jinbow
06-06-2012, 03:33 AM
Hello All FNN members,
If you are an image guy just like me, please feel free to skip the boring wordings and scroll down to the fun part.
INTRO
This is my 1st report since I joined this Wonderful Forum back in 2010, and I promise it won't even be close to the last. Sorry it took me so so long to take the next step to really participate in the community. To me there were two things holding me back from posting. First is that I never caught anything too exciting. Secondly I never had a decent camera/phone to capture the fishing moments till 3 weeks ago. EXCUSE!!! :Envious:
Well, I started hitting the surf heavily after one SPECIAL day, November 19, 2011. Yes, the 3rd annual Hunting Giants fishing event. Members that don't know about this event, please do hit on the link below.
http://fishingnetwork.net/forum4/showthread.php?61571-3rd-Annual-Hunting-Giants-III-Surf-Fishing-Event
It is a REALLY AMAZING fishing event held annually by the S.W.A.T. team. The event really focuses on bringing all people (even your friends and family) who like or want to fish closely together and just having fun. Thank you ALL again for that special day which enlightened me and many others to hit the beach, even during the winter months in my shorts. :EyePop: freeeezin....
Saturday Morning, May 26th, 2012 @ Malibu
I haven't pulled in any pescado for almost 2 months now. Been in the sand at least once a week. Probably grew a furry black&white tail by now. But as usual, always looking to a bright side and saying to myself "If there is water, there is fish". So I hit the beach to my usual spot in Malibu. And was surprised on how good the condition was, flat and clear, and manageable to reel the LC without much salad.
No action in the first 2 hours or so, but saw a nice size corbina and the usual rays and sharks close to the shore. Continued to sweep the beach and suddenly, right in front of me, a huge white seabass (an easy 32") crossed from my right to my left like I was air. It was so close that I could even see the yellow on its dorsal fin. Immediately, start throwing the LC into the direction it was heading and slowly reeling it in, as the fellows here have taught. On the 5th cast, Boom, Bending and Pulling. Felt like my heart just stopped. But after a few cranks realized there wasn't much weight pulling. Knew it wasn't the ghost fish that spooked me at first.
First fish for more than a month, around 13" Halibut.
Can't complain when they take off the skunk on you.
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w480/jinbow1981/Fishing/IMAG0018.jpg
Face shot.
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w480/jinbow1981/Fishing/IMAG0020.jpg
After getting it unhooked, this little guy started to cough up.
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w480/jinbow1981/Fishing/IMAG0022.jpg
Fished another 2 hours hoping to get lucky. Unfortunately, didn't get a bite and no fishes seen anymore.
Overall, one a great day with a short Halibut. Got the skunk off and loved the fish scenes.
Saturday Morning, June 2nd, 2012 @ Malibu
Saturday is always my fishing day. And hoping the ghost from last week was still around. So headed to the same location again. On arrival, saw Arthur's car parking nearby, and knew it would be a great day even if I didn't catch anything (at least I can see him catch something).
Tied up a more conservative LC colorway, an old FM 110 MS American Shad, that has proven to catch fish in the past for me. Got my feet in the warm water and saw Arthur already working half way down the stretch. A long way to catch up, so I just started working in my area and head his way as I worked the beach. Already a good sign, many small minnow like fishes (around 1 or 2 inches) in the water; some even jumping around. Condition was even better than last week, even calmer and lesser weed with an incoming high tide.
This report will attach many pictures from Arthurs report that he posted a few days ago. (link below)
http://fishingnetwork.net/forum4/showthread.php?64658-S-W-A-T-Chasing-Ghosts-I-Took-a-Couple-on-the-Chin-Double-Reports-6-2-6-3-Malibu
Around 45 minutes passed by, got a great hit and set the hook. A shake here and there, thought maybe a legal halibut. But once I reeled it in closer it took off crazy. Somehow managed to get it closer, but, again, it took off. Didn't feel like a halibut type I had in the past. Thought it would either just be a foul-hooked shark or would it really be the ghost fish I was looking for. Once it tired out, it was close enough to define what was on the other end. "This fish is just gorgeous." Sanded it, unhooked it and took some nice pictures; then back to the water.
First White Seabass ever, 22". :Big Smile:
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w480/jinbow1981/Fishing/IMAG0029.jpg
Remembering that one of the posts from here mentioned that they usually come in packs. So after the shots and the release, I headed right back to the same spot to discover if there were more of them or was it just a lost lonely one. After another 6 casts, BANG, another similar hit. You were right. :Secret:
2nd WSB, 23". This looked a lot cooler, had darker stripes on top of the body.
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w480/jinbow1981/Fishing/IMAG0033.jpg
Right after confirming that there was more than one in this area. I sprinted towards Arthur (Wingnut) to share the good news. I was yelling, "Arthur, Arthur", "White Sea Bass". I told him I got two in the same spot, so there should be more out there. And he told me "I got 3" :Wink: I was like "what the", how could he already got 3. Hahaha..... So he told me he got them earlier in the same place I was, but the bite stopped after a bit. So he decided to move down and was having fun catching some nice size Calicos. He told me that earlier he lost this big WSB that got loose and wasn't satisfied about it. So we decided to head back to that magical spot.
After probably 15 minutes, I get another hit. Wow, this is my luckiest day.
3rd WSB, estimate at 20 inches. Didn't have time to measure it, the bite was still rolling!
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w480/jinbow1981/Fishing/SWAT1018-1.jpg
A release shot took by Arthur.
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w480/jinbow1981/Fishing/SWAT1019-1.jpg
Next it was Arthur's turn. He got hit big time, I mean really BENDO. His line just kept on dragging and dragging out. Even Arthur had a hard time putting up with this beast. Imagine how big it could be. As he was battling the beast, I was taking photo actions of him in combat. He maneuvered to get into a more opened and cleaner spot to avoid the beast going around the nearby rocks or kelp, but unfortunately it just took off into who knows where; and then the action stopped. Somehow this strong experienced fish got some bad *** skills to unloosen himself. The whole 10 something minutes was actually a lesson for me. I was just surprised on how determined Arthur was to try to land the fish. He was literally running through the waters at waist high to establish the best position possible. For more details you can refer to his original post at below.
http://fishingnetwork.net/forum4/showthread.php?64658-S-W-A-T-Chasing-Ghosts-I-Took-a-Couple-on-the-Chin-Double-Reports-6-2-6-3-Malibu
So we continued to search for more action. This time I got hit, a bit harder than before. And then a double shake. After that, I felt dead weight. I was like "what is going on with this fish, why ain't it movin". After I tried to reel in and give it more tension, my line starts shooting out like Kamikaze Crazy. And I can see my spool getting more transparent as time flies. Not a good sign, I was kinda panicking since I had similar experience bait fishing in the bay before which ended up with a snap. Fortunately, Arthur was there to help, instructing me how to control myself and the fish, and need to start retrieving my precious line back. After a few minutes, I managed to pull him in closer. But the fight kept on going. At one point, the fish seemed to stop fighting, but I couldn't pull him in either. So I thought I lost him and got wrapped around a rock or something. :Embarrassed: So I let the line loosen a little and amazingly the fight continues. :Big Grin: Thank You Poseidon! Arthur kept on telling me this is gonna be a huge fish. I really had no idea how big it could be since the biggest fish I have ever caught was the earlier fishes today. Hoping it would be a legal, legal, legal. Seemed like a 10 minute fight, the fish got tired and got close enough for Arthur to take a first glance at it. He shouted "Wow, Albert this is big." I was so excited and carefully landed the WSB near shore but there weren't enough waves to help me get him on the sand. Arthur couldn't take it anymore, once the wave retrieved back, he dove down on his knees and through the WSB up on the sand. I really do appreciate that. Thank you Arthur.
4th WSB, personal best 32".
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w480/jinbow1981/Fishing/SWAT1031-1.jpg
The stand-alone shot of the fish never gives it justice on how big it is unless holding it.
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w480/jinbow1981/Fishing/SWAT1033.jpg
Release shot.
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w480/jinbow1981/Fishing/SWAT1034.jpg
Mike (Bones) just arrived on time to see me land that 32" from a distance. Mike came down and joined the party, but busy Arthur had to go do some other business. Luckily, before Arthur departed, I got a chance to take a picture with Mike and Arthur.
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w480/jinbow1981/Fishing/SWAT1036-1.jpg
For another hour, no action. And Mike had to leave also. So I fished alone for another 30 minutes and landed this tough little guy.
Fought tough like a big man.
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w480/jinbow1981/Fishing/IMAG0040.jpg
14" Calico Bass.
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w480/jinbow1981/Fishing/IMAG0043.jpg
This was obviously the best fishing day of my life. Four White Seabass, and one Calico. I know this is a once in a life time fishing tale. I would never forget about this epic day and especially fishing with two friends, Mike and Arthur.
It is always nice having company when fishing, and sharing the good moments together. Thanks Mike and Arthur for always teaching me the skills and knowledge of fishing.
All fishes were caught, pictured, and released.
Hope to meet more new people on the beach soon.
Thanks for reading.
Albert (jinbow)
If you are an image guy just like me, please feel free to skip the boring wordings and scroll down to the fun part.
INTRO
This is my 1st report since I joined this Wonderful Forum back in 2010, and I promise it won't even be close to the last. Sorry it took me so so long to take the next step to really participate in the community. To me there were two things holding me back from posting. First is that I never caught anything too exciting. Secondly I never had a decent camera/phone to capture the fishing moments till 3 weeks ago. EXCUSE!!! :Envious:
Well, I started hitting the surf heavily after one SPECIAL day, November 19, 2011. Yes, the 3rd annual Hunting Giants fishing event. Members that don't know about this event, please do hit on the link below.
http://fishingnetwork.net/forum4/showthread.php?61571-3rd-Annual-Hunting-Giants-III-Surf-Fishing-Event
It is a REALLY AMAZING fishing event held annually by the S.W.A.T. team. The event really focuses on bringing all people (even your friends and family) who like or want to fish closely together and just having fun. Thank you ALL again for that special day which enlightened me and many others to hit the beach, even during the winter months in my shorts. :EyePop: freeeezin....
Saturday Morning, May 26th, 2012 @ Malibu
I haven't pulled in any pescado for almost 2 months now. Been in the sand at least once a week. Probably grew a furry black&white tail by now. But as usual, always looking to a bright side and saying to myself "If there is water, there is fish". So I hit the beach to my usual spot in Malibu. And was surprised on how good the condition was, flat and clear, and manageable to reel the LC without much salad.
No action in the first 2 hours or so, but saw a nice size corbina and the usual rays and sharks close to the shore. Continued to sweep the beach and suddenly, right in front of me, a huge white seabass (an easy 32") crossed from my right to my left like I was air. It was so close that I could even see the yellow on its dorsal fin. Immediately, start throwing the LC into the direction it was heading and slowly reeling it in, as the fellows here have taught. On the 5th cast, Boom, Bending and Pulling. Felt like my heart just stopped. But after a few cranks realized there wasn't much weight pulling. Knew it wasn't the ghost fish that spooked me at first.
First fish for more than a month, around 13" Halibut.
Can't complain when they take off the skunk on you.
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w480/jinbow1981/Fishing/IMAG0018.jpg
Face shot.
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w480/jinbow1981/Fishing/IMAG0020.jpg
After getting it unhooked, this little guy started to cough up.
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w480/jinbow1981/Fishing/IMAG0022.jpg
Fished another 2 hours hoping to get lucky. Unfortunately, didn't get a bite and no fishes seen anymore.
Overall, one a great day with a short Halibut. Got the skunk off and loved the fish scenes.
Saturday Morning, June 2nd, 2012 @ Malibu
Saturday is always my fishing day. And hoping the ghost from last week was still around. So headed to the same location again. On arrival, saw Arthur's car parking nearby, and knew it would be a great day even if I didn't catch anything (at least I can see him catch something).
Tied up a more conservative LC colorway, an old FM 110 MS American Shad, that has proven to catch fish in the past for me. Got my feet in the warm water and saw Arthur already working half way down the stretch. A long way to catch up, so I just started working in my area and head his way as I worked the beach. Already a good sign, many small minnow like fishes (around 1 or 2 inches) in the water; some even jumping around. Condition was even better than last week, even calmer and lesser weed with an incoming high tide.
This report will attach many pictures from Arthurs report that he posted a few days ago. (link below)
http://fishingnetwork.net/forum4/showthread.php?64658-S-W-A-T-Chasing-Ghosts-I-Took-a-Couple-on-the-Chin-Double-Reports-6-2-6-3-Malibu
Around 45 minutes passed by, got a great hit and set the hook. A shake here and there, thought maybe a legal halibut. But once I reeled it in closer it took off crazy. Somehow managed to get it closer, but, again, it took off. Didn't feel like a halibut type I had in the past. Thought it would either just be a foul-hooked shark or would it really be the ghost fish I was looking for. Once it tired out, it was close enough to define what was on the other end. "This fish is just gorgeous." Sanded it, unhooked it and took some nice pictures; then back to the water.
First White Seabass ever, 22". :Big Smile:
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w480/jinbow1981/Fishing/IMAG0029.jpg
Remembering that one of the posts from here mentioned that they usually come in packs. So after the shots and the release, I headed right back to the same spot to discover if there were more of them or was it just a lost lonely one. After another 6 casts, BANG, another similar hit. You were right. :Secret:
2nd WSB, 23". This looked a lot cooler, had darker stripes on top of the body.
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w480/jinbow1981/Fishing/IMAG0033.jpg
Right after confirming that there was more than one in this area. I sprinted towards Arthur (Wingnut) to share the good news. I was yelling, "Arthur, Arthur", "White Sea Bass". I told him I got two in the same spot, so there should be more out there. And he told me "I got 3" :Wink: I was like "what the", how could he already got 3. Hahaha..... So he told me he got them earlier in the same place I was, but the bite stopped after a bit. So he decided to move down and was having fun catching some nice size Calicos. He told me that earlier he lost this big WSB that got loose and wasn't satisfied about it. So we decided to head back to that magical spot.
After probably 15 minutes, I get another hit. Wow, this is my luckiest day.
3rd WSB, estimate at 20 inches. Didn't have time to measure it, the bite was still rolling!
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w480/jinbow1981/Fishing/SWAT1018-1.jpg
A release shot took by Arthur.
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w480/jinbow1981/Fishing/SWAT1019-1.jpg
Next it was Arthur's turn. He got hit big time, I mean really BENDO. His line just kept on dragging and dragging out. Even Arthur had a hard time putting up with this beast. Imagine how big it could be. As he was battling the beast, I was taking photo actions of him in combat. He maneuvered to get into a more opened and cleaner spot to avoid the beast going around the nearby rocks or kelp, but unfortunately it just took off into who knows where; and then the action stopped. Somehow this strong experienced fish got some bad *** skills to unloosen himself. The whole 10 something minutes was actually a lesson for me. I was just surprised on how determined Arthur was to try to land the fish. He was literally running through the waters at waist high to establish the best position possible. For more details you can refer to his original post at below.
http://fishingnetwork.net/forum4/showthread.php?64658-S-W-A-T-Chasing-Ghosts-I-Took-a-Couple-on-the-Chin-Double-Reports-6-2-6-3-Malibu
So we continued to search for more action. This time I got hit, a bit harder than before. And then a double shake. After that, I felt dead weight. I was like "what is going on with this fish, why ain't it movin". After I tried to reel in and give it more tension, my line starts shooting out like Kamikaze Crazy. And I can see my spool getting more transparent as time flies. Not a good sign, I was kinda panicking since I had similar experience bait fishing in the bay before which ended up with a snap. Fortunately, Arthur was there to help, instructing me how to control myself and the fish, and need to start retrieving my precious line back. After a few minutes, I managed to pull him in closer. But the fight kept on going. At one point, the fish seemed to stop fighting, but I couldn't pull him in either. So I thought I lost him and got wrapped around a rock or something. :Embarrassed: So I let the line loosen a little and amazingly the fight continues. :Big Grin: Thank You Poseidon! Arthur kept on telling me this is gonna be a huge fish. I really had no idea how big it could be since the biggest fish I have ever caught was the earlier fishes today. Hoping it would be a legal, legal, legal. Seemed like a 10 minute fight, the fish got tired and got close enough for Arthur to take a first glance at it. He shouted "Wow, Albert this is big." I was so excited and carefully landed the WSB near shore but there weren't enough waves to help me get him on the sand. Arthur couldn't take it anymore, once the wave retrieved back, he dove down on his knees and through the WSB up on the sand. I really do appreciate that. Thank you Arthur.
4th WSB, personal best 32".
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w480/jinbow1981/Fishing/SWAT1031-1.jpg
The stand-alone shot of the fish never gives it justice on how big it is unless holding it.
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w480/jinbow1981/Fishing/SWAT1033.jpg
Release shot.
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w480/jinbow1981/Fishing/SWAT1034.jpg
Mike (Bones) just arrived on time to see me land that 32" from a distance. Mike came down and joined the party, but busy Arthur had to go do some other business. Luckily, before Arthur departed, I got a chance to take a picture with Mike and Arthur.
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w480/jinbow1981/Fishing/SWAT1036-1.jpg
For another hour, no action. And Mike had to leave also. So I fished alone for another 30 minutes and landed this tough little guy.
Fought tough like a big man.
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w480/jinbow1981/Fishing/IMAG0040.jpg
14" Calico Bass.
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w480/jinbow1981/Fishing/IMAG0043.jpg
This was obviously the best fishing day of my life. Four White Seabass, and one Calico. I know this is a once in a life time fishing tale. I would never forget about this epic day and especially fishing with two friends, Mike and Arthur.
It is always nice having company when fishing, and sharing the good moments together. Thanks Mike and Arthur for always teaching me the skills and knowledge of fishing.
All fishes were caught, pictured, and released.
Hope to meet more new people on the beach soon.
Thanks for reading.
Albert (jinbow)