S.W.A.T. 1 Beach and 1 Harbor..4/4/13

[murrieta angler]

I made a couple of calls yesterday, to see if anybody wanted to hit the surf today.
Peter (PTN) was already going, with 3 friends of his, Ken (skunkedforlife) was already going as well as Daniel (dlmoo312).
COOL, I’ll see you all down there…:Wink:
I arrive at just before 6:00, and the guys are already there, and they are talking smack already…:Surprised:
I see how it’s going to be Ken, so I flip a switch…:Twisted:
Peter, Raney and the 2 other guys would be working a different stretch of beach, than Daniel, Ken and myself.

The conditions were rough.
Winds, steady @ 15-20 mph.
Good amount of shore pound.
Water temp was supposed to be 64, more like 61-62.
Waves, 2-4 feet.
Swell, 3-4 feet.
Kelp, good for the first couple of hours, then grass every cast.

We start back at the vehicles, where Ken can’t get his feet into the waders, so he decides to hit this beach in shorts and sandals..:Rolls Eyes:
Better him than me!
We hit the sand around 6:20 and I would be the one to draw first blood with a double digit BSP.
WHATCHA GOT GUYS!!!
It was slow going but Ken pulled out the next BSP, where I got the first…POACHER!
Daniel is still trying to get the skunk off his back.
Ken and I would each get another BSP for our efforts
It would be around an hour and a half, when I decided to turn around and head back North.
I inform Daniel and he agrees.
We move, maybe 25 feet, when I feel a nice, THUMP!
I know it’s a legal halibut, but just how big.
I start to reel it in and it takes very little drag, then it decides that it is going to breach itself and gets my line wrapped around it’s tail.
I inform Daniel to get ready and give me a hand when I get it on the sand. It’s coming in pretty easy, since it’s tied up.
I get a good look at the fish and it’s at least 26”, maybe up to 28”.
As I get the fish in the small trench, the fish is swimming North, with the current and heading right towards Daniel.
I ask Daniel to move, he doesn’t, I ask him again and he still does not move.
It’s like asking one of my boys to take out the trash, they look at me like I am an alien…:Neutral:
I start to tell Daniel to move, a third time, but before I can get the words out, the line hits his leg, runs down under his boot and the line breaks…
I THINK THE ROOKIES HAVE DECIDED THAT THEY ARE GOING TO “ FISH BLOCK “ ME FOR THE SEASON!! :LOL:
I look at Daniel and I can tell he is pretty upset, he apologizes and of course I say, “No big deal Dude, there will be more”.
I then tell him and Ken that in the future, stand on the back side of the current..
I get up on the sand, tie on another LC…yes, the flatty is out there swimming with my LC in its jaw, and start to fish again.
I would get another small halibut, Daniel would get a 21 ½”er, a minute later and Ken would get his third LC of the morning.
I did hook up to another legal flatty, but it went under this sloped rock and it came unbuttoned.
It was now around 10:15 and we called it a day. Just way too much salad and no clean casts.
I ask them if they would like to get a burger with me, they agree and we head over to Carls Jr for a bite.
We ended up staying there for at least an hour, and we decided that we would hit up NPH, for the low tide.
I didn’t have any big Hammers or lead heads, so we stop over at Anglers, in Newport and then proceed to, “The Spot”.
We get our stuff together, get over to the water and 2nd cast I get a hit, but miss it..:Angry:
It’s okay, as long as they are biting.
I decided to wear my waders, while the other two guys wore shorts, and I had advantage over them. As far as getting to better spots and it paid off.
I cast to one spot, feel the hit, I set the hook and my first Spotted Bay Bass (SBB) measures 13”;

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/ae255/gudgersfishing/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps70bd0563.jpg (http://s977.photobucket.com/user/gudgersfishing/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps70bd0563.jpg.html)

Got the picture and put her back in the water.
A hooked up to another one, saw it, but it came unbuttoned.
I feel another light take, wait a second, it pulls and I set the hook;

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/ae255/gudgersfishing/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsd1e07af2.jpg (http://s977.photobucket.com/user/gudgersfishing/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsd1e07af2.jpg.html)

This one was 13” as well, but I took a picture because of the bright yellow under it’s jaw.
I look over at Daniel and Ken and they are getting no love.
I move to another spot and I get a nice pull on my rod, this one takes a little longer to pull in, it kept trying to get to the pylon, but it lost;

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/ae255/gudgersfishing/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps15749e2c.jpg (http://s977.photobucket.com/user/gudgersfishing/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps15749e2c.jpg.html)
http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/ae255/gudgersfishing/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsda857974.jpg (http://s977.photobucket.com/user/gudgersfishing/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsda857974.jpg.html)
http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/ae255/gudgersfishing/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps39a40e24.jpg (http://s977.photobucket.com/user/gudgersfishing/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps39a40e24.jpg.html)

The tape tells the tale..
Daniel and Ken ended up leaving about an hour and a half later, with the NPH skunk.
I ended up staying twice as long and pulled in 3 more SBB.
I also lost just as many as I caught.
I ended up with a 15, 2 @ 13, a 12, an 11 and a 9.
It felt good to get out and get on some fish.

Guys, it was a pleasure to fish with you. I hope you had a good time and Daniel, don’t sweat the lost fish. There seem to be plenty around this year.
We’ll get some soon…:Cool:

Take Care All,
Robert
<><

[jerryG]

Nice report guys. Roberto I wish we could have been out there looking for seabasstion this weekend but Mrs G and the little Gs had other plans for me this weekend. We will definitely get out there real soon Though. Sorry to hear about your loss.. You might say you lost that fish as the result of a rookie mistake...LOL.. Oh well there will be many more to come my friend.

JerryG

[PONTOON]

Robert,Daniel was lucky you were a good sport about it because doesn't "Fish Blocking" get you time in the penalty box? :LOL:

Sounds like you guys had a great time today and I'll bet there were some Old Guy jabs being thrown all day by the youngsters. I haven't fished any of the harbors yet but I just might have to put it on my bucket list........But man, that's a long drive from my house.:Wink:

Keep up the good work robert and hopefully you can keep the boys in line. :Thumbs Up:

[onekrzyboi]

Awesome report Robert. Nice to see that the spotties were treating you well in NPH :LOL:
Seeing this report makes me want to get at those SBB now. Looks like it was a ton of fun. :Cool::Envious: I'll have to try wading out there one day. The last couple of times I've been there, my Big Hammers just kept getting caught in clusters of mussels and who knows what else was in those clusters.
Don't worry about that flatty getting away. I'm sure there will be plenty more to come knockin' :Thumbs Up:


-Danny

[bachiboy]

OUCH!!!!! Man that's painful to hear, but it will come around. We've take a couple of lumps this year but its all good. That probably just means you'll get two of those 28's next go around. :Wink: Nice job job on the spots! Looks like you guys put in some time and miles yesterday. Glad you were able to get on some fish.

Lookin forward to hearing more reports from the south soon!
Don

[Newfishsmell]

I don't know Robert, sounds like those young guys are playing dirty ... lol

Thanks for the report, sounds like everyone had a great time.
Great looking bay bass.

[trail blazer]

You SWAT guys rule the salty shores for sure,WTG

[Which Way Out]

Hey Robert looks like your gonna need to find John, aka Klocked to make a path. I don't think those youngins will get in his way. :LOL: BTW where has he been anyway?
Get back out there as soon as you can, were gonna need the points.

WWO

[HESBROS]

Nice report Robert! Glad to see you still know how to catch the SBB. I am hooked again and camt wait to get back down there. Was hoping for a trip Monday but that might get rained out! Gimme a shout so we can hook up!
Eddie

[HESBROS]

Hey Robert looks like your gonna need to find John, aka Klocked to make a path. I don't think those youngins will get in his way. :LOL: BTW where has he been anyway?
Get back out there as so as you can, were gonna need the points.

WWO
That's a good question! I been texting him with no replies for awhile now! If anyone Johns status let me know!

[FishinLBC]

Nice fish to bad about the legal though

[dlmoo312]

I know legal halibut aren't particularly easy to come by in the surf, especially in those conditions, and I thank you for being such a nice guy about it, Robert. After it happened and we continued fishing, I couldn't stop replaying what had just happened over and over in my head.. I was so focus on grabbing the hali, I just don't know what I was thinking! In hindsight it was one of the dumbest errors I could make on my part and again I apologize :Embarrassed:
Besides the incident... It was awesome fishing with you, Robert. I had a great time chatting it up and taking in all the cool stories and experiences you had to share:Big Grin: I may have screwed up on first impressions but I hope we get to fish again so I can redeem myself.. I've learned my lesson and I know I won't be making that mistake again! After spending a whole day fishing with you I can see that you truly are a fishing machine! I still have have a lot to learn:Smile:
Next time I go spottie fishing in the bay i'll be sure to take full advantage of my waders. Impressive bass count! and congrats on the 15incher I think that may be a "qualifier" fish:Secret::LOL:


-Daniel

[SP Dan]

Hi ya murrieta angler,

You had a very good day Ol' Guy!
I wish that you could have beached this legal ...... oh well brotha .... there will be many more legals to come.
Congrat's on the SBB! :Thumbs Up:

Thanx for the fish report with pic's Robert! :Cool:

SP Dan >"))><

[bloox8]

Sorry to hear about your fish Robert!
Daniel called me and told me what happen..... WHAT A NOOB... jk jk Daniel.
I could tell by the tone of his voice that he was pretty upset with himself. I think he started the conversation with something like, "I messed up really really bad.....:Sad:"

At least you managed to get a few nice spotties from the bay though. Catching bass is always fun. I am still a novice when it comes to fishing those docks. You have to teach me how to fish them one day :Big Grin:

Thanks for the report!

Thien

[skunked4life]

Sorry to hear about your fish Robert!
Daniel called me and told me what happen..... WHAT A NOOB... jk jk Daniel.
I could tell by the tone of his voice that he was pretty upset with himself. I think he started the conversation with something like, "I messed up really really bad.....:Sad:"

At least you managed to get a few nice spotties from the bay though. Catching bass is always fun. I am still a novice when it comes to fishing those docks. You have to teach me how to fish them one day :Big Grin:

Thanks for the report!

Thien

Thien, you better go out and buy a net so that you don't contribute to the noob streak...sorry Daniel, last jab...for now.

[sidified]

Beautiful report, Robert.. You are indeed a cut above even other patient fisherman..Even though Daniel is a good guy, showing that kind of grace is a teachable moment for us all. Think I need bracelet says, 'What would Robert do??'... but then that's what makes you such a well respected SWAT 'elder' :ROFL:
And, just to balance things out ..imagine if Daniel been some stranger..hmmm
....STEP ASIDE SHALLOW WATER..LET THE DEEP SEA ROLL!!

[skunked4life]

Robert! That was an amazing outing considering the conditions. Thank you for everything that day! Your advice to me is one that I think is worth sharing: "just keep casting...make as many casts as you can..."

I was watching you cast into that spot and thought to myself, there ain't nuthin there...I should have stayed but I went off into Daniel's direction and what do I see next? And to add some detail to the lost fish, the tail had the span of my hand fanned out...was definitely 26 or more!

Also, are you kidding me with those spotties? Seriously? For anyone out there reading, this is what went down...

Daniel: "I have never had luck out here for spotties."
Robert: "We will just work the are and leap frog over each other...make two or three casts and move on...like this...FISH ON!"
Me: "What the??? Do it again, do it again."
Robert: "Like this...FISH ON!"
Me and Daniel: :Shocked::EyePop::Confused:


Lastly, thanks for sharing and giving us so many words of wisdom. I learned so much about how to handle ups and downs in life and it was refreshing to hear your come-back stories. Seriously, that was worth more to me than the fish count that day.

Ken

P.S. I think that the others are right...maybe the rookies (Daniel and Peter) are trying to play dirty. :LOL:

[PTN]

Nice spotties Robert. Too bad about the "fish blocking" but thanks for taking it easy on us rookies. :Big Grin: Time for the youngin's to put up some points and try to even up the score. :Cool: Thanks for the pictures and stories.

I think your truck liked its new style...:ROFL::Neener Neener:

-Peter

[Wingnut]

Racking up the points for Team Veterans! :Dancing Banana: Nice Spotties Roberto. :Envious:

Daniel... the ol' I din't hear or see you and "accidentally" stepped on your line with a fish on it trick... :LOL:

I have a special Jedi mind trick just for you Rookie, the next time we meet. :Wink: :Big Smile:

[murrieta angler]

Nice report guys. Roberto I wish we could have been out there looking for seabasstion this weekend but Mrs G and the little Gs had other plans for me this weekend. We will definitely get out there real soon Though. Sorry to hear about your loss.. You might say you lost that fish as the result of a rookie mistake...LOL.. Oh well there will be many more to come my friend.

JerryG

Heck Jerry,
There will always be time for fishing, hang out with the kids and enjoy the time...:Envious:
Talk To You Soon,
Robert
<><


Robert,Daniel was lucky you were a good sport about it because doesn't "Fish Blocking" get you time in the penalty box? :LOL:

Sounds like you guys had a great time today and I'll bet there were some Old Guy jabs being thrown all day by the youngsters. I haven't fished any of the harbors yet but I just might have to put it on my bucket list........But man, that's a long drive from my house.:Wink:

Keep up the good work robert and hopefully you can keep the boys in line. :Thumbs Up:

Hey Terry,
Only a couple of "Old Guy Jokes".
The laughter stopped after I pulled in the first fish...:Wink:
When are we going to get some time in the surf?
Gotta lay off them kitties once in a while...:Big Grin:
Take care Brotha,
Robert
<><


Awesome report Robert. Nice to see that the spotties were treating you well in NPH :LOL:
Seeing this report makes me want to get at those SBB now. Looks like it was a ton of fun. :Cool::Envious: I'll have to try wading out there one day. The last couple of times I've been there, my Big Hammers just kept getting caught in clusters of mussels and who knows what else was in those clusters.
Don't worry about that flatty getting away. I'm sure there will be plenty more to come knockin' :Thumbs Up:


-Danny

Danny,
The idea is not to throw it at the pylons...:Rolls Eyes:
Throw as close as you can, "NEXT' to them and make a slow retrieve...:Wink:
C-Ya Soon Danny,
Robert
<><


OUCH!!!!! Man that's painful to hear, but it will come around. We've take a couple of lumps this year but its all good. That probably just means you'll get two of those 28's next go around. :Wink: Nice job job on the spots! Looks like you guys put in some time and miles yesterday. Glad you were able to get on some fish.

Lookin forward to hearing more reports from the south soon!
Don

Shoot Don,
I didn't even know I got us some points with that 15" SBB.
I thought it had to be 16"...:Surprised:
Us OFSG"s are putting the smack down on the young tikes..:Wink:
See you soon Bro,
Robert
<><


I don't know Robert, sounds like those young guys are playing dirty ... lol

Thanks for the report, sounds like everyone had a great time.
Great looking bay bass.

It was a productful day Chuck, but I'd take that YT over the surf fish, any day...:Cool:
Robert
<><


You SWAT guys rule the salty shores for sure,WTG

We don't rule it Trail...
We just put our time in.
I bet you caught way more fresh water fish than me...:Wink:
Thanks for looking,
Robert
<><


Hey Robert looks like your gonna need to find John, aka Klocked to make a path. I don't think those youngins will get in his way. :LOL: BTW where has he been anyway?
Get back out there as soon as you can, were gonna need the points.

WWO

I don't know Bill,
The kids have slacked off, must be a new video game out or something...:ROFL:
Git out there!
Mikey says there's some salmon up there to be caught...:Envious:
Have Fun Bro,
Robert
<><


Nice report Robert! Glad to see you still know how to catch the SBB. I am hooked again and camt wait to get back down there. Was hoping for a trip Monday but that might get rained out! Gimme a shout so we can hook up!
Eddie

Thanks for the fishin invite Eddie.
Hopefully things will work out this coming Monday.
I'll keep an ear out for WSB spottings...:Wink:
Robert
<><


Nice fish to bad about the legal though

IT HAPPENS!!
Robert
<><


I know legal halibut aren't particularly easy to come by in the surf, especially in those conditions, and I thank you for being such a nice guy about it, Robert. After it happened and we continued fishing, I couldn't stop replaying what had just happened over and over in my head.. I was so focus on grabbing the hali, I just don't know what I was thinking! In hindsight it was one of the dumbest errors I could make on my part and again I apologize :Embarrassed:
Besides the incident... It was awesome fishing with you, Robert. I had a great time chatting it up and taking in all the cool stories and experiences you had to share:Big Grin: I may have screwed up on first impressions but I hope we get to fish again so I can redeem myself.. I've learned my lesson and I know I won't be making that mistake again! After spending a whole day fishing with you I can see that you truly are a fishing machine! I still have have a lot to learn:Smile:
Next time I go spottie fishing in the bay i'll be sure to take full advantage of my waders. Impressive bass count! and congrats on the 15incher I think that may be a "qualifier" fish:Secret::LOL:


-Daniel

It was fun fishing with you Daniel, you and Ken crack me up...:LOL:
We will go out again and all 3 of us will get on some legals...:Wink:
See you around,
Robert
<><


Hi ya murrieta angler,

You had a very good day Ol' Guy!
I wish that you could have beached this legal ...... oh well brotha .... there will be many more legals to come.
Congrat's on the SBB! :Thumbs Up:

Thanx for the fish report with pic's Robert! :Cool:

SP Dan >"))><

Howdy Dan,
When you gonna head down this way?
Things are looking promising down here.
I am going to do an, "Exploratory Mission" tomorrow, solo.
Than I might hit the dark with Peter...:Twisted: shhhhhhh :LOL:
How does that go, "if you and I go camping...." :ROFL:
Just kidding, I look forward to hitting the salt with you Dan.
We need to get some WSB!!
Robert
<><


Sorry to hear about your fish Robert!
Daniel called me and told me what happen..... WHAT A NOOB... jk jk Daniel.
I could tell by the tone of his voice that he was pretty upset with himself. I think he started the conversation with something like, "I messed up really really bad.....:Sad:"

At least you managed to get a few nice spotties from the bay though. Catching bass is always fun. I am still a novice when it comes to fishing those docks. You have to teach me how to fish them one day :Big Grin:

Thanks for the report!

