Memorial Day Weekend Compilation Report. Hitting the Surf with My S.W.A.T. Brothers.

[Wingnut]

Made plans to hit the surf this past Memorial Day weekend to try and make a last push for points to secure the victory for Team Veterans & Old Fogy Stogies. :Big Grin:

Only earned a handful of points fishing for a few hours Saturday, Sunday and Monday mornings. But no matter, a couple of my teammates went into hyper-drive and racked up some serious points for the Team. Thank you Robert (Murrieta Angler) and Don (Bachiboy). Check out their reports… they had an amazing week in the surf! :Dancing Banana:

Competition update as of Wednesday 5/29. Two days left in the contest.
Team Veterans – 179 Points
Team Rookies – 90 Points

Special recognition for Robert and Don for carrying the Team this month. It's a toss up between the two of them for Team Veterans MVP honors... :Cool:

I’m waiting for a concession call from Team Rookies & Young Whippersnappers, lol :LOL:

The last week or so in the surf has been particularly tough on me… maybe I’m beginning to show my age a little bit. Physically a little slower, a bit absent minded, and mental acuity not as sharp... affecting judgment calls. :Crying: Anyways, in a span of a week, with only a few sessions in the surf, I manage to put holes in two pairs of waders, suffered a multitude of minor injuries and had a too close for comfort brush with Poseidon himself. :Angry:

I’m crazy busy this week, so I will just do a quick “mostly” photos report. You will have a pretty good idea of the fun and “eventful” three mornings I had in the surf. :Wink:

Over the course of three mornings, I hit the surf with many of my S.W.A.T. Brothers. Whether in support, or in direct competition with them for the contest between Team Veterans and Team Rookies. John (Nipple Twister), Dan (SP Dan), Frank (iLLest), Jason (Jaysuun), Peter (PTN), Thien (Bloox8), Nate (BBQSushi) and Ken (Skunked4Life). Gentlemen, it’s been a pleasure fighting side by side with you on the battlefield. This friendly competition has brought out the best in all of us. Thank you for your friendship and support. :Group Hug:

Enjoy the rest of your week everybody.

Arthur (Wingnut)



“Be careful who’s toes you step on today, because they might be connected to the foot that kicks your a** tomorrow.”



Saturday 5/25 - Here’s my close call with Poseidon Saturday morning… :EyePop:
We were casting off the rocks in pretty rough conditions. Keeping a close eye out for building sets and retreating accordingly as the waves comes crashing on the rocks. John had just lost a monster WSB when the brute snapped his line and took the LC. We were all fishing hard to see if there were any more Ghosts in the area. I made a long cast and was just starting the retrieve when I see a sizable swell starting to build in the distance… I started cranking in the LC as fast as I could… the Daiwa Lexa has a 7:1 high speed ratio. But this wave was coming in fast… just as I was yanking the LC out of the water while simultaneously turning to run, the wave slammed into the rocks, lurched up and came crashing down on top of me. :Shocked: In a split second, I made the decision to dive into the closest tide pool. The choice was to risk getting scraped up on the rocks or for certain, getting swept off the rocks. It was a tense few seconds as the turbulence was all around me as the force of the wave pushed me along the rocks in the tide pool. :mad:

I popped up after a few seconds and caught my breath… the first thing I saw was Jason's face, standing over me yelling “Are you alright?!?” I stood up in the tide pool and checked myself… my arms and hands were bleeding a bit and there was a tear in the butt area of my waders. The second pair I tore in less than a week. :Angry: My rod was laying in the tide pool, still in one piece… John, Ken and Thien were yelling to me and I gave them the thumbs up signaling that I was okay. My heart was pounding out of my chest...

Thank you Lord for the "gentle" warning. :Cool:

I’m usually not this careless when I’m out there, but indeed, you have to expect the unexpected. I was very fortunate that I only suffered a few cuts and bruises…

Be careful out there everybody! Know your limits and never underestimate the power of the Ocean.

This photo taken by John (Nipple Twister) shows Jason and Ken scrambling to get to me as they thought I was swept off the rocks.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/NT1-2.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/NT1-2.jpg.html)

I tried continuing to fish in the surf, but my waders were leaking badly and filling up too quickly, so I called it a morning. Went home with a Calico, a Yellow Fin Croaker and a short Halibut to beat the Skunk. :Razz: Man, I was sore all over the next morning. :Confused:

Sunday 5/26, about six of us, both Old Timers and Young Guns, decided to hit the surf. We would pair up and hit a couple of adjacent beaches to see if we can get some points. The fishing on Sunday was pretty slow, the surf was up and the salad condition was pretty bad. I did manage a nice 17” Calico in a few hours of work and earned 5 points for Team Geezers. :Smile:
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1015-18.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1015-18.jpg.html)

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1012-22.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1012-22.jpg.html)

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1013-19.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1013-19.jpg.html)

SP Dan.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1019-16.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1019-16.jpg.html)

Some of the boys…
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1018-18.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1018-18.jpg.html)

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1017-17.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1017-17.jpg.html)

Monday 5/27, decided to hit the surf with Peter (PTN) for a few hours early before spending the rest of the day with the Iron Chef. :Big Grin:
Managed a 14” Sargo, a semi-rare surf species to grab another 5 points for Team Old Farts, lol :Envious:
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1001-22.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1001-22.jpg.html)

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1003-22.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1003-22.jpg.html)

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1004-23.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1004-23.jpg.html)

Let’s go Soldier!
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1037-6.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1037-6.jpg.html)

Tools of the trade.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1051-3.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1051-3.jpg.html)

We spent the last hour not even fishing… just walking around the tide pools, checking out all of God’s wonderful and fascinating creatures. :Big Grin:

A live Sea Urchin.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1007-24.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1007-24.jpg.html)

A dead Sea Urchin.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1036-9.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1036-9.jpg.html)

Sea Slug or Sea Cucumber.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1034-9.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1034-9.jpg.html)

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1030-8.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1030-8.jpg.html)

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1008-22.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1008-22.jpg.html)

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1009-24.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1009-24.jpg.html)

Nice Cabazon.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1027-10.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1027-10.jpg.html)

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1028-10.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1028-10.jpg.html)

I think this guy just had a Blueberry Slurpee, lol
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1025-11.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1025-11.jpg.html)

Fish ID please… what kind of Perch is this? Had Rainbow patterns all over its scales.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1023-12.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1023-12.jpg.html)

Looks like a Sargo but much darker, is it a Black Croaker?
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1026-13.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1026-13.jpg.html)

The following photos are all underwater. I just stuck my camera in the tide pools and snapped some pics… came out great! :Big Grin:

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1049-3.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1049-3.jpg.html)

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1046-5.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1046-5.jpg.html)

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1045-5.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1045-5.jpg.html)

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1044-6.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1044-6.jpg.html)

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1043-4.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1043-4.jpg.html)

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1042-5.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1042-5.jpg.html)

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1041-5.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1041-5.jpg.html)

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1040-6.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1040-6.jpg.html)

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1035-8.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1035-8.jpg.html)

Parting shots…

Romeo is a “mischievous” one… :Dog Piss:

Hmmm… that drink looks tasty… I’ll wait until Daddy’s not looking… :Twisted:
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1005-24.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1005-24.jpg.html)

Okay, I’m going in…
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1032-9.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1032-9.jpg.html)

This is yummy!
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1048-4.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1048-4.jpg.html)

Busted! I didn’t do it… it wasn’t me… :whistle:
Look at that guilty face, lol
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1020-16.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1020-16.jpg.html)

Mommy, Daddy yelled at me. :Neutral:
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1021-15.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1021-15.jpg.html)

5 minutes later… all is forgiven, can I have some more??? :Envious:
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1031-10.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1031-10.jpg.html)

[exfactor]

thanks for "taking one in the buttocks" for the team!!!!!!!!!!!! Hey!!!! Commander Forrest Wingnut lol

[Ifishtoolittle]

Nice stuff Wingnut. The two fish IDs that you are looking for are Buttermouth Perch and China Croaker. BTW I'm just being curious here, but do any of you wear any PFDs when fishing off the rocks? With those kinds of waves I wouldn't think twice without one!

