Amazing New Year's Day Fishing the Santa Barbara Coastline.

[Wingnut]

Today is a day that I won't soon forget, New Year's Day 2008. It was much more than just another surf fishing trip, a surf fishing report or a simple show & tell. A day like today, defines the reason why we fishermen, do what we do... and I didn't want it to end. :Cool:

The plan was to fish the Santa Barbara coastline. Start somewhere in Santa Barbara county & work our way up & down the coast. I have never fished in this area before and what a treat it was! :Big Grin:
Mike (Kichigai1) and I have been planning this surf fishing trip for a couple of weeks. During the process of plotting our course, we collected information, studied the tide charts and carefully pick locations and exactly when to hit them. Whenever I decide to go fishing, I just grab my fishing poles, tackle bag & license, hop in the car and take off to the fishing spot. Mike, on the other hand, being a veteran surf fisherman that he is, refuses to fish by the seat of his pants. Preparation is the most important piece of equipment that you can have on any fishing trip and we were well prepared today. :Cool:

The first spot on our list was Seacliff.
On the rocks at Seacliff 7:00AM. The start of an epic day.
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We started working the rocky shoreline in search of early morning feeders with our LC & Ito. The BSPs were thick and hungry... I am amazed at how big these Perches are up in these parts. They were slamming our hardbait with reckless abandonment. You can see them taking swipes at the lure... sometimes two or three of them at the same time. In less than an hour, we probably caught & release a couple dozen brute sized BSPs.
Here's a couple of many fiesty saltwater Piranhas we caught at Seacliff.
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While I was working my "Factory Tune" LC 110, something hit it like a freight train. I immediately had visions of a legal Hali dancing in my head. Ripping my #8 and some major head thumping. When it flashed gold in the surf, I initially thought that it was a monster BSP. To my utter surprise... another Wingnut 1st... a Yellowfin Croaker. :Big Grin: Mike says that this was a very nice one, not many get to this size. Beginners luck (again), took a couple of pics & back into the water it went. :Cool:
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Mike got the biggest catch of the day. :Shocked: LC, it catches EVERYTHING! Safely released.
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Next stop, Santa Barbara Harbor. What a beautiful place filled with beautiful people. We started wading through the boat yard enjoying the scenery & all the nice boats. Chasing after Spotties and Sandbass, we threw a variety of swimbaits. A couple of short strikes but nothing doing. The place was full of Sting Rays. You have to watch every step, slide your feet & look for the outline of the fish in the sand.
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We moved down to the Stearns Wharf area to try our luck. The place was swarming with little Perch & Smelt. Fun to catch but got boring after about an hour of all little fish.
We used 5/8 Krocodile spoons to nab these little fighters.
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I caught this Walleye Perch, which is a little different.
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Stone crab anyone?
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Next, we drove up the coast to Gaviota State Park. Awesome looking place, but the surf was too big to fish. We tried fishing on the pier but it was tough pitching LC from 50 feet above the water. So we just relaxed a bit, ate some lunch & check the tide before we hit the next destination on our list.
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We drove back down the coast to our next spot, Refugio State Beach. Parked the car, crossed the railroad tracks, hiked a short way down to the water & enjoyed another wide open BSP bite! I caught a monster Perch about 14 inches. We caught several in the 10-12" models. The Perch bite was so good that we were tempted to stay longer, but there were still two destinations left to hit on our list, so we reluctantly said farewell to the brute slabs. :Neutral:
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A short way down the coast was Carpinteria State Beach (Yes, I spelled it correctly). :Wink: We made only a quick 1/2 an hour stop because it was getting late in the day & we wanted to hit the last location on our list during the incoming high tide.
Caught several more chunky Perchies Look at this one that Mike caught... something took a bite out of it. It has healed, but looks defective. :Shocked:
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The final stop, Mussel Shoals Ventura County Beach. The Perch bite was exceptionally good today. Or maybe it's always good up here, who knows? All I know is that City Dad would love fishing up in this area, it's Perch Heaven. :Wink: We caught so many BSPs in our last 45 minutes that I couldn't even keep track of. I mean these Perch were slabs, not dinks! Mike & I were standing side by side, smilling from ear to ear, with one after another double hook-ups.
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Just look at that sunset... how can anybody ever look at something like that & claim that there is no God. :Cool:
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Just as the sun was hitting the water & the sky fades into darkness, I turned to Mike & said "Wouldn't it be nice if one of us capped off the day by nailing a Hali?"
Wouldn't you know it... what a way to welcome in the New Year. I'm the luckiest angler alive. :Envious:
Unforgetable, thanks Mike for making it possible & being a part of this special day. I promise that I'll set you up with Tina, but you're gonna have to bring the handcuffs. :Wink: :Secret:
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Happy New Year Everybody! Until next time...peace.

Arthur (Wingnut) :Envious:

Extra: These are the WMD that we deployed today.
LC Factory Tuned 110 Metallic Sardine / LC 110 Candy Sardine / LC 110 Aurora Mackerel / LC 110 American Shad / Ito Vision SW110 Akahara Iwashi / 5/8 Krocodile Green Mack.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture013.jpg

[Brian_GSC]

:shock: :shock: :shock:

I haven't been up that way since Sept of 06. Man, you guys NAILED 'em. Congrats dude!!!

GREAT pictures too!

[troutdog]

Way to kick off 2008 Arthur, thanks for a great report. Always appreciate the fact you take a pic of the lures you used....very cool.

Congrats and happy new year!


TD

[CoffeaRobusta]

I always enjoy your posts Arthur. Way to go. That looks like a beautiful day. I spent my New Year's doing important errands. LOL Oh well I got to fish the day before.

Your YFC looks like it could also be a corbina in the photos. Nice catch nonetheless.

[Cangler]

Best report of the year ! .... I've never seen a YFC that big !

[midtownfishingclub]

Strong work!! Keep up the perchin'.

[PUDD MASTER BAITER]

MAN WINGNUT YOU GUYS ALWAYS SEEM TO KICK BUTT. MAKES ME WANT TO CALL IN SICK, AND GO OUT RIGHT NOW. THOSE PERCH ARE MONSTERS. IM GOING TO GO OUT, AND GET ME SOME LC,S. I DIDNT BELIEVE THEY COULD WORK BETTER ,THAN MY LESS EXSPENSIVE REBELS & RAPALAS. IM GOING TO QUIT BEING SUCH I TIGHT A?? AN GET ME SOME CANDY HARD BAITS. THANKS FOR MAKING MY MORNING AND GOOD LUCK IN THE FUTURE. MIKE THE JEALOUS PMB!!

[Fish4Birdies]

Excellent report! You guys are on a roll...no matter where you fish :D

[one_leg]

I miss Santa Barbara. Thanks for the report, Arthur.

One_Leg

[ikeman]

Unbelievable! You are on fire Wingnut!! Great job on those pigs. Must be something in the water up there(or maybe it's whats not in the water.)
Enjoy your success

Jeff

[Granny Fish]

Nice bean and healthy slabs of BSP! Looks like a you had a blast. Love all those pics!

[Hector-love-to-fish]

You are a natural poet, you descrived every thing to perfection. That sunset right there is magnificent. The fish you caught are beautiful. You got it right bro' how can some one said "there is no god" what you did was a master pice.
From the bottom of my hearth thank you for that report! :appl: :appl: :appl: :appl: :appl: :appl: :appl:

[Fisherman57]

Awesome report Arthur!

That is a BIG YFC!

I LOVE fishing up that way!......... I've been to a couple of those spots
and they always hold some nice fish!....... I like Carpinteria too.......

See ya soon!......... BTW, I got yer PM..... Ill call ya later.



57

[City Dad]

That is just wingNUTS!!!

[Jikser]

Very cool report...damn!! nice yfc, the biggest i've seen so far.

[sansou]

Looks like a great full day trip up and down the coast. Very nicely done!

[JSAUCE818]

:D

[IN2DEEP]

Awesome report! You guys had a full day of fishing and catching!

Beautiful pics also, but you forgot one. We want to see TINA :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

[klocked]

Awesome!!

[Troutman65]

Yeah, Where is Tina? :lol:

Nice job Arthur.



Thanks for the post



TM65

[Gerald]

Yeah, Where is Tina? :lol:

Nice job Arthur.



Thanks for the post



TM65
Ditto

[troutslayer05]

Man do i take living in SB for granted...I have surf fished a couple times but used squid for leopards. I need to get out there more often. GOOD CATCH, looks like a awsome day.

[kichigai1]

Awesome report! You guys had a full day of fishing and catching!

Beautiful pics also, but you forgot one. We want to see TINA :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
C'mon Arthur show the pics we know you have em somewhere :mrgreen:

What a day and this guy is such a natural -Now i don't want to say he has skills because my ego is hurting already but ehh what can you do? The guy out fished me again but that's only because I was providing the guide service -yeah that's what it was?????? :bang: :explode: the guy is constantly outfishing me, out of all the young crickets I've mentored he will soon surpass grasshopper and become locust of the sea. He is the Michael Jordan of the surf and a great Guy :soapbox:
now that thatis over I have to say that this was 1 of my best trips ever Arthur got 30+ and i ended up with 20 or so and the majority of them were piggies ,slabs etc. all 8" or better 95% better :D :D 8)

P.S. where's my PM????

[IN2DEEP]

So no pics of TINA ???
It just feels like something is missing without them.

[Wingnut]

Brian_GSC wrote: I haven't been up that way since Sept of 06. Man, you guys NAILED 'em. Congrats dude!!!
GREAT pictures too!
When the triplets come home Brian & you have some time to yourself (yeah right), lets get out there!

Troutdog wrote: Way to kick off 2008 Arthur, thanks for a great report. Always appreciate the fact you take a pic of the lures you used....very cool.
Congrats and happy new year!
The pics of the lures is no big deal. It always helped me when others let us know what they used. You still have to go out there & present it properly to get bit.
Happy New Year to you too!

CoffeaRobusta wrote: I always enjoy your posts Arthur. Way to go. That looks like a beautiful day. I spent my New Year's doing important errands. LOL Oh well I got to fish the day before.
Your YFC looks like it could also be a corbina in the photos. Nice catch nonetheless.
It was a very nice day indeed. Hope you got all those errands done. The fish was a YFC, confirmed by FNN experts. :D

Cangler wrote: Best report of the year ! .... I've never seen a YFC that big !
The YFC must have been cruising with the BSPs. I don't even know how to fish for these fish... very lucky. They are serious fighters.

Midtownfishingclub wrote: Strong work!! Keep up the perchin'.
The Perch wasn't what we were after but, I'm glad they got in the way. I see that you got some fishing time in too.

PUDD MASTER BAITER wrote: MAN WINGNUT YOU GUYS ALWAYS SEEM TO KICK BUTT. MAKES ME WANT TO CALL IN SICK, AND GO OUT RIGHT NOW. THOSE PERCH ARE MONSTERS. IM GOING TO GO OUT, AND GET ME SOME LC,S. I DIDNT BELIEVE THEY COULD WORK BETTER ,THAN MY LESS EXSPENSIVE REBELS & RAPALAS. IM GOING TO QUIT BEING SUCH I TIGHT A?? AN GET ME SOME CANDY HARD BAITS. THANKS FOR MAKING MY MORNING AND GOOD LUCK IN THE FUTURE. MIKE THE JEALOUS PMB!!
Mike, I noticed that the LC's have a better sweeping action than other lures that have more of a wiggle action. Plus, they vibrate while suspended which is an added bonus. Can't argue with the results. Now if they only hurry up and release their 2008 product line! :bang:

Fish4Birdies wrote: Excellent report! You guys are on a roll...no matter where you fish.
Being prepared helps a lot... and add a little luck into the equation = success!

One_Leg wrote: I miss Santa Barbara. Thanks for the report, Arthur.
When was the last time you fished SB Alan... fresh or salt? We passed Piru & Casitas on our way North, but I've never been to either lakes.

Ikeman wrote: Unbelievable! You are on fire Wingnut!! Great job on those pigs. Must be something in the water up there(or maybe it's whats not in the water.)
Enjoy your success.
I'm sure the quality of the water has a lot to do with the quality of the fish. Also, there's less fishing pressure up there.

Granny Fish wrote: Nice bean and healthy slabs of BSP! Looks like a you had a blast. Love all those pics!
Thanks G.F. Do you do any surf fishing? The photos, yes... I love taking photos... I'm Asian. :lol:

Hector-love-to-fish wrote: You are a natural poet, you described every thing to perfection. That sunset right there is magnificent. The fish you caught are beautiful. You got it right bro' how can some one said "there is no god" what you did was a master piece.
From the bottom of my heart thank you for that report!
Wow Hector, thank you from the bottom of my heart for that compliment. Much appreciated. :oops: :mrgreen:

Fisherman57 wrote: Awesome report Arthur!
That is a BIG YFC!
I LOVE fishing up that way!......... I've been to a couple of those spots
and they always hold some nice fish!....... I like Carpinteria too.......
See ya soon!......... BTW, I got yer PM..... Ill call ya later.
The YFC fought like a champ! The SB area have so many beautiful places to fish, I'm going to try and hit most of them this year... we should make it one of our outings Dana.

City Dad wrote: That is just wingNUTS!!!
We did invite you to come with us Tim... a few of those monster BSPs had your name on them. They're still there waiting for you.

Jikser wrote: Very cool report...damn!! nice yfc, the biggest i've seen so far.
Hey man, nice legal out of the surf today. The YFC was my first ever... and it was a brute.

Sansou wrote: Looks like a great full day trip up and down the coast. Very nicely done!
We drove a total of 260 miles that day... worth every gallon of gas!

IN2DEEP wrote: Awesome report! You guys had a full day of fishing and catching!
Beautiful pics also, but you forgot one. We want to see TINA.
It was a full day... so satisfying to have such a successful trip.
About the Tina pics... this is a PG website.

Troutman65 wrote: Yeah, Where is Tina?
Nice job Arthur.
Thanks for the post.
Irvine Guru, I don't think Tina would like for me to post her pics on the internet... but you already lots of fish porn to drool over.

Troutslayer05 wrote: Man do i take living in SB for granted...I have surf fished a couple times but used squid for leopards. I need to get out there more often. GOOD CATCH, looks like a awesome day.
You live in SB & don't fish it often?!? Wanna trade homes? I'd be fishing every day before & after work!

Kichigai1 wrote: C'mon Arthur show the pics we know you have em somewhere .
What a day and this guy is such a natural -Now i don't want to say he has skills because my ego is hurting already but ehh what can you do? The guy out fished me again but that's only because I was providing the guide service -yeah that's what it was?????? The guy is constantly outfishing me, out of all the young crickets I've mentored he will soon surpass grasshopper and become locust of the sea. He is the Michael Jordan of the surf and a great Guy. Now that thatis over I have to say that this was 1 of my best trips ever Arthur got 30+ and i ended up with 20 or so and the majority of them were piggies ,slabs etc. all 8" or better 95% better.
Yes Surf Master Mike, you have taught me well. I can now snatch the LC out of your hand and walk through the surf zone & not leave a trace.

By the way, you were working on Tina all evening but she went home with me... outfished you again didn't I? :twisted: Don't worry, I practice C&R nowadays, you'll get another chance... :wink:

IN2DEEP wrote: So no pics of TINA ???
It just feels like something is missing without them.
As soon as I post pics of her, this post will be yanked... So I'll leave it up to your imagination. 8)

[Fresh or Salt]

Excellent report/pics! :D We always look forward to your informative reports. Thanks for posting. :D

[falcor49]

those are all very nice fish good job!!!! :banana:


falcor49 tight lines

[nismotech91]

Man I miss surf fishing for perch. I wish I lived closer to the beach again.

[paintsn]

great way to kick in the NEW YEAR!!

thanks for the post, i enjoyed reading and learning from it

[Hitts0n]

I cant keep up ! :appl: :appl: :appl:

[Lightning]

What an awesome report!! Thanks for taking the time.Great photos & fish.

[eagleeyes]

Wingnut,

I was on the waters on a kayak on new year's day, I think, the same time you guys were there. I remember seeing couple guys fishing and thought, "wow, there's a another diehard fishing guy here in SB". I remember the waves were very choppy that day. I was with my young son and he caught all the macks that day. Looks like you had a great time up!

Eagleeyes (Steve in SB)

[Wingnut]

Wingnut,

I was on the waters on a kayak on new year's day, I think, the same time you guys were there. I remember seeing couple guys fishing and thought, "wow, there's a another diehard fishing guy here in SB". I remember the waves were very choppy that day. I was with my young son and he caught all the macks that day. Looks like you had a great time up!

Eagleeyes (Steve in SB)

Steve, I think we walked right by you when you were launching. We did see quite a few kayaks that day... glad you had a nice time with your son, we sure did! :mrgreen:

Arthur (Wingnut)

[kichigai1]

that was us - if you hit the sandspit with your son on a high tide it has a lot of holes and looks like it would be productive