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Topic: Albion Cove 6/24 Help  (Read 1874 times)

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JamesM

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My friend and I are thinking to kayak fishing and ab diving at Albion this Saturday 6/24. Any tips on where should we go? Not trying to steal anyone's secret, but a general direction would be extremely helpful. Also anything to look out for safety wise will be greatly appreciated! It is going to be first time for both of us. Thanks a lot in advance!
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DG

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Looks like the water is going to be sort of calm compared to recent days.  So that should allow you to explore further. 

Not sure if visibility has changed but it was bad a couple weeks ago. 

A lot of new ab divers stay in the calmer cove until they get comfortable but if you are comfortable kayaking and have a fish finder just look for some good structure in the depth you feel comfortable diving.  Typically if you can see kelp stalks Abalone should be nearby eating it. 

I have fished all over that place and you can find abs everywhere if you put in the effort. 

I want to determine if you are just new to that spot or diving in general.  If you are new I would try to find someone with some experience to go with you.  Weather looks good so there will be other divers there.  Bring some beer and make friends the night before and pick some divers brains.  Most divers will share their knowledge to some degree. 

As for dangers.  Obviously it depends on the answer to if you are new divers or not.  If not skip, but if you guys are new read on.  I would make sure you can get back on your kayak with your weight belt and diving gear before leaving the shallows.  I would make sure your weights are right as you may panic if you can't feel the bottom and your head is being pulled under because you have to much weight on your belt.  There is a negative tide this weekend which will make the bottom show or stick out leaving the river.  You may have to walk your kayak out or wait until the tide rises.  It's always easier to leave the river on outgoing tide and come in with the tide or else you will use a lot more energy paddling in and out.  If you leave the cove there are numerous rock structures that you can cut through but watch them because on certain days a bigger set of waves comes through every so often and can flip your kayak or push you into the rocks. If it looks sketchy just go around.  It's also hard to tell the surge from the kayak so I usually anchor a little bit away from rocks and swim in if I want to see what's going on.  Pay attention to the waves and don't let them force you into the rocks.
« Last Edit: June 22, 2017, 06:15:53 AM by DG »
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Fisherman X

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Great info, DG!
Quote
I have fished all over that place and you can find abs everywhere if you put in the effort. 

Agree with that, I've seen 9's pulled barely out of the river mouth
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BigJim

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DG hit it spot on.

I've found plenty of nice abs and fish inside cove...

Have fun and good luck!!

 :smt006

Sincerely,

Jim

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JamesM

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Looks like the water is going to be sort of calm compared to recent days.  So that should allow you to explore further. 

Not sure if visibility has changed but it was bad a couple weeks ago. 

A lot of new ab divers stay in the calmer cove until they get comfortable but if you are comfortable kayaking and have a fish finder just look for some good structure in the depth you feel comfortable diving.  Typically if you can see kelp stalks Abalone should be nearby eating it. 

I have fished all over that place and you can find abs everywhere if you put in the effort. 

I want to determine if you are just new to that spot or diving in general.  If you are new I would try to find someone with some experience to go with you.  Weather looks good so there will be other divers there.  Bring some beer and make friends the night before and pick some divers brains.  Most divers will share their knowledge to some degree. 

As for dangers.  Obviously it depends on the answer to if you are new divers or not.  If not skip, but if you guys are new read on.  I would make sure you can get back on your kayak with your weight belt and diving gear before leaving the shallows.  I would make sure your weights are right as you may panic if you can't feel the bottom and your head is being pulled under because you have to much weight on your belt.  There is a negative tide this weekend which will make the bottom show or stick out leaving the river.  You may have to walk your kayak out or wait until the tide rises.  It's always easier to leave the river on outgoing tide and come in with the tide or else you will use a lot more energy paddling in and out.  If you leave the cove there are numerous rock structures that you can cut through but watch them because on certain days a bigger set of waves comes through every so often and can flip your kayak or push you into the rocks. If it looks sketchy just go around.  It's also hard to tell the surge from the kayak so I usually anchor a little bit away from rocks and swim in if I want to see what's going on.  Pay attention to the waves and don't let them force you into the rocks.

DG, Thank you very much! Those are really good tips! My friend will be diving for abalone and I will stay above the water for fishing only. He may join me for fishing later on my tandem hobie. He has done ab diving for multiple years, but it is going to be his first time at Albion. I will definitely pay close attention on the rocks and waves. Someone also PM me saying will be there with couple other guys. We would likely to tag along with them if they don't mind. Again, thanks a lot!
2020 Hobie Outback (sold)
2018 Hobie Oasis (sold)
2017 Hobie Outback
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JamesM

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Great info, DG!
Quote
I have fished all over that place and you can find abs everywhere if you put in the effort. 