[murrieta angler]

2 sets of waders in one week = Hard Core Fishing!!! :Cool:
We aint getting any younger Brotha, but like I tell Sheila, it's only a number...:Wink:
In due time, it will be yours to shine again in the surf.
I know that something special is just lurking around the corner...:Big Grin:
Get better soon Bro,
Robert
<><

[FishNFurious]

Geez Art you're not invincible bro, not even at the poker table. :LOL:
Becareful out there my friend.
That pup of yours is too cute.

Vincent

[skunked4life]

You old geezers fished it hard last weekend! Much respect! Now, to your report Commander...

First, it was a pleasure actually fishing with you! Seriously, I think Thien said it before, but its not so much how you retrieve, or how you hold your rod, or what equipment you are using, it is just YOU. Watching you fish made me realize, as Don often says, to not "overthink" and JUST DO! I like how everything with you is so natural and autopilot; however, Arthur, sometimes even autopilot is not perfect. When I saw that surge coming in, my first instinct was to see if you guys were okay. What that picture does not show is that was after the wave began to settle. From where John and I were standing, when the wave first hit, both of you were under and we were thinking "OH S#!t!" So happy that you were able to walk away with your life, and ego (mostly), intact!

Second, it was even better just to make the hike back with you and shoot the breeze. You are right, there is just so much life happening around us that sometimes, we should lose our focus and enjoy the peripheral. I also took some pictures of the marine life and my family enjoyed those more than the ones of me skunking! :Smile: Family, Friends, Fun, and Fishing...We had all of that on Saturday didn't we!

Third, through you, I have met alot of people of like mind and for that, thank you! It was AWESOME meeting John (nippletwister)! Unfortunately, I don't know if Thien, Jason Daniel and I should fish together in the same AO...leads to alot of trouble and zero points! Just kidding boys, "we're the four best friends that anybody can have" -- in case you didn't get the reference, I'm Bradley Cooper, Jason you are Ed Helms, Daniel you are Justin Bartha (only cause you were missing this weekend, and Thien...you are Zach Galifinakis. :ROFL::ROFL::ROFL: Could be worse, you could be Mr. Chow! Let's do Vegas boys!

Last, no matter how busy you are, you still write a fantastic report! Take all of these reports and print them out and publish them! It can go in the philosophy, religion, fishing or nature sections at the book store. That is one book I would definitely buy!

Let's do it again soon!

[Newfishsmell]

Glad everyone made it out of there ok. And you guys still pulled some nice fish out of there.
Thanks for the report.

PS - great pics

[SP Dan]

Hi ya Brotha Art,

I had a fantastic time fishing with you also .... and with my Brotha's "the SWAT boyz"! :Big Grin:
We hit some really fishy AO's this past weekend and some of us (me not included :Embarrassed:) actually landed some fish. :EyePop: :Envious: :Big Grin:

We had all brought along our best slaying :Guns::Smash::Fishing Hole::No Pity:(mine :Skunk:):Death2Above::Fishing Catch::Beat Stick::Cold Fishing: weapons of choice, we all fished hard covering every inch of which ever beach we were at with a bombardment of different colors and different patterns of LC lures, we pushed our own personal limits and we all endured what ever surf or weather conditions that Poseidon had to offer-up to us, plus some of us even had some personal injuries or some equipment sacrifices which had been paid along the way ..... just so that we could catch some flat fish of the right kind!

"YEP!!" ..... :Fishing Catch: It's well worth it! After all, ya see .... we've all been bitten and have come down with a bad case of the Halli-tosis :Fishing Hole: ADDICTION ..... real bad!:Big Grin: I hope that they never find a cure for what ills us Arthur!

It's always my pleasure to share the same stretch of salt! :Cool:

Thanx for the fun read Brotha Arthur!

PS ...... I really enjoyed the underwater photography .... super clear shots! :Thumbs Up:
PSS .... Thank you for your contributions and points! :Smile:
PSSS .. :OMG!: You and Davey Jones Locker! I'm thinking that if I look hard enough that I'll see you in the photo ..... NOPE!! :EyePop: GONE!!

SP Dan <"))><

[jinbow]

Good to know you are ok. Always gotta watch out for the waves, especially on those kind of rocks.
Great calico catch! Did you just pull those fishes bare handed from the tide pool....you got some good hands there.
Thanks for the report and pictures.

[Bob_B]

Glad you made it out okay Arthur!! Great report(s) as always.

[DockRat]

Crazy thrill seeker.
Cool Pics.
DR

[bachiboy]

I think we went over what I thought of your "mis-adventures" of the weekend enough.:LOL: Just glad you guys were all okay.:Wink: Sounds like you had a bit of an impromptu S.W.A.T. fishing derby down there...good times! I was kinda hoping a couple of you guys were gonna branch out and make haul down to where I was hunting. Makes it so much sweeter when you're out there with a few of the boyz. Great photos...I have to try the underwater blind shots. I have a nice waterproof camera and have yet to dunk it down and do that...too much tunnel vision on the task at hand.:LOL: Glad you were able to score some fish and hope we can carry this momentum through to next month.

Hope to see you out there again soon!
Don

Looked up the fish IDs. Ifishtoolittle was right on. Images of the China Croaker look just like what you had. Thought the perch might be a rainbow perch, but they're only way up north...Bodega Bay(ish). Just a very colorful buttermouth. Check out the pict I found of the rainbow perch...great colors.
http://i1175.photobucket.com/albums/r627/bachidym/Rainbow_Perch_zpsf0ae75b8.jpg (http://s1175.photobucket.com/user/bachidym/media/Rainbow_Perch_zpsf0ae75b8.jpg.html)

[fishshep]

:LOL::LOL::LOL:

The best part of that report was the comments matching the dogs diff. faces :LOL::LOL:

I did not know you could read minds !!! :LOL:

and those tide pool pics were cool too !!!

[troublehook]

That is nuts. :EyePop: Scary stuff bro but looks like you made the right tactical decision not to go in the water. Getting a little bloodies and bruised beat being in the surf with your waders on. :mad: Did you piss in your waders? :LOL:
Congrats to all the old timers on the impressive points total. Unless a miracle happens, this contest is over! :!!!:
We're heading to lake Mead again soon, wanna come bro? :Wink:

[Lightline]

Falling on the rocks sucks. Hope your alright and hope it ain't a big rip and can be fixed easily without sending them in.

The underwater pictures are nice, good eye candy.

Always nice to read your reports Arthur.

Time for a fishing vest, at least if you would have fallen in, you would not have to fight to float.

There has been several incidents that I wish I was wearing a fishing floating vest, either to float or beak my fall.

[PONTOON]

Arthur, I do remember telling you to be careful this weekend didn't I ? .........:Wink:

I've got to habd it to all of you "Old Guys" and "Young Whippersnappers" For making this an exciting contest. There were some fun post to read and good healthy banter back and forth and there were some nice fish caught. I also have to commend Robert and Don for their relentless efforts to score points for the "Old Guys" :Cool:

I'm also sure that Dana "Fisherman 57" Rea would have enjoyed the comeraderie and good times shared between Good Friends...........Awesome! :Thumbs Up:

[madbass]

Big wave indeed, that looked intense. Good thing you did manage to jump into the tide pool, could have been bad.
Glad you're alright now, couple of bruises and scratches are all part of the battle, lol. You'll be back in no time hanging on butts. Thanks for the pictures, amazing photos of nature as usual. Hopefully the big surf dies down soon, makes it safe for everyone. Looking forward to your next adventure for sure.

Alex

By the way, i think the perch in the picture is known as a butter mouth perch. They have a soft yellow mouth, hence butter mouth. That's a big one too, good job

[dlmoo312]

Very happy to hear that you were able to walk away from that close call with minor injuries :Shocked:
It's awesome to see so many SWAT members out fishing together to close out this month :Big Grin:
The Vets had a great month of fishing and a more than impressive finish. I think it's safe to say you guys got this month in the bag :Applause:
But as the saying goes.. you old fogies may have won the battle, but not the war! :Twisted:

p.s. were those last few fish caught by hand in the tidepools?


-Daniel

[soulsurfer]

Dang Arthur....that was too close for comfort there....glad you had some extra eyes to keep you safe.

[Which Way Out]

Jermey Wade has nothing on you when it comes to combat fishing Take it is easy old man, wounds don't heal as fast as they used too. Do they?

Glad to see you a had the buddy system in place. Those boys would of done anything to drag your arse out of the water. So don't let it come to that again. I would rather see my friends being safe and not get hurt.

But heck it made for a great story. Nice pic's and major points for the old guys.

WWO

[jplee3]

What a scary encounter out there - kinda reminds me of the sad story of that couple that got swept off the rocks at the CDM Jetty. Pretty dangerous out there. Even when I was out at Crystal Cove, there were a couple times I almost fell over from the riptides. That would have been disastrous. I like to think that I'm "experienced" enough to not be affected, but I've learned to respect the ocean, tides, and currents. Way too powerful a force to be reckoned with.

In any case, nice job on all the species! Don't tell me you noodled that cabezon! LOL

[Homefish]

Thanks 4 the report! Glad your ok! Great pics!(1 day I'll figure out how to post some pics!)
Homefish

[Wingnut]

Competition Update - As of 6/11/13
Team Veterans - 19 Points
Team Rookies - 4 Points


thanks for "taking one in the buttocks" for the team!!!!!!!!!!!! Hey!!!! Commander Forrest Wingnut lol
Anytime Mikey, anytime... :Big Smile: Run Forrest, run! :LOL:


Nice stuff Wingnut. The two fish IDs that you are looking for are Buttermouth Perch and China Croaker. BTW I'm just being curious here, but do any of you wear any PFDs when fishing off the rocks? With those kinds of waves I wouldn't think twice without one!
I thought that it was a Buttermouth Perch, but this one was more colorful than the ones I've seen previously. China Croaker, first time I've seen one of those, very cool.
A personal flotation device while fishing off the rocks and jetties is a good idea. Believe it or not, I used to wear one when I first started surf fishing years ago, lol


2 sets of waders in one week = Hard Core Fishing!!! :Cool:
We aint getting any younger Brotha, but like I tell Sheila, it's only a number...:Wink:
In due time, it will be yours to shine again in the surf.
I know that something special is just lurking around the corner...:Big Grin:
Get better soon Bro,
Robert
<><
I sent both pairs back to Simms and they were able to repair them at no charge, you get what you pay for. :Cool:
As for the age thing... mentally, I feel as young a s ever, physically... not so much, lol :LOL:


Geez Art you're not invincible bro, not even at the poker table. :LOL:
Becareful out there my friend.
That pup of yours is too cute.

Vincent
Thanks Vince, never claimed to be, lol


You old geezers fished it hard last weekend! Much respect! Now, to your report Commander...

First, it was a pleasure actually fishing with you! Seriously, I think Thien said it before, but its not so much how you retrieve, or how you hold your rod, or what equipment you are using, it is just YOU. Watching you fish made me realize, as Don often says, to not "overthink" and JUST DO! I like how everything with you is so natural and autopilot; however, Arthur, sometimes even autopilot is not perfect. When I saw that surge coming in, my first instinct was to see if you guys were okay. What that picture does not show is that was after the wave began to settle. From where John and I were standing, when the wave first hit, both of you were under and we were thinking "OH S#!t!" So happy that you were able to walk away with your life, and ego (mostly), intact!

Second, it was even better just to make the hike back with you and shoot the breeze. You are right, there is just so much life happening around us that sometimes, we should lose our focus and enjoy the peripheral. I also took some pictures of the marine life and my family enjoyed those more than the ones of me skunking! :Smile: Family, Friends, Fun, and Fishing...We had all of that on Saturday didn't we!

Third, through you, I have met alot of people of like mind and for that, thank you! It was AWESOME meeting John (nippletwister)! Unfortunately, I don't know if Thien, Jason Daniel and I should fish together in the same AO...leads to alot of trouble and zero points! Just kidding boys, "we're the four best friends that anybody can have" -- in case you didn't get the reference, I'm Bradley Cooper, Jason you are Ed Helms, Daniel you are Justin Bartha (only cause you were missing this weekend, and Thien...you are Zach Galifinakis. :ROFL::ROFL::ROFL: Could be worse, you could be Mr. Chow! Let's do Vegas boys!

Last, no matter how busy you are, you still write a fantastic report! Take all of these reports and print them out and publish them! It can go in the philosophy, religion, fishing or nature sections at the book store. That is one book I would definitely buy!

Let's do it again soon!
Yes Ken... when I'm out there, everything is usually on auto-pilot... that is until the general alarm goes off. :Shocked: :LOL:
The Man upstairs gave me a gentle reminder to be more careful out there and I will be... :Wink:
You always have something nice to say and I appreciate it very much. Hope we can fish together again soon. :Cool:


Glad everyone made it out of there ok. And you guys still pulled some nice fish out of there.
Thanks for the report.

PS - great pics
I'm also glad that everybody was okay and that I, received the brunt of it... :Cool:


Hi ya Brotha Art,

I had a fantastic time fishing with you also .... and with my Brotha's "the SWAT boyz"! :Big Grin:
We hit some really fishy AO's this past weekend and some of us (me not included :Embarrassed:) actually landed some fish. :EyePop: :Envious: :Big Grin:

We had all brought along our best slaying :Guns::Smash::Fishing Hole::No Pity:(mine :Skunk:):Death2Above::Fishing Catch::Beat Stick::Cold Fishing: weapons of choice, we all fished hard covering every inch of which ever beach we were at with a bombardment of different colors and different patterns of LC lures, we pushed our own personal limits and we all endured what ever surf or weather conditions that Poseidon had to offer-up to us, plus some of us even had some personal injuries or some equipment sacrifices which had been paid along the way ..... just so that we could catch some flat fish of the right kind!

"YEP!!" ..... :Fishing Catch: It's well worth it! After all, ya see .... we've all been bitten and have come down with a bad case of the Halli-tosis :Fishing Hole: ADDICTION ..... real bad!:Big Grin: I hope that they never find a cure for what ills us Arthur!

It's always my pleasure to share the same stretch of salt! :Cool:

Thanx for the fun read Brotha Arthur!

PS ...... I really enjoyed the underwater photography .... super clear shots! :Thumbs Up:
PSS .... Thank you for your contributions and points! :Smile:
PSSS .. :OMG!: You and Davey Jones Locker! I'm thinking that if I look hard enough that I'll see you in the photo ..... NOPE!! :EyePop: GONE!!

SP Dan <"))><
Halitosis... good one Dan. :ROFL:
Always a pleasure sharing the sand with you my friend. Hurry up and chase away that Skunk, we're gonna need some points from you this month. :Wink:
make sure you let Rhonda know that we're going to need her help at the HG5 event this year. :Big Grin:


Good to know you are ok. Always gotta watch out for the waves, especially on those kind of rocks.
Great calico catch! Did you just pull those fishes bare handed from the tide pool....you got some good hands there.
Thanks for the report and pictures.
Thanks Albert, I still remember the Calico that you caught last year... that was an absolute beast from the surf. Hopefully, the White Sea Bass will start showing up at our usual spot soon, i can't wait. :Wink:
Those fish were already in the tide pools, caught by the Bucket Commandos, lol :Envious:


Glad you made it out okay Arthur!! Great report(s) as always.
Thanks Bob, that was a close one... :Razz: Hope you've been doing well out there in the surf. :Cool:


Crazy thrill seeker.
Cool Pics.
DR
:Cool:


I think we went over what I thought of your "mis-adventures" of the weekend enough.:LOL: Just glad you guys were all okay.:Wink: Sounds like you had a bit of an impromptu S.W.A.T. fishing derby down there...good times! I was kinda hoping a couple of you guys were gonna branch out and make haul down to where I was hunting. Makes it so much sweeter when you're out there with a few of the boyz. Great photos...I have to try the underwater blind shots. I have a nice waterproof camera and have yet to dunk it down and do that...too much tunnel vision on the task at hand.:LOL: Glad you were able to score some fish and hope we can carry this momentum through to next month.

Hope to see you out there again soon!
Don

Looked up the fish IDs. Ifishtoolittle was right on. Images of the China Croaker look just like what you had. Thought the perch might be a rainbow perch, but they're only way up north...Bodega Bay(ish). Just a very colorful buttermouth. Check out the pict I found of the rainbow perch...great colors.
http://i1175.photobucket.com/albums/r627/bachidym/Rainbow_Perch_zpsf0ae75b8.jpg (http://s1175.photobucket.com/user/bachidym/media/Rainbow_Perch_zpsf0ae75b8.jpg.html)
I initially thought that it was a Rainbow Perch too...
Let's take it to the Youngsters again this month bro. :Twisted:


:LOL::LOL::LOL:

The best part of that report was the comments matching the dogs diff. faces :LOL::LOL:

I did not know you could read minds !!! :LOL:

and those tide pool pics were cool too !!!
Thanks Daniel, Romeo is quite a character, lol
Leave the Pancake factory and find a better place to fish buddy. :Wink:


That is nuts. :EyePop: Scary stuff bro but looks like you made the right tactical decision not to go in the water. Getting a little bloodies and bruised beat being in the surf with your waders on. :mad: Did you piss in your waders? :LOL:
Congrats to all the old timers on the impressive points total. Unless a miracle happens, this contest is over! :!!!:
We're heading to lake Mead again soon, wanna come bro? :Wink:
No doubt that I made the right decision Sokha, could have been a whole lot worse. :Neutral:
I almost made a warm spot, but held it in... :LOL:
Lake Mead is a little too far to go for some Stripers. If I was going to drive that far, I would go to Lake San Antonio. :Wink:
See you this coming Saturday at the poker tournament bro. :Cool:


Falling on the rocks sucks. Hope your alright and hope it ain't a big rip and can be fixed easily without sending them in.

The underwater pictures are nice, good eye candy.

Always nice to read your reports Arthur.

Time for a fishing vest, at least if you would have fallen in, you would not have to fight to float.

There has been several incidents that I wish I was wearing a fishing floating vest, either to float or beak my fall.
Simms took care of the repairs on both pairs for me. I should be getting them back soon. :Big Grin:
If I would have fallen in, I could get out of my waders pretty quickly and I'm a strong swimmer. My main concern is getting bashed on the rocks from the incoming waves. :mad:


Arthur, I do remember telling you to be careful this weekend didn't I ? .........:Wink:

I've got to habd it to all of you "Old Guys" and "Young Whippersnappers" For making this an exciting contest. There were some fun post to read and good healthy banter back and forth and there were some nice fish caught. I also have to commend Robert and Don for their relentless efforts to score points for the "Old Guys" :Cool:

I'm also sure that Dana "Fisherman 57" Rea would have enjoyed the comeraderie and good times shared between Good Friends...........Awesome! :Thumbs Up:
I remember you telling me that Terry... :Envious:
Dana, directly and/or indirectly, brought us all together and I'm grateful for that. :Big Grin:
I can't wait for your surf session together in his honor. :Cool:


Big wave indeed, that looked intense. Good thing you did manage to jump into the tide pool, could have been bad.
Glad you're alright now, couple of bruises and scratches are all part of the battle, lol. You'll be back in no time hanging on butts. Thanks for the pictures, amazing photos of nature as usual. Hopefully the big surf dies down soon, makes it safe for everyone. Looking forward to your next adventure for sure.

Alex

By the way, i think the perch in the picture is known as a butter mouth perch. They have a soft yellow mouth, hence butter mouth. That's a big one too, good job
Thanks Alex, always an adventure out there... :Razz:
Hang in there man, I know you've been trying hard and the fish have been tough to come by, but it will eventually happen for you, like it has for all of us. :Wink:
If you need any tips, advice or have any questions, just shoot me a PM. :Cool:


Very happy to hear that you were able to walk away from that close call with minor injuries :Shocked:
It's awesome to see so many SWAT members out fishing together to close out this month :Big Grin:
The Vets had a great month of fishing and a more than impressive finish. I think it's safe to say you guys got this month in the bag :Applause:
But as the saying goes.. you old fogies may have won the battle, but not the war! :Twisted:

p.s. were those last few fish caught by hand in the tidepools?


-Daniel
Last month's contest wasn't close, but it was fun Daniel. Let's see if the Young Guns can even things up this month. :Razz:
Next month, I'm going to change up the format to make it more fun and interesting. :Big Grin:
Those fish that I pulled out of the tide pools were catches from the Bucket Commandos that were fishing on the rocks. I threw back a couple of short Calico, they watched me do it and then ignored me, lol They knew why I did it... :Wink:


Dang Arthur....that was too close for comfort there....glad you had some extra eyes to keep you safe.
Damn dude, where have you been??? Hope you've been fishing... :Wink:


Jermey Wade has nothing on you when it comes to combat fishing Take it is easy old man, wounds don't heal as fast as they used too. Do they?

Glad to see you a had the buddy system in place. Those boys would of done anything to drag your arse out of the water. So don't let it come to that again. I would rather see my friends being safe and not get hurt.

But heck it made for a great story. Nice pic's and major points for the old guys.

WWO
If I had been pulled off the rocks by the wave, the last thing I would want is to have any of the guys going in after me. I can get out of my waders pretty quickly and I'm a strong swimmer. I would swim away from the rocks to avoid getting bashed up on it by the waves and work my way back to the shoreline... it all looks good on paper, lol :Smile:


What a scary encounter out there - kinda reminds me of the sad story of that couple that got swept off the rocks at the CDM Jetty. Pretty dangerous out there. Even when I was out at Crystal Cove, there were a couple times I almost fell over from the riptides. That would have been disastrous. I like to think that I'm "experienced" enough to not be affected, but I've learned to respect the ocean, tides, and currents. Way too powerful a force to be reckoned with.

In any case, nice job on all the species! Don't tell me you noodled that cabezon! LOL
You hear about these tragedies all the time and most, if not all of them could have been prevented. Yes, the Ocean must be respected and never be underestimated. :Cool:


Thanks 4 the report! Glad your ok! Great pics!(1 day I'll figure out how to post some pics!)
Homefish
Posting pics are easy with a Photobucket account. :Wink:
Good luck and keep up the good work out there. :Cool: