ghetto dad
05-20-2010, 06:19 PM
Good afternoon,
Well, the original plan for today was to fish Skinner Lake for stripers and panfish, but plans fell through late last night. The landings were closed by now, so I had no way of knowing what boats were getting out the following morning. So, I decided once again to fish Newport Harbor.
Woke up in the morning and decided that I was going to go early, even though I knew the tides were going to be low. I left my house at 8:50 am and arrived at the Island at 9:00 am. Started out on the North Side once again, to find the time extremely low. No worries, at least I am fishing, so I am optimistic and just happy to be fishing.
This morning, my starter set up consisted of 6 lb test, #1/0 Owner Worm Hook, ¼ d/s sinker, and a GULP! Swimming Mullet. Made my first cast, and worked the grub back.
My buddy that always chills with me when I fish this area!! lol
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/ghettodad/SDC11384.jpg
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/ghettodad/SDC11414.jpg
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/ghettodad/SDC11415.jpg
NBUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!! Lol
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/ghettodad/SDC11385.jpg
I fished the North Side HARD, casting in every spot and area that I could flip/cast into. I missed a couple hits, and moved back to the spot where I first started. Cast in between a boat and a dock, and got smacked!! I set the hook solid, and the fish was on! I knew immediately that this was a larger fish, and also noticed that it started to take me closer to the dock and pilings. I did my best to turn its head with my light rod and 6 lb test, but then I started to feel the line rubbing against the piling. I pretty much knew what was going to happen then, it was just a matter of time. A few seconds later, my line finally snapped, giving way to the jagged mussel filled piling. I was not happy at all at this point, because I knew from experience that this was a larger fish. I reeled up the empty line, and found about 20 feet was totally frayed from the piling. I stripped the frayed line off, and re-rigged the same way. That was a heartbreaking moment, but it happens. That is what makes this kind of fishing fun and challenging. But, at the same time, I regretted dropping down to 6 lb from my usual 8 lb test. Once set up again, tried the same area for nothing, and continued working my way up and down the beach. Did this for a couple hours more for a few missed fish, and decided to head to Ghetto Point and try that area. So I loaded my truck, and headed to the south side of the island.
The one thing that is good about fishing the low tide, is that you can see where the Eel Grass is growing, and you will know later that this will hold fish. I worked my way up the west side of the island, missing a couple fish, and ended up in one of my favorite spots to fish. Missed a fish there, and decided that I was going to jump in the ferry and fish across the channel. So I jumped on the ferry, and headed across.
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/ghettodad/SDC11386.jpg
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/ghettodad/SDC11387.jpg
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/ghettodad/SDC11388.jpg
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/ghettodad/SDC11391.jpg
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/ghettodad/SDC11393.jpg
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/ghettodad/SDC11394.jpg
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/ghettodad/SDC11396.jpg
Arrived at the other side of NPH, jumped off ferry, and looked for a spot to fish. I did not realize that most beaches on this side were marked “private beach,” so I worked my way down to an area where there were no “private beach” signs, re-rigged my rod with a #2 mosquito hook, ¼ oz d/s sinker, and a GULP! 2 inch shrimp in Nuclear Chicken color. Made a few casts, and finally stuck a fish. Yes, I know, another dink, but the skunk was off, so I was relieved. Fished the area for awhile longer, and decided to jump in the ferry and head back to the island and wait for the tide to rise.
SKUNKBUSTER DINK!! lol
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/ghettodad/SDC11395.jpg
Started back in my favorite area, but this time, I wanted to try something different. So, I tied on a 1/0 offset worm hook, a red plastic, and a bullet sinker.
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/ghettodad/SDC11403.jpg
Made a few casts, and got SLAMMED!! Solid hook set, and the fight was on! This fish was peeling line, so of course I knew it was a bigger fish. I was also fishing in between 2 boats and 4 mussel covered mooring lines, which the fish immediately headed for. Again, I felt the line rubbing against mussel and mooring line, but this time I feathered the drag and took it easy. The fish literally wrapped me twice around one of the mooring lines, and was still taking line. I decided that I was NOT going to lose this fish, so I picked up the mooring line so that it was coming out of the water so that I could see which way the fish wrapped me. I took my rod and went under and over the line and knew it was free, but I also knew my line was frayed, so I had to take my time with this fish. After more give and take, I saw color on the fish, and at first I thought it was a sargo, a nice sargo. Once it got closer, I knew it was not a Sargo, but something else, something that even in all my years of fishing, that I had never caught before. I eventually got it close enough to ever-so-gently beach the fish. I was really excited, this was not only my first time with this species, but also my largest!
NICE ZEBRA PERCH…MY FIRST AND PERSONAL BEST!!
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/ghettodad/SDC11397.jpg
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/ghettodad/SDC11400.jpg
A nice Zebra Perch, which I taped out at 14-15 inches, and in my best guestimate, over 2 lbs! Once photographed, I safely released the fish back into the bay, unharmed. Man those fish PULL! Re-rigged the same way, 2 casts later, and bam! Another fish on, but this time it was a lot smaller in size, but still, a fish nonetheless!!! Photographed and released. Made another few casts for nothing, and saw that it was 1:45 pm. Almost 5 hours fishing, should I leave, or stay?? I decided to stay, but first I had to get me some lunch, lol.
The Safe release!! Notice the mooring line, that on one that he wrapped me on!
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/ghettodad/SDC11401.jpg
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/ghettodad/SDC11402.jpg
Another Ghetto Dink!
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/ghettodad/SDC11404.jpg
Hey, they’re getting bigger!! Lol
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/ghettodad/SDC11405.jpg
My weedless GULP! 5 inch Jerk Shad/Nuclear Chicken
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/ghettodad/SDC11407.jpg
After eating lunch, I fished every spot that I could get into, only to miss about 3-4 more fish, and quite a few non-committing bites. I then noticed that it was 4:45 pm, and that now it was time for me to go home, I did a lot of walking today, and was beat.
Lunch time!!
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/ghettodad/SDC11409.jpg
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/ghettodad/SDC11408.jpg
But, I had to get one last cast in. Cast out, and immediately got SLAMMED AGAIN!! Set the hook solid, and fight ON!! This fish was a beast, it tested my fishing ability to the fullest. This fish also wrapped me around the piling, which I expertly worked out, and then it took a blistering run out to sea, almost spooling me. With only two wraps left around my spool, I leaned back on my Phenix to turn its head, and prayed. It turned!!! I started gaining line back onto my spool, and I could tell this fish was tired. After getting it back to the beach, and seeing its sheer size, I REALLY wish that I had brought my net!!! I looked around to see if there was anyone willing to help me, but the people around me were froze in awe of the size of this fish, and were unwilling to help me!! So I got it as close as I could, and carfully lipped it with both hands, dropped my rod, and pulled it onto the beach with every once of strength that I had. I knew this fish would make me a legendary bay bass fisherman, and maybe even get me on the cover of W.O.N! I was able to barely muster the strength to get my camera to photograph and tape this fish, but I did it…..
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLO!!!! :ROFL::ROFL::ROFL:
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/ghettodad/SDC11412.jpg
Made another cast, same thing..lol
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/ghettodad/SDC11416.jpg
Okay, now it was time to call it a day. Not a bad day for me today, caught a few fish, caught my first and personal best Zebra Perch, had a good lunch, and was ready to call it a day. Anyone fishing NPH, PLEASE release your fish, so that we may continue to have a great fishery down here in the bay.
Thanks for reading, until next time……..
GD
Well, the original plan for today was to fish Skinner Lake for stripers and panfish, but plans fell through late last night. The landings were closed by now, so I had no way of knowing what boats were getting out the following morning. So, I decided once again to fish Newport Harbor.
Woke up in the morning and decided that I was going to go early, even though I knew the tides were going to be low. I left my house at 8:50 am and arrived at the Island at 9:00 am. Started out on the North Side once again, to find the time extremely low. No worries, at least I am fishing, so I am optimistic and just happy to be fishing.
This morning, my starter set up consisted of 6 lb test, #1/0 Owner Worm Hook, ¼ d/s sinker, and a GULP! Swimming Mullet. Made my first cast, and worked the grub back.
My buddy that always chills with me when I fish this area!! lol
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/ghettodad/SDC11384.jpg
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/ghettodad/SDC11414.jpg
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/ghettodad/SDC11415.jpg
NBUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!! Lol
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/ghettodad/SDC11385.jpg
I fished the North Side HARD, casting in every spot and area that I could flip/cast into. I missed a couple hits, and moved back to the spot where I first started. Cast in between a boat and a dock, and got smacked!! I set the hook solid, and the fish was on! I knew immediately that this was a larger fish, and also noticed that it started to take me closer to the dock and pilings. I did my best to turn its head with my light rod and 6 lb test, but then I started to feel the line rubbing against the piling. I pretty much knew what was going to happen then, it was just a matter of time. A few seconds later, my line finally snapped, giving way to the jagged mussel filled piling. I was not happy at all at this point, because I knew from experience that this was a larger fish. I reeled up the empty line, and found about 20 feet was totally frayed from the piling. I stripped the frayed line off, and re-rigged the same way. That was a heartbreaking moment, but it happens. That is what makes this kind of fishing fun and challenging. But, at the same time, I regretted dropping down to 6 lb from my usual 8 lb test. Once set up again, tried the same area for nothing, and continued working my way up and down the beach. Did this for a couple hours more for a few missed fish, and decided to head to Ghetto Point and try that area. So I loaded my truck, and headed to the south side of the island.
The one thing that is good about fishing the low tide, is that you can see where the Eel Grass is growing, and you will know later that this will hold fish. I worked my way up the west side of the island, missing a couple fish, and ended up in one of my favorite spots to fish. Missed a fish there, and decided that I was going to jump in the ferry and fish across the channel. So I jumped on the ferry, and headed across.
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/ghettodad/SDC11386.jpg
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/ghettodad/SDC11387.jpg
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/ghettodad/SDC11388.jpg
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/ghettodad/SDC11391.jpg
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/ghettodad/SDC11393.jpg
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/ghettodad/SDC11394.jpg
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/ghettodad/SDC11396.jpg
Arrived at the other side of NPH, jumped off ferry, and looked for a spot to fish. I did not realize that most beaches on this side were marked “private beach,” so I worked my way down to an area where there were no “private beach” signs, re-rigged my rod with a #2 mosquito hook, ¼ oz d/s sinker, and a GULP! 2 inch shrimp in Nuclear Chicken color. Made a few casts, and finally stuck a fish. Yes, I know, another dink, but the skunk was off, so I was relieved. Fished the area for awhile longer, and decided to jump in the ferry and head back to the island and wait for the tide to rise.
SKUNKBUSTER DINK!! lol
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/ghettodad/SDC11395.jpg
Started back in my favorite area, but this time, I wanted to try something different. So, I tied on a 1/0 offset worm hook, a red plastic, and a bullet sinker.
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/ghettodad/SDC11403.jpg
Made a few casts, and got SLAMMED!! Solid hook set, and the fight was on! This fish was peeling line, so of course I knew it was a bigger fish. I was also fishing in between 2 boats and 4 mussel covered mooring lines, which the fish immediately headed for. Again, I felt the line rubbing against mussel and mooring line, but this time I feathered the drag and took it easy. The fish literally wrapped me twice around one of the mooring lines, and was still taking line. I decided that I was NOT going to lose this fish, so I picked up the mooring line so that it was coming out of the water so that I could see which way the fish wrapped me. I took my rod and went under and over the line and knew it was free, but I also knew my line was frayed, so I had to take my time with this fish. After more give and take, I saw color on the fish, and at first I thought it was a sargo, a nice sargo. Once it got closer, I knew it was not a Sargo, but something else, something that even in all my years of fishing, that I had never caught before. I eventually got it close enough to ever-so-gently beach the fish. I was really excited, this was not only my first time with this species, but also my largest!
NICE ZEBRA PERCH…MY FIRST AND PERSONAL BEST!!
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/ghettodad/SDC11397.jpg
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/ghettodad/SDC11400.jpg
A nice Zebra Perch, which I taped out at 14-15 inches, and in my best guestimate, over 2 lbs! Once photographed, I safely released the fish back into the bay, unharmed. Man those fish PULL! Re-rigged the same way, 2 casts later, and bam! Another fish on, but this time it was a lot smaller in size, but still, a fish nonetheless!!! Photographed and released. Made another few casts for nothing, and saw that it was 1:45 pm. Almost 5 hours fishing, should I leave, or stay?? I decided to stay, but first I had to get me some lunch, lol.
The Safe release!! Notice the mooring line, that on one that he wrapped me on!
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/ghettodad/SDC11401.jpg
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/ghettodad/SDC11402.jpg
Another Ghetto Dink!
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/ghettodad/SDC11404.jpg
Hey, they’re getting bigger!! Lol
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/ghettodad/SDC11405.jpg
My weedless GULP! 5 inch Jerk Shad/Nuclear Chicken
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/ghettodad/SDC11407.jpg
After eating lunch, I fished every spot that I could get into, only to miss about 3-4 more fish, and quite a few non-committing bites. I then noticed that it was 4:45 pm, and that now it was time for me to go home, I did a lot of walking today, and was beat.
Lunch time!!
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/ghettodad/SDC11409.jpg
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/ghettodad/SDC11408.jpg
But, I had to get one last cast in. Cast out, and immediately got SLAMMED AGAIN!! Set the hook solid, and fight ON!! This fish was a beast, it tested my fishing ability to the fullest. This fish also wrapped me around the piling, which I expertly worked out, and then it took a blistering run out to sea, almost spooling me. With only two wraps left around my spool, I leaned back on my Phenix to turn its head, and prayed. It turned!!! I started gaining line back onto my spool, and I could tell this fish was tired. After getting it back to the beach, and seeing its sheer size, I REALLY wish that I had brought my net!!! I looked around to see if there was anyone willing to help me, but the people around me were froze in awe of the size of this fish, and were unwilling to help me!! So I got it as close as I could, and carfully lipped it with both hands, dropped my rod, and pulled it onto the beach with every once of strength that I had. I knew this fish would make me a legendary bay bass fisherman, and maybe even get me on the cover of W.O.N! I was able to barely muster the strength to get my camera to photograph and tape this fish, but I did it…..
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLO!!!! :ROFL::ROFL::ROFL:
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/ghettodad/SDC11412.jpg
Made another cast, same thing..lol
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/ghettodad/SDC11416.jpg
Okay, now it was time to call it a day. Not a bad day for me today, caught a few fish, caught my first and personal best Zebra Perch, had a good lunch, and was ready to call it a day. Anyone fishing NPH, PLEASE release your fish, so that we may continue to have a great fishery down here in the bay.
Thanks for reading, until next time……..
GD