A Couple of Fishing Spots

No secrets being given out here. Koke'e Beach Park and China Walls both at Portlock are some well traversed spots. I checked these out with the intent to come back next time with a rod and reel. China Walls was pretty crowded with 20 somethings doing stuff that 20 somethings do these days. Poor guy fishing had inconsiderate people jumping in right next to him. So much for aloha... Koke'e was a lot more secluded and there were spinfishing guys and flyfishers out. This looks like a better place to go and wet a line - although the depth of the water at China Walls would be really good with an 8 wt and a full sink 300 gram line...

Saturday Fishing Fun!!!

I took Marlon fishing again this morning - I caught a kaku so no skunk today!!! I lost a bunch of hooks to a few other kaku hanging around the reef edge - I'd see the splash, then the line would tension up then 'pop' - there goes the hook. Marlon and I both hooked up with lizardfish, but before we could take pictures the fish would let go of the bait and swim away. I took this picture later in the session - but same type of fish. The tide pulled out as we were leaving and we found a bunch of mantis shrimp and different types of crabs on the way in - Can't wait to get back out and do it again!!!

Thursday Dawn Patrol SUP

We had an air conditioning technician stop by to help me resolve an issue - so since I was going in to work late, I went ahead and got up way early and dawn patrolled. The tide was a little on the full side, so the waves were a little slow to break, but there were sets with good size (relative) so it was fun!!! I can do this forever!

Ahoy There!!!!

While we were at Reuse Hawaii, Marlon saw this in the upper shelves - See - hidden gems!!! Nice to see an El Toro hull hanging out!!!

A New, Old Chair and the Start of Annual Teak Maintenance

Since we were out, Marlon and I went to drop off our old kitchen sink faucet at Reuse Hawaii. If you haven't been there, it is a great place to grab some lumber and there are some hidden gems that come through there as people bring household items that can be "Re-used". Well, just as I was making our faucet donation, there were several teak chairs that caught my eye. I asked La if she like them and she said yes. The only thing is most of them needed a little more TLC than I had time for. However, there was one that was in relatively good condition... and it came home with us. So there went my afternoon - sanding with 60, 100, 120 and 220, then cleaning this new chair and the big bench so I could oil both. As you can see, the van was behind the sanding effort - so then I had to wash and dry the van. Well - with Noe's help I did get both pieces cleaned and oiled!!! I'll probably clean and oil the table and the two folding chairs that are downstairs tomorrow - then I'll do the other two chairs and the small table in the upstairs lanai next weekend. Now that we're finally planting roots and these teak pieces are in a subtropical environment, it is actually pretty fun to clean them and give them an annual oiling. Hopefully that will keep them strong and in good condition for years to come!

No Skunk on a Stormy Saturday

I took Marlon out to the flats this morning. We dismantled our experimental tank and wanted to return the rocks, sand and occupants back to where we borrowed them from, but since we were there... I took a spinning rod and a pocketful of ika (squid cut into strips). I brought this fat hawkfish to hand. I actually had hooked this fish just a few minutes before, but it swung the leader under the reef ledge and cut me off. The second time I hooked it, I got it to hand it still had the other hook and leader in it's mouth!!! Marlon opted to just observe today and armed with a tako box, he did just that. He saw tons of Convict Tangs (manini), baby long spined sea urchins (vana), a type of fish we are still trying to identify, and the prize sighting... an octopus (he'e)!!! I did get another bite later in the session. It took the bait and started a screaming run and kicked up a rooster tail - I stopped to set the hook, but it didn't take and the fish spit the hook... I've said it before and I'll say it again - there is something primal in listening to a reel peeling drag... that sound is awesome!!!! Most likely a barracuda (kaku) - it even shredded my small wire leader a bit. We packed it up when the wind and rain started to come down on us. Great day on the flat!!!

Practical Fishing Vessel

I can't purchase one now (need to pay off our new solar panels, kill the credit card, and destroy other debt), but if I had the disposable income, this would be a contender for a near-shore fishing vessel. This would make for quick launch and recoveries, and the fuel bill will be tiny in comparison to a bigger boat. The other contender is the Hobie Tandem Adventure Island. And with sailpower, I wouldn't even need to buy gas. I could bring an interested kiddorooster out with me too. But alas, the disposable income eludes me. (In case you were wondering - yes the photo is backwards - I couldn't find a program to easily swab out the guy's license plates)

Jimmy's New Downwind SUP

I met up with Jimmy yesterday to get a look at his new board - SIC V3XL Clean lines, reduced nose volume, and the latest steering system! Nice board!

Solo Sunset SUP Session on Sunday

Long day today - took La and the kids to the sailing clinic, grabbed groceries and a haircut, came home and wash and waxed the 4Runner, edged and mowed the lawn, then went back to pick up the family, tow the boats back to the sail loft and finally ended the errands. There was a little light left so I hustled to the beach to catch a few waves. Marlon was pooped out from sailing the whole day so I ended up going solo. Oh - it was 78 degrees F when I hit the water... not trying to rub it in, just stating a fact. Nice relaxed swell, super low winds, awesome sunset - I've seen the sun go down over this same horizon hundreds of times and it never gets old! Sometimes the pictures from the GoPro are unexplainable - like this one. Such a mellow way to end the day!