Thien

I could show you, than I would have to kill you!!! :Secret:
Members Only Bud!!! j/k
Any time you want thien.
I like to go when there is a low tide afternoon and a decent current...:Wink:
Take Care,
Robert
<><


Thien, you better go out and buy a net so that you don't contribute to the noob streak...sorry Daniel, last jab...for now.

EASY KEN!!!
At least he caught a flatty that day...:No Pity:
Robert
<><


Beautiful report, Robert.. You are indeed a cut above even other patient fisherman..Even though Daniel is a good guy, showing that kind of grace is a teachable moment for us all. Think I need bracelet says, 'What would Robert do??'... but then that's what makes you such a well respected SWAT 'elder' :ROFL:
And, just to balance things out ..imagine if Daniel been some stranger..hmmm
....STEP ASIDE SHALLOW WATER..LET THE DEEP SEA ROLL!!


Whoa Whoa, Sir Sid Page!!!
I'm no where near that status...:Not Worthy:
But it does sound good though...:LOL:
Take Care and I'll C You Soon Brotha,
Robert
<><


Robert! That was an amazing outing considering the conditions. Thank you for everything that day! Your advice to me is one that I think is worth sharing: "just keep casting...make as many casts as you can..."

I was watching you cast into that spot and thought to myself, there ain't nuthin there...I should have stayed but I went off into Daniel's direction and what do I see next? And to add some detail to the lost fish, the tail had the span of my hand fanned out...was definitely 26 or more!

Also, are you kidding me with those spotties? Seriously? For anyone out there reading, this is what went down...

Daniel: "I have never had luck out here for spotties."
Robert: "We will just work the are and leap frog over each other...make two or three casts and move on...like this...FISH ON!"
Me: "What the??? Do it again, do it again."
Robert: "Like this...FISH ON!"
Me and Daniel: :Shocked::EyePop::Confused:


Lastly, thanks for sharing and giving us so many words of wisdom. I learned so much about how to handle ups and downs in life and it was refreshing to hear your come-back stories. Seriously, that was worth more to me than the fish count that day.

Ken

P.S. I think that the others are right...maybe the rookies (Daniel and Peter) are trying to play dirty. :LOL:

Hey Ken,
All you need to do, is study the water a little better.
There was a small trench right there, and no matter , how small, it only has to hold 1 halibut...:Wink:
PLUS, a little luck never hurts...:Secret:
Take care,
Robert
<><


Nice spotties Robert. Too bad about the "fish blocking" but thanks for taking it easy on us rookies. :Big Grin: Time for the youngin's to put up some points and try to even up the score. :Cool: Thanks for the pictures and stories.

I think your truck liked its new style...:ROFL::Neener Neener:

-Peter

Neener neener?!?
Don't you mean, weener weener...:Shocked:
Was that your calling card...:LOL:
You know, I used to have jokes, remind me to share a story with you about the morgue! :EyePop:
Take It Easy Peter.

Robert
<><


Racking up the points for Team Veterans! :Dancing Banana: Nice Spotties Roberto. :Envious:

Daniel... the ol' I din't hear or see you and "accidentally" stepped on your line with a fish on it trick... :LOL:

I have a special Jedi mind trick just for you Rookie, the next time we meet. :Wink: :Big Smile:

I ALWAYS FALL FOR THAT TRICK!!! :Angry:
What r ya gonna do?!?
There's always next time to pull out a meal, provided by our Good Lord, out there with my name on it...:Rolls Eyes:
This weekend is looking good Bro!
I am gonna try my best to get out, but it's Mommas Day Weekend! :Smile:
I know I'm gonna eat good!!! :Wink:
You have a good one, if I don't see you.
Take Care,
Robert
<><

[bones]

Sorry for the late reply Robert but I've been down and out with things to contend with other than fishing. I think I've hit the suds twice in the past month with only shorties to show for it but I have to say that I admire your drive to make it work for the day. A man on a mission for sure!
Fish Blocking...LOL Gotta Love it :ROFL:
Nice spotties ya stuck there buddy. Keep up the good work.....The young pups will learn eventually...LOL