Pea soup, salad, halibut filets, skunk and a side of PB - S.W.A.T. style

[skunked4life]

Prologue:
Bachiboy and BBQ Sushi (Don and Nate respectively) were planning a family trip down south and after talking at HG5 about my family having made similar plans, we decided to get in at least one fishing session in together. After hearing about the ghosts caught by the Commander up north and the legal butts by exfactor (aka yoda) further up north, the move south was a difficult decision to make, but its really all about friends and family so here we go.

AO: San Diego county? New AO.
Gear: S.W.A.T. LC FM 110 and various other LC's
Weather: surprisingly nice. The sun was warm but the slight breeze was cool. Overcast most of the morning.
Water Temp: felt like 65ish? Give or take a few degrees more or less.
Swells: 1-2 feet

Saturday

Don, Nate and I got to the AO and parked. As we got ready, we all noticed how flat the conditions were and the light swells. The moon was peering through the fog. Don and Nate told me that there was a lot of fog coming up but I hardly noticed. We hit the sand at about 6:20 a.m. As usual, I make a bone head move to distance myself from Don. About 15 to 20 minutes in, Don yells "Ken!" That's my cue! "Here I come Colonel!" He pulls up a small rock fish. Skunk off for him! C'mon Nate, lets get on some fish! As I was fishing, I see Nate's second rod hanging loosely from his pack. "Nate! Your rod is falling down!" Doh! Nate's second rod is down for the count. Nate retrieved the rod and reel but it was soaked.

I look to my left and Don has another fish on! He finesses it in like a champ. It's a nice flatty! I make my way over to him and Don yells, "NOOOO!!! Just stay there and keep casting! Bait fish are jumping!" No sooner than when I say "OK, time for me to catch some dinner...." Don offers me his halibut. What a guy!

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/null_zps18dcdca9.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/null_zps18dcdca9.jpg.html)

Now, we are all back in the surf but Nate is having some gear issues. I make a nice cast and about half way on the retrieve, I get slammed! Oh it's pretty heavy and zigging left and right, but not a super great fight. As I get the fish closer I notice that it is a new species for me!!! "Don! It's a checker!" My very first Calico Bass from the surf! Don says, "dude, that's a nice sized one!" :EyePop: He helps me get the LC off and we take pics. Don tapes it out for me and then jumps right back into fishing. Taped out at 18.5 inches even.

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/null_zps9d96d138.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/null_zps9d96d138.jpg.html)
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/null_zps14a494ea.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/null_zps14a494ea.jpg.html)
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/null_zpsa510830d.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/null_zpsa510830d.jpg.html)

I head over to Nate and try and help him out. Nate insists that I go back and continue to fish.

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/null_zps1f938b25.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/null_zps1f938b25.jpg.html)

So after a little bit, I go back. The breeze was blowing towards the ocean and I get in a bomb cast. As soon as I am able to set the reel and start my retrieve, Bendo!!! :Shocked: Don saw it on the initial take! This one is a bit harder. I have a whole lot of water between me and the fish and Don coaches me step-by-step in to landing it carefully and successfully. Seriously, Don - YOU ARE DA MAN! This guy is swimming left and right, giving off false headshakes, fighting like a champ! I finally beach him. My second Calico Bass from the surf! Taped out at 16 inches.

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/null_zps84c3dfc2.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/null_zps84c3dfc2.jpg.html)
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/null_zps48da5696.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/null_zps48da5696.jpg.html)
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/null_zps1683eb9b.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/null_zps1683eb9b.jpg.html)
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/null_zps602b9ed6.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/null_zps602b9ed6.jpg.html)

We continue to fish and decide that we should move a bit north of the beach. After about another 45 minutes, I call it for myself and say my goodbyes...Thanks for fishing with me fellas! Thanks for helping me land my first and PB Calico Don!!! Thanks for dinner too! You have found favor with my wife now!

Sunday

So I decide on a solo mission 'cause the boys were headed further south than what I could manage on time. Oh man, the fog is thick! I get to the AO and suit up. From the top of the AO, the conditions look SWEET!!!! I know in my mind that these were similar conditions to may last truly successful outing here. Let's go!

I get down to the AO. First cast at grey light...HUGE...BENDO...of kelp stringer...:Crying: Next cast, a monster....kelp stringer...:Sad: This pretty much continued all morning for the next 1 to 2 hours. I fished nearly the entire beach, making no more than one to two casts per area. No a single clean retrieve. Unfishable! :Skunk:

Epilogue
So I told Don that last weekend was an epic outing simply because I got to witness Don catch a 22" and a 19" calico from the surf. He insisted that I was wrong. An "epic outing" is one where EVERYONE catches nice fish, says Don. You are right. As excited I was Saturday, I felt weird and guilty that Nate was having so many problems and couldn't get quality time on the surf let alone any fish that day. Nonetheless, it was a great outing because I got to fish with Nate for the first time and Don for the second week in a row. Some people just mesh well, I think the three of us did. Hell, this goes for ALL of my S.W.A.T. Brothers and Sisters! Love you all!

Bonus Shots

Later that afternoon on Saturday, we made it to the second AO for the day...This one was for my wife and kid:

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/null_zps82f18bbc.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/null_zps82f18bbc.jpg.html)

We met up with Don and Nate's family briefly. Benjamin was happy to see Ethan.

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/null_zpsded46e75.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/null_zpsded46e75.jpg.html)

Nate! This is creepy...stop taking pics of little kids!

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/null_zps98489de0.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/null_zps98489de0.jpg.html)
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/null_zpsf74a5d3a.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/null_zpsf74a5d3a.jpg.html)

Ooh, this area looks super fishy! (It's made of legos though...)

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/null_zpsf4f44730.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/null_zpsf4f44730.jpg.html)
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/null_zpsfd3b68f2.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/null_zpsfd3b68f2.jpg.html)

What's for dinner Sunday? Halibut Sashimi and panko fried halibut (thanks Don!):

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/null_zps32959384.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/null_zps32959384.jpg.html)

Thanks for reading everyone!!!

Skunked4life, aka Corporal Croaker, aka Ken

P.S. Piggy Back Report to come from Bachiboy...

[ironmachin]

Cool report, man and congrats on the Calico from the Surf!

[bachiboy]

So, it's all been pretty much said...except,

DUDE...I don't know why you wrote a report about the calico. I think everyone from San Diego to Santa Barbara could hear you yelling about it!:ROFL: Actually, it was very cool to see how happy you were. We've been talking about getting you on that fish for a while now and, honestly, I didn't think we were gonna get it at that A.O. Right time, right place.:Wink:

Here are my additional picts for the trip...

First victim of the morning

http://i1175.photobucket.com/albums/r627/bachidym/rockfish_zps69b26bb0.jpg (http://s1175.photobucket.com/user/bachidym/media/rockfish_zps69b26bb0.jpg.html)

Legal flattie before Ken poached my spot. (J/K):Big Grin:

http://i1175.photobucket.com/albums/r627/bachidym/butt_full_zps203ca1f7.jpg (http://s1175.photobucket.com/user/bachidym/media/butt_full_zps203ca1f7.jpg.html)

http://i1175.photobucket.com/albums/r627/bachidym/butt_tail_zpsf56aa21f.jpg (http://s1175.photobucket.com/user/bachidym/media/butt_tail_zpsf56aa21f.jpg.html)


Silly guy came over wanting to take pictures of the fight and I told him, ":Censored: the pictures! CAST!!!!":LOL: No more than five casts later...BOOYAH!!!

http://i1175.photobucket.com/albums/r627/bachidym/Ken2_zpsef15ff0a.jpg (http://s1175.photobucket.com/user/bachidym/media/Ken2_zpsef15ff0a.jpg.html)

http://i1175.photobucket.com/albums/r627/bachidym/Ken1_zps2ccfac6a.jpg (http://s1175.photobucket.com/user/bachidym/media/Ken1_zps2ccfac6a.jpg.html)


Bonus Picts
Next morning, stumbled across John (Nipple Twister) at a different A.O. He struck first blood.

http://i1175.photobucket.com/albums/r627/bachidym/John_pancake_zps7a2873a4.jpg (http://s1175.photobucket.com/user/bachidym/media/John_pancake_zps7a2873a4.jpg.html)


Nate gets one pancake on the board...first one for him in a few months (helps if you actually go fishing!:LOL:)

http://i1175.photobucket.com/albums/r627/bachidym/Nate1_zpse73d03a6.jpg (http://s1175.photobucket.com/user/bachidym/media/Nate1_zpse73d03a6.jpg.html)

http://i1175.photobucket.com/albums/r627/bachidym/Nate2_zps8c1dec39.jpg (http://s1175.photobucket.com/user/bachidym/media/Nate2_zps8c1dec39.jpg.html)


My turd roller that fell for a dropshot

http://i1175.photobucket.com/albums/r627/bachidym/turd_zps7847448d.jpg (http://s1175.photobucket.com/user/bachidym/media/turd_zps7847448d.jpg.html)


Day 3 (Monday) I went back to A.O. no. 1 only to find out conditions had rolled with no bait presence and stained water. Managed a personal best 3 lost LCs in one session! Still, had a better day than this poor guy...what a waste. I assume someone caught this and left it on the sand to die...REALLY? Why?:Rolls Eyes:

http://i1175.photobucket.com/albums/r627/bachidym/Dead_wiggles_zps6086e915.jpg (http://s1175.photobucket.com/user/bachidym/media/Dead_wiggles_zps6086e915.jpg.html)


Congratulations Ken! Damn nice checker for your first. We'll have to work on bumping up the PB sizes for you in that catagory. One thing...when you're reeling in a fish, BREATHE!!!:ROFL:

[TUNAVIC]

That's very cool,Calicos,and halibut in the surf,who needs a stinkin skiff?
You guys have got it wired,very nice,and that Dinner shot,awesome thanks for sharing.

Cya TUNAVIC

[Wingnut]

Excellent report Corporal Croaker of the "wrong" kind. :ROFL:
Funny, how we were just talking about you catching your first surf Calico just last week... and you went you there and did it! :Big Grin:
The food pic of the Halibut looks awesome, yummy! :Envious:

Nice job on the legal Hali Colonel Croaker of the "wrong" kind. :Big Smile:

Nate, maybe you and Don should switch screen names, lol :LOL:

See you all at the S.W.A.T. Christmas party! :Big Grin:

[skunked4life]

Don,

Thanks for the piggy back and the pics! C'mon, give a rookie a break! I get excited when I catch short butts. To me, catching that first Calico was as exciting, if not more, than my first legal butt, the wsb, or my induction fish only because I had been specifically targeting this fish and casting into kelpy conditions for the last two months. I just had to see what all of the hoopla was all about and dang...calicos are FUN! I am just happy that you were there, especially on that second one! If anyone was going to get me on a beast calico, it was you or SP Dan (sawwy Dan, I know that you tried!).

And yes, I agree, I did not think that this AO was where I would catch my first Calico. I know there was alot of structure and kelp, but not really like the AO where you caught your PB. I was shocked!

Nate--IF you read this, you GOTTA learn the Jedi-mind trick that the Commander is trying to teach us...I tried to offer you my, er Don's, spot but you wouldn't bite. Next time buddy! When I caught the first one, I immediately asked Don if it was an induction sized fish because I didn't want to S.W.A.T. block you. Doh! I messed up! Forgive me!

Ken

[DockRat]

Great pics there. That angel shark could have died from being gut hooked weeks earlier, boat, shore, even a seal, who knows ?
DR

[SP Dan]

Ken ... "CONGRATULATIONS" ... on finally achieving your targeted fish ... what a great Checker Side to end your hunt! Two Calicos in one session ... WTG!

WTG Don on the legal ... and I know that Ken and his family really appreciated your brotherly generosity!

Nate ... you fish hard and some day soon we'll all be chasing behind all of your success's! I feel it Sir!

It put a smile on my face to see the three Bromigos: Extrem-mo, Maxi-mo and Mighty-mo putting in some salt time together!

Hey John ..... good to see you in the surf with a flat one at your feet! WTG!

Thanx for the fish report!

SP Dan <"))><

[bbqsushi]

Don and Ken. It was a great time fishing with you - even if I DID stink it up on Saturday. Sunday I got rid of the stripes, which was my main goal. Thanks for keeping me positive and for pushing me back out in to the sand.

Ken - Thanks for the heads up on my backup falling out. That was the beginning of the end (for that session), but at least you saved my rod. That reel was Don's and now its full of salt and sand, but Don has time to be reel tech this week. (Thanks Don).
BUT, dang, you SUUURRE put up some lousy photos of me. I look mad or creepy wherever I am! And I wasn't really that upset. Or, maybe I was. In any case, I managed to take a great shot of you fishing in the moonlight just before the bite happened. Here you go.

http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums/q761/BBQSushi/FullMoonKen_zps15f827e6.jpg (http://s1358.photobucket.com/user/BBQSushi/media/FullMoonKen_zps15f827e6.jpg.html)

Let's go get em next weekend!!
BBQ-BACHI

[skunked4life]

NATE!!! That picture is AMAZING! Thanks so much for posting it! My wife says that when we eventually buy a house and I get my own man-cave, she is going to have this picture enlarged to poster size to hang on the wall. Let's fish this weekend brother! Shh...don't tell Don that I am cheating on him with you though.

Skunked4life, aka Corporal Croaker, aka Corporal "Wrong Kind," aka Ken

[bachiboy]

NATE!!! Let's fish this weekend brother! Shh...don't tell Don that I am cheating on him with you though.

You're scaring me again!:Shocked: Nate, don't let him touch your rod...traumatizing!:ROFL:

[skunked4life]

You're scaring me again!:Shocked: Nate, don't let him touch your rod...traumatizing!:ROFL:

Haha...Alice says the bromances scare her too!

BTW-YOU are the one that was like "hey, check out my new rod." I just obliged. It DID look awfully creepy and gross.

[Homefish]

Great report guys, Congrats on your catches!
Thanks 4 Share'n,
Homefish

[skunked4life]

Cool report, man and congrats on the Calico from the Surf!

Thanks! I still can't believe that I caught back-to back legal Calicos.


Congratulations Ken! Damn nice checker for your first. We'll have to work on bumping up the PB sizes for you in that catagory. One thing...when you're reeling in a fish, BREATHE!!!:ROFL:

Thanks Don! You have been a good friend! Funny, I seem to be (unintentionally) following in your footsteps...You get inducted with a croaker, I get inducted with a croaker, you have a double calico, I get a double calico, you lose LC's, I lose LC's...I just hope that I don't end up having to rely on hallpasses like you though! :ROFL:


That's very cool,Calicos,and halibut in the surf,who needs a stinkin skiff?
You guys have got it wired,very nice,and that Dinner shot,awesome thanks for sharing.

Cya TUNAVIC

Thanks TunaVic! Hey, if I could afford to rent a skiff or to buy one, hell, I would spend alot less time on the surf. But yes, surf fishing with those results is extremely satisfying.


Excellent report Corporal Croaker of the "wrong" kind. :ROFL:
Funny, how we were just talking about you catching your first surf Calico just last week... and you went you there and did it! :Big Grin:
The food pic of the Halibut looks awesome, yummy! :Envious:

Nice job on the legal Hali Colonel Croaker of the "wrong" kind. :Big Smile:

Nate, maybe you and Don should switch screen names, lol :LOL:

See you all at the S.W.A.T. Christmas party! :Big Grin:

It's like this Commander, I thought that your Jedi-mind trick would be my ticket to my first calico, but with Don, not so. He just points, YELLS and you fish that spot. This results in what you see in my pics. A goofy grin from my ugly mug! :LOL:


Great pics there. That angel shark could have died from being gut hooked weeks earlier, boat, shore, even a seal, who knows ?
DR

Thanks DR. Amongst the three of us, we did manage alot of pictures!


Ken ... "CONGRATULATIONS" ... on finally achieving your targeted fish ... what a great Checker Side to end your hunt! Two Calicos in one session ... WTG!

WTG Don on the legal ... and I know that Ken and his family really appreciated your brotherly generosity!

Nate ... you fish hard and some day soon we'll all be chasing behind all of your success's! I feel it Sir!

It put a smile on my face to see the three Bromigos: Extrem-mo, Maxi-mo and Mighty-mo putting in some salt time together!

Hey John ..... good to see you in the surf with a flat one at your feet! WTG!

Thanx for the fish report!

SP Dan <"))><

Dan, seriously, I thought that you would be the one to get me on my first calico. Sorry to give away that chore to Don. Tell you what, you can get me out of the Heart Attack Summit funk skunk....but please, NOT with smelt. Hahahah...you must have "smelt" that one coming too!


Let's go get em next weekend!!BBQ-BACHI

Sorry I did not make it out last weekend. I should have just fished up there. It was dismal down here. My elbow feels like I just pitched in the World Series. No matter what...I will be up there this weekend.


Great report guys, Congrats on your catches!
Thanks 4 Share'n,
Homefish

Thanks Homefish. :Smile: Haven't seen many reports from you lately. Get out there! It's perchin time now!