S.W.A.T.’n a PB Checker

[bachiboy]

S.W.A.T.’n a PB Checker

I had originally intended on not using my new S.W.A.T. addition LC fearing that my tendency to offer them to Poseidon would take this new piece of jewelry from my grasp. Well, I decided it was time to bite the bullet and let it do it’s magic. I also had an early Christmas present from Santa in the form of a Daiwa Luna that needed to be broken in. Little did I know both were going to get initiated in GRAND fashion.


NOW YOU SEE HIM, NOW YOU DON'T

I got a text message from command that we’d be hitting a faithful A.O. at first light. We called on Ken (skunked4life) to join us and met up for our session. Upon reaching the sand, it was still pitch black out so we took some nice easy casts waiting for the sky to light up a bit more. We started to see bait and felt a few slight bumps as the skies started to brighten but we never had any hard takes. As we were making our assault, I turned around to see what my comrades were doing and noticed that Arthur wasn’t in sight. It was only a matter of seconds and I didn’t even have a chance to finish my sentence of, “where the heck is Art.....”, when I see Ken running through the whitewater. Then, a couple of seconds later, I see Arthur pop up in the washing machine close to shore. He was smiling, thank God, so I knew he was okay, but he got creamed in a cross-section where nearby structure caused waves to come together and collide. Close call, but glad he wasn’t injured on that ride.:Shocked:


THE BEAST

We stayed put instead of marching down the beach to see if we could draw out some fish and sure enough I get a nice take. Caught off guard, the fish managed to find some kelp to wrap me up into. I could tell it was no monster but I couldn’t get him free and he eventually won his freedom. Fortunately, I was able to get the S.W.A.T. LC back. About three casts later...KABOOM!!!! I get hammered. This time I had my drag a little tighter and started pulling HARD to keep him out of the kelp. I could tell this was a big fish as soon as I set the hook cuz he didn’t budge and started thumping on me hard. I had made a really long cast and had quite a bit of line out, so the fight seemed to last quite a while (probably only a few minutes), but it just felt longer cuz I was worried about getting wrapped up again. Once I cleared the danger zone, I could feel that this thing really wanted to go back home and was still trying to make it back to the kelp. I finally get him in the white water where we could see what it was and all I can hear is Arthur yelling, “OH MY GOD!”:EyePop: We get it on the sand and get our glory shots and measurements. It tapes out at right around 22”...my new LC PB calico.:Dancing Banana:

http://i1175.photobucket.com/albums/r627/bachidym/me_bent1_zps938467b7.jpg (http://s1175.photobucket.com/user/bachidym/media/me_bent1_zps938467b7.jpg.html)

http://i1175.photobucket.com/albums/r627/bachidym/me_bent2_zps4103601a.jpg (http://s1175.photobucket.com/user/bachidym/media/me_bent2_zps4103601a.jpg.html)
http://i1175.photobucket.com/albums/r627/bachidym/calico1_wLC_zpsb8a52f7f.jpg (http://s1175.photobucket.com/user/bachidym/media/calico1_wLC_zpsb8a52f7f.jpg.html)

http://i1175.photobucket.com/albums/r627/bachidym/calico1_full_zps53379311.jpg (http://s1175.photobucket.com/user/bachidym/media/calico1_full_zps53379311.jpg.html)

http://i1175.photobucket.com/albums/r627/bachidym/calico1_tail_zps4de1bc56.jpg (http://s1175.photobucket.com/user/bachidym/media/calico1_tail_zps4de1bc56.jpg.html)

http://i1175.photobucket.com/albums/r627/bachidym/meampcalico1_zpsd669ec32.jpg (http://s1175.photobucket.com/user/bachidym/media/meampcalico1_zpsd669ec32.jpg.html)


ROUND 2

We continue to work the area but don’t find much love. Arthur gets a YFC and, while on some nearby rocks hooks into a short barracuda. Time is running out and Arthur has to head out to get to work. I had started to work the rocks but didn’t get any good hits and soon my alarm is going off telling me time is pretty much up on this session. Ken, who is up on the opposite side of the beach calls me on my cell to tell me my carriage is about to turn back into a pumpkin and we need to start heading home. As I get back to the sand, I’m looking out at the nearby kelp when I see a bunch of bait scattering for their lives. We had been seeing bait pop here and there, but no real sign of predators...till now. I shout out, “Awww [heck] no, I see you!” There’s no way I’m walking away from that, so I fire a cast at the commotion. As soon as I real up the slack, I can feel that I’m already picked up and I drive the hooks home. This fish does a largemouth bass imitation and goes airborne to give me a good look.:Shocked: It’s another BIG checker and I start leaning on him, HARD, to get him out of the salad bar. Ken’s pretty far away but I yell as loud as I can to him to catch his attention. Sure enough, he hears, and sees, me and starts running...without his rod:Rolls Eyes:, having left his gear in a pile waiting for me so that we could leave. By the time he reaches me, I have BEAST no. 2 on the sand and we tape him out at 20”. I was hoping to put Ken on his first surf calico, and with sign of fish out in front of us, it might have been a good opportunity, but he came over unarmed.:LOL: So, he makes his way back to his gear and I try and see if there are more fish in the area, but I get no more takers...other than a dead lobster carcass. New species?:ROFL:

http://i1175.photobucket.com/albums/r627/bachidym/calico2_closeup_zps8620c242.jpg (http://s1175.photobucket.com/user/bachidym/media/calico2_closeup_zps8620c242.jpg.html)

http://i1175.photobucket.com/albums/r627/bachidym/calico2_full_zps4bda26e1.jpg (http://s1175.photobucket.com/user/bachidym/media/calico2_full_zps4bda26e1.jpg.html)

http://i1175.photobucket.com/albums/r627/bachidym/calico2_head_zps037c8ede.jpg (http://s1175.photobucket.com/user/bachidym/media/calico2_head_zps037c8ede.jpg.html)

http://i1175.photobucket.com/albums/r627/bachidym/meampcalico2_zps4c845774.jpg (http://s1175.photobucket.com/user/bachidym/media/meampcalico2_zps4c845774.jpg.html)

http://i1175.photobucket.com/albums/r627/bachidym/lobster_zps562e2d45.jpg (http://s1175.photobucket.com/user/bachidym/media/lobster_zps562e2d45.jpg.html)

http://i1175.photobucket.com/albums/r627/bachidym/Arthur_zpscb785cd0.jpg (http://s1175.photobucket.com/user/bachidym/media/Arthur_zpscb785cd0.jpg.html)

http://i1175.photobucket.com/albums/r627/bachidym/ken_zpsc6b5b8d9.jpg (http://s1175.photobucket.com/user/bachidym/media/ken_zpsc6b5b8d9.jpg.html)

http://i1175.photobucket.com/albums/r627/bachidym/ken2_zps606c58f7.jpg (http://s1175.photobucket.com/user/bachidym/media/ken2_zps606c58f7.jpg.html)

http://i1175.photobucket.com/albums/r627/bachidym/ken3_zpsfca6636d.jpg (http://s1175.photobucket.com/user/bachidym/media/ken3_zpsfca6636d.jpg.html)



We decide I’ve used up more than all of my hallpass this morning, but it was well worth it. Hope you enjoyed the read!

Don

[shift21]

wow this looks like an amazing morning man, definitely some good fishing :)

[SP Dan]

Hi Don

That is one huge checker side my friend! 22" and a PB! :Thumbs Up: WTG!

SP Dan <"))>< "The Danimal"!

[skunked4life]

Reserved. Don, I will email you more pics and the video.

[manuel149]

WOW nice catches, congrats on your PB.
Nice way to break in the luna.
My fish also came on the SWAT LC.

[frankjz]

Way to go, Dan. Big Cali. Beautiful. I also noticed your backpack holster. I ordered the one we spoke of, and will try it out tomorrow. I'll let you know what I think.

Frank Z.

[sidified]

Jeesh, Don! What a beeeeautiful cali! Must have pulled like a freight train.. WTG
Sid

[Homefish]

Nice Fishys there Bachi! Guess your like'n the new lure & reel? Thanks 4 share'n.
Homefish

[skunked4life]

Here are some additional details from Saturday (times posted are approximates):

Prologue: Haven't really felt like fishing lately. In fact, I haven't even touched my gear that much since HG5...But when you get the call, you know, you gotta try and go!

5:15 a.m. - I show up and I am first one there. I decide to gear up and wait for the others.

5:30 a.m. - where is everyone? It's not like the commander to be at an AO later than everyone else.

5:31 a.m. - while throwing some garbage away in the nearby dumpster, a green Honda Accord drives by and hits me with a newspaper. Doh!

5:33 a.m. - Don arrives!

5:38 a.m. - Commander arrives!

5:45 a.m. - Where is Wingnut? Did he go on ahead of us? Even after we saved him his personal parking spot? BOO! Someone jumps out of the bushes and scares the crap out of me!!! Oh Commander, you crazy guy!

??? a.m. - Uh Oh! Here comes a nasty looking wave...Oh crap! Where's the Commander??? "Arthur! Don't worry commander! I coming for you!" He is okay. That is when I realized that the commander is not really a tall guy and waist deep for him is like ankle deep for me. :LOL:

7:15 a.m. - Don is retying his LC and has his rod between his legs. He motions over to me to examine his new rod. I feel the blank near the handle. Ooohhh so thin! I like thin blanks! Arthur turns around and says "See Ken! That's why we invited you!" Yeah, don't picture it, it is not a pretty picture, unless you are into that sort of thing. I will never stroke someone else's rod again! NEVER!

Fast forward...

8:20 a.m. - Aww crap! My S.W.A.T. series LC is stuck and its not getting loose! I start navigating the boiler rocks and my left foot gets stuck in between rocks. I am waist deep and here comes a surge! I get out in time but dunk my reel. While doing so, I manage to pull the LC out! Whew! The reel cranks just fine.

8:30 a.m. - Don is WAAAYYY over on the opposite end of the beach. I call him on the cell. LET'S GO! Hall passes don't come cheap these days!

8:40 a.m. - I take off all of my gear to dry out and get ready to leave. Don yells out "KENNNNNN!!!!" I immediately grab my camera and pliers and run, I mean run out to Don. By the way, the terrain here is not friendly to runners in wading boots. My shins were rubbed raw. I got scabs all over. OMG! Another beast!!!!

Epilogue:
Don, your rod was hot that day...not in the bromance kind of way. I am so happy that you called upon me to join! Thanks to you and Arthur!!! Yeah, I got skunked!!! SO what? I got to chat it up with my brothers and laugh a whole bunch (mostly at myself). Yes, my need for surf-fishing has renewed itself! See you out there!

P.S. Don, please forgive my thread jack but the commander specifically instructed you to not forget the boogey-man maneuver that morning and I had to add it.

[koifish]

Don
congrats to you new PB. man...I have not hit surf for almost 1.5 years....LOL...

[dlmoo312]

Back to back toads! Way to go on your new PB calico :Big Grin:
BTW what kind of rod is that? I'm liking that bendo action!
Looks like a fun filled outing! Come on Ken! You gotta put that new setup of yours to use! Build up the mojo :LOL:
Thanks for the report!


-Daniel

[skunked4life]

I'm liking that bendo action!

You like 'em with a little bend in them huh?

Yeah, to date, I got an 8 inch BSP on the new set-up...:Embarrassed:

[5150fishn]

Great report and pics. Way to break in the new rod on a BEAST calico!

[Jaysuuun]

Don, congrats on a MONSTER calico and following up with another toad. Toad calicos usually get the best of me when there's structure involved.

Ken.. dude... bro... brotha.... S.W.A.T. Rule #1... NEVER TOUCH ANOTHER BROTHAS ROD! KEEP YOUR HANDS ON YOUR OWN ROD! HAAHHAHAAHHA

[EfrenM]

nice fish congrat on your new pb!!!

[skunked4life]

Ken.. dude... bro... brotha.... S.W.A.T. Rule #1... NEVER TOUCH ANOTHER BROTHAS ROD! KEEP YOUR HANDS ON YOUR OWN ROD! HAAHHAHAAHHA

But it felt so good!!! Not in the Brokeback kind of way you jerkface! Now i might get on a St. Croix fix and start saving up for a new rod.

By the way, you didn't seem to mind when I let you fondle my reel and whip around my rod at HG5! Gotcha ya sucka!

[Wingnut]

Great job nailing the first Calico on the S.W.A.T. LC Brother Don. :Envious:
Let's see who will catch the first legal Hali with it. :Wink:
Good luck down South this weekend... hope you guys find Nate's "Induction" fish! :Big Grin:

[Ifishtoolittle]

That's an impressive catch wherever you go! Nice work Don!

[bachiboy]

wow this looks like an amazing morning man, definitely some good fishing :)
Thanks! Definitely a good day, just wish the boys got into some of that action too.:Wink:


Hi Don
That is one huge checker side my friend! 22" and a PB! :Thumbs Up: WTG!
SP Dan <"))>< "The Danimal"!
Thanks Danimal! If the pattern holds, you should be nailing that 23" checker really soon!:LOL::Wink: Go get em man, I'm heading south with Nate this weekend. Gotta get that dang guy initiated already!
Don

PS - Got your card today! Thank you, thank you, and Rhonda VERY much!


Reserved. Don, I will email you more pics and the video.
Video too revealing without hope to save without extensive editing.:Wink: But damn fun to watch.:LOL:


WOW nice catches, congrats on your PB.
Nice way to break in the luna.
My fish also came on the SWAT LC.
Thanks Manny! That SWAT LC sure seems to be getting some action these days. I shoulda retired it after that session. Took it out two days later and trashed it on the rocks.:Rolls Eyes:


Way to go, Dan. Big Cali. Beautiful. I also noticed your backpack holster. I ordered the one we spoke of, and will try it out tomorrow. I'll let you know what I think.

Frank Z.
Thanks Frank! Looking forward to hearing how that pole holster works out...just don't go wading too deep.:Wink:


Jeesh, Don! What a beeeeautiful cali! Must have pulled like a freight train.. WTG
Sid
Thanks Sid! It was an awesome battle/tug-o-war to get him out of that kelp. Really glad I changed out the hooks the night before on the LC, cuz as hard as I was pulling, I might have straightened them. Actually, I didn't change the middle hook and it did.:Shocked:


Nice Fishys there Bachi! Guess your like'n the new lure & reel? Thanks 4 share'n.
Homefish
Thanks Homey! I knew there'd be a few people I was going to forget to introduce myself to at HG5. Wanted to put a face to the name so that I could recognize you the next time I ventured down to your neck of the woods and happened across you...again.:LOL: New reel and lure seem to be treating me nice...that is until I trashed the lure a couple days later.:Rolls Eyes: It's okay, it deserved to be retired after landing me a fish like that.:Wink:


Don, your rod was hot that day...not in the bromance kind of way. I am so happy that you called upon me to join! Thanks to you and Arthur!!! Yeah, I got skunked!!! SO what? I got to chat it up with my brothers and laugh a whole bunch (mostly at myself). Yes, my need for surf-fishing has renewed itself! See you out there!

P.S. Don, please forgive my thread jack but the commander specifically instructed you to not forget the boogey-man maneuver that morning and I had to add it.
Dude, you scare me...STOP touching my rod!:ROFL:

Glad we got your blood flowing again to hit the surf. Needed you to have your game face on for this weekend. Gotta try and get that EPIC session in like we talked about.:Wink:

Didn't get that order from command, just the one to add the dunkage. I actually forgot about that incident...was still in awe when I was writing the report. I didn't jump cuz I figured he was in the bushes somewhere...but thought he was taking a leak.:LOL: Damn funny to see your eyes popping out of your head though.:EyePop::LOL:

See you Saturday!


Don
congrats to you new PB. man...I have not hit surf for almost 1.5 years....LOL...

Thanks Mr. C! I hope you've been getting some fishing in somewhere. My time is limited to the beach these days.:Wink:


Back to back toads! Way to go on your new PB calico :Big Grin:
BTW what kind of rod is that? I'm liking that bendo action!
Looks like a fun filled outing! Come on Ken! You gotta put that new setup of yours to use! Build up the mojo :LOL:
Thanks for the report!
-Daniel
Thanks Daniel! It's a St. Croix...GREAT LC rod. Good fishing with you the other day. Wish I coulda got there sooner when the fish were a little more action...or at least made a cast on that damned legal I spooked when I got there.:Rolls Eyes: Then there was that 3lb. ba$$turd that kept messing with my LC on the rocks and wouldn't commit. Can't complain too much...it was an awesome day to be in the surf. See you out there again soon!


Great report and pics. Way to break in the new rod on a BEAST calico!
Thanks 5150! The rod had some fish under its belt but that bigun definitely christened it proper!:Wink: That was actually the first fish the reel had ever caught though...now that's an incredible start.


Don, congrats on a MONSTER calico and following up with another toad. Toad calicos usually get the best of me when there's structure involved.

Ken.. dude... bro... brotha.... S.W.A.T. Rule #1... NEVER TOUCH ANOTHER BROTHAS ROD! KEEP YOUR HANDS ON YOUR OWN ROD! HAAHHAHAAHHA
Thanks J! It was one heck of an outing. I was very lucky to get those fish out of their homes. They had BAD intentions when I set the hook on em.

I'm actually feeling a little violated after Ken's fondling. I think I need therapy.:Shocked::Embarrassed:


Great job nailing the first Calico on the S.W.A.T. LC Brother Don. :Envious:
Let's see who will catch the first legal Hali with it. :Wink:
Good luck down South this weekend... hope you guys find Nate's "Induction" fish! :Big Grin:
Thanks sir! I'm kinda hoping Nate gets the first SWAT LC legal and it's the one he's been waiting for. We'll see!:Wink:


That's an impressive catch wherever you go! Nice work Don!
Thanks IFTL! That fish ranked in my top 3 calicos from boat or shore. It was much more exciting coming off the sand though.:Wink: