Dana Point 7/8 Saturday afternoon

[alanw]

Skunked!

Launched around noon and headed for the kelp off Salt Creek. It was a hot 80° and sunny, light breeze, small swells, and I saw it hit 73.8° water temp at one point. There's decent patches of kelp laid down by the current, but it doesn't look too healthy being brownish with some pale spots. The water clarity was a good 15-20' vis but the whole area appeared lifeless. I saw only a handful of smelt in the kelp from 30' to 60' along the whole length. I usually see Calico and Kelpfish but not today. I ended up checking Three Arches Bay for Halibut and got nothing but exercise and a little sunburn on my legs. After a long 4 mile peddle back to the harbor I was beat. Off the water at around 6:30. I think the rise in water temp must have them out deep? I think I'll sit tomorrow out.