I was planning on meeting Squatch fishing on Saturday since it seemed to be the best of the two-day weekend, weather wise. Unfortunately, Squatch couldn't make it since he was meeting his friend in a van down by the river. I opted to change days so Steve could get out. It's been a long time since I had him in the Curmudgeon.
We met at my place since I was expecting a lot of fish and needed to get the boat cleaned (being Sunday and not having an extra day to tidy up the gear). I was all ready to roll the minute he showed up and we were on our way. Funny how lobster season, especially Saturday Night Lobster fishing keeps the crowds down for Sunday.
What great views from the ramp...
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The weather was a little windy and choppy in the morning, but gorgeous!
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The wind died down and everything got greasy out there. We noticed some surface activity in the middle of nowhere and I cast my little 30-gram jig out. I totally get slammed and was stoked but lost him. My guess was a Bullet Tuna but I really didn't see him. We continued to the 9-Mile and heard a few boats talking about the huge biomass of Bullets out there. they weren't kidding! They were everywhere but would not hit our trolling spread or irons. It was quite baffling.
We decided we didn't come out for Bullets so we put out a few Marlin Jigs, a Wahoo lure and a few feathers just in case. 5-rod spread on the skiff... Bullets everywhere but not in the biting mood or consumed with whatever micro bait they were feeding on.
Then, out of the blue I hear a clicker ZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz! I'm on and on my virgin rod (Talica 16/Teramar) that I picked up from Shimano! It would have been a great fight on the bass gear, but this set up is more for the bigger stuff, so I bounced him.
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We saw a ton of flying fish around and after telling Steve I was in the lead, he said if he touches or grabs a flying fish that flies into the boat, he wins. Reluctantly, I agreed but knew that would never happen. Well, I almost ate my words as right in front of the boat a flying fish shot out and a 18-year-old Squatch could have grabbed it. Thankfully a 70-year-old Squatch doesn't have the reaction time. ;D
Another weird thing was no jumping Manta Rays anywhere. I've seen them every single time I've been out, but not today. It looked lifeless out there and the radio chatter reinforced that thought with the "You should have been here yesterday" blather.
Then we see what looks like a huge black garbage bag floating on the water. We kept trying to figure out what it was and pretty much settled on a garbage bag that fell off a big boat. Then we got close to it, and it turned its HEAD to look at us and sunk out! Mother f@cker! A huge female elephant seal! Well, that was pretty cool!
We continued to troll and troll for nothing else. We did see some birds working and Squatch got to see a leaping Manta Ray finally! I missed it, but he got to see it. Then in the distance we saw what looked like a marlin. Then the closer we got, realized maybe it was a school of big tuna! Then we got closer to see it was a huge pod of small dolphin.... and they wanted to play with the boat. We literally "Trolled" with them for a bit and then just gave up when we realized there were no tuna with them.
On the way back in we passed some MONSTER kelp paddies! Nothing was holding, but there were a few small yellows under them. They would chase the jig up but not commit to the attack so we called it the day.
The ride in was glassy and pretty smooth. Gorgeous day on the water and great to be fishing with my friend again.
Got home and washed the boat and equipment. Steve took his leave and I was finishing up the cleaning when as I started cleaning the trolling lures from my tackle bucket, a tiny little wiener dropped out. Mother f@cker! hahahahahaha
That thing has lasted probably 15 years being passed back and forth since we found it Sturgeon fishing at Cuyamaca! Touche Squatch!
Well, that was it. A fun day on the water even if the fish didn't want to show themselves (except for the Bullets)
Thanks for reading and until next tide!