Day tripped with Alicia to Big Bear, did not bring a rod as I successfully sold a lot of rods the past couple weeks, including my UL...didn't wanna hop into buying a G Loomis despite my discount just for this trip when I figured there wouldn't be  a lot of dedicated time for it.

Lots of things out of season, but we went on several walks. About 40º all day.



This Poke bowl place TropiCali was a gem. Snowboarder dudes in their 30s with a ton of swag and great energy were running it, complimenting everybody and joking around, and dressed pretty boldly. I will definitely go back next time I'm in town.



Back down the hill I figured we would stop for dinner at Timmy's honey hole.



My strategy at BPS is to pick up anything I think I want, walk around with it for 5 minutes to get the high, and then put it down and walk away. Alicia wanted a BPS sweater though so we ended up with a great deal on that, plus when I mentioned the restaurant to the cashier she gave me a 15% discount card. Very cool restaurant! I'm surprised I didn't see Timmy there on a throne in the middle!

Intriguing

Big smelly dab you got there. Too bad no gamefish, bounce balling sucks. Gonna do a ton of it whenever things fall into place. Good compromise though.

Nice Return of The Curmudgeon    Looks like the big Salmon Groupers wanted to play, Congrats on the PB   

Great 1/2 day adventure as you covered all your bases and scored some nice fish 

I thought I saw you out there yesterday, couldn't see with one eye thru the fog

the sun felt so good when it appeared.......for 5 minutes

Glad you found some Taco Meat  

I did meter some yellows, so not all was lost.  I just couldn't get anything to bite!

I should have went out Saturday, but too busy.  Weather looked perfect but yesterday it wasn't so much.. Cold and Foggy.

Bay looked good but it was getting foggy the moment you left the inlet.



I spent a few hours bounce ball'in for butts.  What a boring way to fish, but at least the water was clean so I had a shot.  Covered a lot of ground and depths for nothing.  Very little bait around also, but my shoulder has been acting up again recently to start casting for it.  One thing for certain, I was cold!  I heard a lot of boats out there but couldn't see them until I was on top of them.

Decided to go to Plan B and look for "Gamefish".  It was tough navigating the area since visibility stunk and boats were just popping out of the thicker/denser areas of fog.



Wind started picking up from the south and I've already put 5 hours trying for butts and yellows, so opted for another red trip.  I didn't bring my deep drop gear since I swore, I was only going to stick to gamefish but desperate times were called for again to keep my mind at ease. 

It was a little bumpy on the way out and having to manually deploy the trolling motor was like tempting fate on going overboard.  lol, but I found "other Reds" in my Vermillion spot.



Just to be more honest, there were like 4 boats in my little hot spot so I had to poke around looking for new areas.

I did get my limit of reds, but they were mediums.  Smallest by far in this spot for the last 3 years.



Deepwater mini-halibut. (At least I'm trying to convince myself that LOL)



Plenty of bigger grade green blotched.



After an hour, I called it quits.  Too much to get to when I get home and fasting today for a medical procedure has me dreaming about food.

Of course, soon as you get back into the bay it's sunny, but was cold and foggy all day out front.



I released one Red, One Green, and a bunch of dabs.  Not a great day, but not bad.  All in all, I got the groceries for the freezer and to test in the new vacuum sealer.



Well, that is it.  I'm going to have to start thinking big here again soon.  These little rock cod aren't cutting it.  LOL

Thanks for reading!

You made his day for sure  

Love the team building...and Homa's stoke. Always fun when newbies engage, from catching fish to seeing the fillet work.

My buddy Homa was ready to throw down some more kabobs and really wanted to catch a fish.  Last 3 trips and all we caught was turtles.

Guys showed up at the puddles and the grill was fired up.  Homa made the kabobs while we soaked for trout in the latest stocked lake.



Watched an osprey grab a trout in front of me so I know I was in the right place.



Well, you know my luck this fall.



Maybe a trout?



Nope....



We continued to catch cats on trout bait and ate our fill of amazing kabobs!



I literally couldn't eat another bite!





We kept the first 3 and I said "let's throw the rest back".



Then Homa got bit on the rod I gave him.  I said "Set the hook, I'm not helping you!"

I've never seen him smile so big!



He knew this one wasn't a turtle!  LOL



He was stoked!



We ended with 5 before they came around to kick us out.  I think they were more amazed watching me fillet the cats.  Homa said he's only seen someone cut fish in the asian markets and said he liked my way better.  lol

Well he finally got his fish!  Team building was a success!