Damn the Marine Forecasters! (6/7)

[Latimeria]

I had plans to fish on Friday, but had to get a few things done at work so I decided on Saturday instead.  I saw the NW winds, but 10 knots or less so I figured I could get to where I wanted to go and head back with the wind at my back.

I had no need for rockfish, so this was going to be one of the big local 3 trip:  WSB, Hali, and YT.
I haven't gotten the boat out in more than a month, so I needed to get the fluids moving inside it.

Well, I get to the ramp to heavy drizzle and strong NW wind.  It was blowing a steady 10-15 mph the entire morning.  I Was prepping my boat to drop in when someone says "Hi Tom" from the parking lot.  Low and behold, it's the halibut whisperer himself, Randy.  He's been targeting/catching halibut for about 60 years here commercially and has the "Butt Thumb" on these big things.  I watched him catch a 47# halibut right next to me a few years ago and was just in awe from a butt so close to home.

I launched and glad I brought my rain gear...  Well, the ocean was way worse than I thought and realized I had to change my plans and fish really locally.



I get as far as I could get and decided to try and look for bait.  I managed to catch about a dozen spanish macks, a half dozen greenies, and a half dozen perfect sized smelt.

The bait was getting crushed, but I could tell it wasn't what I was looking for.  I didn't want to run through all of my bait, so I left a dead one on the bottom and filet the other dead one to put on a lead head.

First fish and it was a little vermillion!  My last red was 8# and now I get one that's less than 8 oz.  lol



I picked up 4 all about the same size and they went back to grow up.

I was bummed to see a few sport boats sitting on these little rock piles since they would wipe them out easily and just kinda bummed me out.

I also picked up about 9 Brown Rockfish. 



These things were greedy and would even go for my spanish macks.



I move closer to the inlet since I was getting beat up out there and saw Randy doing his thing.  He pretty much only fishes the bounce ball, unless live squid are around.  After talking to him, he missed two bites but got didn't get a flatty in the morning.  I had a few raked baits that were definitely halibut and finally got one, albeit a small 18" model.  Even this one was like the red... from 37# to less than 3.7#.  lol



I must have been around a bass tournament also because all these bass boats were all around me trying for bass.  I needed to use my live bait so I dropped the trolling motor and spot locked an old favorite pile.  It was pretty fun catching bass again.



I caught a dozen with 9 being definite legal bass.





This was annoying the bass guys since I didn't see them catch a single fish, but at least they kept their distance, unless the other f@cking weekend warriors that would shoot right between us at 30 knots instead of giving us any berth. When I say I'm a 20%er, it only means I hate 80% of people including fishermen. 

With that short rant over, I knew I had a good trip from all of my blood I was leaving on the deck.  I swear these calico sharpened their teeth or something.  That or maybe my thumb got soft from not bass fishing.  lol



Well, that was the Saturday Report.  I'll be heading to San Miguel in a couple of weeks unless I get on a Federal Case so fingers crossed.  San Miguel sounds like an incredible fishery... from WSB to giant rockfish to cow BFT all in a single day. 

Cheers and until next tide!

[Tim524]

I think Windy was off quite a bit cause it looked good to go but everyone said it was not good

At least you found a few to play

I really need to get The Cyclops wet, things just keep spoiling that plan

Off to Bishop/Mammoth on the 11th for 5 days to chase Trout 

Bass Pro on the return trip, Janie will miss out this outing

[jrodda]

Solid trip. Maybe not the fireworks of a PB hali and chonk reds of last weekend but looks fun.

Never really heard about San Miguel as a spot even remotely adjacent to a BFT fishery. Got me wonderin'. That's the one island up there I never hit though. Generally that whole zone is blown out.

I have heard of unusual things happening up there, because the northern and southern currents often meet somewhere around there to Pt. Conception. So, land of possibilities.

[Latimeria]

The guys I'm going with know the deal and it has me wondering also. They've got them before up there.... Somewhere close by from what I hear.

[Pinoyfisher]

You're hardcore Tom! At my age, I'm starting to value comfort over everything.