BOO........SWAT'n The Ghosts ...a new PB and a new species!

[bones]

Well folks it's time for another adventure with me on the sand over the Last week and a half.

Since the halibut action spread out after the water temps came up and they are not hugging structure like before I decided to hunt for big perch and do my best to find all of the birds and bait that seemed to have disappeared from my local haunt.A month and a half ago there were so many birds digging for food it was insane but that was because the inshore structure was the first region to warm up. With the water temps comming up the bait has transitioned to a little distance off shore and spread out so the winter/spring transition has set itself in place as long as no more cold/latent storms track us down from the north.
I made a trip up to VC to see if the birds MAYBE moved up north but the whole coastline between SAMO and VC was pretty much a ghost town.I did do some recon in a rather new spot and although it looked real fishy....It still seemed too cold for a great bite. I did enjoy the hike and atmosphere.
The way down to the water....

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/PBWSB2012/P4250026.jpg

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/PBWSB2012/P4270032.jpg

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/PBWSB2012/P4270034.jpg

MMMM.....Big sand crab beds and a recent molt are both a good sign.

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/PBWSB2012/P4270048.jpg

The spot itself.

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/PBWSB2012/P4270041.jpg

Viola....A skunk buster!

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/PBWSB2012/P4270046.jpg

There was too much salad in the trenches so although this spot looked good. It was unfishable. Grass and kelp on just about every cast.
I had a tire on my SUV that was a little low on air and hit up the gas station. I grabbed a few quarters for the air machine but to my surprise.....It's been a long time since I've seen "FREE" anything!

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/PBWSB2012/P4270049.jpg

Time to head back south....
A few days later I received some intel from an old friend named Tik. He walked up on me at a spot and told me that he got into a good WSB bite nearby.He was so insistant that I take a short drive and wouldn't stop hounding me until I agreed to go with him and check it out.
This is where the real adventure begins....
He told me that it was a sundowner and the window for opportunity was very narrow. WSB pretty much don't like bright light so they typically feed at greylight and sundown in the surf. Overcast mornings do help lengthen the window of opportunity though.
I started casting at 19:00 and got bit quickly. A juvi WSB comes to color and she was about 22" or so.

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/PBWSB2012/P4300050.jpg

Then about 10 minutes later I hang another one and she is just about the same size.

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/PBWSB2012/P4300052.jpg

The exciting thing about juvi WSB is that they like to jump. Both of these fish jumped three or four times in the skinny. So Much fun for sure and NOW I WAS A MAN ON A MISSION!
I fished for about another hour with no taps at all but just as the sun went down I get a good grab. When I saw the fish in the low light I thought it was a decent BSP but to my surprise it was a Zebra Perch!
A new species for me and one I wanted to check off my list since I have seen Wingnut and Murrietta Angler both catch them recently.

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/PBWSB2012/P4300054.jpg

Only about 10% of the Zebra Perches diet comes from animal matter. The rest is from plant matter. Primarilly they are the Vegans of the surf zone like Mullet and thats why you don't see many caught on bait or artificials. Some biologists believe that they only strike at a lure as some kind of territorial response. They inhabit the more rocky surf zones and protect their hunting grounds.
That was the end of that trip but a few days later I decide to go back to the same spot before the sun even came up (Ultra Greylight).Right out of the gate on my third cast I get bit and the fish jumps. WSB on baby! After an acrobatic fight I slide her up on the sand and she tapes out at 25"...short but a really nice fight.

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/PBWSB2012/P5010056.jpg

Then about 40 minutes later I get bit the exact same way and the tail dancing and jumping begins. What a blast ....She taped out at 25 also!

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/PBWSB2012/P5010058.jpg

Then I decided to switch and try a new bait made by a local guy named "Pauls Custom Lures" ... The bait looks very realistic and is hand painted to perfection.Yes....it's expensive. Twenty seven dollars to be exact....OUCH!

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/PBWSB2012/P5010090.jpg

I wasn't crazy about it being lighter than a 110 series Lucky Craft and I knew as soon as the onshore winds came up it was going to be an issue but the color scheme was too nice to ignore with the grunion pre-staging for their run this weekend. The other odd thing about the bait was the hooks. The barbs are inverted to the outside and the bend itself in the hooks have corners so to speak. Someone is trying to re-invent the wheel and I wasn't very fond of a hex shaped wheel so to speak.

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/PBWSB2012/P5010093.jpg

But I went with the flow and I got into a decent BSP and YFC bite right out of the gate. I wont bore anyone with the redundant pics but I landed around five BSP's and ten YFC's in a short time. The new bait was getting bit very well but I felt very uncomfortable with the hooks. They came out of the fish with little or no resistance at all. It pretty much felt like the hooks were barbless. When I grabbed the hooks with my pliers and turned the fish over....The fish just fell off with ease. With that issue running through my head I decided to switch back to the good old fathfull LC 110 (Anchovy Venus). I didn't want that BIG GRAB to happen and have the fish come unbuttoned due to a poorly designed hook (IMHO).
Just a few pics of the dawn YFC's and a BSP.

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/PBWSB2012/P5010065.jpg

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/PBWSB2012/P5010061.jpg

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/PBWSB2012/P5010064.jpg

Now for the good stuff ...
Shortly after the YFC and BSP blitz and now tossing a bait that I felt had hooks with a better holding capacity I finally get a big grab and she doesn't jump but rather makes that tell tale run for Catalina. Boy OH BOY.....This is what I was waiting for. The tug of war in the now swelly conditions was awesome and when I got her close I used the big shore break to land her. This was a big mistake when it comes to the fragile nature of WSB. She basically rolled up on the beach and she was injured pretty bad. The hooks from my LC tore up the tender spot under her chin and she was bleeding pretty bad. I scrambled to take a few pics and rushed her back into the water. She did swim out but in a few moments the surge washed her back up 50 ft south and she was lifeless.
Damn....She was my PB at 33" and I had to keep her. Everyone knows the SWAT creed to release your PB fish always but poseidon had other plans today. Sometimes things just don't work out the way we want them to.
The pics...

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/PBWSB2012/P5010069.jpg

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/PBWSB2012/P5010070.jpg

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/PBWSB2012/P5010072.jpg

The Injury...

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/PBWSB2012/P5010071.jpg

I went back to fishing with a feeling of sorrow. I knew my intentions were good and bad luck prevailed but hey.....I havn't eaten WSB for almost two years so I began to focus and get back to the matter at hand.
Shortly thereafter I got bit again and it turned out to be a short flattie.

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/PBWSB2012/P5010073.jpg


Then about 30 minutes later I got another jumper WSB juvi. I didn't tape her out because I wanted to rush her back into the water ASAP.

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/PBWSB2012/P5010074.jpg

Now it was 07:30 and I had to drive home and clean a fish and get ready for work.
The slaughter...

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/PBWSB2012/P5010075.jpg

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/PBWSB2012/P5010078.jpg

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/PBWSB2012/P5010079.jpg

Even my pitbull "Crystal Blue" got into the action...LOL

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/PBWSB2012/P5010080.jpg

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/PBWSB2012/P5010083.jpg

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/PBWSB2012/P5010088.jpg

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/PBWSB2012/P5010089.jpg

Boy there is alot meat on these fish. I'd say that I got about 7 or 8 lbs of meat.
All day long I told myself that I had to get back out there and set the record straight. I had to stick a bigger WSB and let her go.
I didn't whisper for her....I SHOUTED and Poseidon answered with authority!
I started a 17:30 and within about ten casts I get a big grab. Of course as soon as I feel the heavy weight of the fish she takes off like a freight train and the swells come in fast and furrious. What a tug of war in the surge and I didn't want to drag her into the shore pound so I decided to take my time and wait for a calm opportunity to slide her up on the sand.
I'm going to say she was 36" just because I have a weird way of measuring fish and dont seem to be able to measure from the longest part of the tail fin. Wingnut gave me crap about this recently but I always run my tape down the lateral line. I'll let my peers here on the FNN be the judge.
Taped out...Safely released and thereby keeping my promiss to poseidon!

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/PBWSB2012/P5020094.jpg

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/PBWSB2012/P5020095.jpg

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/PBWSB2012/P5020097.jpg

Sorry about the lengthly report. I know it's long but It was a crazy few days of fishing. The grunion runs should start on saturday and peak by monday folks. Get out there and Hunt some GIANTS!
SWAT Lt. Bones..... Debriefing complete.

[Mr_Dunev]

Wow wow wow....:Worship:

You did it again Mike. Your last report left me speechless, and I couldn't think of anything worth saying, but now that I have gotten to know you a little better I feel like I can properly congratulate you. You have been talking about these WSB for a couple weeks now, and you were NOT kidding! It's great seeing your persistence put some nice fish on the sand. Your reports don't come often but when they do, they blow ALL other reports out of the water! You have been blessed with some nice WSB this week, and you make it look SOOO easy. I haven't seen a ghost let alone multiple legals & shorts in such a short amount of time. Your a good guy, and an even better fisherman.

Arthur was telling my that those Zebra Perch are great fighters, and since they seem to be rare, I am glad you got to land one. It was well deserved! I know what it's like trying to release a fish, that has passed the point of no-return, but Poseidon saw your good intentions and decided to give you another one to prove your self.:Applause:

Great report, and even better work on the sand! No more sitting around the house, letting my mouth heal. I am gonna pop some pills and get on the sand ASAP, reading this left me inspired, and wanting to get out more than ever.

Congrats again on your PB('s). They are both beauties, and I look forward to another Jaw dropping:OMG!: inspirational report from you.

Lucas

[Wingnut]

You have no idea what it's been like getting the daily update texts and calls from you while I'm stuck at the office this entire week. :Envious:
When you were describing the action to me from the sand, it took every bit of restraint not to abandon my post and bolt out the door to join you... :LOL:
I hope the Ghosts stick around til' Sunday. :Wink:
I'm glad that Poseidon blessed you with another PB to allow you to honor the S.W.A.T. Creed. :Thumbs Up:
We now have a NEW White Sea Bass leader on the S.W.A.T. Challenge Leader Board. :Big Grin:
Great job Lieutenant, see ya soon! :Cool:

[FrazeIb1]

Nice report.......one of these days I'm going to give the surf a go.......nice pics and congrats on your PB.......

[midgettosser1]

Dude. What the hell?

Thats some crazy fishing.

.... or I guess I should say crazy "catching."

You are on fire my friend.

[Re8elmonk0341]

All u can say I WOW! WTG on the PB and PPB

[Troutman65]

Nice week of fishing . Congrats on your PB WSB . Enjoyed the read . Thanks

[fish_sauce]

Mike,

That is one heck of a report!!!! Way to go on all the ghosties!

That custom lure sure strikes a resemblance to the Megabass Ito 110, because the hook and the body looks exactly the same! They are about an 1/8th of an ounce lighter than the LC Flashminnow...casting is not as good, but i think they're designed for fast-rip/jerk retrieves, not the slow roll we're so accustomed to :Cool:

Thank you for another great report!

Andrew

[Armofisher818]

Nice fish way to go out there you must know your shiiiiit if you can catch all those cause anyone else on here cant

[smokehound]

You're on a roll, man. This is a good year for the salt..

[Hitts0n]

Bones you are the man !! I love reading your reports man you bring out the spirit of fishing!
You slayed out there Mr kill kill kill slay slay slay !! Congrats on you PB !!

[lip rippin sob]

Diggin yo style, hittin the sand hard bro,chasin the piggggggs!!!!
Congrats on the PB n new fishy! Thos zebras fight hard for there size.
You got your self some groceries,sea bass is my favorite tasting fish.
Enjoy it.
Can't wait to get one from the sand. Or a fat striper!

[fishshep]

NO DOUBT !!! :Big Grin: At least a 36incher :Wink:

and the tape was not even on the longest top part of the tail !!!

Hali PB and then WSB PB :Shocked: Wonder what is next ?

[murrieta angler]

Great Looking Fish Mike!!!
When I saw you at Sids you were saying how you wanted to beat your WSB PB.
Well you did it twice and I know you loved every minute of it...:Big Grin:
I totally agree with you, in regsrds to the juvi action. They are a blast to see jumping out of the water and just taking your line at will!!!
I totally agree with you also about the inverted hooks. Because the WSB thrash so hard, they would easily pop the hook.
When Arturo caught that 34" flatty, the inverted hook came right out after he beached it...:Surprised:
Great report and I'm glad you included the flowers. I was just checking out some of the purple ones that grow around here.
Thanks for the read and eye candy,
Robert
<><

[Jaysuuun]

Mike, awesome write up! Reading your report made me fee like I was there on the sand with you. Congrats on your landing your PB and then following up with another PB for the release. That's just frikin awesome. I need to get out there sometime. I have some new gear to break in. :Cool:


This is my favorite pic. Crystal Blue tounging the bASS! :LOL:

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/PBWSB2012/P5010078.jpg

[frankjz]

Hey Mike,

Great report and fantastic WSB! You're becoming the envy of the whole damn network with that monster halibut and now this. Incredible. I like the detail you add and the length of your reports is the fun of it all. What's the approx. weight on that WSB? Killer, man, killer.

fz

[PONTOON]

Excellent report Mike!:Cool:

I know that when Bones gets out there and walks point S.W.A.T. is going to have some good intel coming. For some reason even before I read about the big one you were going to be rewarded for your desire to keep the S.W.A.T. code intact. That last fish is a beauty!

Great job out there Mike. I hope to have the chance to walk the surf with you again this summer.:Thumbs Up:

[flyngby]

Thanks for the PM Mike! Hope no lurkers can infiltrate my computer!

Steve

[bloox8]

HOLY... CRAP... :Shocked:
Did you make your own special fish scent or something?????

Usually I am not TOO surprised by your posts, but man.. your last two posts were pretty crazy... And this post was like what dunev said, "jaw-dropping."
1 wsb, 2 wsb, 3 wsb, 4 wsb, 5 wsb... and it didnt stop lol. You are making me go crazy in this library... I can't study anymore :LOL: All I can think about is repairing my waders. Why Mike!?! WHY!?!.... jk jk. I'll try to get back to studying :Sad:

Enough of that. Congrats on the PBs!! After keeping up with your post for the past months, I know you are truly a gifted fisherman and I dont expect anything less :Smile: ...You know your S%$T man lol ...

Thanks for the fun read! And honestly, your posts aren't long at all. They are too fun to be long. Write more!



Thien

[Lucky Lager]

damn nice fish!!
looking forward to landing one of those some day.
as far as the meat goes, how does it compare to striped bass? i've never tasted wsb, but i'm guessing they're similar?
congrats on the pb...'s they're both really nice fish.

[SP Dan]

Mr. Bones!

You do go through some reel off spells but "when you're hot you're hot"! :Big Smile: :Applause:
WTG on your new species, personal best and the replacement of your personal best to surrender back to the sea for another day! :Thumbs Up:
Poseidon has proven himself to be passionate and fair to those that are good of heart!

I've had the pleasure to have fished with you a few times and I have come to realize how dedicated and focused you can be, you have a true passion.....for the love and respect of our sport. For this...."Bigger" species will be coming your way my friend!

I can honestly say to you soldier, that you didn't deserve any of these fish!........."you earned them all....the hard way"! :Wink:

Mike...I want to thank you for the great read with pic's! :Cool:

WTG Mike!

SP Dan <"))><

[iLLest]

dude, amazing job bro!
You've got this spot down to a T.
Those WSB are beautiful....it sucks that one of them didnt make it, but you know what sometimes Poseidon has his ways of thanking you back for all of the good karma done over the years. Enjoy it, that sucker looks pretty chunky. The dog pic is hilarious, specially the one where he's giving the WSB mouth to mouth lol.
Great job out there man.

[GhettoBasster]

Wow. That's amazing. You have things dialed in. Great job.

[DockRat]

Another Bones Mega Report. Pretty cool.
DR

[bsp]

Mike,

You are killing it out there this year! PB Halibut and a PB WSB and it's only May! Seriously great work my man, and way to follow the SWAT Code. Poseidon rewarded you and you kept up your end of the bargain. Great work out there, and can't wait to hit the sand with you soon buddy!

Marc

[bachiboy]

HOLY S*&T Mr. Bones!!!!:EyePop: Absolutely insane! Congratulations on the ghosts! :Applause: Awesome read and great picts...especially the pup chewing. I have SERIOUS reservations about those hooks too...if the pressure is on the inside of the shank of a hook, howz it gonna hold if the hole opens during a fight and that barb has nothing to grab? Not worth losing your ghosts to find out. :Wink: Well done, and well earned...

Don

[flyngby]

Mike,

A few weeks back when we hit the salty waters, sand, rocks, rocks, sand, and salty waters again for Mr. Stinky for the both of us on our 7 hour journey, I do well remember sitting on the rocks several times chatting and discussing tactics while we were between our hikes up and down the slopes as we persistantly awaited conditions to become right at a particular location. I vividly remember us discussing a past location you had visited that would produce some quality Surf Fish!

I have searched the F&G Web for planned WSB "Irvine Lake" like stocking dates and locations and came up empty! Must have been a pretty sight to see that truck backing into the surf with that monster tube releasing a ton of "Ghosts" As they say "Right time Right Place"

It is all about your persistance to go the extra mile in search of new locations and work the waters methodically to acheive what "Poseidon" has rewarded you with so far this season!

Well done Buddy!

Also great to see that "Crystal" knows a great meal when it sees it and that you have taught it "CPR".

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

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

[dlmoo312]

Out of all the impressive reports these past few days, this tops them all! This was truly an amazing series of outings you had! I'm in awe... Congrats!! and way to go on the back to back PB's!


-Daniel

[saltman]

Mr, Bone

You are on a roll bro with two PB Halibut and a white sea bass and the leader of SWAT Challense Board. Yes, Mike that is awesome.
Thanks for the report.
Saltman.

[ToadsToadsOnly]

Congrats on all the fish Bone's nice seeing you guys on the water yesterday it has been a while since I been out on the surf with the SWAT brothers.

[klocked]

Nice winning streak Mike!! Congrats on all the nice fish buddy!

[Which Way Out]

Your killing me Bones.

With all that activity you have had, I feel like a crack addict who can't get my next fix.:Crying:
WWO

[City Dad]

Damn, man... you have got to be past your monthly recommended amount of fun! WTG.

[Native Gal]

Bones,
Those pixs are awesome of ............Crystal Blue......................... oh and yeah the pixs of the feesh are cool tooo!!!! Haha, enjoyed another one of your outstanding reports. You truly are deserving with how you pound the sand, Congrats!

Take care,
NG

[blackwater]

I just checked my PM's, you are dominating the SWAT leaderboard Mike. :EyePop:
Beautiful White Sea Bass bro. You are a prime example of how hard work pays off. :Thumbs Up:

[Badbeat]

One heck of a catch there Mike, congrats on your PB. I'm still trying to get a short WSB. :LOL:

[troublehook]

Sorry I'm late on this Mike, been out of commission for a bit. Congrats on your PB and hope to run into you out there again soon bro. :Cool: