Big Sur- The week LJ went Nuts

[steveooo]

First- Big Congrats to all who got fish last wk. It looks like there were lots of good quality fish caught. Consider this a blanket congrats to all the guys that brought in SLUGS!
While you guys were putzing around playing C&R and kill with toad YT and WSB, I was spending a week camping in a tent with a one-year old.
We decided to do a full week camping in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. Went up there with my wife and daughter, as well as my Bro-in Law and his family. I couldn’t have asked for better company.
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Here’s some pics, I’ll narrarate a little along the way.
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The Park
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The Food
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The Fire
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</o> Day 3 I got the pass to take the yak out. Limekiln was closed, so I went to my altrenate launch site at Mill Creek.
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I had never launched there, but I’m sure I will again. Big sur is definitely a place where a good Kayak Buddy would come in handy. 1) Because I had to carry my yak down a cliff, and over 75 yds of slippery jagged rocks to get to a safe launch.
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2) You are ALONE out there. Pretty spooky being in unfamiliar water, where GW’s are known to inhabit, it’s foggy, and no-one is within 50 miles to return your “Radio Check, Big Sur…” I stayed pretty close to the kelp in about 40ft for a fish literally almost on every drop. I got a quick 8 taco sized ones and then went exploring a little for stones to try and get some good reds or lings. I went out to look for some good marks for about 20 min, but decided that I’d go back to put a quick limit in the yak so I could catch a good nap. I used big white scampi’s on a 1oz leadhead for all fish. I couldn’t ask for a prettier place to fish than where I was, looking at the kelp beds, and where the Giant Redwoods meet the ocean.
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</o> This is directly in front of the Mill Crk Launch
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</o> A little South<o></o>
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</o> Unfortunately I’m a bonehead and forgot the camera in the truck, so here is the only pic of the fish I took. Some good bruisers in the mix..
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</o> I also took this one later that night. Don’t panic, It’s organic.
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</o> The next day we drove to the Monterey Bay Aquarium to get a taste of civilization. Cool place if you've never been there, but be prepared to have anti-fishing rhetoric spewed at you in every possible way.
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My favorite place was the giant kelp bed tank. I could watch this for hours.
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They also had the “Outer Bay” tank with HUGE yellowfin, bluefin, dodo’s, and yt in the tank. Cool to watch as well.
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</o> I also took a pic of this guy, because I had eaten his brother the day before without getting a decent pic.
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</o> On the way back to camp<o></o>
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</o> We tubed the Big Sur River several times. Very relaxing. We also killed time by being stupid and jumping off rocks into shallow water.
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</o> Saw a wild turkey outside out tent one morning
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</o> Drank plenty of this…
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</o> Made crazy shapes with slow shutter and flashlights...
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</o> Next day we hiked as a family to Pfeiffer Falls. Cool Hike, refresing waterfall at the end to cool you down, unfortunately my daughter fell asleep at the beginning and missed most of it.
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</o> Drove to a bluff that night hoping for a nice sunset. Mother nature didn’t disappoint.
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</o> Took our time driving home, stopping at lots of bluffs to take pics
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</o> Found a decently big sand crab at a random beach.
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</o> Stopped in Cayucos for some insane smoked albacore tacos’s.
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</o> I wish I could have fished the yak a few more times while I was there, I will next time. Next time I’ll also bring my camera on the yak for decent fishing pics. It seriously seems like it could be insane fishing up there. I got my PB octopus, as well as my PB Cabezon, which was trumped by another cab on the very next drop.
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[bellcon]

Awesome Steve
I love camping at Pfeiffer, that place is magical,
My family spent last week at New Brighton State Beach (I had to much work)

You would love it there

Awesome pics
Awesome trip
Thanks for sharing:cheers1:

[Ed]

Sweet. I love the Central Coast.

[Iceman]

Always love your photo heavy adventures! AWESOME! Thanks for sharing.

[frugalfisher]

Some serious cooking going on, nice hikes and some fun fishing. A great way to spend some time!

[Dennis]

SICK Trip... Wish I had the time.. Thanks for the report, bro.

[JD]

That little spot in Cauycos is one of my favorite spots to eat on the central coast. Best smoked fish and pork on the planet!

[Holy Mackerel]

Great write up, looks like a great trip! love the baby backpack, my lil one falls asleep after only a few minutes too! :)

[Geoffkoop]

Insane report! Looks like a great place. :cheers1:

[WahooUSMA]

Thanks for sharing. Very envious!

[fishes]

This may be my favorite report. A trip is in the works so this makes it that much more exciting. Thanks!

[Tman]

Thanks for that, looks like a trip I need to make.:cheers1:

[dos ballenas]

Sweet! I miss norcal! Sicko pics there Stevooo!

[Oolie]

this is awesome, big sur is one of my favorite places that i've been.

nice assortment of rockers too.

[Lit-up1]

Thanks for this report. I love that area but have yet to fish it.
Great photos and one of the most beautiful places on the planet.
We are doing a similar trip in October but doubt I can sneak the yak in :rolleyes:

[PAL]

Hear you on the spook factor of fishing solo at lower Big Sur. Once or twice I've gotten that 'not right' vibe and headed in early, as its no place to face trouble on your own. You missed the best fishing. That's north by the point or farther south off the so-called valley.

Staying at Pfiefer, you were just a mile or two from Pfiefer Beach. Did you drive down the canyon to check it out?

Killer Cayucos fish tacos - that place is awesome!

Thanks for sharing your report of one of California's special places.

[fishes]

Are there any restrictions when fishing that area? Special permits, protected areas, ....?

Planning a trip there late July.

Thanks,

[lamb]

Killer trip and pics Steve!
Heard from the Utah gang how cool Big Sur is, I wonna go there

[PAL]

^A couple things to be aware of. The area's in a different rockfish zone, so the season is often different than what we have here in SoCal. Check the DFG website for more info.

The only MLPA closure is up around Pt Sur. That area was reached via Andrew Molera State Park, but required about a mile portage. We managed to retain access to the southern region (Limekiln-Pacific Valley-etc) that has most of the reasonable access.

[blitzburgh]

GREAT post!

[fishes]

^A couple things to be aware of. The area's in a different rockfish zone, so the season is often different than what we have here in SoCal. Check the DFG website for more info.

The only MLPA closure is up around Pt Sur. That area was reached via Andrew Molera State Park, but required about a mile portage. We managed to retain access to the southern region (Limekiln-Pacific Valley-etc) that has most of the reasonable access.

PAL, as always, THANKS!

[buttchaser]

Nice vacation time with the Family .. Thanks for sharing :cheers1:

[Billy V]

Awesome adventure Stevoo.

--BTW-- We saved a few fish for you -- Come on down.

[kpe42]

Man, You ate well up there! Love the strawberry pie & burning stick candle! We fished well while you were away.

Double hook-up