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Paddle and Fish Adventure |
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Introduction by John Pawlak / Narrative by Paul Lebowitz |
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All ocean kayak fishing experiences have a flavor. This one tasted like a group of seasoned
hard-core paddle/fishermen served up with towering ocean cliffs, distant islands, deserted
beaches, rocky outcroppings, shipwrecks, a lighthouse, good weather and willing fish.
These trips to me are about hunting the shore lines while looking for likely fish hangouts. On this trip we caught fish at every stop. No, it was never wide open but we were able to make a little luck for our selves everywhere we stopped.
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The early morning sun found six adventurous kayak fishermen fiddling anxiously with their gear, making final preparations for a full day of paddling and fishing. The cast of characters assembled on the King Harbor dock included Jason of Kayak Sportfishing, “Eagle Eye” John, “Yakslam” Kevin, “Defjack” Jack, “Grego” Greg and me, “PAL” Paul. Kayaks slipped into the water one by one, as some headed to the bait barge while others paddled out to open water to begin fishing. Eventually the group united and started off to the south. |
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| Our destination lay twelve miles distant, hidden behind the looming mass of the Palos Verdes peninsula. It had taken weeks to settle on a launch and landing site for exploring the somewhat inaccessible waters of Palos Verdes. The only choice that did not require climbing up or down a steep bluff and/or launching and landing on unfamiliar rocky beaches prone to big surf would have been a long 20 mile route from King Harbor to L.A. Harbor . We opted for an easy harbor launch, with a landing at partially sheltered and mostly sandy Abalone Cove. At least from this beach the climb up the bluff would be on a partially paved fire road. | |
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| Pictures taken by John Pawlak and Jason Morton | |
It
was great to be back on the water with this small group of friends. With the little groups
there is more time to spend one-on-one. Catching up on what's happened since the last time
we paddled together. Or building on what you already know about the others.
I'll
never tire of the views I'm afford from the seat of my yak or the anxiety and excitement I feel
the first time I land on a new beach. Watching the sunset while sharing a few cold beers
and smoked yellowtail with salty paddlers are one of my life's simplest and best moments.