First Time Float Tubing Salt Ventura Harbor

[thepuma]

Just a quick report a few days late. Artimus and I went float tubing Ventura Harbor on Friday. Dusted off my home made fish finder and fired it up for the first time in years. Weather and water was awesome. This is the first time either of us had gone in the ocean with our tubes. There was a bit of a creep factor at first, but then you just get into the groove. Fishing that harbor in the past from shore we knew we would get plenty of Croaker on squid, but we were hoping for something more significant. As we expected, plenty of Croaker. Switched up to lures and swim bait but we didn’t feel allot of love on them. Finally I hooked into a larger fish. Nice fight for the size. After I brought it up I still didn’t know what it was. Turns out to be a White Sea Bass (a baby). Lot’s of teeth. All in all it was a fun first time float tubing salt water. I will definitely be going again. Wish I knew more of the species. I guess I need to study up.

http://i328.photobucket.com/albums/l353/artimus013/ocean%20fish/CIMG0008.jpg

http://i328.photobucket.com/albums/l353/artimus013/ocean%20fish/CIMG0010.jpg

http://i328.photobucket.com/albums/l353/artimus013/ocean%20fish/CIMG0012.jpg

http://i328.photobucket.com/albums/l353/artimus013/ocean%20fish/CIMG0013.jpg

http://i328.photobucket.com/albums/l353/artimus013/ocean%20fish/CIMG3639.jpg

http://i328.photobucket.com/albums/l353/artimus013/ocean%20fish/CIMG3643.jpg

[jase33]

nice fish....I would never be able to relax in my tube in the salt....I fear the sharks.

[gletemfeelsteelgary]

Nice job guys, congrats on your salt foray,,, I just may be joining you sometime soon for a slat...Tube epedition....

Way ta go...

Gary

[thepuma]

nice fish....I would never be able to relax in my tube in the salt....I fear the sharks.

You are right. It was wierd at first, but then I didn't think about it too much. When you get into 50ft of water and fish are pinging on the finder, you think anything can be down there. Another thing I don't really like is when you hook into a fish and they look for a place to hide. Seems like they see your tube and think it's a great spot. I don't really like it when they head straight for you and you don't even know whats coming. I put my feet out to block my crotch region. :EyePop:

[thepuma]

Nice job guys, congrats on your salt foray,,, I just may be joining you sometime soon for a slat...Tube epedition....

Way ta go...

Gary

Thanks Gary. Art told me about your weekend fun. Sounds like a blast. I pussed out thinking the weather was going to be crappy, plus I don't like going out all day on Sunday when I have to be at work the next day. As far as the tube expedition... Lets do it. I had so much fun and I am ready to go again. So I am not quite the master on fish identification. Was that a White Sea Bass I caught? They can get really big from what I saw online. I knew right away that I didn't want to put my fingers in it's mouth. Those teeth look sharp.

[Brian_GSC]

Way to go! Do they have a bait operation in Ventura harbor, or do the sporties go to Channel Islands Harbor to get their bait?

I had a seal go right under my tube once. I nearly crapped myself! After a few times you just get used to it. I usually carry a gaff for protection. :Twisted:

[gletemfeelsteelgary]

Thanks Gary. Art told me about your weekend fun. Sounds like a blast. I pussed out thinking the weather was going to be crappy, plus I don't like going out all day on Sunday when I have to be at work the next day. As far as the tube expedition... Lets do it. I had so much fun and I am ready to go again. So I am not quite the master on fish identification. Was that a White Sea Bass I caught? They can get really big from what I saw online. I knew right away that I didn't want to put my fingers in it's mouth. Those teeth look sharp.

Yes thats definately a WSB, just know that sometimes they lose those banding pigments (those black bands on the side), especially when they mature but I've still caught many juveniles that lost it as well....handle cauctiously not only for those teeth but the fish can be very delicate and die easily if going to be released.

I've attached a photo of how I handle them some may or may not agree but as long as you dont put max pressure on the gill slats they release fine...

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn284/garywuebben/newportharbor5--24-08whiteseabas-2.jpg

[thepuma]

Yes thats definately a WSB, just know that sometimes they lose those banding pigments (those black bands on the side), especially when they mature but I've still caught many juveniles that lost it as well....handle cauctiously not only for those teeth but the fish can be very delicate and die easily if going to be released.

I've attached a photo of how I handle them some may or may not agree but as long as you dont put max pressure on the gill slats they release fine...

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn284/garywuebben/newportharbor5--24-08whiteseabas-2.jpg

Nice fish. I will give that handling method a shot next time. The pliers kicked @$$, though I may have chiped a tooth. Thanks for the info. I will learn more as I fish the salt more often I am sure.

[thepuma]

Way to go! Do they have a bait operation in Ventura harbor, or do the sporties go to Channel Islands Harbor to get their bait?

I had a seal go right under my tube once. I nearly crapped myself! After a few times you just get used to it. I usually carry a gaff for protection. :Twisted:

Funny you mention that. We did see a couple of seals. Nothing too close. Right behind me something huge jumped in the water, neither of us saw what it was. Again a bit creepy. I didn't see any bait operation, so I am not sure. Someone else may know. Here is the official link to the Harbor.
http://www.venturaharbor.com/
A gaff is not a bad idea:Cool:

[FISHSTIX]

Looks like you guys had a good time out floating in the salt, nice juvee WSB. I have the same thoughts about float tubing the salt and sharks chasing the fish but what kind of shark can be lurking in the marina or harbors? Its alot different in Florida. There they have bulls, hammers, black tips...etc.The shark I fear the most here is the great white but arent they and makos open water sharks?

[Brian_GSC]

I think about sharks too, and I'd be lying if I said the "Jaws music" has never played in my head while I was tubing the salt. The way I see it...there is a greater chance I will die in a car accident going to or from a fishing trip than by a shark. My love for fishing trumps my fear of sharks.

...great, now I have the Jaws music in my head now! LOL.

[Wingnut]

That's a juvenile White Sea Bass... handle with care. :Cool:
Looks like a lot of fun tubing the salt. So many ways to fish... so little time. :Neutral: :LOL: :Envious:
Well done & thanks for the report.

[ARTIMUS]

Yea it was a lot of fun Brosf we gotta do it again maybe get gary to go out as well. It would be cool for us all to raid the kelp beds for some calicos or search out some flatties.

[thepuma]

Yea it was a lot of fun Brosf we gotta do it again maybe get gary to go out as well. It would be cool for us all to raid the kelp beds for some calicos or search out some flatties.

After Christmas I should have some time to do it.:Big Grin:
I have two weeks off starting Saturday. I want to try out the Kalin grubs. Those soaked in gary's Alive Juice should kick.... I have caught 3 halibuts on those grubs off of the jetties in Ventura in the Summer.

[flyngby]

Nice Tube expedition!!!!!!

Congrats on the fish also.

Glad to see more of the Juvie WSB out there. Hope for the FUTURE!!

Steve