San Simeon - Memorial Day Weekend w-pics

[Red Drum]

I went camping with my family up to San Simeon Campground for the Memorial Day holiday weekend. I hadn’t camped there in over 4 years, so it was really nice to get back up there to see the area again and to do some shallow-water Rockfishing.

Fortunately, Dean “Bank Robber” was very cool to tow up my 15ft Duroboat “Red Drum”, so I could tow up my pop-up tent trailer. Dean brought up his family and Jason “jscrib” rode up with my family, since his girlfriend was driving back down from San Francisco, so she stopped by the campsite for 2 nights.

The beach launch at Leffingwell Landing was a little laborious but fun at the same time.
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h177/Big_Drum/SanSimeon5-25009.jpg

On Saturday, we caught an assortment of Lingcod, Vermilion Rockfish, Olive Rockfish, Copper Rockfish and Gopher Rockfish.

Here is Dean with a nice Vermilion Rockfish.
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h177/Big_Drum/SanSimeon5-25001.jpg

Here I am with a typical Olive Rockfish.
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h177/Big_Drum/SanSimeon5-25002.jpg

Jason with a keeper Lingcod.
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h177/Big_Drum/SanSimeon5-25003.jpg

Dean with a keeper Lingcod.
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h177/Big_Drum/SanSimeon5-25004.jpg

Jason with a Copper Rockfish.
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h177/Big_Drum/SanSimeon5-25005.jpg

Here I am with one of the many Vermilion Rockfish that we caught.
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h177/Big_Drum/SanSimeon5-25006.jpg

Here I am cleaning one Lingcod that had the greenish colored flesh.
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h177/Big_Drum/SanSimeon5-25007.jpg

Jason posing with the “Red Drum” fish slaughtering machine back at the ramp.
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h177/Big_Drum/SanSimeon5-25008.jpg

Back at the campground.
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h177/Big_Drum/SanSimeon5-25010.jpg

My daughter’s Dachshund “Sweetie Pie” looking intently for a ground Squirrel in the bushes.
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h177/Big_Drum/SanSimeon5-25013.jpg


On Sunday, Dean and I went for another trip and caught mostly Black Rockfish and a couple Olive and Gopher Rockfish.

Here I am with a Black Rockfish that ate the spinnerblade.
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h177/Big_Drum/SanSimeon5-25017.jpg

We also went and visited the historic and awe inspiring ranch/castle of the late William Randolph Hearst. Here is a picture of his famous swimming pool.
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h177/Big_Drum/SanSimeon5-25034.jpg

An awesome view of San Simeon Cove.
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h177/Big_Drum/SanSimeon5-25036.jpg

On Monday, I went out for about an hour and limited out on 8 Blues and 2 Blacks. While coming back to the landing, my 1994 25 hp Mercury outboard had a loud backfire while cruising around 20 knots and DIED!! I couldn’t get the engine to start, so I had to spend 1 hour and 20 minutes (approximately 2 miles) rowing the “Red Drum” back to the landing. That sucked!! But at least I made it back to shore.

Even though the trip kind of ended on a down note, I still had a great time fishing and camping up at beautiful San Simeon. I can’t wait to go again.

Till next tide,

[hookemdano]

SICK!!! Nice pics.

[dixoncider]

looks like a killer spot. Whats the deal with the beach launch of boat?? Are they cool with that up there????

[Ambassadorhawg]

Awesome! That's a big Black rockfish. I've been trying to get my buddies to tow their rigs up there for years now but it has never happened.

Is that really an Olive rockfish? It has yellow fins and tail. I though it was a Yellowtail rockfish or are they really one in the same????

Thanks for the report and pics. Pretty rare to see a report from that area! SLO county is my out of town playground....

[sansou]

Really nice!

You always find the fish wherever you go. Sorry to hear about the outboard though...but think, now it gives you a chance to buy some new power!

[soulsurfer]

You always have one of the best outings, even if your engine failed. Overall, it was still a great trip in my book.

did you ever found out what happened to the motor?

[Anglerism]

Awesome catch guys!! Nice pics of the fishes. I've been there only one time and tried the pier there. Didn't catch anything but that's okay, i wasn't expecting any cuz I wasn't prepared. bait, hooks, etc. Anyways, again good job!!

[supasportkid]

great trips and pics. good thing after your engine died, you made it back safe

[rusty6]

sick report, im gotta get on an overnighter out of morro bay this summer so i get a chance to hit some of that area up!

[trlrtrsh67]

Wow, way to go! I knew there had to be fish right there. I surf fished that launch/beach last year for nothing. All that water and not a boat to be seen...just knew there was fish there! My wife and I honeymooned across the road from that launch at the San Simeon Inn last year...gives me some ideas for next years trip up there!!!! Congrats on a great trip, good luck with the motor.

-----P.S.-----You forgot to blur out the coastline...got your spot know!

[Brian_GSC]

Dude. Killer report!

[ONEKID]

Thats exactly how all my trips go....except for the catching fish part.

[russ88]

Looks like a great trip with family and friends. Nice pics. Love the spinnerbait fish!!!