Yesterday, skunk, tamster and I headed out for perching, but the surf was way gnarly so we packed up and decided to try poke poling. Got skunked on the perch but we were able to bring in these bad boys.

It was our first time trying and we had a blast, it was lots of fun. Definitely gonna go out and try it again soon.

Turned the skunked trip to a productive one. Must be very interesting.

Anyone eat those things? Don't know if I would...those things are fugly but poke poling looks hella fun.

i filleted mine and am eating them tonight. the meat's pretty clean -very similar to rockfish. we'll see... they are damn ugly though

supposed to be good eating from what i've heard. i guess we're about to find out....

NIce!!!

you did good poke poling.

thanks eurojett. its all thanks to your original post on poke poling...

So what did you end up using for you pole? Find any good bamboo?

Anyone know decent spots around the Santa Cruz area? My son has been begging me to take him pokin since that damn Wild Within episode (they poke poled in SF).

Also, is it better to use fresh or dried bamboo for the poles...or does it not matter?

I just used an old 6'6" rod that I didn't mind getting damaged. I haven't found any good bamboo yet, most of the nurseries in my area have closed and didn't feel like ordering bunch of bamboo online. How about you, what did you use on your last outing?

The 6'6" worked for the most areas we covered, but having a longer rod/pole would definitely help with certain spots.

i think something in the 10' range would be ideal. i used an old 8 foot rod and it was just short in a few places.

I do the same and use an old 12 ft rod. Took off the eyes and attached some heavy gauge wire up top to reinforce the tip.
I need to get out soon. I will see whats comming up soon tide wise and let all know...

Don't know how far it is for you but Hakone Gardens in Saratoga sells all the bamboo you could ask for.

Or just chop chop the trees @ Santana Row

Santana Row is on my way home from the beach