Wingnut
06-02-2008, 01:13 AM
Full tank of gas for the Hybrid = $40.00
Baby back ribs for lunch = $15.00
Handful of Big Hammer swimbaits = $10.00
Fishing with good friends = PRICELESS!
So Surf Master Mike (Kichigai1) asks me where do I want to go on Sunday to surf fish. I told him since we've been spending the past few weeks in the Northern region, let's head South for a change of pace. I wanted to go and hit the surf where I've never been to before. Let's see if Poseidon's luck will follow...
So Mike, Chris (Tr0psn4j) and I plotted our course for the day.
1st stop - The Carlsbad Lagoon Estuary
2nd stop - San Onofre State Beach
3rd stop - Dana Point
We almost drove all the way down to La Jolla and pay Sansou (Rich) a visit, but decided to leave him alone on a Sunday.
On the road at 4:30am going Southbound on the 5 Freeway. I was really excited to be able to fish some new areas. To set foot on beaches that I've never been on before and to cast a line into unfamilar waters. The mystery of not knowing what to expect is part of the fun... and part of the challenge.
Got to Carlsbad and hit the nearest beach just to get the feel of the surf conditions in the area. The three of us started fanning the surf near a local jetty. Fishing an incoming tide this morning. The water clarity down here is very good with very little salad.
Spent about half an hour working a short stretch of beach and I got on the scoreboard with my first Flattie, a short.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture007-26.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture002-30.jpg
We then moved accross the street into the Lagoon Estuary. Very interesting place to fish. Took me a little while to adjust to the incoming current flowing rapidly like a river into this area. This type of fishing requires a little more finesse. We soon learned that it was much easier to fish with swimbaits in this area. There were quite a few fishermen lining the rocky shoreline and we made a point to speak to the majority of them. Very friendly people and they gave us lots of valuable helpful information about how to fish this area. Flylining live Sardines is the prefered method.
We spent two hours working this large lagoon and caught Opaleye Perch, Sand Bass, Spotted Bass and a couple of very short Butts. It kind of remind me of the rocks on Catalina Island because there were Garibaldi's everywhere you look. This place really have potential and we will definitely be back to try again.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture025-13.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture026-13.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture028-13.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture006-26.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture008-26.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture016-18.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture019-17.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture014-20.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture023-16.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture024-16.jpg
Time to hit our next destination, San Onofre State Beach.
I've always wanted to fish this beach... hearing rumors of radioactive mutant sized fish roaming the surf. Actually, this beach is very clean and has some great looking shoreline structures to fish. This is more of a surfers beach and the main lot was closed due to being filled to capacity so we had to find parking in the Northern lots.
The only thing is that you have to walk quite a long way to get down to the beach. You have to park in the lot high up on the cliffs and hike down a mile long trail to the beach. Going down wasn't too bad, but the climb back up was quite a workout having to carry all our gear and wearing wet waders.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture032-12.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture031-12.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture033-11.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture058-2.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture043-7.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture059-2.jpg
Yes, we caught quite a few of these super-sized BSP's... they also glow in the dark.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture036-10.jpg
We spent a couple of hours working this beach and got several short Butts.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture001-33.jpg
Then I got this nice legal fooled by the always reliable LC Metallic Sardine. Looked like something took a bite out of this fella, but it's healing up nicely.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture041-8.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture042-8.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture040-8.jpg
Then Mike & Chris decided to go digging for some mutant clams. These things are some crazy looking invertebrates... shellfish on steroids. :Shocked:
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture046-6.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture047-4.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture052-2.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture048-5.jpg
Mike, you're totally grossing me out man. :mad: I won't even tell you what those things look like. That just looks wrong!
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture049-3.jpg
Nice beach with a decent amount of fish. Make mental note... come back here again.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture044-8.jpg
The hike back up... Chris was really huffing & puffing. Even I was tired and I run on my treadmill every night. Mike was skipping his way up ahead of us, I guess that Fire Fighter training really helps.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture061-2.jpg
We made it!!!
