Gimme Shelter 11

by jimrussell | Jun 11, 2017 | Fishing, Fishing Subjects, Internationalisation, Kraken, Saltwater, Saltwater Fishing, United States, Video

I recently completed my 8th annual pilgrimage to Shelter Cove for the Gimme Shelter 11 Kayak Fishing Tournament. This event is much more than a kayak fishing or diving tournament for me…it is about seeing great friends (many that I only see up there), being in...

Gratitude>Expectations

by jimrussell | Apr 21, 2017 | Fishing, Fishing Subjects, Kraken, Saltwater, Saltwater Fishing

So….I missed a shot on a BEAUTIFUL, big LingZilla last week… Can see here how the tip of my speargun dropped right before I pulled the trigger and the shaft went straight under her chin… View this post on Instagram Heartbreak of a miss for...

January to March

by jimrussell | Mar 25, 2017 | Fishing, Fishing Subjects, Internationalisation, Kraken, Saltwater, Saltwater Fishing, United States

Been working slowly but surely to get back into diving shape since a quadriceps tendon tear in October 2016. My first dive of the year got me a chunky Ling at the very end of the day right when my knee felt like it couldnt handle any more diving up and down…...

First Post-Injury Dive

by jimrussell | Feb 5, 2017 | Fishing, Fishing Subjects, Kraken, Saltwater, Saltwater Fishing, Video

My last dive was in October and since then have been dealing with a painful knee injury (partial tear of the quadriceps tendon in the lateral patellar retinaculum). Not being able to get out on the water has been HARD for me, but have finally regained full range of...

My Favorite NorCal Species

by jimrussell | Jan 25, 2017 | Fishing, Fishing Subjects, Internationalisation, Kraken, Saltwater, Saltwater Fishing, United States, Video

The ocean in Northern California is home to an incredible diversity of fish and marine life. Of course, some fish are tastier or prettier or more fun to target than others. Here is a video I made showing some examples of seven of my favorite NorCal fish species taken...

Sun and Fun with the Rivi-T!

by jimrussell | Oct 13, 2014 | Fishing

Last weekend was BEAUTIFUL down here in the Monterey area!! I was lucky enough to be able to get on and in the water both Saturday and Sunday! Saturday went diving with good buddy Matt, two guys from Australia who are on a spearo roadtrip, and a guy named Philip from...

Rivi-T makes a great solo dive platform!

by jimrussell | Oct 2, 2014 | Fishing

Took the Rivi-T out to see how it would work as a solo dive platform. Loaded all my dive gear in the front seat and launched out from the beach. The yak paddled well solo, and having the weight of the dive gear in front helped keep the bow from popping up too much....

Valentina’s First Tournament

by jimrussell | Sep 23, 2014 | Fishing, Fishing Tournament

Paddled several miles offshore with my eight year old daughter Valentina between my legs hoping to find her a big enough fish to win the annual Kayak Connection tournament in Santa Cruz. Well, a strong south swell totally shut down any bite for us at all. : 9 Then ran...

First Blood on the Illuminati

by jimrussell | Sep 11, 2014 | Cuda, Fishing, JK Team Posts, Saltwater Fishing

Met up with my NorCalKayakAngler buddy Brent to get him some water therapy and hopefully get first blood on his new prize Cuda14 Illuminati!! We were treated to excellent conditions with stellar 25-30+ foot viz and minimal surge. First stop was one of my favorite...

NorCal Spring and Summer Diving

by jimrussell | Aug 28, 2014 | Cuda, Fishing, JK Team Posts, Saltwater Fishing

Spring and summer in Northern California typically bring more kelp and greener, murkier water… But it is also the time of year when ocean conditions are often calmer, Abalone season is open, the water is warmer and Halibut move into shallower waters…...

2014 Pay It Forward Paddle

by jimrussell | Aug 23, 2014 | Cuda, Fishing, Fishing Tournament, Saltwater Fishing

Pay It Forward (PIF) is a fundraising paddle/potluck/raffle event that a few buddies and I have organized since 2010 to help NCKA (NorCal Kayak Anglers) members battling cancer or other serious illness. From 2010-2013 we raised over $40,000 for my buddy Joel Lotilla...

Trophy Abalone Mission

by jimrussell | Aug 14, 2014 | Cuda, Fishing, Saltwater Fishing

Wife and kids were out of town for the weekend and I wanted to dive so sent some buddies a text to see what they were up to. My buddy Charlie wrote back “Abs on Sunday. Secret spot. Come up.” : ) Left the house at 4am with Joe who had just got back from...