Agree with that, I've seen 9's pulled barely out of the river mouth

Thanks for the note! We will give a shot at it.
2020 Hobie Outback (sold)
2018 Hobie Oasis (sold)
2017 Hobie Outback
2016 Hobie AI
2016 Hobie Outfitter (sold)
2014 Hobie AI (sold)


JamesM

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DG hit it spot on.

I've found plenty of nice abs and fish inside cove...

Have fun and good luck!!

 :smt006

Sincerely,

Thanks a lot BigJim! Always love your videos!

Jim
2020 Hobie Outback (sold)
2018 Hobie Oasis (sold)
2017 Hobie Outback
2016 Hobie AI
2016 Hobie Outfitter (sold)
2014 Hobie AI (sold)


E Kayaker

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Any safety issues while kayaking? Navionics has "Breakers" and "AWASH AT LW" labels. It hard to see exactly where there are referring to.
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=42846.msg470404#msg470404

The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope.  ~John Buchan


DG

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The one time I was there paddling around for fun (not fishing) had a direct swell coming into the bay, and it got a little washing machiney, but I was in a short little river boat.
Very true.  On west swell days places that are usually protected can have big waves entering the coves.  Same goes for mixed swells like one from NW and one from S.  They can really mess things up. 
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E Kayaker

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The problems created by W swells are the same at all the coves I would think. My Navionics map seems to suggest there are some specific hazards, breakers and wash rocks to worry about.
« Last Edit: June 22, 2017, 07:08:36 PM by traildad »
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=42846.msg470404#msg470404

The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope.  ~John Buchan


E Kayaker

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It seemed worse than other coves, but I don't know if that was inexperience, the boat, the bathmetry, or what. Just seemed pretty reflective and washing machine-ish. Might not feel the same way if i went there now and/or in a bigger boat.
I find the washing machine swell comes from having two swells from different directions. I'm more thinking about fishing when suddenly the swell turns into a breaker and rolls you over or you are paddling along and a large rock is exposed in front of you that you didn't expect. Breakers and wash rocks are on a different level that washing machine conditions.
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=42846.msg470404#msg470404

The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope.  ~John Buchan


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I'll be there tomorrow in a pewter Silverado with a yellow Trident 15.

What site are you in I'll stop by and say hello  :smt006

My son got his first abs there at the ripe age of 11 a couple years ago.


I'd be taking him this weekend but he has a sinus infection.
« Last Edit: June 23, 2017, 01:53:55 PM by Cabeza de Martillo »
Pronounced in Spanish  ka·be·za de mar·t·yo
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JamesM

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I'll be there tomorrow in a pewter Silverado with a yellow Trident 15.

What site are you in I'll stop by and say hello  :smt006

My son got his first abs there at the ripe age of 11 a couple years ago.


I'd be taking him this weekend but he has a sinus infection.

Hi Cabeza,
we are rolling in tomorrow morning and will park at the day use area (not sure where exactly it is now, but will find it out tomorrow morning). I have a yellow hobie outfitter (tandem) topped up on a black Honda accord. We are aiming to get there between 7-8am. Definitely would like to meet you in person. Hope your son is getting better! That is an impressive catch at age 11!
James
2020 Hobie Outback (sold)
2018 Hobie Oasis (sold)
2017 Hobie Outback
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2016 Hobie Outfitter (sold)
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  • Cabeza de Martillo
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I'll be there tomorrow in a pewter Silverado with a yellow Trident 15.

What site are you in I'll stop by and say hello  :smt006

My son got his first abs there at the ripe age of 11 a couple years ago.


I'd be taking him this weekend but he has a sinus infection.

Hi Cabeza,
we are rolling in tomorrow morning and will park at the day use area (not sure where exactly it is now, but will find it out tomorrow morning). I have a yellow hobie outfitter (tandem) topped up on a black Honda accord. We are aiming to get there between 7-8am. Definitely would like to meet you in person. Hope your son is getting better! That is an impressive catch at age 11!
James

Correction red tandem OK Malibu 2XL.
The boy couldn't take me packing and is going to go and see how he feels.
Pronounced in Spanish  ka·be·za de mar·t·yo
Translates to Hammerhead in English for my Gringo amigos.
....and yes that's me with a 6ft. green moray in the avatar.

"Spearos before Hos" - Silent Hunter

"Give your son a fish and you'll feed him for a day.
Teach him how to spearfish and he'll feed you for a lifetime" - Cabeza de Martillo

Proud Papa of ...........
2018 JAOTY Lucas aka Baja Ninja
2018 JDOTY Noah aka Silent Hunter


brdopry

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Antonio!! See ya there buddy, be there ina few hrs