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture062-2.jpg
On to our next stop, the Dana Point area.
Walking down the public access stairs to the beach. We saw that there were lots of beachgoers, swimmers and surfers everywhere. I didn't really want to deal with all the beach traffic. We were about to leave to find another spot when Mike surveyed the area visually. He took a look at all the rock formation in the area and said "I hope you guys brought your swimbaits... we're hitting those rocks." The Surf Master knows his sh*t, and within the next hour... I'm glad that I listened to him and stayed. :D
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture063-2.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture067-1.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture069-1.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture071-1.jpg
We were throwing 4-inch Big Hammer swimbaits. Running it through the rock formation. Chris missed a big Halibut as it came up and took a swipe at his lure. We were getting pounded by heavy surf and fighting knee high rip currents. I didn't dare to venture too far out there this time. Surf Master Mike caught a short White Sea Bass that he let me pose with it.
Now my next goal is to get my own WSB from the surf. :Envious:
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture074-2.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture009-25.jpg
We started heading back towards home when we all looked at each other and said, "Let's hit one more spot before we quit!" Our adrenaline was still running from catching the WSB so we decided to return to our backyard and finish the perfect day there.
Chris had the HOT hand in the afternoon session as he nabbed several Perch and a short Butt. Mike & I were content with a few Perches of our own... what a great ending to a perfect weekend.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture005-26.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture003-28.jpg
It was a fantastic day in the surf spent with my two of my best fishing buddies. Mike & Chris, you guys are always a pleasure to fish with. We have so much fun out there. Surf Master Mike, thanks again for your knowledge and guidance in helping me learn so much in the surf. Keep an eye out for Kichigai Surf Fishing Guide Service!!!
Another successful surf fishing adventure.
I guess Poseidon isn't bored with me yet! :cool:
Until our roads cross again... always try and do the right thing.
Arthur (Wingnut) :Envious:
"Success is how high you bounce when you hit bottom."
Extras:
Total mileage = 231
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture011-22.jpg
My weapons for the day.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture012-23.jpg
Baby back ribs for lunch = $15.00
Handful of Big Hammer swimbaits = $10.00
Fishing with good friends = PRICELESS!
So Surf Master Mike (Kichigai1) asks me where do I want to go on Sunday to surf fish. I told him since we've been spending the past few weeks in the Northern region, let's head South for a change of pace. I wanted to go and hit the surf where I've never been to before. Let's see if Poseidon's luck will follow...
So Mike, Chris (Tr0psn4j) and I plotted our course for the day.
1st stop - The Carlsbad Lagoon Estuary
2nd stop - San Onofre State Beach
3rd stop - Dana Point
We almost drove all the way down to La Jolla and pay Sansou (Rich) a visit, but decided to leave him alone on a Sunday.
On the road at 4:30am going Southbound on the 5 Freeway. I was really excited to be able to fish some new areas. To set foot on beaches that I've never been on before and to cast a line into unfamilar waters. The mystery of not knowing what to expect is part of the fun... and part of the challenge.
Got to Carlsbad and hit the nearest beach just to get the feel of the surf conditions in the area. The three of us started fanning the surf near a local jetty. Fishing an incoming tide this morning. The water clarity down here is very good with very little salad.
Spent about half an hour working a short stretch of beach and I got on the scoreboard with my first Flattie, a short.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture007-26.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture002-30.jpg
We then moved accross the street into the Lagoon Estuary. Very interesting place to fish. Took me a little while to adjust to the incoming current flowing rapidly like a river into this area. This type of fishing requires a little more finesse. We soon learned that it was much easier to fish with swimbaits in this area. There were quite a few fishermen lining the rocky shoreline and we made a point to speak to the majority of them. Very friendly people and they gave us lots of valuable helpful information about how to fish this area. Flylining live Sardines is the prefered method.
