SWAT'N The BU 7/25 and 7/27

[bones]

This report covers two days of fishing at my local AO on monday 7/25 and 7/27. After fishing with
the whole gang down south I decided to do a few local trips since the conditions were setting up
very nicely. The northern section of Samo Bay always takes it's time to settle into a reliable pattern
where as the south bay always seems to get in full swing earlier in the season. The northern swell
has backed down and the southern hemi swells have started to fill in on a regular basis. This is the
perfect scenario to make the upper Samo Bay come alive.The bait fish are still not very active in the
surf zone so my primary focus will be in areas where there is structure rather than any sandy flats.

Monday 7/25

Water clean and glassy
Gentle incomming tide
No weeds and no wind (Yet)
Water temp 67 degrees

I only have a few hours to fish this morning (I always say that). As soon as I get out of my car I see that
the water is very clean and the tide level is right where I need it to be in order to fish the area effectivly.
When I can see all of the boilers and clean lighter patches in between them I get excited about the
anticipation of the first grab. I love slow rolling LC's through the enemy mine field. The only question is
WHEN and WHERE the engagement will take place.With not very much sand to stand on I choose a
section of rocks to fish from which always makes landing fish interesting and somewhat nerve wrecking.
I've fished this spot for many years and it has given me all of my PB flatties not to mention a ton of legals.
The only problem is that if the tide is too low they all slide out and if the tide is too high it's a crazy place
to bounce a big fish into the holes and channels between the rocks.So I postion myself on one of the many
flat topped rocks and begin fan casting the area. After about 10 casts I feel that first grab and it's a pancake
but hey....it's a start.I shook off three more and didn't bother with pics because they were so small but.....
It's a good sign! I hop a little to my left and make another cast and get another grab. A slightly larger shortie
comes to color so I decide for the photo op.

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/7262011/02222011009.jpg

As soon as I put her back I hear a voice behind me and look over my shoulder and it's Sid (Sidified) one of
the SWAT team who has decided to poach out my spot....LOL
Just kidding Sid........ Your a local team member and I told you about this spot so you can fish your heart
out and hopefully be as successful as I have been with it.
So I tell Sid that they are here and I've already let five shorties go which gets him pumped up and he works
his way down the rocks to my side.This spot is very small and I tell Sid that the tide is going to be even more
favorable in about an hour when we hit high tide. I think I already stuck most of the agressive flatties in this spot
but more will slide in as soon as high tide hits. I decide to move down the beach and Sid sticks around for a bit
and then decided to bounce a little north. After about an hour the bite dies and I decide to move back to the
original spot. I wasn't there for more than 5 minutes when I hear Sids voice again.
I turn around and he is comming down the rocks again but with a battle wound.....LOL
The boilers here are very dangerous and I've thumped,scraped and cut myself many times here so now I take it
slow and easy for sure. It only takes one mishap to ruin your whole day sometimes.
Sid.....You better start carrying some neosporin if you choose to not wear your waders.....LOL

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/7262011/02222011011.jpg

So we BS for a while and Sid was so patient. I gave him a few tips on how to run his bait deep on the long cast
but to high stick when your lure gets close to prevent losing an expensive hardbait but as luck would have it.....
Sid donated one LC to poseidon today....Sorry buddy....it happens to all of us!
He ties on another LC and starts tossing again......

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/7262011/02222011010.jpg

A few moments later he sticks a shortie but I'm glad he got to see the potential this spot has.

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/7262011/02222011012.jpg

Sid needed to leave but I stuck around for a few when I get bit again and I could tell that this was no flattie by how
it took off. A few moments later it got hung up in the rocks and I was fearful that I was going to lose not only my
fish but also my LC !
So rather than doing the back up and snap off thing I spool out alot of slack and sit down........Light a smoke and
within 5 minutes the fish frees itself and starts tugging again. I horse her in and low and behold.....It's a juvi WSB.

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/7262011/02222011013.jpg

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/7262011/02222011014.jpg

She got injured pretty badly on her right side when she got stuck in the rocks but the law says.....She has to go
back. So I gently released her and wished her luck in her survival.

A juvi WSB at noon.....Go figure......Damn.....It's lunch time and I have to do some work so....Time to call it a day!

Sid....It was great seeing you buddy and I expect you to hit that spot hard....It will be good to you as long as you
hit it on a regular basis or at least everytime you hop over the hill.

My next opportunity to fish was two days later....

Wednesday 7/27

Upon arrival I'm greeted with even better conditions and I feel like this is the day for some magic to happen. It's still
dark but I decided to slowly work down the rocks and try to fish right before greylight. Now ...casting a baitcaster in
the dark is touchy to say the least. I have to ride the spool through the entire cast to prevent the ever so frustrating
"Professional Over Run" :ROFL:

So I make a few casts and get HAMMERED!
I work with a very light drag and the fish heads towards some rocks which is NOT GOOD!
I point my rod at her and let her instincts take over so she will head for deeper water. As she swings left I high stick
her and begin the tug of war. When she sandbags it I almost thought I was on a PB flattie but no.......

Another juvi WSB but a little larger model than two days before.
Nice start though and what a way to wake up....LOL

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/7262011/02222011021.jpg

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/7262011/02222011022.jpg

I quickly let her go and proceeded to land a few more short Halibut but I took a few pics of them this time.

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/7262011/02222011025.jpg

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/7262011/02222011024.jpg


Then I stuck a nice little chunky YFC.

