PIGS, TOADS, SLABS - OH MY!!! (Times of refreshing)

[anchor3n1]

The context
Thursday this week I had the morning open to go fishing. I was thinking about going all week. By Wednesday evening however after three intense days of working I was ready to go crazy:EyePop:. I needed to go hit the beach something fierce:mad:

This wasn't going to be a just a break. It was going to be a therapy session. I didn't want to go on a recon outing although Erik and I have our eyes on a couple of new AOs that need exploring. No I needed to see my pole bend, feel the struggle, and win some battles this day!!!
So I decided it had to be our usual AO cuz so far it hasn't disappointed.

Unfortunately my fishin'n bud, Erik, couldn't make it so I had to go it alone. But that's OK cuz he and I texted each other a couple of times during my battle to keep my spirits up and check on me (thanks bro!).

The setting
I arrived at beginning of grey light ready to take 'em on.
Civil Dawn (twilight): 6:00 am Sunrise: 6:26am Air temp:64 degrees at 6:00am arrival High tide:6:39am Waves:a calm 1'+ Wind:negligible. A few birds, no baitfish and two lazy sea lions. Not a soul on the beach. I am all by my lonesome and loving it.

It was glorious conditions and starkly beautiful. I'm already starting to feel better.

The action
I started throwing my emerald Ayu LC. It is really cool looking and certainly some denizen of the deep is going to get ticked and slam into it. After one hour do I even feel a light bump or something? Nope, nada So I switch to my diving minnow for a while. Will this bring me some happiness...

Zilch zero

It's been two hours. Not a tap. I feel a panic starting to rise. I'm thinking this will end bad - me having to make the drive home with Mr. Stinky. Now I'm plotting how I can skip out on my duties for the following day so I can catch something. "Where are all the fish did they all go on a field trip to someplace other than here!":Shocked:

Well, I somehow pull my self together and tie on my "never has let me down" metallic sardine LC and I let him fly As it hits the water, I actually say a prayer, "God please let me catch a fish".

KABOOM

I was blown away. As soon as I start cranking I hook a pigster and land him. Wow, thank you God! I take a quick picture http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab162/anchor3n1/IMG_0389_zps4f220f15.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/anchor3n1/media/IMG_0389_zps4f220f15.jpg.html)and the LC is back in the water.

I catch another big BSP then another. About this time, Erik checks in with me and I'm able to tell him that the pigs are showing up. He wishes me good luck and I continue.

Final tally
I fished for another hour and and a half and continued to land sizable fish. Every one was close to 14' or bigger a couple were 16'+. I have my tape laid out so I can see how big each fish is but I'm not laying the fish out next to the tape anymore for a photo. My PB is (arguably) 17" and 99% of the BSP from this AO are huge so what's the point. I'd rather save the time and maximize fishing.

So this day I landed 11 BSP and farmed two big boys. Here's a few pics:
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab162/anchor3n1/IMG_0390_zpscda3d623.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/anchor3n1/media/IMG_0390_zpscda3d623.jpg.html)

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab162/anchor3n1/IMG_0391_zps9c747c82.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/anchor3n1/media/IMG_0391_zps9c747c82.jpg.html)

Notice the spawning colors on this guy. If you look closely you can notice the colors on the other ones too.http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab162/anchor3n1/IMG_0392_zpsf3067fb7.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/anchor3n1/media/IMG_0392_zpsf3067fb7.jpg.html)

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab162/anchor3n1/IMG_0393_zps97cff27e.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/anchor3n1/media/IMG_0393_zps97cff27e.jpg.html)

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab162/anchor3n1/IMG_0395_zps5f419f29.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/anchor3n1/media/IMG_0395_zps5f419f29.jpg.html)

Post game thoughts
Every time I have been to this spot I catch huge BSP. I have been here myself 5 times now and I have caught a total of 67 if my notes are correct. All but literally 3 have been over 13" and so many have been much bigger. Erik also has caught somewhere north of 40 BSP here if my memory serves - big ones also. We have Crd and CPRd every one of them. I have fished all my life but I am new to surf fishing this year so I don't have the years of experience to know but even so I think this spot must be special. Is it unique in that there are so many big BSP present? Maybe someone with more experience could answer that question.

It keeps pumping out big pigs (the slowest session I had was 6). I am concerned that we might deplete this spot or ruin it by all the pressure. I am trying not to go too often (is this a ridiculous thought?). It seems like we are hitting it every week or two. An old experienced surf fisherman told me not to worry about it but to stay on the fish until the bite is off. Then go exploring for another good spot. I don't know about that. I am naive about things like this. All I know is it would be nice to preserve an AO like this so that we can go back and enjoy (again is this a ridiculous notion because there are way more BSP out there than me or Erik can i possibly impact?)

So I left the beach calmed down and satisfied. I was refreshed and ready to get back life. Amazing how catching some fish does that for you.


Anyway I hope you enjoy our reports from the so called "Pig Pen"

All the best,

Nick

[skunked4life]

Nick,

I am no expert. Here, you have a honey hole that has proven itself to you time and time again. You found it, you slayed it. You haven't kept any fish and have shown that they are willing to bite over and over. It is my humble opinion that BSP do not travel very far from such places. The structure there must be somewhat static and thus the fish will likely not travel far. So, as long as you CPR, I do not personally see a problem continuing to fish there. On the other hand, this spot, as well as others, is bound to be exploited by others. I think that by releasing all of your fish safely, you are setting a solid example that should go a long way in preserving the spot.

Having said that, it is BSP season. This fact could also contribute to the fact that you are slaying pig after pig. I have noticed that this year, the BSP have been pretty big all year long and with the larger than usual presence of sandcrabs and bait fish this year, it stands to reason that the fish will be a little bigger. That, plus a lot more responsible anglers these days.

Bottom line, I think that if you want to continue fishing at that AO, you should not worry too much. It soothes the soul. OR--perhaps you may want to venture outside the target species now that you have uber confidence in the LC and go for some other species?

REgardless, you will not find ME speaking ill of your continuance at that AO for the above reasons.

Stay Blessed brother!

Skunked4life, aka Corporal Croaker ("wrong kind"), aka Ken

[bassmeister]

oinkers for sure!!!!

[Stumpknocker]

Absolute monsters...great catch!

[TUNAVIC]

Very nice post and pics,congrats on the successful day.

Cya TUNAVIC

[fishshep]

Very nice post and pics,congrats on the successful day.

Cya TUNAVIC

Catch all you can ,while you can !!! :Smile:

Good consistant go to spots are like finding treasures in the sand. :Big Grin:

[ErikAllen17]

Bummed we couldn't hook up that day... the wife and I were under the weather, but I ended up fishing that night (although briefly) anyway. Good to see the AO is still producing. I'm going to have to get out there soon if I keep getting skunked! The Pig Pen is like that girlfriend you call after a bad date... she's always there to make you feel like a winner! We'll catch up soon buddy!

[anchor3n1]

Hi Ken

I appreciate you sharing your analysis. It helps me think it all through.

For me (perhaps for most of us), fishing is more than just the time spent doing something we love to do (although it is that). It is a lot more than that. One thing is that it is a problem to solve or a game to win. That's one of the attractive things about fishing for me - trying to figure out "the how, what, when, why". I know I will figure out more of these answers with experience but fishing isn't static like a math problem. It's dynamic more like predicting the weather - so many variables. Ultimately it seems there will always be mystery and surprise which makes all that more rewarding.

Yes I haven't gotten very confidant in the LC now. Your right. And I am ready to try targeting others species. Thanks for the continuous encouragement. I hope to post something soon other than BSP pics (even though I am grateful for "cutting my surf fishing teeth" on em).

Blessings to you,

Nick

[Wingnut]

Catch them while you can Nick... One thing for sure, it won't always be that way, it's fishing. :Wink:

But be careful and protect your spot. I received your reply to my PM. :Secret:

When I first started surf fishing, I made the mistake of blowing up a couple of spots and upset a few people. Some still hold a grudge til' now... :Crying:
We've seen hot Perch spots get decimated by the Bucket Commandos. I'm sure these fish are resilient enough to recover, but with continued heavy pressure, you will no doubt see a drop in the number of big perch that you catch. THANK YOU for doing your part to practice Catch & Release. :Big Grin:

I still need to get my first 16 inch BSP... :Envious:

[anchor3n1]

Hi Arthur

Good advice! I kinda want to give the spot a rest for awhile and try some other spots. I had this morning open so instead of "the spot", I hit just north of Leo - a bit O action - 6 good sized BSP and hefty YFC on LC.

Take care,

Nick

[bachiboy]

Hey Nick,

Great read and picts and very nice job out there. Arthur's right, if you call out the bucket brigade, that spot will eventually fade to average fishing. Maybe not in a year or two, but over time, it takes it's toll. There was quite a spell where 16-17" perch were getting incredibly rare, but over the last few years, it seems like the numbers are improving quite a bit. CPR makes a difference...keep it up. I didn't always practice it growing up...having parents from Hawaii, it was always fishing for food, but I fully believe in it now.:Wink: You and Erik are doing awesome out there...just a matter of time before something new comes swimming by.:Big Grin:

Thanks for sharing!
Don