Tunaslam
11-26-2013, 05:24 AM
It was time to go fishing with Bill Fisher, on his 18’ Trophy, “Toad Hall” out of Las Salinas where Bill slips his boat. We planned a 2 day combo for Sunday and Monday, 11-25-13. The weather forecast for inshore in Descanzo Bay was forecasted to be great for both days, plus the tides were ideal for the exit and entrance to the Marina, which still needs to be dredged badly?
I drove down from my home in Diamond Bar at 2:30pm, arriving Saturday evening at Bill’s place south of Rosarito at 5:00 pm. We watched some spectacular views of the sun setting from his Trailer home off the cliffs.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i394/tunaslam/Bill-Las%20Salinas/100_3036680x510_zpsf7ac6e92.jpg
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i394/tunaslam/Bill-Las%20Salinas/100_3038680x510_zps0c1eaa38.jpg
We enjoyed cocktail hour together before running down to a local place close by where I ordered their delicious Cheeseburger with loads of fries. So big I could only eat half of the burger and fries which became tomorrow’s breakfast. Returned to Bill’s place to watch UCLA lose to Arizona State, I’m a big USC fan and this was one of the few times I was rooting for UCLA, darn. Then we watched Baylor laying an egg against Oklahoma State, so goes College Football. Called it a night at 9:30 pm, with a wake call set for 6:00 am.
Sunday, 11-24-13.
Up and at them bright and early, we were quickly off to Las Salinas where Bill slips his boat. We arrived in Las Salinas, at 6:45 am. Always an adventure, as management has still not dredged the harbor, the exit through the harbor was not an issue today, although usually treacherous at best.
The wind was up a bit as Bill set a course for shallow waters through fairly calm seas, we were expecting calmer winds later in the morning, then we could hit the deeper structure. Despite a very rapid drift the fish were on the chew, both Lingcod and the ever pesky Bocaccio or Salmon Grouper. The Lingcod averaged 22 to 24 inches with a few 25+. After four or five cookie cutter sized Lingcod, this 28” beast jumped on my knockoff Lucanus lure.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i394/tunaslam/Bill-Las%20Salinas/100_3039680x510_zps95f69dc5.jpg
At 9am the wind backed off as forecasted and it became simply drop dead gorgeous. The jackets and sweatshirts came off, and it was T-shirt weather. Eat your hearts out Chicago?
Bill moved us out to the deeper water and now we had reached slack tide and no wind. Even dropping directly on the high spots didn’t generate much interest from the fish. With no current and little drift the fishing slowed way down in the deeper water. We tried half a dozen deep spots before returning to the shallow water. We scratched out a half dozen Copper Rockfish, a nice Barber Pole, and some 3 Spots and Starries to go with way too many Salmon Grouper and more Lings. Not one single Red was caught all day.
At least the Shallow water allowed us to release the smaller Rockfish and Bocaccio mostly unharmed. A small breeze returned by noon, and we called it a day at 2:20pm having released over 20 Lingcod, keeping four at 25+ inches, while also releasing several dozen Bocaccio and keeping a limit of five each. It was an easy 70+ fish day, with lots of fish caught on plastics and Mega baits on lighter tackle. It was definitely an action packed fun day, although Bill being his usual camera shy in nature, and I didn’t really catch anything else picture worthy for the day unless you counted some of the big Bocaccio and countless Lings?
We fileted the four Lingcod, Bill gave a few Bocaccio to the guards at the dock and I took the balance of fish to Charley’s where Jaime the owner sent me off with some nice fish and shrimp tacos and a Carne Burrito, lots of chips and salsa, with their special crema dip, so tasty!
Our plans for the evening were to hit Puerto Nuevo for some lobster dinners. A few beers and glasses of wine later, a great Sunday night football game on TV and the lobster dinner was replaced by fish and shrimp tacos. Us old farts can tire easily after a day on the big pond?
Monday, 11-25-13.
Mother wind was not supposed to make much of an appearance, yet she didn’t follow the schedule. We woke up at 6am to a brisk offshore sea breeze. Fortunately the wind waves were minor and our exit of the harbor was fine. We had planned to mostly fish shallow water today anyhow, although our planned run to Salsapuedes was spoiled.
Despite an extremely rapid drift, surrounded by popcorn, the fish were very hungry. Same game as the day before, mostly Lingcod and Bocaccio, all but a few released. It sure is a blast to hook these fish on the light tackle and they chewed through a bunch of my plastics.
We never fished deeper than 180 feet this morning. We did catch a nice variety of fish. Here is Bill with one of his many Lingcod caught:
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i394/tunaslam/Bill-Las%20Salinas/100_3042455x680_zps4d3dbffc.jpg
Myself with a pesky Bocaccio:
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i394/tunaslam/Bill-Las%20Salinas/100_3045680x479_zpsbaf36195.jpg
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i394/tunaslam/Bill-Las%20Salinas/100_3046680x510_zpsab575f34.jpg
A nice Copper Rockfish:
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i394/tunaslam/Bill-Las%20Salinas/100_3047675x680_zps8363e03e.jpg
The wind backed off at 9:30 am and we took the opportunity to run north and see if the Sand Bass were on the chew. By the time we arrived some 30 minutes later, the wind was up and there was lots of capping. Once again the fish didn’t care. The rapid drift over an extended shallow water reef produced lots of bites. This area was infested with small Johnny Bass. They were voracious, and attacked the plastics with a vengeance, while Bill stayed with the Mega Baits with equal success.
This poor fellow had to be put down, having swallowed the hook:
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i394/tunaslam/Bill-Las%20Salinas/100_3058680x510_zps9df24020.jpg
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i394/tunaslam/Bill-Las%20Salinas/100_3059680x475_zps61aeb222.jpg
A few Calico Bass wanted to play as well:
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i394/tunaslam/Bill-Las%20Salinas/100_3050680x629_zps6a8b9392.jpg
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i394/tunaslam/Bill-Las%20Salinas/100_3052680x550_zps82d3f691.jpg
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i394/tunaslam/Bill-Las%20Salinas/100_3049680x624_zps6d802ef7.jpg
And a lone Sand Bass:
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i394/tunaslam/Bill-Las%20Salinas/100_3051680x638_zps022f0d2c.jpg
Bill one the prize for our first Red of the trip, however I couldn’t talk him into a picture? Then I caught my first Red:
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i394/tunaslam/Bill-Las%20Salinas/100_3054680x569_zps7d48b621.jpg
This was the biggest of the four Reds I caught, the only one we kept:
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i394/tunaslam/Bill-Las%20Salinas/100_3056680x510_zpsb6e14296.jpg
Another small Red with a bent Rod Holder fish in the background, yep still biting:
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i394/tunaslam/Bill-Las%20Salinas/100_3055680x510_zps5ef13ef5.jpg
It was easily blowing over 15 knots now, so we called it a day at 1:30pm having caught and released some 20 Lingcod, 20 Bocaccio, 30 Johnny Bass, and 20 other assorted critters. What a trip in less than ideal weather too?
Packed up my gear and started the long trek home to Diamond Bar, 160 miles away. I had promised the wife some fish tacos for dinner, so made another stop at Charley’s. Fortunately the wait at Otay Mesa was only 25 minutes to cross the border, despite a very long line. I pulled into my driveway at 6:30 pm, exhausted, having traveled through heavy traffic, yet very pleased from a wonderful 2 day adventure.
Bill thanks so much, you are the best host, and the fishing was extraordinary once again. Can’t wait until our next adventure together!
Happy Holidays everyone!
Hook up!
Cory
I drove down from my home in Diamond Bar at 2:30pm, arriving Saturday evening at Bill’s place south of Rosarito at 5:00 pm. We watched some spectacular views of the sun setting from his Trailer home off the cliffs.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i394/tunaslam/Bill-Las%20Salinas/100_3036680x510_zpsf7ac6e92.jpg
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i394/tunaslam/Bill-Las%20Salinas/100_3038680x510_zps0c1eaa38.jpg
We enjoyed cocktail hour together before running down to a local place close by where I ordered their delicious Cheeseburger with loads of fries. So big I could only eat half of the burger and fries which became tomorrow’s breakfast. Returned to Bill’s place to watch UCLA lose to Arizona State, I’m a big USC fan and this was one of the few times I was rooting for UCLA, darn. Then we watched Baylor laying an egg against Oklahoma State, so goes College Football. Called it a night at 9:30 pm, with a wake call set for 6:00 am.
Sunday, 11-24-13.
Up and at them bright and early, we were quickly off to Las Salinas where Bill slips his boat. We arrived in Las Salinas, at 6:45 am. Always an adventure, as management has still not dredged the harbor, the exit through the harbor was not an issue today, although usually treacherous at best.
The wind was up a bit as Bill set a course for shallow waters through fairly calm seas, we were expecting calmer winds later in the morning, then we could hit the deeper structure. Despite a very rapid drift the fish were on the chew, both Lingcod and the ever pesky Bocaccio or Salmon Grouper. The Lingcod averaged 22 to 24 inches with a few 25+. After four or five cookie cutter sized Lingcod, this 28” beast jumped on my knockoff Lucanus lure.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i394/tunaslam/Bill-Las%20Salinas/100_3039680x510_zps95f69dc5.jpg
At 9am the wind backed off as forecasted and it became simply drop dead gorgeous. The jackets and sweatshirts came off, and it was T-shirt weather. Eat your hearts out Chicago?
Bill moved us out to the deeper water and now we had reached slack tide and no wind. Even dropping directly on the high spots didn’t generate much interest from the fish. With no current and little drift the fishing slowed way down in the deeper water. We tried half a dozen deep spots before returning to the shallow water. We scratched out a half dozen Copper Rockfish, a nice Barber Pole, and some 3 Spots and Starries to go with way too many Salmon Grouper and more Lings. Not one single Red was caught all day.
At least the Shallow water allowed us to release the smaller Rockfish and Bocaccio mostly unharmed. A small breeze returned by noon, and we called it a day at 2:20pm having released over 20 Lingcod, keeping four at 25+ inches, while also releasing several dozen Bocaccio and keeping a limit of five each. It was an easy 70+ fish day, with lots of fish caught on plastics and Mega baits on lighter tackle. It was definitely an action packed fun day, although Bill being his usual camera shy in nature, and I didn’t really catch anything else picture worthy for the day unless you counted some of the big Bocaccio and countless Lings?
We fileted the four Lingcod, Bill gave a few Bocaccio to the guards at the dock and I took the balance of fish to Charley’s where Jaime the owner sent me off with some nice fish and shrimp tacos and a Carne Burrito, lots of chips and salsa, with their special crema dip, so tasty!
Our plans for the evening were to hit Puerto Nuevo for some lobster dinners. A few beers and glasses of wine later, a great Sunday night football game on TV and the lobster dinner was replaced by fish and shrimp tacos. Us old farts can tire easily after a day on the big pond?
Monday, 11-25-13.
Mother wind was not supposed to make much of an appearance, yet she didn’t follow the schedule. We woke up at 6am to a brisk offshore sea breeze. Fortunately the wind waves were minor and our exit of the harbor was fine. We had planned to mostly fish shallow water today anyhow, although our planned run to Salsapuedes was spoiled.
Despite an extremely rapid drift, surrounded by popcorn, the fish were very hungry. Same game as the day before, mostly Lingcod and Bocaccio, all but a few released. It sure is a blast to hook these fish on the light tackle and they chewed through a bunch of my plastics.
We never fished deeper than 180 feet this morning. We did catch a nice variety of fish. Here is Bill with one of his many Lingcod caught:
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i394/tunaslam/Bill-Las%20Salinas/100_3042455x680_zps4d3dbffc.jpg
Myself with a pesky Bocaccio:
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i394/tunaslam/Bill-Las%20Salinas/100_3045680x479_zpsbaf36195.jpg
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i394/tunaslam/Bill-Las%20Salinas/100_3046680x510_zpsab575f34.jpg
A nice Copper Rockfish:
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i394/tunaslam/Bill-Las%20Salinas/100_3047675x680_zps8363e03e.jpg
The wind backed off at 9:30 am and we took the opportunity to run north and see if the Sand Bass were on the chew. By the time we arrived some 30 minutes later, the wind was up and there was lots of capping. Once again the fish didn’t care. The rapid drift over an extended shallow water reef produced lots of bites. This area was infested with small Johnny Bass. They were voracious, and attacked the plastics with a vengeance, while Bill stayed with the Mega Baits with equal success.
This poor fellow had to be put down, having swallowed the hook:
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i394/tunaslam/Bill-Las%20Salinas/100_3058680x510_zps9df24020.jpg
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i394/tunaslam/Bill-Las%20Salinas/100_3059680x475_zps61aeb222.jpg
A few Calico Bass wanted to play as well:
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i394/tunaslam/Bill-Las%20Salinas/100_3050680x629_zps6a8b9392.jpg
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i394/tunaslam/Bill-Las%20Salinas/100_3052680x550_zps82d3f691.jpg
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i394/tunaslam/Bill-Las%20Salinas/100_3049680x624_zps6d802ef7.jpg
And a lone Sand Bass:
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i394/tunaslam/Bill-Las%20Salinas/100_3051680x638_zps022f0d2c.jpg
Bill one the prize for our first Red of the trip, however I couldn’t talk him into a picture? Then I caught my first Red:
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i394/tunaslam/Bill-Las%20Salinas/100_3054680x569_zps7d48b621.jpg
This was the biggest of the four Reds I caught, the only one we kept:
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i394/tunaslam/Bill-Las%20Salinas/100_3056680x510_zpsb6e14296.jpg
Another small Red with a bent Rod Holder fish in the background, yep still biting:
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i394/tunaslam/Bill-Las%20Salinas/100_3055680x510_zps5ef13ef5.jpg
It was easily blowing over 15 knots now, so we called it a day at 1:30pm having caught and released some 20 Lingcod, 20 Bocaccio, 30 Johnny Bass, and 20 other assorted critters. What a trip in less than ideal weather too?
Packed up my gear and started the long trek home to Diamond Bar, 160 miles away. I had promised the wife some fish tacos for dinner, so made another stop at Charley’s. Fortunately the wait at Otay Mesa was only 25 minutes to cross the border, despite a very long line. I pulled into my driveway at 6:30 pm, exhausted, having traveled through heavy traffic, yet very pleased from a wonderful 2 day adventure.
Bill thanks so much, you are the best host, and the fishing was extraordinary once again. Can’t wait until our next adventure together!
Happy Holidays everyone!
Hook up!
Cory