PB Butt in the surf & New Species in bay w/ the tube! WFO! 11-2 [Archive]

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tacklejunkie

11-02-2008, 10:33 PM

OhMyGooness!

Today was off the hook yet again in the salt water. If this keeps happening I just might get addicted!

Headed down to try my luck this morning from the surf near some structure with the fly rod and CD's flies. Got some new sinking line I wanted to try throwing around as well. After hooking myself several times and wrapping up in my line because I refused a basket.. I finally learned to cast weighted flies!
Too bad the surf was so tall I couldn't get out there good. I stuck it out for a while in the waders but just got washed around.

Moved to some rocks with the fly and I could get some distance but I would pop a fly off on the rocks before long and tear up my leaders.
I think I need to wait for some smoother days for the fly. There wasn't much wind until late but too much current about for me to get a good spot open. I kept trying several times throughout the day but no luck!

On to the crazy day I had with spinning and baitcasting gear..
Had the backup casting rod ready at spot 1 armed with the metallic sardine. Couple casts in I get nailed. 21-22"! Good start to the day..
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/surf%20PB%20hali%20first%20bay%20spotties%2011-2-08/DSCN1262.jpg

Then I picked up a few more shorts. I lost a nice short when he wiggle and stuck the LC in my arm and kept shaking 'till he flopped free.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/surf%20PB%20hali%20first%20bay%20spotties%2011-2-08/DSCN1265.jpg

another one
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/surf%20PB%20hali%20first%20bay%20spotties%2011-2-08/DSCN1266.jpg

I started fly fishing again for a few hours since they were hitting but no go and lost a few more flies :Embarrassed::Razz:

I had a nice almost legal butt and a few shorts, so I was happy at spot 1.
I still wanted yet another first from the salt I have had in the back of my mind for a while now. One good thing about the tube is you can take that sucker anywhere. Already had the waders on from the surf..

Found myself back down at Steve's spot hoping to do it right this time :Smile:
Oh man was that a time to behold! I think everything was biting today but the perch! (I tried!)
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/surf%20PB%20hali%20first%20bay%20spotties%2011-2-08/DSCN1267.jpg

I was pretty amazed I had the cajones to jump in and tube the bay alone for my first time not knowing what if anything may await me out there. The first thing I noticed was I was tubing in current! Much different than fresh in that respect!

I figured I'd try the trusty Big Hammer on rod 1 and the drop shot on rod 2.
Tossed the BH around some structure for a half hour for no hits. I started to get worried cause the whole thing looked way fishy. I had some old moldy gulp 3" something or others that I never caught anything on in smelt color and nose hooked one D/S style.
That's when the fun began!

All the sudden something tried to rip the rod out of my hand and all I could do was lift! Felt like whatever it was wrapped me up so I had a nice battle untangling my first spotted bay bass! Geez what the heck are these things on?!
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/surf%20PB%20hali%20first%20bay%20spotties%2011-2-08/DSCN1271.jpg

I was stoked! Another first to an already great day. All I could do now was try for more. Threw the gulp thingy back out..
got tagged again hard! The second it hit it wrapped me up again. I thought it was another bass but when I got it free it was a beauty croaker!
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/surf%20PB%20hali%20first%20bay%20spotties%2011-2-08/DSCN1272.jpg

I learned quick that when you get hit you have to set the hook away from the structure and gain control before they wrap you! Smart lil guys. I was gettin' a big ol kick out of this. Literally broke out laughing at one point I was having so much fun.

Threw it back out like one dock down right in front of a boat. On the retrieve it felt hung up. "I know this game from bassin'! Swwwwwwwwwwwwwiiiiiiing" ZZZZZZZZZZzzzZzzzZZZzzzzzzzzz
This lil fatty took me in circles quite a few times! Dang son! Munched my thumb!
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/surf%20PB%20hali%20first%20bay%20spotties%2011-2-08/DSCN1273.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/surf%20PB%20hali%20first%20bay%20spotties%2011-2-08/DSCN1274.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/surf%20PB%20hali%20first%20bay%20spotties%2011-2-08/DSCN1275.jpg

It was on now! That fish had me going and I was obviously on to something! It wasn't long before I nailed a bunch more and missed twice as many.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/surf%20PB%20hali%20first%20bay%20spotties%2011-2-08/DSCN1278.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/surf%20PB%20hali%20first%20bay%20spotties%2011-2-08/DSCN1279.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/surf%20PB%20hali%20first%20bay%20spotties%2011-2-08/DSCN1280.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/surf%20PB%20hali%20first%20bay%20spotties%2011-2-08/DSCN1281.jpg

ZZzzzZZzzzzz. Look at the times on all these bass photos. I was tubing the bay a total of 1 hour and 20mins and caught 8 fish! :EyePop: No joke!
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/surf%20PB%20hali%20first%20bay%20spotties%2011-2-08/DSCN1282.jpg

This one finally did my thumb in pretty good. Their teeth are huge and they shake side to side like a shark making a saw motion. I left after this fish for fear of having to unhook more of them! :LOL: I actually stopped fishing during a WO bite because the fish tore me up! :Shocked:
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/surf%20PB%20hali%20first%20bay%20spotties%2011-2-08/DSCN1283.jpg

Then I went to go try the fly rod from the sand again. No go yet again.
A comb through of this spot with the LC in the color I have the most luck in this spot with produced one tiny fish I probably would have never found with the fly rod without searching for days.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/surf%20PB%20hali%20first%20bay%20spotties%2011-2-08/DSCN1284.jpg

Made one last move. Tried the fly as the spot cleared but no go yet again. :Razz::Angry::ROFL: I'm gonna get you salty fishes on that fly!
Started playing with the LC again.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/surf%20PB%20hali%20first%20bay%20spotties%2011-2-08/DSCN1287.jpg

Another super shorty. The water began to clear up just in time and there was that minimal outgoing slack I love to run my bait against the rocks with. I stuck it out hoping for something big! Threw my arm, heart, and soul out there. Just as I was about to give in.. I feel the lure stop.
Then the drag began slowly along with the current. I thought I hit a huge wad of kelp because I didn't feel shakes. All the sudden I feel it! Thump thump thump ssshhhhzzzzzzzt plop! The fish sticks to the sand and I have tons of pressure on him with my med fast 6' jerkin stick. Pried him up and he zipped off across and then down current then back on the floor.

It went on like that for a good 2 mins and then I spent another 2 mins trying to land the fish on the rocks without getting wet. Lots of tug of war later I pulled up my PB Halibut! 25" on the nose! He was THICK for his size compared to others I have seen in this range. The crankbait stick kept the hooks in perfect but it was damn hard to yank that puppy up off the floor!
Man what a rush. I love me a good battle in the surf! :High Five::Beer Toast::Big Smile:
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/surf%20PB%20hali%20first%20bay%20spotties%2011-2-08/DSCN1288.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/surf%20PB%20hali%20first%20bay%20spotties%2011-2-08/DSCN1289.jpg

When I Was leaving I asked this family if I could borrow their cell phone as I dumped mine in the drink today. They asked if I caught anything and I held back in saying how WFO the day had been for me. I explained I caught a few nice halibut. "on what?" "A $20 Japanese lure" "ohhh man!"
I could tell they were about to go toss out some bait. I also noticed they had heavy spinning rigs. Reached into the tackle box and gave them the metallic sardine I had been using early in the morning (since it was getting late) and explained what to do.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/surf%20PB%20hali%20first%20bay%20spotties%2011-2-08/DSCN1290.jpg

Hopefully, It worked out for them. I told him not to lose it and to keep trying until it works! They were a licensed fishing family and helped me out, so I helped them out in return.

What a killer day I had today. Still trying to take it all in!
Hope you enjoyed my pics. Thanks again everyone for the encouragement and tips to get out there and slaaaaaaahahahaaay!
-TJ

Wingnut

11-02-2008, 10:53 PM

You paid it forward. :Wink: :Cool: :Big Grin:

Those Spotties sure can fight huh? Steve (Flyngby) put me on my first few a little while back, love it.

Congrats on your PB Hali! :Envious:

I partied a little too hard this weekend... still trying to recover. :LOL:

WARRIORMIKE

11-02-2008, 10:57 PM

Maaaang I really mad at you.:Evil: Well not mad at you just I got talked into going to my buddy's house. I told him that we should have went to the beach and he gave me every freakin excuse not to go. Instead we ending up buying some halibut and salmon and having dinner at his house.

I should have hit the surf today, way to go on the fish out there. :Envious:

matt duarte

11-02-2008, 11:15 PM

oh **** dude! thats tight wish i went with u! next time for sure but i think ill rock the toon! I NEED ME A SPOTTIE NOW!

tacklejunkie

11-02-2008, 11:21 PM

Did I forget to mention it was raining 'till about 10am or so?

oh **** dude! thats tight wish i went with u! next time for sure but i think ill rock the toon! I NEED ME A SPOTTIE NOW!

Those things fight HARD for their size. I thought I hooked a TOAD on that first spottie and it was just a lil 10-12"er :ROFL:It was pulling drag with the line wrapped around the dock still.

troutdog

11-02-2008, 11:23 PM

What an awesome day on the water TJ, congrats on the pb halibut....very generous to share the LC with a fellow angler. That is waay cool.

TD

candyman

11-02-2008, 11:26 PM

Congrats on a great fishing trip, those spotties are extremely fun with light tackle, and it is always nice to catch a bunch of butts while your out fishing.

Sinjin Kim

11-02-2008, 11:53 PM

Congrats on the personal best! The LC once again proves its effectiveness.

As for your addiction, I think you are already addicted, lol. You're screwed my friend. Now that you have a 25" fish as your PB, you will probably want a 30" fish. After that, a 35" and then a 40" fish... It never ends.

Halibut fishing with artificial lures from the surf is so addicting because it is very similar to bass fishing in respects to breaking PB marks.

Congrats once again.

OnDaHunt4Fish

11-02-2008, 11:58 PM

Good JOb ON helping them out Real dude...

Badfish2

11-03-2008, 03:16 AM

dude you were just up at 11,000 feet now you're at the beach?:LOL: Wtg on the salty fish

Socal Bassman

11-03-2008, 06:48 AM

Way to go out on the salt bro. Man, one day you're up in the mountains, then tubing solo in the bay the next. That's what I call die hard. Congrats on the PB hali.

PUDD MASTER BAITER

11-03-2008, 07:37 AM

mickeysindahouse

11-03-2008, 08:09 AM

Sounds like an epic day at the surf & bay. What more can one ask for? Those spotties sure do pull like a freight train for their size. Brings back memories of the spotties I used to pull out on my yak in NPH.

That's a real nice Butt. Congrats on your new PB and your kind gesture will return twofold, just wait & see.

GOTFISHUES

11-03-2008, 08:47 AM

nice job out there, those spotties are quality, not much is as exciting to fight on light tackle when you put the elements of there terrain into the equation, plus its a year round bite.

congrats
GOTFISHUES

slixx

11-03-2008, 10:05 AM

wtg nice pics

sh1nynewlove

11-03-2008, 11:40 AM

:Shocked:awesome day of fishing... looks like alot of fun... I want to go fishing..:Sad:

tacklejunkie

11-03-2008, 01:31 PM

Dam casey, you are diffently getting to be ,a salt water weapon of mass destruction. Man im kicking my self ,for not hitting ,the surf yesterday. In stead i went to the pudd hole ,and got 1 tiny redear. I was afraid, it would pour down ,on gary,and i, after going all the way down there, and buying $30 in bait. Were you using those heavy clousers? I hate those things. I use the lighter wieghted ones ,and put them on a dropper, with as much splitshot on the tag as i can use, without that bulky feel ,when casting.my favorite place ive found for casting the 8wt,without to much current is the channel by the cafe at seal beach. You can work all the way to the bridge, and back from the sand. Dude get a basket. I learned the hard way.the first time in the surf. It was no bueno with out it ....good job like always..... Mike....

Yeah Mike, that is a good spot across from 72nd on that sand for the fly.
If you look at the pics, there is a little halibut on the sand I got on the LC. That's where I got him :Wink: I was there trying with the fly but nada. The tide was moving out so too much current. You really got hit that spot at just the right time and it'll produce really good. Some days it's just shut down though. I barely missed a barn door there once when he turned from my LC dangit!

On a side note:
Was down replacing the LC I gave away today and noticed that Ima company has a whole line of "Flatfish Minnows" in various shapes, sizes and styles! The Komomo 130 and the heavy surfer 90 looked the best for my uses, but I have long slender minnows in the LC's already. I elected to try the heavy surfer. (http://www.ima-ams.co.jp/us/heavy_surfer90/) At 30 grams it should fly a country mile. They were saying something about how it kinda wanders a bit too or something. I'll find out when I get it wet.

I'll let you guys know if I can get it to work next time I go, which isn't often enough when it comes to the salt.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tacklejunkie/ImaHeavySurferGyoDo.jpg

Liteliner

11-03-2008, 02:20 PM

Nice job on the spottie fest and pb hali. Thanks for the report.

gletemfeelsteelgary

11-03-2008, 03:23 PM

Congrats on all the success and the personal best...way ta go man...looks like a great time for ya : )

I am cracking up about the "bass thumb" I've had my thumb shredded by these tough customers....go and spend a good 8 hrs slayin on 'em you'll trip on the skin loss !....a good bass thumb doesn't go away for at least 1 week....

Those spotties are great fighters and those teeth are no joke, they shake in a way thats "just perfect" to grind their teeth back and forth to make ya feel the pain.....it's only fair....you bring the pain of steel....they return the favor and give you a nice momento to remember the day with....not an unfair exchange in my book......surely something you get used to..

My last time out on a boat in the bay, I nailed 26....it took over 1 1/2 weeks for my thumb to return to normal (probably cause I went and did it again a few days later !...ha ha ha)

Congrats on a great trip for you....I will look forward to more posts soon.
Gary

TunaChaser469

11-03-2008, 03:24 PM

Looks like you had an epic day. Awesome report and pics.

supasportkid

11-03-2008, 05:53 PM

WTG. very productive day!

calico killer kevin

11-03-2008, 06:30 PM

Thats f'ing sweet dude. We all need to hit up Newport Harbor soon and slay some spotties.

flyngby

11-04-2008, 07:43 PM

Casey,

Congrats on a great day in the Surf and in NPH!!!!!!:Thumbs Up:

Glad to see you finally made it to the NPH again and launched the Tube!!!

It is definitely a different experience dealing with the currents. You are at a disadvantage in the Tube versus in the boat. It took me a little while and a few dead batteries on the electric trolling motor to make me use it to our advantage. This is part of learning the area and will help in determining how to fish a particular spot without getting a tremendous workout.

If the Current was ripping, I bet your were whooped after the hour and half.

Most are not prepared for what even the smallest Spottie can do when they decide to hit it hard. They hit it hard and run for cover quickly as you experienced first hand!!!:EyePop:

Glad you were able to find some WFO action on your first Tubing trip there. That is not even one of my hot spots, :Secret:but an easy area area to launch and get to the fish in a hurry!!!

Yes!!!!! Another victim get the Spottie THUMB!!!:ROFL:
I have a very short thumb but arch it and and pull their lower lip up with my fingers in order to avoid the shredded thumb!!!!!!:Wink:

Congrats on the Flatties also.

Take care,

Steve

bassguy

11-05-2008, 09:08 PM

TJ...

You never seem to amaze me with your fishing prowess. Bay, stream, lake, creek, or pond you'll fish it with success. Sounds like a great day. Congrats on your PB Hali, thanks for the great report.

Santa Fe Eric

11-09-2008, 09:31 PM

How in the heck did I miss this? :EyePop:

Dude! You are the Man!

You and Wingnut are so versatile it's amazing!