S.W.A.T. Northern Region Surf Reconnaissance. Sunday 6/27/10

[Wingnut]

After a few days in the High Sierras catching Alpers and a day in Monterey County slaying Stripers with T.O. & Kewly… I was dying to get back into the surf. Sent out the roll call text to all the S.W.A.T. members to see who was available to hit the surf with me today. Lieutenant Bones and Captain Flyngby sent reply texts confirming their ready status for the mission. There are several areas in our Northern footprint that we’ve been wanting to fish. So we decided to hit one of our regular spots at grey light and then head off to recon a couple of the new areas. It was a good call, as we found success… as they say, “If you never go, you will never know…” Now we know, and we will be back!
Roy (Q3Fishboy) met up and fished with us at the last recon spot.

Conditions: Hazy, overcast morning giving way to sunny and warn afternoon. Negative low tide at grey light. Water temperature 60 degrees. 1-3 foot swells (incoming storm surge starting). Mild to moderate surf conditions. Water clarity excellent with little or no salad. Very little baitfish presence.

Techniques: Drop shotting plastics, Carolina rig Gulp Sandworms and live Sandcrabs, throwing various swim baits and LC’s.

Results: Multiple species day for everybody including (2) legal Halibut (all fish released). :Cool:
Mike and I had double hook ups on two big 4-5 foot Leopard Sharks and after lengthy battles, we farmed both fish… I hate it when that happens! :mad:

Here are some pics of our productive day, enjoy.

Steve gets the first fish in the grey light and the "only" Leo of the day. :Envious:
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut4/Wingnut5/Wingnut%206/Wingnut%207/Picture001-2.jpg

Mike's PB Starfish. :EyePop:
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut4/Wingnut5/Wingnut%206/Wingnut%207/Picture002-3.jpg

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut4/Wingnut5/Wingnut%206/Wingnut%207/Picture004-3.jpg

Plenty of Perch today.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut4/Wingnut5/Wingnut%206/Wingnut%207/Picture005-3.jpg

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut4/Wingnut5/Wingnut%206/Wingnut%207/Picture003-3.jpg

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut4/Wingnut5/Wingnut%206/Wingnut%207/Picture007-2.jpg

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut4/Wingnut5/Wingnut%206/Wingnut%207/Picture008-2.jpg

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut4/Wingnut5/Wingnut%206/Wingnut%207/Picture011-2.jpg

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut4/Wingnut5/Wingnut%206/Picture024-15.jpg

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut4/Wingnut5/Wingnut%206/Wingnut%207/Picture010-2.jpg

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut4/Wingnut5/Wingnut%206/Wingnut%207/Picture021-2.jpg

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut4/Wingnut5/Wingnut%206/Wingnut%207/Picture002-2.jpg

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut4/Wingnut5/Wingnut%206/Wingnut%207/Picture022-2.jpg

First legal Flattie. 22"
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut4/Wingnut5/Wingnut%206/Wingnut%207/Picture016-2.jpg

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut4/Wingnut5/Wingnut%206/Wingnut%207/Picture017-2.jpg

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut4/Wingnut5/Wingnut%206/Wingnut%207/Picture009-2.jpg

2nd legal Flattie. 23"
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut4/Wingnut5/Wingnut%206/Wingnut%207/Picture019-2.jpg

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut4/Wingnut5/Wingnut%206/Wingnut%207/Picture020-2.jpg

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut4/Wingnut5/Wingnut%206/Wingnut%207/Picture018-2.jpg

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut4/Wingnut5/Wingnut%206/Wingnut%207/Picture003-2.jpg

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut4/Wingnut5/Wingnut%206/Wingnut%207/Picture026-2.jpg

Mike and Steve, always a pleasure going into battle with you guys. I’m glad that we decided to invest some time to recon these new areas today. They will now be part of our future battle plans.
Roy, thanks for finally dragging your butt out of bed and joining us for the afternoon session. :ROFL:

Wow, the past week and a half has been so much fun for me… time to reinsert myself back into the daily grind of the workforce. :LOL: Have a fantastic week everybody… get ready for the 4th of July! :Big Grin:

Arthur (Wingnut)
http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r428/AROCK1_photos/tn-6-1.jpg


“The game is won or lost, far away from spectators. It is won behind the lines, in the gym, during practice and out on the road. It is won in the batting cages, while doing drills and running laps. It is won long before you step out onto the field, on the court or on the track and perform under the lights…”
This is what all winners do… this is called “Preparation”.


Bonus pics
Summer bloom.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut4/Wingnut5/Wingnut%206/Wingnut%207/Picture013-2.jpg

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut4/Wingnut5/Wingnut%206/Wingnut%207/Picture014-2.jpg

Can anybody guess what Shark does this jaw belongs to? PM me the answer and the first (2) two correct answers will get a free LC. :Cool: One PM, one guess only!
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut4/Wingnut5/Wingnut%206/Wingnut%207/Picture012-2.jpg

We decided to evac once our position started to get overun... :LOL:
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut4/Wingnut5/Wingnut%206/Wingnut%207/Picture028-2.jpg

My special order of FM110 Metallic Ayu finally came in from overseas. :Dancing Banana:
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut4/Wingnut5/Wingnut%206/Picture-3.jpg

Parting shot.
Wingnut: “There you are… what are you doing…?”
Wingnut Pug: “Meditating…please leave me alone, I’m having a Feng Shui moment.” :Shocked:
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut4/Wingnut5/Wingnut%206/Wingnut%207/Picture027-2.jpg

[Hitts0n]

Great read ! The pics tell most of the story! Nice to get out with the group and gang and do some fishing !!

[BrandonFish]

wtg out there those some meen lookn teeth im pretty sure im right about this one:Envious:
nice fish guys nice slay

[q3fishboy]

it was good fishing with you guys again, as always

and yes, I will get up on time one of these days, haha

though for the record, I wasn't that late
I made it there by like 7:30, must have just missed you
and then hung out at the pier waiting for your phone call

do I get a guess at what kind of shark jaw that is ??? just kidding

looking forward to fishing with you again
let me know when you guys head north

[Swank909]

Those are some sexy Hali's!!! I love the starfish too, Good job out there guys!

Wingnut that is some sick gear you have there :Bug Eyes:

[q3fishboy]

finally found your sierra report
nice job - looks fun

[jerryG]

Once again I wish I could have joined you guys.. Looks like you guys had a great time, as always. Good variety and Mike way to go on that PB superstar. Very well done my friends. Hopefully I will be able to make it out for the next mission.

Jerryg

[elevated]

looks like an awesome day in the surf!

[Nhatster]

Another successful swat surf session. Keep the awesome reports coming. That beach looks seriously crowded, where do you find room to fish???

[fish_sauce]

Good to see you guys came across some fish!

Wish i could have made it out there with you guys, but i'm afraid my fishing adventures will just have to wait until my living arrangements are taken care of!

Somehow, i just knowwww your inbox is going to be full in no time, arthur!

Thankyou for the report ;)

Andrew

[bones]

Just another 15 hour Day Boyz!
Even though it was pretty slow all day overall we managed to consistantly pull fish everywhere we showed up. Next time I'm bringing some heavier gear to that new spot and target a big old LEO. MMMMMMM.....Maybe tomorrow.....
Great times as usual guys!

[Nessie Hunter]

Most excellent outing as usual guys!!!!!!!!!!!

[CAPT'N]

Steve, Arthur, Mike,

Nice report and pictures!
Those Leos can really burn drag, you will get them next time!

Steve, thanks for the disc, I really do appreciate your generosity! :Big Grin:

Mike, no bones about it, nice to see you back:Wink:

Arthur, your boundless energy is both an inspiration, and makes me tired:UDaMan:

Cappy

[FishNFurious]

Hey who is leading now between you and Bones on the legal flatties count?
I don't think that SWAT ever has a bad trip, nicely done once again.
Hey Art, you going to Laughlin with da boys for the 4th? :Wink:

[City Dad]

NICE PERCH! Too bad you had those brown fish mess up your day ;)

[midgettosser1]

Nice job.
I feel your pain on the leopard sharks.
I had a solid 4.5-5ft'er on the LC a few weeks ago on 12lb test. Battled it in chest high waves, back and forth for 10 minutes or so. Even had its tail in my hand for a second in the first few minutes of the fight (it was still a little green, and trying to bite me... while waves were nailing me), needless to say, I had to let go.

There was even a couple of times where it had wrapped around rocks and weeds, and i was holding my rod with one hand, breaking weeds and unwrapping the line from rocks with the other hand. I for sure didn't think I was gonna make it outta there on 12lb... somehow I did. But 2 minutes after that, the line just snapped.

PB leo and LC down the drain.
Heartbreaking.

What makes it worse was the small crowd of beachgoers watching the entire battle... and me coming up empty handed.
One guy did tell me that watching it all go down made his weekend. haha.

Oh well. The leos were really active that morning, and it was cool occasionally seeing a few of them splashing around in the surf (I swear the leo that I lost cruised by my feet 15 minutes later. Crazy seeing such a big shark in 2.5 ft of water, right at your feet.
Only managed to hook up with one more, but the hook pulled out. I'll blame the crappy stock drag on the ambassadeur 7000 in an effort to make myself feel better.

[exfactor]

Glad you found a few fish to play with boys. I've been recuperating from a back injury now for about a month, and am making progress, abeit very slowly. My buddy caught a 40# seabass on his kayak up at Refugio last week. Time to jump on the ride Arthur.

[bsp]

Every time I get the Northern trek invite, every time I can't make it, and every time you guys stick some good fish! :LOL: I'm with you on the pain of losing big fish after lengthy battles, but the losses only make it that much better when we finally land that big one. As for that special order, what'd you do, hire somebody to break into the LC factory and raid their vault? :ROFL: Congrats to all of you on another fine day surf fishing, and can't wait to finally hit the surf with the SWAT guys again.

[Fisherman57]

GREAT stuff as always Arthur!...... congrats on the legals, VERY nice!
Missed seeing you at Terry's saturday night..... lets get dinner this week!

[Ray Lopez]

Nice Northern Slay Gentlemen!!! SWAT just tearing it up on the surf. Any Long Stickers in the group? I got into a fat batch of leos yesterday love when they leap out of the water pretty cool to watch. Plus it pulls at my bass strings!!!!!!!

[Badbeat]

Chasing Alpers in the High Sierras, slaying Stripers at a remote lake and catching Flatties on open beaches. Damn Art, you're just a fishing gigolo. :LOL: Wingnut Pug has got her own yoga area in the back yard, that dog has got everything. :ROFL:

[flyngby]

Just another small 6.5 mile pounding of the surf not including the walk to and from the vehicles in parking lots! Wow! We covered some turf for sure!

After we worked the first location and were working our way back down the surf towards our vehicles I was given a great lesson by Mike (Bones) about Sand Crabs! He stated to me "Look at the size of those beds" Still pretty much a "Surf Rookie" I had to have him point to the literally huge beds in the receding waves for me to finally figure it out! :Beat Stick:

Mike,

Why are we always waiting on you in the morning?
http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z286/flyngby/P6220141.jpg

Thanks for the Lesson at spot #1 and had a great time with you in the Perch Battle at Spot #2. I stuck to my new found candy and you fished the “Crack” The bigger ones liked my new found “Candy” and the little guys enjoyed your “Crack.
http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z286/flyngby/P6220144.jpg
http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z286/flyngby/P6220145.jpg

My highlight of the day! Thanks Mike! :Pee:

Arthur,

Hope you were not upset with your crewmembers resorting to the Perch Fest when times were slow! We were just waiting for you to sound the horn that you located the spot and we would be called to some serious duty! :Spank:

You have some serious Hali-Sense! As we hit the corner at that last spot I was starting to get the feeling myself and went back to the LC and worked that corner while you did a short recon ahead! You went back past me and had the nerve to tell me you had a feeling and within less than a dozen casts pulled out the first Flattie of the day in an area I just pounded! Cameraman I am again! :Head Bang:
http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z286/flyngby/P6220143.jpg
http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z286/flyngby/P6220142.jpg


Then I let you take the lead again after your generosity of putting me on the point for almost a mile stretch of beach for nothing and almost immediately pick of the Second Legal of the day! Cameraman I am again! :Flamethrower:

Let me be you Decky next time you get into another big LEO! It may take me a few swipes of the net or grabs of the tail but I am undefeated in the capturing of your catches so far! :Big Smile:

No offense “ROY”

[blackwater]

Hey Art, I know we have a current wager in effect, but here's the next one. A 4 foot plus Leo on the Superman combo. :Twisted: I know that even the mighty Wingnut can't pull that off!!! :ROFL: I might have a furlow day on the 4th to fish if the SWAT crew is heading out. :Wink:

[bones]

Hey Art, I know we have a current wager in effect, but here's the next one. A 4 foot plus Leo on the Superman combo. :Twisted: I anything that even the mighty Wingnut can't pull that off!!! :ROFL: I might have a furlow day on the 4th to fish if the SWAT crew is heading out. :Wink:

I bet Arthur is spooling that pole up with 80lb braid as we speek Phuong :ROFL:

[flyngby]

Phoung?

Have you not learned your lesson yet!

You may have the upper hand on the current bet with time getting shorter but I believe the newest feat is plausible. After hookup he had better be prepared for a long fight.

Steve

[Wingnut]

Congratulations to EZCompany & Sharkbait for being the first two members with the correct answers. It's a 5-foot Leopard Shark jaw. Keep an eye out for a UPS package at your door, enjoy your new LC. :Wink:

My favorire answer was from BrandonFish, "It belongs to a dead Shark." LOL

Thanks everybody... please remember to keep Dana (Fisherman 57) in your prayers tonight. :Cool: