The Right Kind of Stripes, SWAT Style! 3 New PBs!

[bsp]

It's definitely been a long time since I've sat down to write a report, but this one is worth the wait!

With USC taking up a lot of my free time, I haven't been able to get out and hit the surf nearly as much as I would have liked these past few weeks. I knew I would have a little bit of time before the game today, so I gave Wingnut a call. He said he had some solid intel on where there were a few stripers swirling around in the surf... and when Wingnut tells you he has solid intel, it pays to listen. :Secret:

Made the plans, looked at the conditions, and decided a gray light assault would be the best bet for success. Got there at gray light and ready to slay. Dad and I show up after Arthur and Mike, but we managed to locate the Commander and Lieutenant down the beach. We started working our way down the beach following a solid trench that would yield many fish today.

Wingnut starts the morning off right with a solid perch.

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%208/P1080801.jpg


As Wingnut and I work past a deeper part of the trench (hint to all you new guys, structure within the structure!), he turns and says, "Marc, my spidey senses are tingling!" I remember the last time this happened that Arthur stuck a 28in hali, so I was definitely on edge. Then, my LC gets SLAMMED. This is the first fish of the morning for me, and it feels like a solid flattie. Fight on!

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%208/P1080802.jpg

It bulldogs in the current and makes a few decent runs considering I was using heavier gear (50lb braid to 6ft of 12lb fluoro, chosen to get the LC deeper on a Phenix X-10 cranking rod with Curado 200e7). As I bring it up closer, Arthur yells, "HUGE PERCH! Bigger than I've ever seen!"

Definitely was bigger than I've ever seen, and a new PB at 16in!

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%208/P1080803.jpg

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%208/P1080811.jpg

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%208/P1080813.jpg

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%208/P1080812.jpg

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%208/P1080806.jpg

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%208/P1080809.jpg

Always release your Personal Best!

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%208/P1080815.jpg

Then, Bones goes bendo! He gets a good fight out of it, and soon his new PB 15in perch hits the sand! Congrats Mike!

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%208/P1080825.jpg

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%208/P1080824.jpg

We work down the beach a little more, and Wingnut gets some "dink perch." :LOL:
They were actually very solid fish (11in-13in class), but seemed small compared to the two PBs that hit the sand earlier. Arthur led in numbers today with 8 solid perch! Dad and I managed to get one apiece too. These guys were on the baitfish imitators today, with the Lucky Craft Flash Minnow 110 in various patterns doing the damage, except for Dad's Kroc fish. These fish wanted a full meal, so we gave it to them!

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%208/P1080827.jpg

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%208/P1080828.jpg

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http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%208/P1080826.jpg

Then, as we near a part of the trough that emptied into a deeper bowl, I look at Wingnut and say, "You know what's next today, a striper!" We both laugh it off, but the thought's there since we know they're in the area. We work the area once, and Arthur comments that it looks too good for there NOT to be a big predator lying in wait. So, we work it again, and I'm rewarded with a solid strike on the LC.

The fish gives some strong head shakes and pulls drag initially, but I'm still thinking a good halibut. It makes a few more runs, and then, we got it shallow. As I'm looking in the surf, Wingnut yells out, "It's a White Seabass," and I see a silver flash in the wave along with some dorsal spines sticking out of the water. As the wave recedes, Arthur sprints down the beach to grab the fish while Bones and Dad sprint towards me.

Then, the wave's gone, and the fish is exposed in all its glory.

STRIPER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :EyePop::Shocked::EyePop::Shocked::EyePop:

Arthur traps the "surf lightning" with hands and I run full tilt to grab the fish before the next wave crashes on it. After a tense moment, we have the striper safely away from the waves, and it's time for pics.

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%208/P1080816.jpg

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%208/P1080819.jpg

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%208/P1080818.jpg

Give her a good bye kiss (it's the classy thing to do!), and told her that we should definitely meet up again.

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%208/P1080823.jpg

She had to bail right after (CPR your PBs ALWAYS!), but I'll remember this for a LONG time!

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%208/P1080822.jpg

All I can say is that I had a fantastic day. I wish the other guys had gotten their own stripers, but that just means we have an excuse for another trip. :Twisted:

Some more photos:

Dad in the distance:

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%208/P1080831.jpg

Wingnut and BSP:

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%208/P1080830.jpg

Group shot!

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%208/P1080832.jpg

Arthur and Mike, as always, it was great to share the surf with both of you. The fact that you and Mike were genuinely stoked I got two incredible fish today shows the quality of both of your guys' character. Glad to be part of the brotherhood, and let's do this again soon.

Thanks for reading,

Marc aka bsp

Also, in honor of the Big Game:

GO TEAM!

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%208/P1080833.jpg

[JP]

Great report BSP! Thanks for sharing those personal bests. I hope one day to receive an invite from Team SWAT.

[trail blazer]

NOW THATS SURF FISHING ,,,,,,,,,STRIPER JUNKIE STYLE!!!!!!!!!

XLNT report,,,,,,,,,,,,,Congrats to all of ya!!,,,,,,,,,

SWAT definately rules the surf.

TRAIL BLAZER

[phantom 34]

aw man! where's the PUG shot?

[iLLest]

:Applause: Yeaaaaahhhhh dude! Are you serious, first the fatty perch! and then the frikin striper!? good job bro. Quality fish for sure.

Great job out there as always guys!
S.W.A.T's been pulling in some very nice stuff lately. :Wink:

[ToadsToadsOnly]

When I got the message from Arthur that you guys caught a striper I was like heck yea and couldnt wait for the report. Congrats on the Pb and all the big perch that is awesome you guys caught the right kind.

[soulsurfer]

that was a very awesome catch....those stripers are a rare treat indeed here in So Cal salt...congrad !!!

[CAPT'N]

That is just awesome !

[exfactor]

Dude your living large!!!! I'm hoping I get one some time in my life. Stripers from the surf, just incredible!

[fishshep]

:Big Grin: GREAT REPORT !!!
Enjoyed every sentence and pic of it !!!
I really think that perch, measuring to the top
lip edge, is really a 161/2 er :Idea:
:LOL::LOL:
Got me laughing :LOL::LOL::LOL: seeing wingnut holding
up a perch and still smiling like that. You would think
anything less than a keeper Hali would make him happy
like that !!! :LOL::LOL: Good to see !!! :Big Grin:

[bones]

Marc....

I'm proud to have been there when you pulled this morning off. You are definately worthy of your SWAT status my friend. You kept your cool during both PB fights and showed your skill and heart representing what SWAT is all about. Although I did notice your slightly trembling hands when you were handling your striper........it was pure excitement for sure. That always happens during a worthy fight and new PB !! The look in your eyes will stay in my head for along time...... you were speechless and in somewhat of a trance. To also have it also be your first striper EVER just makes it twice as awesome.When I look at my 15" perch and compare it to the 16" that you caught I'm amazed how much thicker and bullish yours was.It's head was as wide as a bass species.....Crazy ! Amazing how they just thicken up and grow bigger shoulders as they hit their maturity.
TODAY Marc.......... You set the bar higher for all of your SWAT brothers and FNN/Team57 family.

WELL DONE !!

[klocked]

Very nice Marc!! I would have loved to have been there to see you land that Striper but after having a very tough week at work, I just wasn't up for it. Congrats again!

Nice job on your personal best perch Mike!

That posiden guy must have something special in the future for you Arthur!!

[Lipripper93561]

Looks like the jailbirds in the Pacific are doing a good job pulling off a succesful spawn and you're putting the slay to them. Nice perch there too, looks like the team had another great mission.

[Wingnut]

First of all, I would like to thank Jim E. for providing the crucial intel for our Striper mission today. Thank you Jim, we appreciate it very much and would be honored if you can join us for some upcoming outings. :Cool:

Marc, what can I say... I'm so proud of you kid. Studying hard at USC and making the Dean's list. You have passed on so many outings with us due to your studies and that just shows that you have your priorities straight. What a fantastic surf session and I'm glad that I was there to witness your amazing feat. :Big Grin:
I have been chasing the elusive So. Cal surf Striper for the past few years and this is the closest that I've come to making it a reality. Even though I fell short of my goal today, I was so happy that at least one of us got it done. Like I told you on the sand, "your" success is "my" success. Enjoy your moment, because this is what it's all about. This is why we do what we do... At least I got to touch the Phantom of the Surf. :LOL: Thank you for releasing your personal bests, you didn't even hesitate to do that. :Thumbs Up:
You earned your "thunder" today kid and thanks for setting the bar a little bit higher for the rest of us. :Envious:

I like this pic better... priceless!
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%208/P1080817.jpg

[twils3247]

Great report! Great pics! and a really nice striper. Congratulations!

[fish_sauce]

Glad you guys had another successful winter outing!

