Tunaslam
04-07-2011, 11:46 AM
Fishing Wednesday 4-06-11, with Bill Fisher, on his 18’ Trophy, “Toad Haul”. I left work in Colton at 3:00 pm Tuesday afternoon, and called Bill just before I crossed the border, at 5:00 pm., which let him know I would be arriving in about 40 minutes. It took only one minute to cross into Mexico, just like the good ole days!
I arrived at Bill’s quaint Trailer residence on a cliff overlooking the water, some 10 miles south of Rosarito at 5:35pm. As per usual, Bill handed me a cold Bud, while I unloaded my gear. After catching up on fishing and sports, etc., I mentioned how hungry I was, so we headed down south for some delicious fish and shrimp tacos from one of his favorite restaurants, called Splash!
We were up at 5:00 am, as Bill shouted “time to go fishing”! We stopped for coffee at Oxxo’s, and I bought a couple of Bombs (Beef, Potatoes, and Sour Cream Burrito) from the local Breakfast Burrito maker, very delicious. As we headed south to the boat launch in Las Salinas, we noticed numerous patches of irregular formed clouds overhead, forewarning the pending front that was on its way. Grey light began to appear over the hills at 5:45am. The winds, which were heading onshore, were between 8 and 10 knots a bit more than forecasted.
We exited the harbor around 6:00am, into choppy seas, and this led to our decision to forego the Finger Bank, or a possible run down to the Rockpile, to look for Yellowtail? We elected to set a course to a shallow water reef, a few miles north of us, in the direction of the Finger Bank, in case the weather improved, or got worse.
We made a couple of drifts for only a few Starries, most of which were too small, released or kept for bait? The current and wind created significant scope, and a very rapid drift. We continued north, setting up on another reef in under 100’ depth. We were both alternating between using plastics and Lucanus lures. Both of our plastics were hammered on the drop, and we both reeled in two to three pound Sand Bass. My second drop resulted in a bigger four pound Sand Bass.
http://www.bloodydecks.com/gallery/files/1/9/6/100_1381.jpg
We added some Chocolate Rockfish, some Sugar Bass, more Starries, some keeper size, and released a couple of short Lingcod, around 22” to go with six Sand Bass, several released. We worked this reef for just under an hour, and the bite gradually died. Conditions did improve with only six knots of winds, however, the current just quit, slowing both the drift and the catching?
Continuing north we spotted Whales breeching in the distance. We came within a 100 yards of them, and they appeared to be Humpback whales, frolicking and rolling together, quite a performance, kinky sex? Some pictures of the Whales:
http://www.bloodydecks.com/gallery/files/1/9/6/100_1383.jpg
http://www.bloodydecks.com/gallery/files/1/9/6/100_1386.jpg
http://www.bloodydecks.com/gallery/files/1/9/6/100_1387.jpg
http://www.bloodydecks.com/gallery/files/1/9/6/100_1388.jpg
Tried a drift close to the kelp beds, with lots of Bull Kelp, certain tackle busters. I got bit on a knock off Lucanus lure, a very aggressive bite, and as I wound the fish up, there was a feisty thrashing, and a few head shakes, that almost always belongs to a good size Vermillion Rockfish! Yep, my first Red of the day, about three pounds! Unfortunately not much else happened and we moved on to a little deeper water.
Bill finally got on the board with a couple of Reds on his real Lucanus Lure. I caught three more reds within the next half hour on my knockoff. We added more Chocolates, a Barber Pole, and short Lings. Then at 11am, out of no where, the wind began to howl. Within minutes it was up to 15 to 20 knots and white capping everywhere!
Moving back up the line towards Las Salinas, we made a few short stops on other reefs and small stones. We caught a few assorted critters, which we were able to release most of these fish. The drifts were quick with the wind, which had backed off to about 12 knots now. Returned to our morning Sand Bass hole and they were again on the chew, although this time they didn’t want plastics, which I was using, however, Bill had switched to a Mega Bait lure, and was getting bit regularly. Saying uncle, I also switched to a Mega Bait lure and immediately got bit by both Sand Bass and more rockfish, all released.
We ended the day at 1:30 pm, with the swells building, and some ominous clouds approaching, which never really materialized into anything. The sun was out while we cleaned fish and the boat, and were back to the dock at 2:30pm.
Not a bad Day’s Catch, considering conditions, and many fish released.
http://www.senortuna.com/pics/data/505/100_1390.JPG
Bill called the border, and the wait was only 25 minutes, so I reluctantly loaded my gear and headed home. Bought gas at what they stated was equivalent to $2.90 a gallon that works! Crossed the border in San Yasidro, in 22 minutes, too cool.
