10/21 Surf Session with S.W.A.T.

[HESBROS]

After a long time of being out of the surf I was able to make plans with "SWAT Member Steve" (Flyngby) to hit it up Monday morning for my third time in two years. My first two sessions were not in the best conditions and I went home with the skunk those two times.

The plan was to meet up at 0600 and fish the incoming high tide. I was very excited the night before and could not sleep since it has been two years since I have fished with my good ole fishing buddy since time has been difficult to find for him.

As planned we met up at the designated meeting spot just before 0600, suited up and made our way to the surf in the dark so we would be fishing by grey light.

Did not take long throwing the LC to start feeling taps here and there before I knew there was life in the area.

I got my first surf Hali, not big but my first.
http://i1347.photobucket.com/albums/p718/Flyingbye11/PA010156_zpsdbacc217.jpg (http://s1347.photobucket.com/user/Flyingbye11/media/PA010156_zpsdbacc217.jpg.html)

We worked alot of beach and it was taking me some time to get used to the conditions, the tactic and the bite. I finally started hooking those pesty but fun smelt...

Next came my first checker from the sand!
http://i1347.photobucket.com/albums/p718/Flyingbye11/5dbd1516-c4d1-4669-be97-e9eef94cdec0_zps89a74057.jpg (http://s1347.photobucket.com/user/Flyingbye11/media/5dbd1516-c4d1-4669-be97-e9eef94cdec0_zps89a74057.jpg.html)

Was not a few casts later that steve was tired of the torpedo's and got a checker! (Look Arthur, no pink water wings!)
http://i1347.photobucket.com/albums/p718/Flyingbye11/PA010159_zpse960c41c.jpg (http://s1347.photobucket.com/user/Flyingbye11/media/PA010159_zpse960c41c.jpg.html)

We continued to work hard and Steve was giving me pointers the whole time. This was one of those trips where you had a chance to learn alot from your guide if you payed attention, which I did.
Next was another tiny flatty!
http://i1347.photobucket.com/albums/p718/Flyingbye11/PA010162_zpsedb4f584.jpg (http://s1347.photobucket.com/user/Flyingbye11/media/PA010162_zpsedb4f584.jpg.html)

My first perch on the LC!!!!!!
http://i1347.photobucket.com/albums/p718/Flyingbye11/PA010164_zpsdcba7613.jpg (http://s1347.photobucket.com/user/Flyingbye11/media/PA010164_zpsdcba7613.jpg.html)

http://i1347.photobucket.com/albums/p718/Flyingbye11/PA010165_zps4f716a5f.jpg (http://s1347.photobucket.com/user/Flyingbye11/media/PA010165_zps4f716a5f.jpg.html)

Then after listening to the tips and pointers and what to look for I finally had the right kind and a bigger model than the last two.
http://i1347.photobucket.com/albums/p718/Flyingbye11/PA010168_zps6ac28332.jpg (http://s1347.photobucket.com/user/Flyingbye11/media/PA010168_zps6ac28332.jpg.html)
Good enough for me!
http://i1347.photobucket.com/albums/p718/Flyingbye11/PA010172_zps3c11be76.jpg (http://s1347.photobucket.com/user/Flyingbye11/media/PA010172_zps3c11be76.jpg.html)

Well after that I decided I should empty out my waders since I was filling with water, not sure if it was a leak or the few crashing waves that I did not plan well.
http://i1347.photobucket.com/albums/p718/Flyingbye11/PA010174_zps1b0ae0f3.jpg (http://s1347.photobucket.com/user/Flyingbye11/media/PA010174_zps1b0ae0f3.jpg.html)

Well that area slowed down and the salad started to come in, so we made a move. Boy was it a good move. On my second cast I hooked into something nice on a swim bait which I switched up to since we were in what looked like calico country.

Here is where I thought I was hooked up with a nice grade calico.
http://i1347.photobucket.com/albums/p718/Flyingbye11/PA010175_zps5819afea.jpg (http://s1347.photobucket.com/user/Flyingbye11/media/PA010175_zps5819afea.jpg.html)
After what seemed like forever and keeping the fish out of the obstructions I got a glimpse of a silver fish that was not a calico! Now the excitement and worry went up together. After some fighting the fish and discussion with Steve we made a plan on landing the fish and it all worked out!


29 inches baby!
http://i1347.photobucket.com/albums/p718/Flyingbye11/PA010181_zps6ec1c07c.jpg (http://s1347.photobucket.com/user/Flyingbye11/media/PA010181_zps6ec1c07c.jpg.html)

I did not get many pics of Steve, but he was catching as well.

Steve, I thank you so very much for finding the time to take me out and all the knowledge you shared, it was trip long due and worth the wait. i miss our outtings and I hope we can soon get back into our old routine and spend the time fishing that we both need!

I was so excited on the way home that I could not wait to tell my Father about the experience of the day knowing he would be impressed by catch that I forgot I would not be able to tell him in person. For those that do not know, my father, hero and fishing buddy passed September 19, 2013. For a moment I was sad, then I smiled and cheucked when I realized that he was there with Steve and I the whole time! RIP Dad and keep watch over all of us!

Late, Eddie

[SoCalMike5657]

Awesome report brother. Congrats on all the catches, and I'm deeply sorry for your lose my prayers are with you and your family. But I'm almost sure that's your dad sending that nice fish your way and letting you know he's watching over you. May he rest in peace.

Mike

[SP Dan]

Hey Eddie!
Welcome back to the salt and what a come back it was!
You had your self quite a few NS and what about the legal WSB! Way to go!

Thanx for a fun read a a lot of great pic's!

SP Dan. <"))><

[exfactor]

That catch puts you in a small but elite group of us who have also done a legal this year. Glad you and Steve enjoyed a good bite in the surf!

[skunked4life]

What a great way to come back from your hiatus!!! Omg you had an amazing day! Congrats on your wsb! Still waiting for first legal.

Skunked4life

[DockRat]

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x214/earthstarchan/clapping.gif (http://media.photobucket.com/user/earthstarchan/media/clapping.gif.html)
WTG on the WSB....
Nice Butt too.
DR

[flyngby]

Eddie,

When I received the text, I was totally surprised as to what you wanted to actually try to accomplish after such a long time of not fishing together, I know it had been frustrating for you in the past to understand or think that I did not want to fish with you but in reality you were also trying hard to get me back in the game.

Once again you also tried to give some other options and times frames that would not work for me and thankfully we got the plan together for this outing.

Conditions were great and the surf was very alive with so many of its creatures frolicking about right at our feet. In the grey darkness I was feeling so many of them bumping off my legs as we were in such shallow water. As the sun rose above and started to give us some vision into the perfectly clear waters, I was mesmerized by all of the small Flatties, Leos, Corbina, Shovelnose, Thornbacks, Torpedo Smelt, that we were spooking along with all the bait fish that were being chased and they seemed not to care that we were invading their space and I was not concentrating on catching but also trying to make sure you were in the position to get them.

Yes it was difficult to get our offering past the "Pesky Torpedo Smelt" and down into the zone but we were at times able to avoid them and get into some more desired species.

You did well my friend with 5 species for the day. The last of witch was an awesome catch on your weapon of choice and due to the location even a harder task to accomplish given all the obstacles involved to put it on land.

Glad that your Dad was able to be with us and help us make it a team effort to get the last one to photo!

Here is a few pics you chose not to share!
http://i1347.photobucket.com/albums/p718/Flyingbye11/PA010166_zpsda38a122.jpg (http://s1347.photobucket.com/user/Flyingbye11/media/PA010166_zpsda38a122.jpg.html)
http://i1347.photobucket.com/albums/p718/Flyingbye11/PA010173_zpsc4c986ac.jpg (http://s1347.photobucket.com/user/Flyingbye11/media/PA010173_zpsc4c986ac.jpg.html)

This is where he took you thru the kelp and around the corner into the opening to your right shoulder that we are still wondering how you recovered it with out hearing the snap! What an amazing feat in my book!
http://i1347.photobucket.com/albums/p718/Flyingbye11/PA010176_zps7a296e43.jpg (http://s1347.photobucket.com/user/Flyingbye11/media/PA010176_zps7a296e43.jpg.html)



I must send out a sincere apology to all off my fellow FNN friends for my lack of participation in responding and supporting your great reports here on this great site for the past 12 or better months.

I have had little time to get out myself into the waters of any kind due to work load and spending time on family matters. Although I have been checking in on your reports quite frequently, I have had little desire to respond which I now realize that was pretty selfish on my part as you all have responded and supported me in the past when I was flooding reports here almost weekly.


Until next time! “TIGHT LINES”

Steve (Flyngby)

[bachiboy]

Welcome back to the surf! And done in grand fashion too.:Wink: Mulitple species, LC firsts and a legal ghost...can't ask for too much more than that! Glad to see you and Steve got that chance to get out there together, capping it all off with a stellar session. Sounds like that A.O. is alive and well. Awesome that it all came together for the both of you.

My deepest condolences for your loss Eddie. Steve, no worries about lack of time on the boards, real life first...we know you were with us on spirit. :Wink:

Congrats on the great session!
Don

[Which Way Out]

Fantastic session guys!
It's great when it all comes together, and at the end of the day you are reminded of the important things that made a difference in your life.

Thanks for posting a great story and photos
WWO

[ironmachin]

That's a hell of a session!

[Wingnut]

Wow, wherever you guys got your intel... hook me up! :Envious:
Eddie, I see that you left the pink arm floaties at home... :LOL:
What triumphant to return to the surf! Some really quality catches you got there. :Thumbs Up:
But I'm not surprised with Captain Steve as your guide. :Big Grin:
Good to see you back in action my friend. :Cool:

[murrieta angler]

Brother Eddie!
Awesome session in the surf Bro. :Big Grin:
5 Species, new species, legal species....GEEEZZZ!!! :Envious:
Crazy how you were going to call your Dad, when at his first thought, you already had...:Wink::Cool:
Look forward to seeing you in the near future.

Steve,
Awesome job helping Eddie to get on some nice grade fish...:High Five:
Good to see you out there as well, enjoying some quality time with a true friend.
I hope to see you at Sids in December..:Wink:

Take care my Brothers,
Robert
<><

[sidified]

No worries, Steve.. All your brothers and sisters understand.. 'for all things there is a season' ..
Eddie sure scored having you there with him to reintroduce the ropes.. some day!
Best,
Sid

[sidified]

What a spectacular return to the surf, Eddie...your post just kept gaining momentum, finishing up with that beauty of a WSB! Still, that moving homage to your Dad will always be the most memorable for all of us.
Blessings,
Sid

[fishshep]

Piggy Perch, nice Hali, and a WOW !!! :EyePop: WSB

Great Catch, good to see, nice report too !!! :Smile: