try it, you'll like it!

[SPAZZ]

Tracker you are killing me. That is so flippin funny that I cant stop laughing.-Brian

[Big Dog]

Well I am glad I deceided to what for a better day. Gues we will see what next weekend holds for us.

Big Dog

[ron m]

Well, Sat. was the first day I wore a life jacket for most of the day. When we started fishing, I put one on 'cause the water was so rough and I figured when tryong to net or gaff a fish a wave could hit and bounce me over if I was already leaning over the side. Didn't take it off till we got back to the dock. I didn't feel unsafe out there, the boat handled the water fine, it was just very agitated water that was uncomfortable. Made me glad I got a boat with a rise to the bow, lots of spray, but no waves over the bow.

ron m

[retaliate]

Hey Maverick, I'll trade ya boats.

[Maverick Maxcat]

Retaliate, I wouldn't do that to a nice guy like you....just think of the truck you'd have to buy to pull it!

[retaliate]

Good, you had me worried. I guess that means your throwing in truck too.

[fish assassin]

Gotta love that washing machine! That's the main reason we own a catamaran. It only rolls about 1/3 as much as a v-hull, and it's gentle instead of "snappy". 4' windchop is no big deal, trolling, drifting broadside, or running. Double hulls=double fun----try it, you'll like it!

OK, I tried it and I liked it!!

Once you've owned a twin hull you'll never go back!

~assAssin~

[Crustycritter]

Saturday we were in the washing machine as well. We were in a 32' Bayliner and had no safety issues, just a lot of bounce and rock & roll. I feel sorry for any halibut that tried to bite our riggings, they were bobbing up and down so much it must have snapped few of their necks. We ran off Julie Rose III's port side for most of the way out and when my crew saw her turn around, I got the strangest look as I kept going.

[Maverick Maxcat]

Retaliate---LOL---you made my day!

FA---two hulls are better than one.....we almost named ours "Double Trouble"

[jocose]

i got to get me a o-crap-ometer...

[Chromaflage]

i got to get me a o-crap-ometer...

I can prolly rent you one.

CrF

[KillerBeee]

I went out of La Push on my friend's 20 ft. Silverline. We ran 22 miles out to fish 660 ft. of water and eventually had to hang 5 lbs of lead to keep our gear down. We were rewarded with a couple of halis, 25 and 52 pounds.
I was further rewarded with my first ever seasicknes adventure. I have been on the water since I was a teenager and have neser chummed before. Saturday that all changed for me. The good news is that after chumming up my breakfast, it only took about ten minutes and I felt a lot better.
That was one for the memories.....
By the way, while we made it OK, a 22ft. Sea Sport got capsized and lost while fishing near shore. 3 people we pulled from the water by their friends on another Sea Sport, but the boat was lost. I'm glad the guys were OK, but what a bummer to lose the boat. I was hanging around with the guys the evening before while fileting fish and even took their pictures with their catch.
Wear your PFD!

[GutZ]

About 3/4's of the way down in this thread is the first hand account from the Skipper of the boat that went over ...

http://www.piscatorialpursuits.com/u...c;f=1;t=021423