Amazingly Brutal Surf!

[Handymansd]

Wow, this morning's 4:30 am launch, if you would call it that, was brutal!
I lost count at around 8 or 9 thumpers to the chest when that black wall kept getting bigger and bigger... and then when I was certain that I was going to flip over backwards end over end, the wave broke behind my FND! Right over my head! a couple more breakers to the face and, unable to breathe from exertion, I found myself breaking free of the waves. Anyone ever see Tom Hanks get pounded in Castaway?

I saw a couple others on the beach from the water but they failed to launch through the meat grinder.

After re-organizing and re-stowing my sleigh, I headed straight to the kelp since the bait has been plentiful, today was no exception. The pier was out of the question anyway.
"Where is everyone?" No PB's, kayaks, anything until the NSF and Dolphin showed up for their round of spotty fishing. Both boats rode right up on me and proceeded to drop anchor within my iron range, which is pathetic, so I just moved on and found other spots to feed the dogs. After hooking my 8th dog I paddled North for deeper water. Along the way a pelican decided to have fun at my baits' expense, as if the dogs weren't enough.
So I decided he was more fun than feeding the dogs. It was fun to let him get enough slack to get about 200 - 300 feet away then bring him about. Just like flying a kite! So I proceeded to release him with a severe headache, tweaked neck and a pierced beak for his troubles. I guess he will be moving on to easier bait next time! The fisherman on the Dolphin were laughing so hard at me that one of them dropped their fishing hat in the water. Thanks for the hat!

After feeding a few more dogs I let the wind blow me into the landing around 12:30. I ended up sideways but upright and exhausted. Last week it was a starfish on an iron, this week birds and dogs, I really can catch anything but fish!

Scorecard for today:
Surf:12+
Fur bags: 8+
Pelicans: -1
Handyman: 0

Until Sat....(maybe... wife is having small contractions as I type... hmmmm) well until the next time I can get out! C'ya all OTW.


P.S.
Good Luck to those of you on the SCI trip tomorrow!