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View Full Version : Rpt-Tuesday-07-26-11 SCI Tails, Cuda and Limits Of Cali's!



Tunaslam
07-26-2011, 10:18 PM
Fishing Tuesday, 07-26-10 with Dave Robinson on his 28' Farallon, “Hooked” with crew Jim and Stan. Our destination being San Clemente Island. We left Dave’s slip in Newport Beach at 5:05 am, stopping at Newport Bait to pick up 3 scoops of dynamite mixed Sardines and Anchovies. We cleared the harbor by 5:40 am, enjoying flat calm seas, and cloudy skies. A dozen miles out, the skies cleared, and the wind picked up, capping at 6:30 am, with a 2 to 3 foot wind chop. We slowed to 20 knots.

Dave set a course for the front side of SCI, west of White’s Rock, as the Navy was already closing the East end down to White Rock and Pyramid to China Point on the backside. As we approached the Island you could hear the roar of big guns going off. Within six miles of the Island the seas greased up, and the wind died down to fewer than five knots.

Dave anchored up near nice a kelp line, over some rocky structure. Dave used the anchovies for chum, and the first couple tosses of chum resulted in numerous boils, as healthy Calico Bass chased the baits. Unfortunately they weren’t so enthused with the sardines. It was a slow pick; with many fish lost to the rugged structure we were fishing. I think Dave started off with three straight break offs in the kelp and or rocks. The Calico Bass we caught were mostly in prime spawning mold, with rich golden brown colors.

Here I am with my first picture moment Calico Bass:

http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i394/tunaslam/100_1630.jpg

Stan with a big one:

http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i394/tunaslam/100_1643.jpg

Jim with another colorful Calico Bass:

http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i394/tunaslam/100_1631.jpg

Dave caught some 4 to 5 pounders, but released them before I could grab the camera, he is always camera shy?

After an hour the bite became almost non existent and we moved further west. There was excellent current, and on the next spot the Bass really wanted to play. We also caught some Barracuda, and then some of the boils were big, indicating the possibility of Yellowtail joining the party. Sure enough Stan gets hammered, the line had the familiar thumping that belongs to a Yellowtail. Obviously the fish was big, as it took several long runs. As Stan began to gain some line back, it found a rock and pop. Back comes three feet of frayed line. Only moments later Jim sets the hook on a big fish. It heads out to sea, whew away from the kelp. It takes a long first run, then sounds, goes back along the stern and up to the bow. We were anchored in 90 feet, so there was room to play. Jim was only using 20-pound test line. A good fight on the bow finally ended as Dave stuck the big Tail in the head and hauled him aboard.

Jim with a nice 22-pound fish!
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i394/tunaslam/100_1633.jpg

Just after catching this Calico Bass:

http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i394/tunaslam/100_1646.jpg

I tossed out a Sardine that was hit by a freight train. My line starts peeling out, and thank goodness heads up the side of the boat out to sea. I was also using 20-pound line. I felt that familiar tail shudder, and knew I had a chance at this Yellowtail, although I feel the power of a good size fish. After a short battle near the surface the fish sounded, and slowly worked it’s way back to the stern and then towards the kelp, oh no! I put as much pressure on the fish as possible and he turned. I gained line on him slowly, as he was in a tight circle, still out of sight, and lying on his side, tail thumping, unwilling to come up only an inch at a time. Finally deep color, and I began short pumping him in, he rose quickly where Jim made a great gaff and I’m on the board.


An identical twin to Jim’s Yellowtail:

http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i394/tunaslam/100_1637.jpg

http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i394/tunaslam/100_1639.jpg

The two of us:

http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i394/tunaslam/100_1641.jpg

Not too long later Dave gets his turn, as a Yellowtail simply smokes him on 25 pound line, k-pow, the line snaps, bummer. We ended up 2 for 4 on hook ups and each of us was bit only once. The bite quickly died and we moved way down the Island to one of Dave’s favorite spots. It was now nearing high noon. The last couple hours were down right hot, both weather wise and fishing wise!

Leaving grease conditions the wind increased as we moved west, reaching at least 15 knots, with gusts to over 20. Dave struggled to set the boat up in a good position to catch more Calico Bass. Giving up on setting up correctly, he moved us in tight to the kelp, threw some chum and the ocean erupted in boils. Lots of Calico Bass, as Barracuda joined the party, and a few more Yellowtail slid by the boat. If we hooked one here, we were toast, as we were surrounded by kelp! Didn’t happen?

The Calico Bass and Barracuda went on a serious chew and we were all having a blast. The bigger boys bit the sardines, with the little guys attacking any anchovy that hit the water. We caught and released easily over 100 Calico Bass for the day, a dozen or more Barracuda. I added a few Whitefish to the count. We kept a few bleeders for tacos.

Another Calico for me:

http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i394/tunaslam/100_1636.jpg

My next to last fish was my biggest of the day:

http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i394/tunaslam/100_1645.jpg

Jim with another Cali:

http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i394/tunaslam/100_1642.jpg

Stan caught the biggest Calico Bass of the day, about 7 pounds:

http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i394/tunaslam/100_1644.jpg


Out of bait, we called it a day at 3:55 pm, expecting a rough ride home; we were pleasantly surprised to cruise at 26 knots all the way to Newport, arriving in less than 2 hours. Although it was bumpy, with a good wind chop all the way.

Thanks again Dave, what can I say, another fantastic trip together. You always put us on the fish, no matter the conditions. Good fishing with you again Jim and Stan, hope we can share a rail together soon.
Hook up!
Cory

Red Drum
07-26-2011, 10:33 PM
Excellent report Cory and congrats on the Yellowtail and quality Calico Bass. I miss fishing that island, I need to get back out there.

Newfishsmell
07-27-2011, 06:10 AM
Wow , nice looking fish guys !
Thanks for the report .

murrieta angler
07-27-2011, 07:54 AM
Way to go Cory,
The YT looked awesome and made me a little jealous.
I look forward to getting out on the water again real soon.
The calicos look great as well, rich in color.
Thanks for the report,
Robert
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marzocchi
07-27-2011, 01:47 PM
Nice job Cory. Those are some beautiful calicos and yellowtails.

TUNAVIC
07-27-2011, 02:34 PM
My oh my,that was pretty sweet,you guys killed,excellent report results and pics,I bet you weren't missing those sandies while pulling on awesome yellows and calis!Makes me very envious.Thnaks for the report!

Which Way Out
07-27-2011, 04:54 PM
Great report guys. Nice pic's as well. Congrats

lifewith714
07-27-2011, 05:18 PM
Beautiful fishies! Good job guys!

DockRat
07-28-2011, 06:59 AM
WTG Cory, Are you ready for Tuna ?
Time for that Rubber Ducky to get bloody.
Watch the gaff. DR

JapanRon
07-28-2011, 05:06 PM
Hi Tunaslam,

Couldn't ask for much more from a trip !!

thanks,

JapanRon

Tunaslam
07-28-2011, 05:35 PM
Excellent report Cory and congrats on the Yellowtail and quality Calico Bass. I miss fishing that island, I need to get back out there.

Does the Big Drum have the range Vince?
Cory

kgselect
08-03-2011, 02:24 PM
Great report & excellent pix. Offshore is up and down, but SCI seems to be fairly consistent. Thanks.