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/7262011/02222011026.jpg

The bite died in this spot so I moved a little south for only one micro Leopard shark.
What the hell was this thing thinking?

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/7262011/02222011027.jpg

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/7262011/02222011001a.jpg

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/7262011/02222011002.jpg



After a little while my mind started wandering and wondering about the first spot......Too much life there and various
hungry species so as a last ditch effort I go back and start casting again. Within a few minutes I get the grab I want
I can tell it's a larger flattie because of it's weight......She went 24" and I decided she was comming home so I can
make my kids hali-kabobs this weekend !

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/7262011/02222011028.jpg

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/7262011/02222011031.jpg

So....Two mornings of fishing and the totals were....

Seven short halibut (released)
One legal at 24" (KIA)
Two juvi WSB (released)
One micro Leo (released)
One YFC (released)

Heading back out Friday morning but there is a southern hemi swell on it's way. We will see what happens!

Hope you folks enjoyed the read !

Bonus pics.....

One very friendly baby commorant.....

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/7262011/02222011004.jpg

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/7262011/02222011006.jpg

Mr. Grunion.....Meet Mr. Luckycraft....your twin!

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/7262011/02222011028a.jpg

Hey....I can cook also....Kinda....LOL
Hali and Shrimp Kabobs over a bed of wild rice smothered in crushed garlic and butter.

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/7262011/02222011045.jpg

And Of course......

A land locked Butt !

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/7262011/02222011041-1.jpg

Until next time......

SWAT team member Bones.....Debriefing complete--------<><

[Nipple Twister]

Impressive Sir, thanks for sharing.

The "landlocked butts" seem to be a trend lately......nice...

[PegLegg]

Great report Bones. You did much better than I did lol

[stepchild]

the weather and the water is heating up thats why.

[fishshep]

Really liked your stradegy on waiting out the WSB to free himself :Smile:

Seems like you sure have a good go to spot for Hali,s in the BU :Big Grin:

I will trade you two Perch spots for that Hali spot :LOL::LOL::LOL:

NO !!! Why not, :???: I won't blab it :Wink::Big Grin::Big Grin:

[n1ckxlam]

dude Mike, those are some good lookin fish, the color spots really came out on those rocks. i got the same lc btw. haha. way to slay

Nick

[PONTOON]

Nice going out there Mike!:Cool:

When you day you only have a few hours to fish I have to smile. I've fished with you and I know how much territory you can cover in just a short time.:Shocked:
Congrats to both you and Sid beating the skunk the first day and congrats to you on some fine catches the second day as well as the legal hali.

Thanks for sharing the report and pics. I hope to see you sometime soon.:Thumbs Up::Thumbs Up:

[fishincrave]

Good going there Mr. Bones nice legal hali and great looking Kebobs at that .


Sean

[efishent]

Thanks for the detailed report- very nice sessions that I can clearly visualize and excellent illustrations. Mentioning that clear good conditions got EVEN better the next day sounded like a dream- we haven't had 'em further north for sooo long.
Good workout on those rocks but those kabobs will resotre your energy quickly.

[Which Way Out]

Was that Sid White Shoe's ? He's a good fisherman..

Thanks for getting your PC up and working so you can get your reports out. Without Arthur around and the way I've been fishing lately we need all the reports we can get.

Good job guys.

[bones]

Thanks folks for all of the nice comments. The swell came up so my honey hole will shut down. Looks like it's the southbay this weekend.

Lot's of landlocked butts this weekend due to the 6 man Manhatten Vollyball tourny. Just google it.
Plan of attack......fish from 5:30 to noon and head home but only after checking out the tourny !

[iLLest]

sweet reports bro.

Looks like the quality of fish are there for sure. If Hali's and WSB are in your honey hole, what more can you ask for? I'd be there everyday lol. Go get em bud!

what kind of camera is that btw? The quality is nice and sharp. Im looking into buying a new one myself.

[jerryG]

Mike,

I had a feeling that Bu was going turn on. Actually it's probably been on ever since the water got warm up there. I just have not any time to fish it. Nice work on the fish. Your week day missions have been productive. I hope to fish with you soon my friend until then keep up the good work...

JerryG

[marzocchi]

How do you catch those landlock butts? :D

[keepemlo]

Great infolan to hit a few spots today great that were seeing more and more "land locks"they almost deserve their own forum!nothing like so California!!!!

[murrieta angler]

Hey Mike,
You didn't mention the nice day you had while we were talking last night.
Legal hali, and a couple of WSB makes for a great day for an entire week.

Sid,
You need to stop getting hurt or else I'm gonna need to start carrying a first aid kit around.. : )

Take care,
Robert
<><

[Native Gal]

Bones,
Good to see you back at it. Nice juvi wsb, smok'n and chill'n for the wsb to work itself out, classic! Nice kabobs.
Thanks for the post.

Take care,
NG

[DockRat]

Nice write up and pics Mike. Thnx.


How do you catch those landlock butts? :D

With a Hardbait.
DR

[bsp]

Mike,
Glad to see your favorite AO is producing! WSB are always a nice surf find, and that legal is great as well. Sorry the short WSB got messed up by the rocks, but sometimes things like that are unavoidable. That cormorant may have been friendly, but it's just a year away from being a PIA, haha!
Look forward to hitting the surf with ya soon buddy!
Marc

[Badbeat]

Way to keep up with the SWAT assault Mike. :Big Grin:
Nice butt varieties. :Wink: