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View Full Version : South of Dana Point 7/24/11 WFO Cuda and more


klocked
07-26-2011, 11:43 AM
I received a txt from Eddie around 5pm on Saturday asking me if I was doing anything
Sunday. I txt him back with a "nothing". I had planned on taking it easy after an all day
skunk, I mean assult in the surf that day with my fellow SWAT members.

Another txt from Eddie... "Dana point 0400?"
Hmm, I'm so tired....
A txt back to Eddie... "Let me see if my parents will watch lil' John" (aka: heck yeah!)
I really enjoy fishing aboard the Hesbros with Eddie and Rich but it doesn't happen very
often, so I feel lucky when I get the chance.

Later on that day, Eddie made it a point to tell me that he asked a few other people
FIRST, that couldn't make it. So I guess I was his last choice. Now I feel really lucky!
and kinda weird. I guess I dont sing as well as Robert or Steve do! :Envious:

First stop after launching was the bait barge where we picked up a scoop of dines.
Most were very healthy and about 6-8"

We get close to our 1st spot and put out two trolling rigs. One rig trolled a Rapala and
the other a bucktail. It didn't take long to hook up on the troll with double hook ups
and 2 slimers came over the rail. :LOL:

Troll Shot....
http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd438/motorhaed/P7240407.jpg

Looking off in the distance in the direction we were travelling, we could see the cuda
boiling. Going to be a slay day! We trolled some more until we got into the thicker school. Eddie set us up on a drift right through the middle of the cuda and it was game on. We started off flylining dines and the cuda were just smashing them. It seemed kind of hard to get a hook into the slimers as most of the time our baits came back completely shreaded or bit in half.

I think Eddie and Rich got a couple each and I got 1 while flylining. The good old LC's
came out to play after a while and it was game on and a fish on every cast for what
seemed like hours. :Cool:

Here are the 2 LC's I brought with me for the cuda. They each served their purpose in
the past landing me several halibut a few years ago. I brought them out of retirement
for this mission...
http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd438/motorhaed/P7260416.jpg

Little, big and huge logs came over the rail. One of them went 4' with a diameter of 8".
The action was furious and unfortunately no cameras came out.

I caught a mac on the LC and threw him in the bait tank(more on that later)

At one point I started casting out and reeling in fast until I could see my lure and the fish that were following it. If the fish were small, I did my best to keep the lure away from them and if they were big, I let them eat it! It was fun to watch them smash the LC right in front of me! :LOL:

After the slime bite fizzled, we tried a different spot and made a few drifts through the kelp. In the kelp we found the calicos somewhat suspended in the water column and they too were willing to come up and attack our LC's. None were of legal size but it was fun to watch 4-5 Calicos coming up from different directions to eat the lure. I spotted a lone WSB about 4' in the kelp. There were some Sandies in the mix too. Not many pics of them either as the action was too fun to pick up the camera.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd438/motorhaed/P7240409m.jpg
http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd438/motorhaed/P7240410.jpg

Eddie set us up for a few halibut drifts through out the day which resulted in a bunch of tail smoked dines with the butts not quite making it up to the hook. Each time, when we had a bite, we would let them eat it a bit longer. If we had set up with stingers there might have been some success but it was nearing the end of the day.

On the last halibut drift of the day, with 5-6 beat up deans and 3-4 lively ones left in the tank, I decided to put the mac on the hook and leave the dines to Eddie and Rich, as they were having more success with them than I was.

I remembered seeing that WSB and the guy at the bait dock mentioned some firecracker
yellows being caught in the area. I sent the mac down to the bottom and was wondering if a WSB could even eat a 9" mac. I know a YT can.... whoa!! clicker is going off in short
bursts, nah! it's just hung up on kelp again... zzzzzzZZzzzz goes the clicker some more...
That doesnt sound like its hung up! Rich says to me "think you got something there?"