Bill, another successful day on the water in Descanzo Bay, good fishing and decent weather, had a blast, thanks so much for the invite, can’t wait until the next trip.
Hook up!
Cory
I arrived at Bill’s quaint Trailer residence on a cliff overlooking the water, some 10 miles south of Rosarito at 5:35pm. As per usual, Bill handed me a cold Bud, while I unloaded my gear. After catching up on fishing and sports, etc., I mentioned how hungry I was, so we headed down south for some delicious fish and shrimp tacos from one of his favorite restaurants, called Splash!
We were up at 5:00 am, as Bill shouted “time to go fishing”! We stopped for coffee at Oxxo’s, and I bought a couple of Bombs (Beef, Potatoes, and Sour Cream Burrito) from the local Breakfast Burrito maker, very delicious. As we headed south to the boat launch in Las Salinas, we noticed numerous patches of irregular formed clouds overhead, forewarning the pending front that was on its way. Grey light began to appear over the hills at 5:45am. The winds, which were heading onshore, were between 8 and 10 knots a bit more than forecasted.
We exited the harbor around 6:00am, into choppy seas, and this led to our decision to forego the Finger Bank, or a possible run down to the Rockpile, to look for Yellowtail? We elected to set a course to a shallow water reef, a few miles north of us, in the direction of the Finger Bank, in case the weather improved, or got worse.
We made a couple of drifts for only a few Starries, most of which were too small, released or kept for bait? The current and wind created significant scope, and a very rapid drift. We continued north, setting up on another reef in under 100’ depth. We were both alternating between using plastics and Lucanus lures. Both of our plastics were hammered on the drop, and we both reeled in two to three pound Sand Bass. My second drop resulted in a bigger four pound Sand Bass.
http://www.bloodydecks.com/gallery/files/1/9/6/100_1381.jpg
We added some Chocolate Rockfish, some Sugar Bass, more Starries, some keeper size, and released a couple of short Lingcod, around 22” to go with six Sand Bass, several released. We worked this reef for just under an hour, and the bite gradually died. Conditions did improve with only six knots of winds, however, the current just quit, slowing both the drift and the catching?
Continuing north we spotted Whales breeching in the distance. We came within a 100 yards of them, and they appeared to be Humpback whales, frolicking and rolling together, quite a performance, kinky sex? Some pictures of the Whales:
http://www.bloodydecks.com/gallery/files/1/9/6/100_1383.jpg
http://www.bloodydecks.com/gallery/files/1/9/6/100_1386.jpg
http://www.bloodydecks.com/gallery/files/1/9/6/100_1387.jpg
http://www.bloodydecks.com/gallery/files/1/9/6/100_1388.jpg
Tried a drift close to the kelp beds, with lots of Bull Kelp, certain tackle busters. I got bit on a knock off Lucanus lure, a very aggressive bite, and as I wound the fish up, there was a feisty thrashing, and a few head shakes, that almost always belongs to a good size Vermillion Rockfish! Yep, my first Red of the day, about three pounds! Unfortunately not much else happened and we moved on to a little deeper water.
Bill finally got on the board with a couple of Reds on his real Lucanus Lure. I caught three more reds within the next half hour on my knockoff. We added more Chocolates, a Barber Pole, and short Lings. Then at 11am, out of no where, the wind began to howl. Within minutes it was up to 15 to 20 knots and white capping everywhere!
Moving back up the line towards Las Salinas, we made a few short stops on other reefs and small stones. We caught a few assorted critters, which we were able to release most of these fish. The drifts were quick with the wind, which had backed off to about 12 knots now. Returned to our morning Sand Bass hole and they were again on the chew, although this time they didn’t want plastics, which I was using, however, Bill had switched to a Mega Bait lure, and was getting bit regularly. Saying uncle, I also switched to a Mega Bait lure and immediately got bit by both Sand Bass and more rockfish, all released.
We ended the day at 1:30 pm, with the swells building, and some ominous clouds approaching, which never really materialized into anything. The sun was out while we cleaned fish and the boat, and were back to the dock at 2:30pm.
Not a bad Day’s Catch, considering conditions, and many fish released.
http://www.senortuna.com/pics/data/505/100_1390.JPG
Bill called the border, and the wait was only 25 minutes, so I reluctantly loaded my gear and headed home. Bought gas at what they stated was equivalent to $2.90 a gallon that works! Crossed the border in San Yasidro, in 22 minutes, too cool.
Bill, another successful day on the water in Descanzo Bay, good fishing and decent weather, had a blast, thanks so much for the invite, can’t wait until the next trip.
Hook up!
Cory