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View Full Version : Thankful4life - S.W.A.T. 4 Day Thanksgiving Weekend Report



skunked4life
12-02-2013, 08:10 AM
Prologue:
The year is wrapping up and 2013 has brought many failures, hardships and regrets. On the other hand, 2013 was also one of the best year's in recent memory. After having gotten some bad news last weekend, I decided that I need to meditate upon what is important in life. I had family coming into town for Thanksgiving and I was determined to take all four days of the weekend off and use them to my advantage. Actually, the weekend started Wednesday afternoon when I took off from work early to pick up family and get ready for Thanksgiving.

Thursday

AO: Semi-classified
Time: 6:00 am to 9:30 am
Weather: Forecasted rain but sunny. A little cold during grey light.
Conditions: High tide, semi-weedy, 2-3 ft swells at 12 second intervals, rough shore pound
Gear: The Usual Suspects; New LC (Pineapple minnow) and S.W.A.T. Electric Grunion

Went to bed at 2am as I was prepping for Thanksgiving. Got up at 4am to prep the 20 pound bird (it was soaking in the new brine recipe I came up with last week). Put the Turkey in at 5:30 am and headed to the AO.

Geared up and hit the sand at about 6:05 am. There were other fisherman already out. The swells did not look favorable but I was on a mission. My mom had asked me to catch a Thanksgiving Halibut for her and I was thinking that I should at least give it a good try. I start casting and about 30 minutes into casting, I get hit HARD on the new LC. It takes off towards the ocean for a very short run. The swells were definitely helping me bring this beast in so no complaints there. I get the fish close and it takes off parallel to the shore. Now, I am thinking that this could be a leopard or a shovel nose. I get it very close and the line snaps! Ping! I didn't get a good look but a passerby saw it and said that it was big and he saw the tail splash. Of course, that tells me very little. :Sad: Oh well, it's not like I have lost something big before and this won't be the last time. Here is a picture of the shredded mono line:
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/5399DDE4-0778-448B-9FF4-07CF0C55E698_zpsmkh1z3xk.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/5399DDE4-0778-448B-9FF4-07CF0C55E698_zpsmkh1z3xk.jpg.html)

Tied on the trusty S.W.A.T. Electric Grunion LC (pictured below) and started swinging again. Keep in mind that the LC looks worse now than it did in the picture from last week.
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/null_zps6bb7882c.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/null_zps6bb7882c.jpg.html)

Started casting for nada during the next hour. Ran into an old friend from SCSF. It was like the Sharks and the Jets. We will dub my friend from the other forum "Bizarro Dan." He and some other senior members SCSF were fishing next to me when the inevitable baptism came. Trying to show off, I wade out during what seemed to be a very flat surf moment. I was about nipple deep. Then a rogue wave, well I guess not really rogue, came and over took me. I was under a good 5 seconds and could not get my bearings. Bizarro Dan runs after me, a crowd of people were watching. As I get up to signal that I am okay, I see the Park Ranger begin driving towards me. :Embarrassed::Embarrassed::Embarrassed: So embarrassed! I need redemption!

I take some time to get oriented and head for some fresh water rinsing of my gear. After about 15 minutes, I am back in the sand. No one was really catching anything but I had a funny feeling. So, as I was chatting up Bizarro Dan, I feel a good hit. I set the hook and begin bringing him in. He is a fighter. Oh yeah! He feels like a legal, headshakes and all! I beach him and tape him. LEGAL! Not a beast, but no doubt a legal. Looks like you are coming home with me my 22 inch friend! Bizarro Dan, it was nice fishing with you and seeing you again my friend. Don, if you read this, YOU WERE RIGHT.
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/B0C0C864-6451-4787-B153-E03074665952_zpssd57bc3g.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/B0C0C864-6451-4787-B153-E03074665952_zpssd57bc3g.jpg.html)
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/75E34AA5-76DE-4138-82B7-27C69ABEE9CA_zpshzsr5tni.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/75E34AA5-76DE-4138-82B7-27C69ABEE9CA_zpshzsr5tni.jpg.html)

I continue fishing for another 30 minutes and decide to head home. I rinse off my gear and the fish.
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/DD7E3345-368B-4FC9-8D95-79F6B03D6D0C_zpsvp14msxn.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/DD7E3345-368B-4FC9-8D95-79F6B03D6D0C_zpsvp14msxn.jpg.html)
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/510DCDDE-0832-4AC2-9ED0-5BCA3EE33675_zpstzewxxqk.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/510DCDDE-0832-4AC2-9ED0-5BCA3EE33675_zpstzewxxqk.jpg.html)

As I pack up and begin pulling out of the parking space, the Park Ranger pulls up and asks me to step out. He asks me about the halibut that I caught. "Sure, here it is." After showing him my driver's and fishing licenses, he proceeds to examine the halibut. "Did you tape it? You know taking undersized halibut is against the law," says he. I asked him if he wanted a measuring tape and he pulls his out. He tapes it and asks me how in the world I think that this is a legal fish. I ask him how it is not?!? :Shocked: I asked him if he knew where the zero mark on his measuring tape was and he looked. Then he pulls the tape to the tail and he smiles saying "my bad, I guess I will give it to you." He measured 22.5ish. Other than the initial questioning, he was pretty nice and I wished him on his way.

Got home, dressed the fish, fried it up in panko, carved the turkey, plated the sides....Time for Turkey!
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/7F3BF817-610F-44E4-800B-C6A2AC3EF85B_zps7gmv4hmm.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/7F3BF817-610F-44E4-800B-C6A2AC3EF85B_zps7gmv4hmm.jpg.html)

After stuffing my self (no pun intended) headed off to Black Friday at my wife's request. Got home at 11:00 pm, cleaned my gear and went to bed. No, this is not me, it was a generic pic on photobucket.
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/F52A38CF-24D3-44B5-96EE-7EF91DD2F402_zpssambwyuw.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/F52A38CF-24D3-44B5-96EE-7EF91DD2F402_zpssambwyuw.jpg.html)

Friday

AO: Semi-classified
Time: 6:00 am to 8:30 am
Weather: Light drizzle to straight out rain.
Conditions: High tide, extremely weedy, 2-3 ft swells at 10 second intervals, rough shore pound
Gear: The Usual Suspects; S.W.A.T. Electric Grunion

Got up to a light drizzle but that has never stopped me from fishing. Got the the AO and started fishing. After about 30 minutes, it begins to pour. I am already on the other side of the beach and its a long walk back. So, I fished in the rain for another hour before I headed back. Bottom line, I got out to literally "wet my line."

Sure enough, the sun comes out and the rest of the day looks beautiful. So, we decide to hit the Sawdust Art Winter Festival with "nana and gramps."
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/5C0882E8-D0B3-4C9F-B85F-0252E7783884_zpsygyqulsn.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/5C0882E8-D0B3-4C9F-B85F-0252E7783884_zpsygyqulsn.jpg.html)
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/E7D503D6-7075-4862-8308-71936AB9401F_zps7akroilx.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/E7D503D6-7075-4862-8308-71936AB9401F_zps7akroilx.jpg.html)
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/1E2B71A7-270A-458D-B561-4297B349B48D_zpswq7xbuix.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/1E2B71A7-270A-458D-B561-4297B349B48D_zpswq7xbuix.jpg.html)

Saturday

AO: Semi-classified
Time: 5:45 am to 8:00 am
Weather: Sunny and blue skies
Conditions: High tide, mild salad, 1-2 ft swells at 14 second intervals
Gear: The Usual Suspects; S.W.A.T. Electric Grunion

Got the call from the Sensei and our Dan, not Bizarro Dan the night before. Okay, let's fish! Got to the AO early and met up with the Danimal. Don was going to be a little late, so we hit the beach. It was new terrain for Dan so I pointed to some areas...what do I really know??? We began casting and Dan goes one way, I go another. Soon enough, I hook into this YFC.
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/26C7036E-311D-4F82-BB9B-F37062C61242_zpsweo6yxyg.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/26C7036E-311D-4F82-BB9B-F37062C61242_zpsweo6yxyg.jpg.html)

See Don coming down and decide to chat him up before going back to fish mode. We start heading towards the north while Dan is still way down south. Don spots bait fish presence and I see seagulls (2 of them) walking around with 2 inch halibuts in their mouths! Then I hook into this beast! :Embarrassed::Shocked:
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/86BCC1E8-CBDD-4DDE-ACA2-F91BAB6C28DB_zpswlvmvo7u.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/86BCC1E8-CBDD-4DDE-ACA2-F91BAB6C28DB_zpswlvmvo7u.jpg.html)

It was hooked pretty good and I could not get the hooks out being the rookie that I am. I take it over to Don and after a few :Rolls Eyes::Rolls Eyes::Rolls Eyes: and an earful of scorn, we release the fish and continue on. Don, I'm like the little brother that you wish you never had. Sorry Sensei.

Don hooks into a 15 inch Calico and a medium sized perch. Dan meets up with us and chats awhile. I have to get going to take my kid to the Home Depot Kids Workshop at 9....coincidentally, the same place where Don had to be... I take some shots of the two and take off.
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/B60A98AF-57A5-47D1-A543-EF588482AE73_zpsojyayvtw.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/B60A98AF-57A5-47D1-A543-EF588482AE73_zpsojyayvtw.jpg.html)
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/929298A1-9C37-4767-B3C2-A5F28603A604_zpsjl7khk4c.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/929298A1-9C37-4767-B3C2-A5F28603A604_zpsjl7khk4c.jpg.html)

Got home just in time to get to Home Depot with my kid.
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/15BB1407-051F-47A2-B883-BF5A8F20B8BD_zpse5d2e7p8.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/15BB1407-051F-47A2-B883-BF5A8F20B8BD_zpse5d2e7p8.jpg.html)

I spent the rest of the day saying goodbyes to my family and putting up the tree.
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/D75865D0-713A-43E2-87F0-F186EFA5ED43_zpsdlax7c4a.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/D75865D0-713A-43E2-87F0-F186EFA5ED43_zpsdlax7c4a.jpg.html)

Sunday

AO: Semi-classified
Time: 6:15 am to 8:15 am
Weather: Sunny and blue skies
Conditions: High tide, mild salad, 1-2 ft swells at 16 second intervals
Gear: The Usual Suspects; S.W.A.T. Electric Grunion

Got out for one last day on the surf before the daily grind. What a beautiful morning! Everything was perfect today! Only one taker today.
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/F52A38CF-24D3-44B5-96EE-7EF91DD2F402_zps19twsvrz.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/F52A38CF-24D3-44B5-96EE-7EF91DD2F402_zps19twsvrz.jpg.html)
Met Homefish and chatted with him a bit. It was very nice to meet you Homefish and once again, congrats on your epic day last week!


Epilogue:
Yes, HE only gives you what you need and every good gift from above is from Him...I was thankful to spend so much time with my family, be blessed with such a great bounty (we had fish and turkey for days...) and thankful to see my friends both old and new: Don and Dan, Homefish and Bizarro Dan. I am thankful that no matter how busy I am, I have time to spend with family, friends and to fish. This was probably my last trip out for 2013 and regardless of how few fish were caught, I am blessed. :Group Hug:

Thanks for reading!

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

SP Dan
12-02-2013, 08:47 AM
"Happy Holidays" skunked4life,

By your read .... you had an extremely busy "Thanksgiving" holiday weekend my friend! :EyePop: WOW!
You made a wonderful family get-together feast (including turkey and Halibut) full of memories and good times for all .... and you were still able to juggle a little time for yourself in the salt with your fishing buddies .... :Thumbs Up: not a bad weekend at all Ken!

Rhonda and I wish you and your family a reel "Joyous Holiday Season"! :Cool:

SP Dan <"))><

Wingnut
12-02-2013, 10:08 AM
That's why we don't keep barely legal Halibut brother Ken... :Wink:
If I decide to keep a legal, it would be at least 24 inches. :Cool:
Excellent report my friend... I only wish I could hit the surf for four straight days. :Envious:
I only managed 4 Perch and a big Smelt yesterday, lol :LOL:

murrieta angler
12-02-2013, 11:30 AM
Brotha Ken,
It's good to see some of the fellows getting out, this past 4 day holiday weekend, and enjoying some time in the surf.
I'm glad you were able to deliver the fish and enjoy it for dinner.
Thanks for sharing and I look forward to sharing the sand with you in the near future.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
Robert
<><

bachiboy
12-02-2013, 02:07 PM
It was hooked pretty good and I could not get the hooks out being the rookie that I am. I take it over to Don and after a few :Rolls Eyes::Rolls Eyes::Rolls Eyes: and an earful of scorn, we release the fish and continue on. Don, I'm like the little brother that you wish you never had. Sorry Sensei.

So first off, it was a pleasure fishing with you and Dan again on Saturday. Didn't do much catching, but it was an awesome day to be out and we did manage to avoid the skunk. You have got to get over your fears and fish that north end more. It holds tremendous potential.

NOW, let's enlighten the story a bit. You come RUNNING to me YELLING..."DON, I NEED YOUR HELP!!!!" I see this guy running with an LC in a pancake hanging from his hand. All I can think is, "Oh S*&T! He has hooks in his hand." Nope just can't get the hooks out of a fish.:Shocked: What would you do if no one else is there? Do yourself a favor...RELAX...BREATHE. Panic isn't gonna help. Just work the hooks out firmly (NOT FORCEFULLY) and for God's sake stop shaking them back and forth. That's really not gonna help.:ROFL:

So, you failed to mention that you took the plunge cuz you were trying to show off?:Rolls Eyes: RELAX...ENJOY!!! No need to prove anything to anybody. First time I met Robert and Mike, I got creamed by a wave. I didn't want to look like an idiot, but [crap] happens...and it didn't happen cuz I was trying to show off. You want to make a good impression?...set the hooks in a fish, or at the very least, just smile and make sure everyone sees that you're enjoying yourself. That's all that matters. I forget to do that too often as well, but man watching you sometimes makes me feel like I'm passive by comparison.:LOL: Love the enthusiasm, but don't get so worked up that you forget to have fun brotha.:Wink:

See you out there again soon...
Don

DockRat
12-02-2013, 07:11 PM
Congrats on the legal for mom, WTG.
DR

Homefish
12-02-2013, 10:56 PM
Hey Skunked,
Nice meet'n & talk'n w/ya on Sunday. Isn't it incredible, that even live'n where we do, w/so, so many other people, that you & I were the only ones on the beach that morn'n for at least the first hour? I love that! Question for you thou. Do you sleep in your waders? Cause I was the 1st car there, but you were first on the beach. You are quick!

Tell Bachi that I saw you work'n north like you were shot outa a cannon on Sunday. You weren't mess'n around down south this day! Sorry I missed you guys on Saturday, but I was fish'n HB w/my dad & brother.

I too was there on Thanksgivin & couldn't believe how many others were also there! Word on the beach was that someone kept short halibut!!! Glad to see that this wasn't true! Congrats on gett'n yourself another legal & gett'n your mom her "Halibuturkey"!

Thanks 4 the report,

C-Ya out there again I'm sure.
Homefish

exfactor
12-02-2013, 11:25 PM
I'll give you an A+ for boldly going bro, that is a special kind of feeling that many will never posess. I don't go as often anymore as i would like, find myself making excuses, instead of just doing it. But the sun is out, the weather is beautiful, and the beach beckons us. Glad you found a keeper for your mom, and hope your wrong about being done this year. Mikey

dlmoo312
12-03-2013, 01:11 PM
Its great to see you out there Ken!
and catching some quality fish I might add! :LOL:
Thankful4life has a nice ring to it :Big Grin:
I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and enjoy the upcoming holidays!
Congrats on the legal. Hope to see you soon bro!


-Daniel

Ghost117
12-03-2013, 01:29 PM
Now THAT Legal must have surprised everyone for thankgiving :) Way to end the 2013 Ocean fishing season with a BANG!!

Keep the rods up, and lines tight :P

fishshep
12-03-2013, 03:37 PM
Great report, and that is one nice at Hali !!! :Big Grin: