Jackpot Jimmy
08-10-2009, 02:20 PM
I decided to do one long report instead of reports for individual days this time. Bear with me, and I hope you enjoy reading it.
Wednesday, August 5 - Three B's at Catalina
After getting my nice halibut on Tuesday, I was eager to hop back out for some more good times fishing. We managed to roll of the dock today with 13 anglers, with our crew consisting of Captain Steven Konrady, Shawn in the galley, and Morgon, John, and Greg working the deck. We arrived at the island soon after, and set up at a spot, but the current had other plans for us. Stevo then repositioned the boat, and we immediately started catching some nice bass. Plastics especially got bit in this area. However, the sea lions were horrendous, as they always are, so we headed up the island to escape the Fidos, as well as find a better spot. Our next few stops weren't so great, but some of them had potential. If you used the sardines, as always, you would get a nicer bass. Our last spot was probably the best for the bigger sized bass. It was almost every cast, and pretty much an instant bite. There were also some nice barracuda and bonito that swam through, and the guys threw on a few of those. Our final count was 83 calicos, 9 barracuda, 5 bonito, and a few bottom grabbers. Definitely a great day at the island.
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/Jackpot-Jimmy/001-19.jpg
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/Jackpot-Jimmy/002-21.jpg
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/Jackpot-Jimmy/003-18.jpg
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/Jackpot-Jimmy/004-17.jpg
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/Jackpot-Jimmy/005-25.jpg
Friday, August 7 - Great Local Bassin
On Thursday, the boat got just short of limits of barracuda locally, so I broke out my jig stick and hopped down to the boat again. Today, we had 17 anglers, with crew of Captain Stevo, Debo in the galley, and Morgon, John, and Matt on deck. Stevo told us that the cuda started to snap around mid morning. We got up to the area, but there were no signs of fish. We did have some pretty decent sand bass marks, and managed to get a few. However, the barracuda were a no show. So, we headed back south and fished some structure. We got some nice sized calicos and sand bass, as well as some short halibut, rockfish, and shovelnose guitarfish. A couple of guys also hooked some big bat rays. At the end of the day, we were on a spot where the barracuda showed up, and we picked off around 8 of those things. Around 80 mixed bass and some bottom grabbers and a little show on the gar made for a great day. I apologize, I only managed to take one picture this day, my picture taking opportunities slipped from me a little bit.
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/Jackpot-Jimmy/001-20.jpg
Saturday, August 8 - GAR!
On Saturday, we were going to head to the island, but we got a call soon after clearing Rocky Point. The call was that the barracuda were on the chew down south, so Stevo decided to go for it. Quite a few people tied on wire leaders, while those who knew how to fish jigs tied those on. We got down to the area soon after, and saw a ton of bait in the water. However, we did get on the gar, and the carnage began. It wasn't wide open by any means, but we picked up a few. I would let my jig sink out for a count of 20, and then, do a slow to medium retrieve. I got bit many times right by the boat, but those caught me off guard. While those chucking jigs were getting bit, of course, so did the people fishing bait. The boils and constant hookups got everyone excited. The sea lions were quick on shutting down the bite, but we got back on the fish a few times. By noon, we had around 100 barracuda, so we headed back up the line to try for a bass. Those flylining got a few bass. However, most went down to the bottom. Some people who brought shrimp aboard were rewarded with some nice sheephead. Stevo decided to call it a day, and we went in. A special thanks to Captain Mike Blue aboard the Victory. Your kind words were appreciated. :Wink:
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/Jackpot-Jimmy/002-22.jpg
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/Jackpot-Jimmy/003-19.jpg
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/Jackpot-Jimmy/004-18.jpg
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/Jackpot-Jimmy/007-16.jpg
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/Jackpot-Jimmy/010-14.jpg
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/Jackpot-Jimmy/011-8.jpg
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/Jackpot-Jimmy/012-7.jpg
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/Jackpot-Jimmy/014-7.jpg
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/Jackpot-Jimmy/015-5.jpg
I also hopped on the twilight with Captain Alan Ferguson, Shawn in the galley, and Austin on deck. Bass fishing was actually pretty good. My dad got a limit on a plastic grub with a strip of squid. I tried the same set up, and got five or six. After dark, the barracuda came through, and the guys managed to get a few. All of the bass we pulled up were legal. Twilight fishing is heating up!
Sunday, August 9 - Bass O' Plenty
Even though barracuda fishing was all right down south, Steven decided to head to the island, as there had been some reports of yellows, and great bass fishing. We arrived at the island and got set up, where we got some bass, but it was not consistent. So, we headed up the island. Steven kept on looking for the right conditions, but they weren't ideal. He finally found a good spot and set up, and we started catching some nice sized calicos. If you had a good sardine on, you got a fish. Of course, the anchovy was an instant bite, but most fish were short on that. My dad also got some nice calicos on the plastic. We tried one more spot after that, where we got some more calicos to round out the sacks. Nothing wide open, but a good, steady pick nonetheless. There was also a nice foamer of yellows, but when we came up on it, they sank out.
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/Jackpot-Jimmy/017-4.jpg
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/Jackpot-Jimmy/018-1.jpg
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/Jackpot-Jimmy/019-1.jpg
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/Jackpot-Jimmy/020-3.jpg
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/Jackpot-Jimmy/021-2.jpg
I headed out on the twilight trip once again. Alan set us up on a spot where we got plenty of bites, but all the bites were upcurrent. You had to cast out as far as you could, and slowly drag the bottom as the current took your line back to the boat. I ended up with a couple of bass on this spot, and we moved on to find something better. At the next stop, once we found where the spot was positioned at, we started to catch fish. I was using a plastic grub with a strip of squid. They were just sucking on the bait, not really attacking it. Others got some nice barracuda as well as more sand bass. I ended up with my limit, and the others did very well also.
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/Jackpot-Jimmy/028.jpg
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/Jackpot-Jimmy/030.jpg
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/Jackpot-Jimmy/031.jpg
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/Jackpot-Jimmy/033.jpg
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/Jackpot-Jimmy/035.jpg
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/Jackpot-Jimmy/036.jpg
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/Jackpot-Jimmy/037.jpg
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/Jackpot-Jimmy/038.jpg
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/Jackpot-Jimmy/041.jpg
It was definitely a nice week of fishing. Everyone had a fun time. Fishing's getting good! Great times, great fishing!!
Wednesday, August 5 - Three B's at Catalina
After getting my nice halibut on Tuesday, I was eager to hop back out for some more good times fishing. We managed to roll of the dock today with 13 anglers, with our crew consisting of Captain Steven Konrady, Shawn in the galley, and Morgon, John, and Greg working the deck. We arrived at the island soon after, and set up at a spot, but the current had other plans for us. Stevo then repositioned the boat, and we immediately started catching some nice bass. Plastics especially got bit in this area. However, the sea lions were horrendous, as they always are, so we headed up the island to escape the Fidos, as well as find a better spot. Our next few stops weren't so great, but some of them had potential. If you used the sardines, as always, you would get a nicer bass. Our last spot was probably the best for the bigger sized bass. It was almost every cast, and pretty much an instant bite. There were also some nice barracuda and bonito that swam through, and the guys threw on a few of those. Our final count was 83 calicos, 9 barracuda, 5 bonito, and a few bottom grabbers. Definitely a great day at the island.
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/Jackpot-Jimmy/001-19.jpg
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/Jackpot-Jimmy/002-21.jpg
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/Jackpot-Jimmy/003-18.jpg
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/Jackpot-Jimmy/004-17.jpg
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/Jackpot-Jimmy/005-25.jpg
Friday, August 7 - Great Local Bassin
On Thursday, the boat got just short of limits of barracuda locally, so I broke out my jig stick and hopped down to the boat again. Today, we had 17 anglers, with crew of Captain Stevo, Debo in the galley, and Morgon, John, and Matt on deck. Stevo told us that the cuda started to snap around mid morning. We got up to the area, but there were no signs of fish. We did have some pretty decent sand bass marks, and managed to get a few. However, the barracuda were a no show. So, we headed back south and fished some structure. We got some nice sized calicos and sand bass, as well as some short halibut, rockfish, and shovelnose guitarfish. A couple of guys also hooked some big bat rays. At the end of the day, we were on a spot where the barracuda showed up, and we picked off around 8 of those things. Around 80 mixed bass and some bottom grabbers and a little show on the gar made for a great day. I apologize, I only managed to take one picture this day, my picture taking opportunities slipped from me a little bit.
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/Jackpot-Jimmy/001-20.jpg
Saturday, August 8 - GAR!
On Saturday, we were going to head to the island, but we got a call soon after clearing Rocky Point. The call was that the barracuda were on the chew down south, so Stevo decided to go for it. Quite a few people tied on wire leaders, while those who knew how to fish jigs tied those on. We got down to the area soon after, and saw a ton of bait in the water. However, we did get on the gar, and the carnage began. It wasn't wide open by any means, but we picked up a few. I would let my jig sink out for a count of 20, and then, do a slow to medium retrieve. I got bit many times right by the boat, but those caught me off guard. While those chucking jigs were getting bit, of course, so did the people fishing bait. The boils and constant hookups got everyone excited. The sea lions were quick on shutting down the bite, but we got back on the fish a few times. By noon, we had around 100 barracuda, so we headed back up the line to try for a bass. Those flylining got a few bass. However, most went down to the bottom. Some people who brought shrimp aboard were rewarded with some nice sheephead. Stevo decided to call it a day, and we went in. A special thanks to Captain Mike Blue aboard the Victory. Your kind words were appreciated. :Wink:
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/Jackpot-Jimmy/002-22.jpg
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/Jackpot-Jimmy/003-19.jpg
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/Jackpot-Jimmy/004-18.jpg
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/Jackpot-Jimmy/007-16.jpg
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/Jackpot-Jimmy/010-14.jpg
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/Jackpot-Jimmy/011-8.jpg
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/Jackpot-Jimmy/012-7.jpg
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/Jackpot-Jimmy/014-7.jpg
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/Jackpot-Jimmy/015-5.jpg
I also hopped on the twilight with Captain Alan Ferguson, Shawn in the galley, and Austin on deck. Bass fishing was actually pretty good. My dad got a limit on a plastic grub with a strip of squid. I tried the same set up, and got five or six. After dark, the barracuda came through, and the guys managed to get a few. All of the bass we pulled up were legal. Twilight fishing is heating up!
Sunday, August 9 - Bass O' Plenty
Even though barracuda fishing was all right down south, Steven decided to head to the island, as there had been some reports of yellows, and great bass fishing. We arrived at the island and got set up, where we got some bass, but it was not consistent. So, we headed up the island. Steven kept on looking for the right conditions, but they weren't ideal. He finally found a good spot and set up, and we started catching some nice sized calicos. If you had a good sardine on, you got a fish. Of course, the anchovy was an instant bite, but most fish were short on that. My dad also got some nice calicos on the plastic. We tried one more spot after that, where we got some more calicos to round out the sacks. Nothing wide open, but a good, steady pick nonetheless. There was also a nice foamer of yellows, but when we came up on it, they sank out.
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/Jackpot-Jimmy/017-4.jpg
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/Jackpot-Jimmy/018-1.jpg
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/Jackpot-Jimmy/019-1.jpg
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/Jackpot-Jimmy/020-3.jpg
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/Jackpot-Jimmy/021-2.jpg
I headed out on the twilight trip once again. Alan set us up on a spot where we got plenty of bites, but all the bites were upcurrent. You had to cast out as far as you could, and slowly drag the bottom as the current took your line back to the boat. I ended up with a couple of bass on this spot, and we moved on to find something better. At the next stop, once we found where the spot was positioned at, we started to catch fish. I was using a plastic grub with a strip of squid. They were just sucking on the bait, not really attacking it. Others got some nice barracuda as well as more sand bass. I ended up with my limit, and the others did very well also.
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/Jackpot-Jimmy/028.jpg
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/Jackpot-Jimmy/030.jpg
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/Jackpot-Jimmy/031.jpg
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/Jackpot-Jimmy/033.jpg
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/Jackpot-Jimmy/035.jpg
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/Jackpot-Jimmy/036.jpg
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/Jackpot-Jimmy/037.jpg
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/Jackpot-Jimmy/038.jpg
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/Jackpot-Jimmy/041.jpg
It was definitely a nice week of fishing. Everyone had a fun time. Fishing's getting good! Great times, great fishing!!