JapanRon
08-31-2007, 06:32 AM
Produced Plenty of Primo Prickly Pals !
Hi there guys,
Tuesday 08/28
Went on a ½-day PM trip out of Pierpoint Landing. Fished the Southern Cal. Collin was the skipper, with Stan on deck, and Ed in the galley. Fished our local waters, i.e. Horseshoe Kelp for Sculpin, Calicos, and Sand Bass. Had 41 anglers (including at least one group of 16 mostly inexperienced, rent-rodders) on the boat. (see asides)
Note: Countdown: September 22nd will be the second FREE FISHING DAY this year for everyone in California. That’s 23 days away. It would be a great day to get a non-angler out on the water while saving a little cash ………. Especially a group or big family trip!
Target Fish: Sculpin, Bass, and Barracuda
Short Report- Tuesday 08/28
Our 41 anglers (lots of rent-rodders) caught 6 Sand Bass and 97 Sculpin. Grade of fish was great on the Sculpin going an average of 13~14-inches with 2 or 3 big ‘uns at around 2 pounds.
Finbait consisted of Anchovies (2~2 1/2-inches) and just a very, very few Sardines in the mix.
(Please widen your view to fit monitor if word-wrap looks off)
08/07Jackpot
Last Call ………………... Winner!
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h313/tsurikichi/FROM1229/FROM0422/0828weighoff.jpghttp://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h313/tsurikichi/FROM1229/FROM0422/0828winnmaybe.jpg
Big Sculpin
Way to go on catching the jackpot fish! A nice sized was the winner today. The fish was caught with bait on a dropper-loop setup.
Long Report
The Days Fishing
Out and Back …………………………………………†¦.............Currents!
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h313/tsurikichi/FROM1229/FROM0422/0828Fmap.jpghttp://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h313/tsurikichi/FROM1229/FROM0422/0828Currj.jpg
Grazing in the Pasture
No Pics! The truth is, there were very few moo-moos within camera-range today and the Pbers were smart as they were watching the weather and elected to fish either the inside or just outside the breakwater wall.
Round-Up
3 Rounds
First Stop
Round 1 Not picking up bait, we went directly to a lower outside section of the ‘Shoe’ to fish for Sculpin. Took us about an hour to get to our first stop. Just about everybody used dropper loop setups and 6~8oz or were they 10oz torpedo sinkers. They fished both the Anchovies as well as chunk bait cut from fresh-caught Mackerel. Current was moving at a pretty good clip.
Others of us (a handful) used either iron, Mega-baits, or plastics at various times during the trip.
Second Stop
Round 2 We moved north or west about 20 minutes to hit a number of Sculpin/Calico spots. Moved twice mostly due to rough water conditions pulling us off a spot. I’d say this was our most productive round. Most kept fishing using the dropper loop setup but ….. as often happens … my rail neighbor began throwing plastics too with decent success. Wonder why?! ha ha ha
Third Stop
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h313/tsurikichi/FROM1229/FROM0422/0828widlststop.jpg
Round 3 Picture doesn’t show it but we had white-caps most of the trip. Not bad mind you. We moved in a little bit to catch our bass and a few more Sculpin. I again tried to hook a cuda …. but gave up and then fished for any Calicos that might want to come up to the chum line to play. Got a few bites but they were dinks on the Calicos.
Conditions: Water visibility was around 10 feet….. Good! Air temp stayed in the 65º~70º range during the early afternoon cooling quite a bit until …. hitting the beach!!. I needed but didn’t have a jacket for when we headed back ….. wind-chill factor was there!!. Please check out the graphics for additional weather and water conditions.
Gallery
Fish & Anglers
Nice Fsh…………………Rattlesnake …………..Kid’s Fish …………..More Sculpin!
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h313/tsurikichi/FROM1229/FROM0422/0828nicefish.jpghttp://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h313/tsurikichi/FROM1229/FROM0422/0828nicesculp.jpghttp://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h313/tsurikichi/FROM1229/FROM0422/0828kidfish.jpghttp://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h313/tsurikichi/FROM1229/FROM0422/0828anotsculp.jpg
One Bunch …………………….......................... ....................Another Bunch
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h313/tsurikichi/FROM1229/FROM0422/0828sculmess.jpghttp://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h313/tsurikichi/FROM1229/FROM0422/0828sculppile.jpg
Let Them Know
The photos above are just a sample of the fish and things of interest, at least to me, on this trip. Note: If you see a friend in the pictures, let them know they can copy the photo off the report. Directions: Click the right button with the ‘cursor’ on the picture, then click on ‘save picture as’, next choose where they wish to copy the picture, and lastly click ‘save’. Later, they can edit and print the picture at their leisure with a simple photo-editing program that comes with Microsoft Windows.