Great job on the PB's Marc, ESPECIALLY the jailbird! Looks like another great day with great company! Congratulations bro! :Applause::Beer Toast::Dancing Banana:

Thanks for the report!

Andrew

[flyngby]

Marc,

You were well deserving of such an nice day in the surf today with all of your hard work at USC and also for providing SWAT with some great Intel in the past.

Not many a surf perch are required to be handled with 2 hands but you and "bones" managed 1 each today , and dad and WN had a few nice 1 handers. All would be considered nice perch!

Then you pulled another rabbit out of your hat today with the nice Breeder Jailbird. I'm sure we will revisit that spot again!

I had to make a not so tough choice of Family or Friends today and chose the obvious and had a great time down at my daughters place preparing a feast for 3 well deserving Camp Pendelton Marine families before and during the "Big Game", recieving the usual fishing text report from WN with the great news about noon , and looking forward to the proud report when I arrived home!

Well done all!









!

[Jaysuuun]

Dude, awesome report! Solid BSP's and a nice Striper to end the day. Congrats on the PB's

[jerryG]

Well done guys. Congratulations to Marc on the PB (amazing) catches. I called Arthur yesterday after receiving his message about the mission to discuss the possibility of finding a striper in the surf this morning. I had a good feeling that a SWAT Team member was going to get a striper. Glad to see that you guys found the BIG perch as well. I wish I could have joined you guys but family commitments have kept me off the water this weekend. I look forward to fishing with you guys soon.

Marc- Andrew told me he ran in to you and your father yesterday.

[blackwater]

Got the SWAT text updates today and couldn't believe what I read, Striper?!? :Shocked:
Congrats Marc & Mike on the mega-perch and Marc on the rare surf Striper. A trip to remember huh Marc? :Big Grin: Nice job Commander Wingnut for setting everything in motion for your crew. It's one thing to get useful intel, it's another thing knowing what to do with it. :Wink: Sounds like you had a solid gameplan in place to ensure a high percentage of success. :Thumbs Up:

[DockRat]

Those are some huge Perch, WTG then a Striper ? Wow. Seems as if only bigger grade BSP hit the LC ?
Great Job SWAT Crew.
DR

[NachoFish]

Congrats Marc!! Great report!

Glad you were able to get back out there. Kissing the fish is a must!

D

[PONTOON]

Marc,

Congrat's on the personal best perch and one very nice lineside!:Thumbs Up::Thumbs Up:

There is no doubt in my mind that if it swims in the surf the S.W.A.T. has caught it already and now I just sit and wait to see just how big the personal bests can get.:Cool:

Great job out there guys!

[roby]

That perch is HUGE!!! Way to go on the releases...

[k3vin_kim]

I know those swirlies.

[CPT. Kirk]

You guy's are killing me I want to go surf fishing. I have never fished the surf. I do little ocean fishing, I tube NPH, I have fished bass tournaments, I do a lot of fishing in the city park lakes, Tarpon in Puerto Rico. I even started my own fishing urban fishing web site and blog but I have never fished the surf. I'm going to put it on my to do list.
Thanks for the inspiration.

[murrieta angler]

MARC!!!
Fantastic Bro! When Arthur told me about the catch I was stoked for you and the others.
I wish I could have been there but I had other plans which worked out okay.
2 PB's in one day is a great feeling. You deserve it!
Thanks for the report and pictures,
Robert
<><


Mike,
Congrats to you also Buddy. 15" perch aint nothing to sneeze at. I hope to see one that big one day.

[troutdog]

Lots of fat fish coming outta the suds these days, wtg on the pb fish!


TD

[bones]

Y'know Marc.....We have to start carrying a scale with us. The state record is 4.2lbs for a BSP. When looking at the state records a few things stood out to me like the record a YFC is only 3lb 14oz !! I know I've caught a few around that size just last year. Also saw the state record for a shortfin Mako that's 426lbs TAKEN BY A FREEDIVER......R U kidding me..LOL
I'd pay dearly to see that guy try to hold onto a pissed off Mako when he stuck it with a spear......WOW. How the hell did he land it?
Hey.....Does anyone know why there is no catagory for Stripers from the surf or hook and line from the pacific?
I don't think they would go into the same catagory as the salmonoid species.

[Newfishsmell]

Awesome catch BSP , great pics guys .
And pretty cool having your Dad there for the catch of a lifetime .
Great memories for sure .

[Hometown]

Congrats nice day on the beach for sure