I set the hook after a few more seconds and ZZZzZzzzzzzzZZZZzzZzzZzz and more ZZz
zzzZZZzZzZZzzzZzzZzzzZzZZZZzzzzzzzzZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZwhoa!!!!! zzzzzzz ZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz oh crap!! ZZzzZzZZzzzZZzZz and more ZZZZZZzZzzzzzzZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ holy!! ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzZZZZ WTH!!! this isnt a halibut ZZZZZZZZzzzzZZZZZ
ZZZZZzZZZzZzzzzzzZZZZzzzZZZZZZz It aint a YT or a WSB either!! ZZZZZZZZZZZ
ZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzZ Eddie says "let me check your drag" ZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzZ
ZZZZZzZzzzzzZZZzzzZZZzZzZ "ok" ZZZzZzZZZZZzZZZZZZ ZZZ zzz zz z z ZZZZZZ
ZZZzz zz z z z z now it's time to pump and wind!! Color!! it's a thresher! It sees the boat and a huge explosion of water goes everywhere! :EyePop::EyePop::EyePop: ZZZZzzzZZZZzzzZZzZzzzz etc...... Pump and reel...... ZZZZzZzzzzz etc... pump and reel.....

Thresher bendo...
http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm172/ehesbol/P7240695.jpg
http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm172/ehesbol/P7240696.jpg
http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm172/ehesbol/P7240698.jpg

A long while later, the shark is at the boat, on it's side and not moving at all. While we're watching it to see what it's going to do, there's a cloud of blood forming in the water. The shark still hasn't moved a muscle. Eddie grabbed the tail then both Eddie and Rich hoisted the beast into the boat. Blood was just pouring out of the sharks gills and mouth. :Confused:

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd438/motorhaed/P7240412.jpg
http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd438/motorhaed/P7240699.jpg

I was setup with 25lb mono at the hook. The shark ate the whole mackeral and got hooked in the gut. His stomach was pulled into his mouth. Why he didn't saw me off during the first few moments of the fight, I dont know. I wasn't out to catch and kill any sharks but for those of you that have a soft spot in your heart for these beautiful creatures like I do, I will think about what happened and how to avoid it in the future.

Cleaning station..
http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd438/motorhaed/P7240411.jpg
http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd438/motorhaed/P7240418.jpg

Eddie and Rich, thanks again for inviting me! Had a blast as always!
I'll try and brush up on my singing!

Sunset pics...
http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm172/ehesbol/P7240700.jpg
http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd438/motorhaed/P7240425.jpg
http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd438/motorhaed/P7240409.jpg
murrieta angler
07-26-2011, 12:53 PM
HOLY SHI!!!!!!!!
A thresher shark, what a nice suprise when fishing for WSB or YT's.
It's a beautiful fish and a moment you won't forget John.
Wish I could have been there with you guys.
Nice looking fish all around.
Great report,
Robert
<><



p.s. I will be holding singing lessons next week, c-ya there...:ROFL:
JapanRon
07-26-2011, 04:59 PM
Hi klocked,

Nice run on the cuda !!

Great report .... thanks,

JapanRon
Wingnut
07-26-2011, 05:05 PM
Hey Eddie... I can Karaoke with the best of them! :LOL: :Envious:
Wow, what fantastic surprise catch. :EyePop: Enjoy the bounty as it was gift from Poseidon. :Cool:
Those LC's looked like they been to hell and back, lol
See ya in a couple of weeks John. :Wink:
bones
08-05-2011, 10:11 PM
Very nice report and pics John. Your report was great read.What a enjoyable day for you guys on the water. I'll take nonstop action and lots of laughs over one of the reports where the guys hunt all day long for the ever so elusive blue fin tuna or the ghosts that have been spotty as well. Sometimes you have to adjust your expectations and attitude to make it a great day on the water and you guys did an awesome job. The slime sticks have been on the chew recently and it looks like some of the migratory sand bass are still around as well. I've been itching to get on some of that constant action myself.....I'm very jealous dude!
I had my first threasher shark feast last year. We marinated the steaks in soy sauce and brown sugar for 30 minutes and then BBQ'd them.
They were awesome!
We actually used the cuda meat for some very good ceviche too....Damn....I'm hungry now LOL
As I read your report I started to smile and by the end I was grinning from ear to ear. Thanks for sharing your day with Eddie and Rich !
Now get your feet back on the sand soldier....... The enemy needs to be slayed!
Talk to ya soon Bro....

Mike
TUNAVIC
08-06-2011, 02:45 PM
Very cool report,nice pics also,as far as the Thresher goes,I too have caught fish I wished I could have released,but for whatever reason,deep hooked, dead,or not able to revive,I've had to keep if legal,I just make sure they don't go to waste,and there put to good use ie eaten! Even if you try your best,circle hooks, artificial s,ect,your gonna kill a fish now and then,as long as you appreciate the resource and put it to good use,no worries,jmo.
marzocchi
08-09-2011, 12:53 AM
Perfect eating size thresher. Not too big, not too small.
KID CREOLE
08-09-2011, 06:45 AM
klocked,

Don't sweat not being able to release the t shark, you tried and it was hurt, it happens. Great to see releasing the threshers was your intention. There are many people who target and kill these pups as often as they can because it's legal
DockRat
08-11-2011, 06:14 AM
WTG John/Eddie, nice pics.


Perfect eating size thresher. Not too big, not too small.

Too small to be 'Perfect eating size'
If you compare the main body (gills to start of tail) to John's arm or the 12" rod holder,
that puts it at less than 3' of meat.
But gut hooked, who wouldn't steak it out.
That's some good eats there.
DR
stepchild
08-11-2011, 07:51 AM
wtg on the great day of fishing and catching....i hear thresher steaks are delish
flyngby
08-12-2011, 09:25 PM
John,

Eddie & Rich are always great to fish with and willing to take their friends out on their ride for great times on the waters! I have the felling Eddie thinks that I don't like him any more as we have been unable to get our schedules to align of late but, I have spent equal time on the waters with him and family as I have with the SWAT Brotherhood! It is just not the same amount of time that we have shared in the past! I have not been on the "Hesbros" ride since the last time you and I were aboard together out of Dana about 2 years ago.

Congrats on the fine day out there and I know that you guys were not out targeting a young Mako for table fair and did your best to give it a chance that would not happen! It was legal to take home and you all made the right choice!

I could not make the trip as I had to watch over my puppies while the wife was out of town!

Steve http://planetsmilies.net/person-smiley-1122.gif

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z286/flyngby/BleedingMac.jpg
HESBROS
08-16-2011, 04:01 PM
John as you know, you are always welcome. As for you being last choice, there were a few select before you, a few guys that used to have more time to fish?????? You do need to work on your singing as I am becoming used to Robert and the singing all day.....Guess we could turn on the the stereo some day?

You gave a great description of the day......I think it is safe to say we all a blast, it made me smile everytime I looked up towards the bow and would see you hooked up with a big grin on your face.

Talk about luck, that T came within what would have been the last 5-10 mins of fishing. Of course we had to stay longer waiting for "Big" John to get the "LiL" T to the boat.........

One of these days you will get more rest before the trip, since you are always doubling back from SWAT! You better start getting your rest as hooping season will be coming soon and we will be doing marathon trips!

Till next time,
Eddie
blackwater
08-16-2011, 07:06 PM
Sweet Thresher Big John. :Envious:
What can you do when the thing died...? You enjoy the gift, that's what. :Wink:
klocked
08-28-2011, 04:38 PM
HOLY SHI!!!!!!!!
A thresher shark, what a nice suprise when fishing for WSB or YT's.
It's a beautiful fish and a moment you won't forget John.
Wish I could have been there with you guys.
Nice looking fish all around.
Great report,
Robert
<><



p.s. I will be holding singing lessons next week, c-ya there...:ROFL:

Thanks Robert, it was a blast as always aboard the Hesbros!
Put on some background music and we'll sing a duet!


Hi klocked,

Nice run on the cuda !!

Great report .... thanks,

JapanRon

Thank you JR


Hey Eddie... I can Karaoke with the best of them! :LOL: :Envious:
Wow, what fantastic surprise catch. :EyePop: Enjoy the bounty as it was gift from Poseidon. :Cool:
Those LC's looked like they been to hell and back, lol
See ya in a couple of weeks John. :Wink:

Thanks Arthur,

those lc's can really take a beating after they've already taken a beating!:LOL::LOL:
Some new hooks and they'll be ready for more.... cuda!


Very nice report and pics John. Your report was great read.What a enjoyable day for you guys on the water. I'll take nonstop action and lots of laughs over one of the reports where the guys hunt all day long for the ever so elusive blue fin tuna or the ghosts that have been spotty as well. Sometimes you have to adjust your expectations and attitude to make it a great day on the water and you guys did an awesome job. The slime sticks have been on the chew recently and it looks like some of the migratory sand bass are still around as well. I've been itching to get on some of that constant action myself.....I'm very jealous dude!
I had my first threasher shark feast last year. We marinated the steaks in soy sauce and brown sugar for 30 minutes and then BBQ'd them.
They were awesome!
We actually used the cuda meat for some very good ceviche too....Damn....I'm hungry now LOL
As I read your report I started to smile and by the end I was grinning from ear to ear. Thanks for sharing your day with Eddie and Rich !
Now get your feet back on the sand soldier....... The enemy needs to be slayed!
Talk to ya soon Bro....

Mike

Thanks Mike, I'm glad you liked the report. I think I'll give your recipe a try next week or so, sounds good!


Very cool report,nice pics also,as far as the Thresher goes,I too have caught fish I wished I could have released,but for whatever reason,deep hooked, dead,or not able to revive,I've had to keep if legal,I just make sure they don't go to waste,and there put to good use ie eaten! Even if you try your best,circle hooks, artificial s,ect,your gonna kill a fish now and then,as long as you appreciate the resource and put it to good use,no worries,jmo.

Thankya TV, I happen to love Thresher shark but dont eat(buy) it very often. None of this shark will have gone to waste.


Perfect eating size thresher. Not too big, not too small.

Thanks Marzocchi


klocked,

Don't sweat not being able to release the t shark, you tried and it was hurt, it happens. Great to see releasing the threshers was your intention. There are many people who target and kill these pups as often as they can because it's legal

Thank you Kid, I did a search on youtube for Threshers, unbelievable what some people do with our resources.


WTG John/Eddie, nice pics.

Too small to be 'Perfect eating size'
If you compare the main body (gills to start of tail) to John's arm or the 12" rod holder,
that puts it at less than 3' of meat.
But gut hooked, who wouldn't steak it out.
That's some good eats there.
DR

Hmm... only 3' of meat eh? Your Armchair assumptions are way off this time! :LOL:


wtg on the great day of fishing and catching....i hear thresher steaks are delish

Thanks Stepchild!


John,

Eddie & Rich are always great to fish with and willing to take their friends out on their ride for great times on the waters! I have the felling Eddie thinks that I don't like him any more as we have been unable to get our schedules to align of late but, I have spent equal time on the waters with him and family as I have with the SWAT Brotherhood! It is just not the same amount of time that we have shared in the past! I have not been on the "Hesbros" ride since the last time you and I were aboard together out of Dana about 2 years ago.

Congrats on the fine day out there and I know that you guys were not out targeting a young Mako for table fair and did your best to give it a chance that would not happen! It was legal to take home and you all made the right choice!

I could not make the trip as I had to watch over my puppies while the wife was out of town!

Steve http://planetsmilies.net/person-smiley-1122.gif

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z286/flyngby/BleedingMac.jpg

Thanks Steve, we missed you out there bro!


John as you know, you are always welcome. As for you being last choice, there were a few select before you, a few guys that used to have more time to fish?????? You do need to work on your singing as I am becoming used to Robert and the singing all day.....Guess we could turn on the the stereo some day?

You gave a great description of the day......I think it is safe to say we all a blast, it made me smile everytime I looked up towards the bow and would see you hooked up with a big grin on your face.

Talk about luck, that T came within what would have been the last 5-10 mins of fishing. Of course we had to stay longer waiting for "Big" John to get the "LiL" T to the boat.........

One of these days you will get more rest before the trip, since you are always doubling back from SWAT! You better start getting your rest as hooping season will be coming soon and we will be doing marathon trips!

Till next time,
Eddie

Eddie!!, I was just ribbin' ya bro :LOL:
That was a blast and I can't wait to go again! Thanks for having me aboard!


Sweet Thresher Big John. :Envious:
What can you do when the thing died...? You enjoy the gift, that's what. :Wink:

Thank you Phuong, that T-shark is delicious!
smokehound
08-28-2011, 05:42 PM
Way to go. nice thresher!
THROWBACK RANGER
08-28-2011, 05:47 PM
you cant beat that with a bat!
klocked
08-31-2011, 09:23 AM
Way to go. nice thresher!

Thanks Smoke


you cant beat that with a bat!

Thanks man!
DockRat
08-31-2011, 12:03 PM
Hmm... only 3' of meat eh? Your Armchair assumptions are way off this time! :LOL:


I was refering to the area from the gills to the beginning of the tail.
How long would you estimate the body (meat section) ?

3' body
1' head/gills
1' tail (4' upper tail)
-----------
= 5' Thresher @ 50 lbs


Your Armchair assumptions are way off this time! :LOL:


How much am I off John ?

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa72/stark_ind/armchair-quarterback.jpg DR