You guys are super. Good suggestions. Thanks for all the help. I'm sure it's got to be one of those things (fingers crossed).

sea claire
affirmative. outside or inside will often depend on the tide. when its really running in like it was I'll stay to the inside and fish the area like a big back eddy. Of course with the ferry running by there its not exactly a secret spot and its a dead give away when you see charters camped over the spot. Oh ya, there were quite a few out for the derby and I did see a many of them catching fish. but with all the chum passing through, I couldn't tell if they were bm or not. The bm I was catching were on the bottom. Most of the others were trolling.
Maybe MC was off because of the strong tide, pretty exposed out there isn't it? It must have been rough up there. I know I was looking to stay out of the tide and bitter wind. Maybe matsmats or OB would be closer good alternatives for ya in those conditions?

HBP
yeh I was tempted to enter the derby too but I only planned to be out for a couple of hours. Just as well since I had to release a potential winner anyway. Man, those chum must have been really stacked up off PNP before the major tide change because they came stormin by AppleTree by 9. Some lucky river's gonna get a bunch of fish. Wonder how long this run is going to last?

ltlCleo,
I'll just have to make the time. wouldn't want to miss all the fun. Keep me posted.