Tweeking Plastics #41
Sorry, nothing this week.
Plastics
Wide-Open
Setup …………………………………........... ...... Nice Grade of Fish
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h313/tsurikichi/FROM1229/FROM0422/0828Sculprig.jpghttp://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h313/tsurikichi/FROM1229/FROM0422/0828sclpinc.jpg
Wide Open for Me
As has been the case the last few weeks, constant chumming has attracted Barracuda and I went ahead and searched the immediate area for any cuda that might be lurking to bite off my plastic and flimsy 12lb-test leader. After wasting 10~15 minutes on the cuda check for nada and another 15 minutes to check if any Calicos had decided to ‘rise to the occasion’ so to write, and be up willing to take a plastic swimbait on top I went to get my bottom scrounger setup. Miss the rush to see fishys splash as it takes the plastic that dropped in front of it’s nose ……. not a second before.
Decided to go ahead and put some fishys on the boat and began by using a 2oz leadhead/7-inch Fish Trap swimbait to get some of the better rattlesnakes. I spent about 20 minutes trying various ways to get my offering to the bottom and hold long enough to get bit with little success. Lots of current and wind exacerbating the arc of the boats’ swing. I gave up on that finesse approach and rigged up ol’ dependable to do it’s usual job. Those that follow my adventures know her well.
For those not privy to the setup, it’s comprised of a swivel, 3-foot length of 25lb-test fluorocarbon leader, on which a 2oz sliding-egg sinker is threaded to be finished with a red 2oz leadhead w/dark-brown and orange 5-in Fish Trap combo. Obviously it is rigged Texas style and fished right on the bottom. Lifting the rig 6 inches of the bottom will usually do it!
Easy limits very, very quickly!! Problem …. doesn’t consistently attract the real monsters !!
Species Targeted
Barracuda
None.
Bonito
None.
Sculpin
Limits, limits, and limits
Calico Bass
None legal- shorts!
Sand Bass
None legal- shorts
Tuesday Out There
Lunar …………………………………………†¦..…Wind Direction and Speed!
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h313/tsurikichi/FROM1229/FROM0422/0828-29Moon.jpghttp://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h313/tsurikichi/FROM1229/FROM0422/0828Wind.jpg
Tides …………………………………………†¦â€¦â€¦â€¦........................Water Temperature!
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h313/tsurikichi/FROM1229/FROM0422/0828Tide.jpghttp://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h313/tsurikichi/FROM1229/FROM0422/0828WatMapj.jpg
UV Alert!
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h313/tsurikichi/FROM1229/FROM0422/0828PNGUVj.jpg
Tuesday’s Conditions
Fishing Grounds: Had little boat traffic today from moo-moos and PBers alike as the water was cold, had a pretty good chop and lots of wind ……… a bit more than expected for an afternoon run this time of year!! Could we be in for an early Fall.
Wild Creatures: Saw a few Sealions. Had some Terns, Pelicans, and Seagulls hanging around.
Asides
Aside:
Difficult Questions
How far are the water temps going to fall? Is the Sand Bass run done for the ’07 Season? Will there be a population of resident Barracuda this year locally. Is there a potential for a Bonito fishery being re-established in the next few years? Got a crystal ball ….. I ain’t, but wish I did.
Another Aside: Moo-moos
Mooooooo!
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h313/tsurikichi/FROM1229/FROM0422/NewBotTable.jpg
Long Beach Area
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h313/tsurikichi/FROM1229/FROM0422/BoatLod0828j.jpg
Moo-moo Load Averages
Guys are often asking me what days are lighter during the week. I’m in the process of making a chart to reference the weekly load % averages for our sportfishing landings’ ½-day (am/pm), ¾-day, and twilight boat runs. Charts will not have the name of the landing or boats represented but simply indicate which of the 3 areas main geographical areas locally were chosen for the survey. (SMB/L.B.-S.P./South Coast)
I’ll first choose one landing from each area for the first 3 weeks then rotate the areas ….eventually having done all the landings. I figure these numbers will be a good representation of the Summer season.
Last Aside:
Open-party semi-charter This by no means is meant to put up an affront to and or try to tell anyone who owns and or operates a landing or boat what to do. I’m just re-accounting an event that I have not witnessed in a good long time. And ….. I find a bit humorous … if for no other reason than watching the reaction from crew and other individual anglers on board. I was on a local, open-party boat recently that had a group of around 16 anglers that appeared to be mostly inexperienced anglers and were sporting rent-rods. Not too unusual. Mind you, someone renting a rod may very well be an expert or experienced angler and I feel no derisive attitude towards them. Been humbled too many times!
Still …. Hearing the march of feet on the wooden-planked dock and seeing the forest of orange tipped rods moving slowly but inexonerably closer towards the boat like ‘a Roman Legion or Spartan phalanx with spears gleaming in the sun’, it seemed to get mine and other anglers attention. That said, a collective sigh of relief was felt when it was seen that these guys, once on board, demonstrated they were organized and understood the where and how of fishing the boat. Gratefully, they had one side of the boat all to their own group and were ready to fish!
Thinking that a bit strange, I was further intrigued when I spied two giant 160-gallon ice-chests being loaded aboard. It goes without saying they had permission from the powers that be as normally anything larger than a little hand cooler are not allowed on most regularly-scheduled, open-party, ½ and ¾-day moo-moos. My mind raced as to what might be in those coolers. They sure looked heavy ….. as if they were laden with all sorts of goodies.
And here’s where MY moo-moo experience gets broadened. Although I assumed that the ice-chests equaled zero-business for the galley from them … to the contrary … they patronized the galley and, from what I could see, only broke open the ice-chests at the end of the fishing day. Again …. obviously with an ok from the landing/boat owner/operator.
No, they didn’t offer me a ham sandwhich! Dang …and some of my fish went to them !! ha ha ha ha ha
The Boat
The SoCal
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h313/tsurikichi/FROM1229/FROM0422/0829moosocal.jpg
Stern Numbers!
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h313/tsurikichi/FROM1229/FROM0422/sternSoCal2.jpg
Crew
Collin file photo .......Deck- Stan ……….... Cook- Ed
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h313/tsurikichi/FROM1229/0319Collin.jpghttp://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h313/tsurikichi/FROM1229/FROM0422/0828deckstan.jpghttp://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h313/tsurikichi/FROM1229/0314edseated.jpg
Alex
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h313/tsurikichi/FROM1229/FROM0422/0619Alex.jpg
Great Day
Sorry to be a lttle late. Had a great day myself. Caught a bunch of fish … the way I wanted and shared with those on the boat. Don’t remember how many trips in a row I have ended with limits but it’s been mooooore than a few for this boat. Love plastics fishing for the Sculpin. ….thanks guys. Collin, Stan, and Alex worked like Beavers in making things click on deck making a trouble-free and productive trip for the whole boat.
JapanRon
Hi there guys,
Tuesday 08/28
Went on a ½-day PM trip out of Pierpoint Landing. Fished the Southern Cal. Collin was the skipper, with Stan on deck, and Ed in the galley. Fished our local waters, i.e. Horseshoe Kelp for Sculpin, Calicos, and Sand Bass. Had 41 anglers (including at least one group of 16 mostly inexperienced, rent-rodders) on the boat. (see asides)
Note: Countdown: September 22nd will be the second FREE FISHING DAY this year for everyone in California. That’s 23 days away. It would be a great day to get a non-angler out on the water while saving a little cash ………. Especially a group or big family trip!
Target Fish: Sculpin, Bass, and Barracuda
Short Report- Tuesday 08/28
Our 41 anglers (lots of rent-rodders) caught 6 Sand Bass and 97 Sculpin. Grade of fish was great on the Sculpin going an average of 13~14-inches with 2 or 3 big ‘uns at around 2 pounds.
Finbait consisted of Anchovies (2~2 1/2-inches) and just a very, very few Sardines in the mix.
(Please widen your view to fit monitor if word-wrap looks off)
08/07Jackpot
Last Call ………………... Winner!
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h313/tsurikichi/FROM1229/FROM0422/0828weighoff.jpghttp://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h313/tsurikichi/FROM1229/FROM0422/0828winnmaybe.jpg
Big Sculpin
Way to go on catching the jackpot fish! A nice sized was the winner today. The fish was caught with bait on a dropper-loop setup.
Long Report
The Days Fishing
Out and Back …………………………………………†¦.............Currents!
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h313/tsurikichi/FROM1229/FROM0422/0828Fmap.jpghttp://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h313/tsurikichi/FROM1229/FROM0422/0828Currj.jpg
Grazing in the Pasture
No Pics! The truth is, there were very few moo-moos within camera-range today and the Pbers were smart as they were watching the weather and elected to fish either the inside or just outside the breakwater wall.
Round-Up
3 Rounds
First Stop
Round 1 Not picking up bait, we went directly to a lower outside section of the ‘Shoe’ to fish for Sculpin. Took us about an hour to get to our first stop. Just about everybody used dropper loop setups and 6~8oz or were they 10oz torpedo sinkers. They fished both the Anchovies as well as chunk bait cut from fresh-caught Mackerel. Current was moving at a pretty good clip.
Others of us (a handful) used either iron, Mega-baits, or plastics at various times during the trip.
Second Stop
Round 2 We moved north or west about 20 minutes to hit a number of Sculpin/Calico spots. Moved twice mostly due to rough water conditions pulling us off a spot. I’d say this was our most productive round. Most kept fishing using the dropper loop setup but ….. as often happens … my rail neighbor began throwing plastics too with decent success. Wonder why?! ha ha ha
Third Stop
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h313/tsurikichi/FROM1229/FROM0422/0828widlststop.jpg
Round 3 Picture doesn’t show it but we had white-caps most of the trip. Not bad mind you. We moved in a little bit to catch our bass and a few more Sculpin. I again tried to hook a cuda …. but gave up and then fished for any Calicos that might want to come up to the chum line to play. Got a few bites but they were dinks on the Calicos.
Conditions: Water visibility was around 10 feet….. Good! Air temp stayed in the 65º~70º range during the early afternoon cooling quite a bit until …. hitting the beach!!. I needed but didn’t have a jacket for when we headed back ….. wind-chill factor was there!!. Please check out the graphics for additional weather and water conditions.
Gallery
Fish & Anglers
Nice Fsh…………………Rattlesnake …………..Kid’s Fish …………..More Sculpin!
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h313/tsurikichi/FROM1229/FROM0422/0828nicefish.jpghttp://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h313/tsurikichi/FROM1229/FROM0422/0828nicesculp.jpghttp://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h313/tsurikichi/FROM1229/FROM0422/0828kidfish.jpghttp://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h313/tsurikichi/FROM1229/FROM0422/0828anotsculp.jpg
One Bunch …………………….......................... ....................Another Bunch
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h313/tsurikichi/FROM1229/FROM0422/0828sculmess.jpghttp://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h313/tsurikichi/FROM1229/FROM0422/0828sculppile.jpg
Let Them Know
The photos above are just a sample of the fish and things of interest, at least to me, on this trip. Note: If you see a friend in the pictures, let them know they can copy the photo off the report. Directions: Click the right button with the ‘cursor’ on the picture, then click on ‘save picture as’, next choose where they wish to copy the picture, and lastly click ‘save’. Later, they can edit and print the picture at their leisure with a simple photo-editing program that comes with Microsoft Windows.
Tweeking Plastics #41
Sorry, nothing this week.
Plastics
Wide-Open
Setup …………………………………........... ...... Nice Grade of Fish
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h313/tsurikichi/FROM1229/FROM0422/0828Sculprig.jpghttp://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h313/tsurikichi/FROM1229/FROM0422/0828sclpinc.jpg
Wide Open for Me
As has been the case the last few weeks, constant chumming has attracted Barracuda and I went ahead and searched the immediate area for any cuda that might be lurking to bite off my plastic and flimsy 12lb-test leader. After wasting 10~15 minutes on the cuda check for nada and another 15 minutes to check if any Calicos had decided to ‘rise to the occasion’ so to write, and be up willing to take a plastic swimbait on top I went to get my bottom scrounger setup. Miss the rush to see fishys splash as it takes the plastic that dropped in front of it’s nose ……. not a second before.
Decided to go ahead and put some fishys on the boat and began by using a 2oz leadhead/7-inch Fish Trap swimbait to get some of the better rattlesnakes. I spent about 20 minutes trying various ways to get my offering to the bottom and hold long enough to get bit with little success. Lots of current and wind exacerbating the arc of the boats’ swing. I gave up on that finesse approach and rigged up ol’ dependable to do it’s usual job. Those that follow my adventures know her well.
For those not privy to the setup, it’s comprised of a swivel, 3-foot length of 25lb-test fluorocarbon leader, on which a 2oz sliding-egg sinker is threaded to be finished with a red 2oz leadhead w/dark-brown and orange 5-in Fish Trap combo. Obviously it is rigged Texas style and fished right on the bottom. Lifting the rig 6 inches of the bottom will usually do it!
Easy limits very, very quickly!! Problem …. doesn’t consistently attract the real monsters !!
Species Targeted
Barracuda
None.
Bonito
None.
Sculpin
Limits, limits, and limits
Calico Bass
None legal- shorts!
Sand Bass
None legal- shorts
Tuesday Out There
Lunar …………………………………………†¦..…Wind Direction and Speed!
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h313/tsurikichi/FROM1229/FROM0422/0828-29Moon.jpghttp://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h313/tsurikichi/FROM1229/FROM0422/0828Wind.jpg
Tides …………………………………………†¦â€¦â€¦â€¦........................Water Temperature!
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h313/tsurikichi/FROM1229/FROM0422/0828Tide.jpghttp://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h313/tsurikichi/FROM1229/FROM0422/0828WatMapj.jpg
UV Alert!
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h313/tsurikichi/FROM1229/FROM0422/0828PNGUVj.jpg
Tuesday’s Conditions
Fishing Grounds: Had little boat traffic today from moo-moos and PBers alike as the water was cold, had a pretty good chop and lots of wind ……… a bit more than expected for an afternoon run this time of year!! Could we be in for an early Fall.
Wild Creatures: Saw a few Sealions. Had some Terns, Pelicans, and Seagulls hanging around.
Asides
Aside:
Difficult Questions
How far are the water temps going to fall? Is the Sand Bass run done for the ’07 Season? Will there be a population of resident Barracuda this year locally. Is there a potential for a Bonito fishery being re-established in the next few years? Got a crystal ball ….. I ain’t, but wish I did.
Another Aside: Moo-moos
Mooooooo!
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h313/tsurikichi/FROM1229/FROM0422/NewBotTable.jpg
Long Beach Area
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h313/tsurikichi/FROM1229/FROM0422/BoatLod0828j.jpg
Moo-moo Load Averages
Guys are often asking me what days are lighter during the week. I’m in the process of making a chart to reference the weekly load % averages for our sportfishing landings’ ½-day (am/pm), ¾-day, and twilight boat runs. Charts will not have the name of the landing or boats represented but simply indicate which of the 3 areas main geographical areas locally were chosen for the survey. (SMB/L.B.-S.P./South Coast)
I’ll first choose one landing from each area for the first 3 weeks then rotate the areas ….eventually having done all the landings. I figure these numbers will be a good representation of the Summer season.
Last Aside:
Open-party semi-charter This by no means is meant to put up an affront to and or try to tell anyone who owns and or operates a landing or boat what to do. I’m just re-accounting an event that I have not witnessed in a good long time. And ….. I find a bit humorous … if for no other reason than watching the reaction from crew and other individual anglers on board. I was on a local, open-party boat recently that had a group of around 16 anglers that appeared to be mostly inexperienced anglers and were sporting rent-rods. Not too unusual. Mind you, someone renting a rod may very well be an expert or experienced angler and I feel no derisive attitude towards them. Been humbled too many times!
Still …. Hearing the march of feet on the wooden-planked dock and seeing the forest of orange tipped rods moving slowly but inexonerably closer towards the boat like ‘a Roman Legion or Spartan phalanx with spears gleaming in the sun’, it seemed to get mine and other anglers attention. That said, a collective sigh of relief was felt when it was seen that these guys, once on board, demonstrated they were organized and understood the where and how of fishing the boat. Gratefully, they had one side of the boat all to their own group and were ready to fish!
Thinking that a bit strange, I was further intrigued when I spied two giant 160-gallon ice-chests being loaded aboard. It goes without saying they had permission from the powers that be as normally anything larger than a little hand cooler are not allowed on most regularly-scheduled, open-party, ½ and ¾-day moo-moos. My mind raced as to what might be in those coolers. They sure looked heavy ….. as if they were laden with all sorts of goodies.
And here’s where MY moo-moo experience gets broadened. Although I assumed that the ice-chests equaled zero-business for the galley from them … to the contrary … they patronized the galley and, from what I could see, only broke open the ice-chests at the end of the fishing day. Again …. obviously with an ok from the landing/boat owner/operator.
No, they didn’t offer me a ham sandwhich! Dang …and some of my fish went to them !! ha ha ha ha ha
The Boat
The SoCal
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h313/tsurikichi/FROM1229/FROM0422/0829moosocal.jpg
Stern Numbers!
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h313/tsurikichi/FROM1229/FROM0422/sternSoCal2.jpg
Crew
Collin file photo .......Deck- Stan ……….... Cook- Ed
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h313/tsurikichi/FROM1229/0319Collin.jpghttp://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h313/tsurikichi/FROM1229/FROM0422/0828deckstan.jpghttp://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h313/tsurikichi/FROM1229/0314edseated.jpg
Alex
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h313/tsurikichi/FROM1229/FROM0422/0619Alex.jpg
Great Day
Sorry to be a lttle late. Had a great day myself. Caught a bunch of fish … the way I wanted and shared with those on the boat. Don’t remember how many trips in a row I have ended with limits but it’s been mooooore than a few for this boat. Love plastics fishing for the Sculpin. ….thanks guys. Collin, Stan, and Alex worked like Beavers in making things click on deck making a trouble-free and productive trip for the whole boat.
JapanRon