We spent two hours working this large lagoon and caught Opaleye Perch, Sand Bass, Spotted Bass and a couple of very short Butts. It kind of remind me of the rocks on Catalina Island because there were Garibaldi's everywhere you look. This place really have potential and we will definitely be back to try again.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture025-13.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture026-13.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture028-13.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture006-26.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture008-26.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture016-18.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture019-17.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture014-20.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture023-16.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture024-16.jpg
Time to hit our next destination, San Onofre State Beach.
I've always wanted to fish this beach... hearing rumors of radioactive mutant sized fish roaming the surf. Actually, this beach is very clean and has some great looking shoreline structures to fish. This is more of a surfers beach and the main lot was closed due to being filled to capacity so we had to find parking in the Northern lots.
The only thing is that you have to walk quite a long way to get down to the beach. You have to park in the lot high up on the cliffs and hike down a mile long trail to the beach. Going down wasn't too bad, but the climb back up was quite a workout having to carry all our gear and wearing wet waders.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture032-12.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture031-12.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture033-11.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture058-2.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture043-7.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture059-2.jpg
Yes, we caught quite a few of these super-sized BSP's... they also glow in the dark.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture036-10.jpg
We spent a couple of hours working this beach and got several short Butts.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture001-33.jpg
Then I got this nice legal fooled by the always reliable LC Metallic Sardine. Looked like something took a bite out of this fella, but it's healing up nicely.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture041-8.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture042-8.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture040-8.jpg
Then Mike & Chris decided to go digging for some mutant clams. These things are some crazy looking invertebrates... shellfish on steroids. :Shocked:
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture046-6.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture047-4.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture052-2.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture048-5.jpg
Mike, you're totally grossing me out man. :mad: I won't even tell you what those things look like. That just looks wrong!
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture049-3.jpg
Nice beach with a decent amount of fish. Make mental note... come back here again.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture044-8.jpg
The hike back up... Chris was really huffing & puffing. Even I was tired and I run on my treadmill every night. Mike was skipping his way up ahead of us, I guess that Fire Fighter training really helps.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture061-2.jpg
We made it!!!
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture062-2.jpg
On to our next stop, the Dana Point area.
Walking down the public access stairs to the beach. We saw that there were lots of beachgoers, swimmers and surfers everywhere. I didn't really want to deal with all the beach traffic. We were about to leave to find another spot when Mike surveyed the area visually. He took a look at all the rock formation in the area and said "I hope you guys brought your swimbaits... we're hitting those rocks." The Surf Master knows his sh*t, and within the next hour... I'm glad that I listened to him and stayed. :D
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture063-2.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture067-1.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture069-1.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture071-1.jpg
We were throwing 4-inch Big Hammer swimbaits. Running it through the rock formation. Chris missed a big Halibut as it came up and took a swipe at his lure. We were getting pounded by heavy surf and fighting knee high rip currents. I didn't dare to venture too far out there this time. Surf Master Mike caught a short White Sea Bass that he let me pose with it.
Now my next goal is to get my own WSB from the surf. :Envious:
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture074-2.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture009-25.jpg
We started heading back towards home when we all looked at each other and said, "Let's hit one more spot before we quit!" Our adrenaline was still running from catching the WSB so we decided to return to our backyard and finish the perfect day there.
Chris had the HOT hand in the afternoon session as he nabbed several Perch and a short Butt. Mike & I were content with a few Perches of our own... what a great ending to a perfect weekend.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture005-26.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture003-28.jpg
It was a fantastic day in the surf spent with my two of my best fishing buddies. Mike & Chris, you guys are always a pleasure to fish with. We have so much fun out there. Surf Master Mike, thanks again for your knowledge and guidance in helping me learn so much in the surf. Keep an eye out for Kichigai Surf Fishing Guide Service!!!
Another successful surf fishing adventure.
I guess Poseidon isn't bored with me yet! :cool:
Until our roads cross again... always try and do the right thing.
Arthur (Wingnut) :Envious:
"Success is how high you bounce when you hit bottom."
Extras:
Total mileage = 231
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture011-22.jpg
My weapons for the day.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut2/Picture012-23.jpg