skunked4life
01-13-2014, 07:30 AM
Prologue:
So the honey hole has continued to produce. I have buckled down and been working furiously at work and getting back into my church activities. Still, I have been a bad boy. Fishing has been on my mind 24/7 and I can't sleep. I have been trying hard to get as many S.W.A.T. brothers onto this action and have been mildly successful. This was going to be my last big push to get some more people on.
AO: Classified
Conditions: Lake-like waters, decently clear water clarity, bait fish presence
Gear: ST Croix Wild River 8ft casting; Shimano Calcutta gt te 200; 12 lb mono; LCFM110 MS Ghost Jack Smelt
Saturday:
Mid-week, I get a call from a good friend of mine, Jay. He is my oldest friend in California and used to be an avid fisherman until he and his wife had their first child. Then he moved to Burbank and fishing is difficult for him. Anyways, I told him that I would need to get some advice about sharing the "spot" and that I would get back to him. Friday night came about and it was "game on."
Got to the AO super early because I knew it would be SRO. Jay brought his fly fishing rod to "practice" casting in case he skunked. I told him that he would not have time to practice fly casting. During the first hour and a half, several people began trickling in, some that I knew, some that I did not. PTN and entourage, SP Dan, Kelly and Kenichi, and....MurrietaAngler! This was one cameo appearance that I was really happy about!
We all started catching. We all shared stories, hugs, handshakes and HEADSHAKES!
Jay hooked into his first legal in years. It was 23" solid and he was stoked. Too busy dressing it to take home to his family, he did not take pictures. I hooked into #5 of the year shortly thereafter.
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/EA6101FE-53BE-4068-894A-4D7FA3219358_zpsrqn5rblv.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/EA6101FE-53BE-4068-894A-4D7FA3219358_zpsrqn5rblv.jpg.html)
I thought that I saw PTN hook into a couple legals but it turned out I was wrong. Robert came up and ambushed us and told us about his first legal of 2014! Way to go Robert! Dan, Robert, Kelly all landed legals with Kelly having the hot stick with 3 legals (I think). We did alot of talking in between catching and it was just like a mini-S.W.A.T. reunion. I was so happy to see my brothers again! Dan landed a solid 24" and offered it to me to take home since I had let all of my prior ones go and today's legal was barely 22.5". What a guy!
As the bite started to turn off, we decide to leave and I hook into my last short (4 for the day). At first, it pulled hard and I saw the tail splash way out in the lake, er I mean ocean. Dan and Robert see the hook up and ask if it is legal. I say it is probably barely legal! This would have been my 6th of the year. Robert and Dan took turns shouting their predictions..."21.75....21.8....21.99...." Wow, do these guys know how to razz it up! :Razz: I beach the guy and know it is way too close. Measured it at 21.75. Talk about jinxing things. :LOL::LOL::LOL:
Said my goodbyes and was already thinking of Sunday.
Sunday:
So I speak with brother Sidified on Friday about possibly getting in on the action. On Friday, I told him that I suspected ALOT of people to be there. I was right. I told Sid to either bring his Yak or consider Sunday. He said Sunday. I got to the AO and no one was there. Made a few casts and then decided to go look for the "old man." Sid texted that he was on his way. So, I make it back to my spot and what??? Dan, Kelly and his friend Jeff are there! Good Morning Guys! How did you guys sneak past me and onto the beach!?!? :EyePop::Shocked::LOL: I made the rounds of handshakes and hugs. Finally, Sid arrived. Then Nippletwister arrived! I had heard rumors that John would be out but these rumors had been going on for a week now. Finally he got out. So happy to see you too John! Now that the party is here, we begin. Hal hour goes by..nothing. I say, greylight is prime time guys! 1 hour goes by...nothing. Another half hour goes by...nothing. Now Dan is putting on his one-man act and we are all being entertained, but I was so upset with myself that Sid and John were out here finally and they were not seeing the action that I had spoke of. FINALLY, Jeff is on his first....after a few zzzzzz runs, it is beached. It was short. Great Job on the first strike!
Now, I am really, really upset. Look, don't read this and think that I am a glory hound or greedy...My mission today was to get John and Sid on some legals. Dan is continuously encouraging me. I had about 45 minutes left before I needed to head out for church. Kelly suggests that I start praying now. So, I did. I cleared my head and thought...maybe they moved out of dodge. So, I begin a short recon. I fish up and down the coast and then I manage a hit! A skunkbuster!
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/67E17EF6-C0E1-4904-986E-0AAACF11C440_zpsx2h8wcit.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/67E17EF6-C0E1-4904-986E-0AAACF11C440_zpsx2h8wcit.jpg.html)
I manage another short. I yell at the top of my lungs to get the squad over here but they couldn't hear me. I make a long cast out and BAM! A very solid hit. I worked for this one! He took some runs and pulled drag. Finally beached it.
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/43B69FA6-40A6-41C7-8628-D549B8ADFA0C_zpseqanopew.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/43B69FA6-40A6-41C7-8628-D549B8ADFA0C_zpseqanopew.jpg.html)
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/8F469597-0101-450E-9586-78B200468E17_zpsvhti7olr.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/8F469597-0101-450E-9586-78B200468E17_zpsvhti7olr.jpg.html)
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/5CF39B4C-A723-4D0C-B8D0-314406F6D141_zpss0tfmzns.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/5CF39B4C-A723-4D0C-B8D0-314406F6D141_zpss0tfmzns.jpg.html)
A solid 24" for my 6th legal of the year! This one is going to church with me! Sharing is caring. I HAUL *** to the other guys and tell them to get over there while there are fish to be had...Then I make the run to my car. I am LATE for church. Hope that the Halibut will appease the pastors...
Later that evening we feasted on the legal that Dan graciously gave to me. We are firm believers of snout to tail eating and so after filleting the beast, I made some Korean Fish Stew...
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/D8851C67-CB28-41DF-8B9F-99F9538E3918_zpsrmkd9rca.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/D8851C67-CB28-41DF-8B9F-99F9538E3918_zpsrmkd9rca.jpg.html)
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/20539339-16AF-4769-B07E-6BBB47B5287E_zpskoj9xvxa.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/20539339-16AF-4769-B07E-6BBB47B5287E_zpskoj9xvxa.jpg.html)
Prologue:
After beating myself up for not being able to get Sid and John onto some legals, I immediately reached out to them. I realized that these are guys who really "get it" and wouldn't harbor ill feelings for such things. Thanks guys for being you! The fellowship is first and foremost! Everything else will come with time. Next time fellas!
P.S. Kelly - thanks for the "loaner." I will put it to great use. See you in a couple of weeks.
Skunked4life, aka Corporal Croaker, aka Ken
So the honey hole has continued to produce. I have buckled down and been working furiously at work and getting back into my church activities. Still, I have been a bad boy. Fishing has been on my mind 24/7 and I can't sleep. I have been trying hard to get as many S.W.A.T. brothers onto this action and have been mildly successful. This was going to be my last big push to get some more people on.
AO: Classified
Conditions: Lake-like waters, decently clear water clarity, bait fish presence
Gear: ST Croix Wild River 8ft casting; Shimano Calcutta gt te 200; 12 lb mono; LCFM110 MS Ghost Jack Smelt
Saturday:
Mid-week, I get a call from a good friend of mine, Jay. He is my oldest friend in California and used to be an avid fisherman until he and his wife had their first child. Then he moved to Burbank and fishing is difficult for him. Anyways, I told him that I would need to get some advice about sharing the "spot" and that I would get back to him. Friday night came about and it was "game on."
Got to the AO super early because I knew it would be SRO. Jay brought his fly fishing rod to "practice" casting in case he skunked. I told him that he would not have time to practice fly casting. During the first hour and a half, several people began trickling in, some that I knew, some that I did not. PTN and entourage, SP Dan, Kelly and Kenichi, and....MurrietaAngler! This was one cameo appearance that I was really happy about!
We all started catching. We all shared stories, hugs, handshakes and HEADSHAKES!
Jay hooked into his first legal in years. It was 23" solid and he was stoked. Too busy dressing it to take home to his family, he did not take pictures. I hooked into #5 of the year shortly thereafter.
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/EA6101FE-53BE-4068-894A-4D7FA3219358_zpsrqn5rblv.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/EA6101FE-53BE-4068-894A-4D7FA3219358_zpsrqn5rblv.jpg.html)
I thought that I saw PTN hook into a couple legals but it turned out I was wrong. Robert came up and ambushed us and told us about his first legal of 2014! Way to go Robert! Dan, Robert, Kelly all landed legals with Kelly having the hot stick with 3 legals (I think). We did alot of talking in between catching and it was just like a mini-S.W.A.T. reunion. I was so happy to see my brothers again! Dan landed a solid 24" and offered it to me to take home since I had let all of my prior ones go and today's legal was barely 22.5". What a guy!
As the bite started to turn off, we decide to leave and I hook into my last short (4 for the day). At first, it pulled hard and I saw the tail splash way out in the lake, er I mean ocean. Dan and Robert see the hook up and ask if it is legal. I say it is probably barely legal! This would have been my 6th of the year. Robert and Dan took turns shouting their predictions..."21.75....21.8....21.99...." Wow, do these guys know how to razz it up! :Razz: I beach the guy and know it is way too close. Measured it at 21.75. Talk about jinxing things. :LOL::LOL::LOL:
Said my goodbyes and was already thinking of Sunday.
Sunday:
So I speak with brother Sidified on Friday about possibly getting in on the action. On Friday, I told him that I suspected ALOT of people to be there. I was right. I told Sid to either bring his Yak or consider Sunday. He said Sunday. I got to the AO and no one was there. Made a few casts and then decided to go look for the "old man." Sid texted that he was on his way. So, I make it back to my spot and what??? Dan, Kelly and his friend Jeff are there! Good Morning Guys! How did you guys sneak past me and onto the beach!?!? :EyePop::Shocked::LOL: I made the rounds of handshakes and hugs. Finally, Sid arrived. Then Nippletwister arrived! I had heard rumors that John would be out but these rumors had been going on for a week now. Finally he got out. So happy to see you too John! Now that the party is here, we begin. Hal hour goes by..nothing. I say, greylight is prime time guys! 1 hour goes by...nothing. Another half hour goes by...nothing. Now Dan is putting on his one-man act and we are all being entertained, but I was so upset with myself that Sid and John were out here finally and they were not seeing the action that I had spoke of. FINALLY, Jeff is on his first....after a few zzzzzz runs, it is beached. It was short. Great Job on the first strike!
Now, I am really, really upset. Look, don't read this and think that I am a glory hound or greedy...My mission today was to get John and Sid on some legals. Dan is continuously encouraging me. I had about 45 minutes left before I needed to head out for church. Kelly suggests that I start praying now. So, I did. I cleared my head and thought...maybe they moved out of dodge. So, I begin a short recon. I fish up and down the coast and then I manage a hit! A skunkbuster!
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/67E17EF6-C0E1-4904-986E-0AAACF11C440_zpsx2h8wcit.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/67E17EF6-C0E1-4904-986E-0AAACF11C440_zpsx2h8wcit.jpg.html)
I manage another short. I yell at the top of my lungs to get the squad over here but they couldn't hear me. I make a long cast out and BAM! A very solid hit. I worked for this one! He took some runs and pulled drag. Finally beached it.
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/43B69FA6-40A6-41C7-8628-D549B8ADFA0C_zpseqanopew.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/43B69FA6-40A6-41C7-8628-D549B8ADFA0C_zpseqanopew.jpg.html)
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/8F469597-0101-450E-9586-78B200468E17_zpsvhti7olr.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/8F469597-0101-450E-9586-78B200468E17_zpsvhti7olr.jpg.html)
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/5CF39B4C-A723-4D0C-B8D0-314406F6D141_zpss0tfmzns.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/5CF39B4C-A723-4D0C-B8D0-314406F6D141_zpss0tfmzns.jpg.html)
A solid 24" for my 6th legal of the year! This one is going to church with me! Sharing is caring. I HAUL *** to the other guys and tell them to get over there while there are fish to be had...Then I make the run to my car. I am LATE for church. Hope that the Halibut will appease the pastors...
Later that evening we feasted on the legal that Dan graciously gave to me. We are firm believers of snout to tail eating and so after filleting the beast, I made some Korean Fish Stew...
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/D8851C67-CB28-41DF-8B9F-99F9538E3918_zpsrmkd9rca.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/D8851C67-CB28-41DF-8B9F-99F9538E3918_zpsrmkd9rca.jpg.html)
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/20539339-16AF-4769-B07E-6BBB47B5287E_zpskoj9xvxa.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/20539339-16AF-4769-B07E-6BBB47B5287E_zpskoj9xvxa.jpg.html)
Prologue:
After beating myself up for not being able to get Sid and John onto some legals, I immediately reached out to them. I realized that these are guys who really "get it" and wouldn't harbor ill feelings for such things. Thanks guys for being you! The fellowship is first and foremost! Everything else will come with time. Next time fellas!
P.S. Kelly - thanks for the "loaner." I will put it to great use. See you in a couple of weeks.
Skunked4life, aka Corporal Croaker, aka Ken