LOOKING FOR SOMETHING BIG, SWAT NORTH OF LA, LOTS OF FISH! - Perchin' Dave

[Perchin' Dave]

I MUST CONFESS, living in Santa Barbara offers many options for beaches to fish, my house is 4 blocks from the ocean and I can do a one hour session including driving down and back on my motorcycle and catch between 3-10+ fish an hour on a typical day. Hey, I was even surprised at matching my personal best 16" BSP on one such session last week, go figure?!! So when I got a call from Exfactor Mikey to drive a couple of hours north, I admit, I had to plan ahead. I changed out my line hoping for some big fish, oiled my reel, stocked up with swivels, grubs, weights, dusted off the waders and packed in a way that I could fit that all on my motorcycle to meet up at Mikey's. The challenge with going this far is that this particular beach can be brutal with kelp, murky water, oversized waves, steep beaches, high winds, and dangerous rips and since it is out of the shadow of the Santa Barbara islands that keep the waves manageable. And for us, to drive two hours for 'nothing' doesn't happen very often.

We plan to leave at 7am so I am up early, packed the motorcycle and am off to Exfactor who is driving. The early morning temps are in the high thirties, brrr. On our way out of town Mikey picks up a friend Chuck who had some success the two times he's fished this beach, I have only fished this beach 4-5 times and Mikey hasn't even been to, or seen this beach before.

So we are off. I had to stop on the way out of town snap this photo three blocks from my home.

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa363/davesomm/IMG_0346_zps4f32e5a8.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/davesomm/media/IMG_0346_zps4f32e5a8.jpg.html)

All packed up and ready ...

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa363/davesomm/IMG_0348_zpsbbfe8e0c.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/davesomm/media/IMG_0348_zpsbbfe8e0c.jpg.html)

We pick up Chuck and head north. The fishing fundamentals look reasonably good, the waves are forecast for 1-2 foot ok for me, maybe there's a chance to keep the line in the water for a bit, I prefer 2-3 feet, but ok. We are just after a full moon, not my favorite moon cycle to fish since the swings on the tides are extreme and fast moving. The good news is that the typically high winds would be only 3-5 mph for the day. And we are off.

As we drive up the coast the ocean is flat. SO FLAT that you could launch a canoe or kayak without getting your feet wet. Oh no, my surf fishing motto, no waves, no current, no fish. This is a concern. By the time we make it to our destination, the temps are now up to 48 but with 'promise' of going all the way up to 81 (in Santa Barbara), the temps for fishing should be favorable for this January day. It is 9:15 am.

GETTING READY!

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa363/davesomm/IMG_0351_zps2edb7fdd.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/davesomm/media/IMG_0351_zps2edb7fdd.jpg.html)

Here's the view as we drive in ... (we had high wind to our back for the first 30 minutes and then a light breeze)

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa363/davesomm/IMG_0349_zps6af40ae0.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/davesomm/media/IMG_0349_zps6af40ae0.jpg.html)


I was hooked up when we arrive and after dressed, I head for the water. My first cast yields a 13" plump Barred Surf perch. I smile. There are tons of sand crabs and the fish look well fed. Fifteen minutes later I have 6, with 4 smaller BSP and then another 12". Exfactor then joins me. What I appreciate about Mikey is that he is always looking for the bigger fish and chooses to fish the LC for the day and lands a 13" right away.

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa363/davesomm/IMG_0352_zpsed20e29c.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/davesomm/media/IMG_0352_zpsed20e29c.jpg.html)

The water is smeg free, Mikey smiles. There's promise. On the far outside, we see the waves build to 3-4 feet and fish the inside, hey this is good, really good, just what I like. Chuck joins us and we start fishing down the beach. We come across several fishermen (mostly bait and wait) but few who are skilled at the way we fish (yes, Perchin' Dave is still fishing the carolina rig with a grub and 1/2 ounce weight).

It seemed like everywhere we went there were fish. We looked for rips, for breaks in waves, for structure and fished that for about a mile or so. Exfactor and I gravitated towards rocks, Chuck avoided them. We did ok but couldn't seem to find the bigger models. The waves started to build. By the time we made it to a point the outside break was 6'. We fished the inside so it was still ok but the ideal conditions were about to change, and quickly. Exfactor found some good structure, and on a first or second cast pulls out a nice 14" BSP pictured here.

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa363/davesomm/IMG_0355_zps29553b7b.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/davesomm/media/IMG_0355_zps29553b7b.jpg.html)


The conditions looked really good, but only for a short time. Dark blue water and some murk from sand and the fish were easy to find. We fished and pulled out some good ones, but none were the toads we were hoping for. Chuck finally joins us and hadn't really had much success on the way down (he's also fishing the carolina rig, he's up to 9 fish, me about 30, Exfactor about 10 on the LC. We fish this structure but -very- quickly the waves build and the water clarity that was deep blue turns mostly white and brown with little clarity. The bite turns off though we still caught a few. A dog joins me on the rock I am fishing on and almost bumps me off during some big waves that wash in. I see a surfer now ride a 12 foot wave. So much for wave height predictions .... way larger than the 1-2' predicted for the day!

Here's a coupe of fish that Mikey is landing ...

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa363/davesomm/IMG_0357_zps5d4da757.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/davesomm/media/IMG_0357_zps5d4da757.jpg.html)



http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa363/davesomm/IMG_0356_zps45f02def.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/davesomm/media/IMG_0356_zps45f02def.jpg.html)

Mikey insists I leave before I was almost washed off the rock seen behind Mikey's left shoulder, and we start fishing our way back. We still found fish -everywhere- we went, mostly small. But we are now fighting some large sets that bring 3-4 feet of foam barreling in on the inside break on the steep beach. Chuck gets caught off guard and dumps in the water. By now it is 75 and though wet all over cools off in spite of the inconvenience. We go back for lunch and end our 4 hour session. Between the three of us we catch and release about 200 BSP. Mikey found a couple of 14", I found a couple of 13" a bunch of 10-12", Chuck a few 12" models and we all found tons of 8" size.


It was still a good day but as Mikey noted, it is a long way to go for BSP. We still had a great day. It was good to be on the water at a beautiful beach. There -were- a LOT of fishermen and surfers and everyone was out to enjoy the extraordinary weather. I would like to revisit this beach when the big ones are in and hope that the conditions are favorable at that time. Yes, we still had a great day. It was fun fishing an unfamiliar beach, and any day of fishing is still a great day!! Thanks Mikey for the invite, we all had a great time!

Perchin' Dave

Here's the conditions as we were leaving ...

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa363/davesomm/IMG_0363_zpsf4d67060.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/davesomm/media/IMG_0363_zpsf4d67060.jpg.html)

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa363/davesomm/IMG_0364_zps62a6cb01.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/davesomm/media/IMG_0364_zps62a6cb01.jpg.html)

This doesn't look like a 1-2 foot swell .... so much for predictions :EyePop:
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa363/davesomm/IMG_0365_zps8b2c0e51.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/davesomm/media/IMG_0365_zps8b2c0e51.jpg.html)

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa363/davesomm/IMG_0366_zps0953fcda.jpg (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/davesomm/media/IMG_0366_zps0953fcda.jpg.html)

[Which Way Out]

How were the Burgers?

WWO

[Perchin' Dave]

How were the Burgers?

WWO

I had packed my lunch but Chuck said that they were as good as he remembered & Mikey loved them! dave :)

[TUNAVIC]

That was a cool report,really enjoyed the pics,thanks!

Cya TUNAVIC

[exfactor]

Thanks for doing the report Dave. Had some puter issues to deal with. Had fun, and enjoyed the comraderie.

[Perchin' Dave]

That was a cool report,really enjoyed the pics,thanks!

Cya TUNAVIC

Hey thanks Tunavic. Fun FUN day! dave :)

[Perchin' Dave]

Thanks for doing the report Dave. Had some puter issues to deal with. Had fun, and enjoyed the comraderie.

I kept looking for you to post and -understand- what happens when computers challenge. I appreciate you, yes! Thanks for the invite and let's do it again when the piggies show up. P. D.

[anchor3n1]

Hi Dave:

I LOVE THIS REPORT!:EyePop:

After reading your excellently written post and viewing your gorgeous pictures of your trip, I feel like I was right there with you experiencing the whole thing. I almost feel like my itch to go fishing has been scratched for the day (The appropriate word is "almost" because after a few moments your story and pics had the opposite effect on me - NOW I FEEL THE NEED TO GET OUT THERE AND CATCH SOME FISHYS AND SOON:LOL:).

So, Dave, please keep posting your stories (I know it takes some time to create a post like this but they are awesome and appreciated). I really enjoy em. They make my day:Big Grin:

blessing my friend,

Nick

[bachiboy]

Awesome write up and picts Dave! Glad you were able to get out there and spend some time with good friends. It's always great just to get out there but sounds like you guys did a lot of pullin' too.:EyePop: Very nice work out there guys.

Don

[tomar19]

Great pics and report, and from a fellow moto-angler as well, awsome. Nice job on the fish to. As a newb to the surf, soaking up the details from a well written report like this is almost as good as getting some more time on the sand. Thanks for sharing your experience and glad you had a good day out there.

Regards,

Tony

[skunked4life]

Dave,

What a beautiful day you guys had! Good fishing, good company, good weather...Simply beautiful! Thanks for keeping us updated with NoCal/CentralCal conditions.

Skunked4life

[ScottD]

Very cool report. 200 BSP sounds like an Epic day of fishing.

[Perchin' Dave]

Hi Dave:

I LOVE THIS REPORT!:EyePop:

After reading your excellently written post and viewing your gorgeous pictures of your trip, I feel like I was right there with you experiencing the whole thing. I almost feel like my itch to go fishing has been scratched for the day (The appropriate word is "almost" because after a few moments your story and pics had the opposite effect on me - NOW I FEEL THE NEED TO GET OUT THERE AND CATCH SOME FISHYS AND SOON:LOL:).

So, Dave, please keep posting your stories (I know it takes some time to create a post like this but they are awesome and appreciated). I really enjoy em. They make my day:Big Grin:

blessing my friend,

Nick

HEY NICK, so glad you are inspired to hit the water! I appreciate your gratitude (hey it takes time to write a reasonably detailed report!), I am looking forward to -your- reports and successes, make your day awesome! PD dave

[Perchin' Dave]

Awesome write up and picts Dave! Glad you were able to get out there and spend some time with good friends. It's always great just to get out there but sounds like you guys did a lot of pullin' too.:EyePop: Very nice work out there guys.

Don

Yes Don, the biggest challenge fishing this day was that there were a -ton- of smaller fish in close and you had to ignore the several bites on the close retrieve. It did take a bit of 'looking for where they were' but once we found the structure, there were more than enough. The outside break got huge on our way back but we still caught a bunch. Yeah, I really enjoy fishing with Mikey (Exfactor), he's a gifted fisherman and life long friend. Thank you! Perchin' Dave Hey, maybe it is time for another trip up north ????

[Perchin' Dave]

Great pics and report, and from a fellow moto-angler as well, awsome. Nice job on the fish to. As a newb to the surf, soaking up the details from a well written report like this is almost as good as getting some more time on the sand. Thanks for sharing your experience and glad you had a good day out there.

Regards,

Tony

Hey Tony, when did you start (or restart) fishing? How do you fish and what do you catch? Yeah, I have spent a lot of time on the water and I would also encourage you to get as much experience under your belt. THAT is what produced results for me. Reading some good reports gets you motivated but working your craft and being on the water is what makes it work best! Oh ... and I appreciate your gratitude! Perchin' Dave

[tomar19]

Hey Tony, when did you start (or restart) fishing? How do you fish and what do you catch? Yeah, I have spent a lot of time on the water and I would also encourage you to get as much experience under your belt. THAT is what produced results for me. Reading some good reports gets you motivated but working your craft and being on the water is what makes it work best! Oh ... and I appreciate your gratitude! Perchin' Dave

Hey Dave. I started fishing again about 1.5 years ago, after a 15 year hiatus when I moved to the California desert from PA. I spend most of my fishing time on mountain lakes and reservoirs fishing for trout and bass. I fish from shore when I travel by motorcycle, and my kayak when the mood strikes. Spinning and fly tackle are my game. I usually get out a few time a month, more often when vacations roll around. I just got on the surf for the first time last week and will be back asap.

Keep up the good work,

Tony

[simijab]

Ive been waiting to see a report from here. Been wanting to go camping there for a while just didnt know how the bite was. Might have to get up there in the next week or 2. That place gets some monster BSPs durring the spawn

[Perchin' Dave]

Ive been waiting to see a report from here. Been wanting to go camping there for a while just didnt know how the bite was. Might have to get up there in the next week or 2. That place gets some monster BSPs durring the spawn

Hey SimiJab- It is a very difficult place to predict. I have been there possibly 4-5 times and half have been a bust. Even this day, if we'd started 3 hours later would have been 'bad'. Of the time's I've been there, and didn't catch are these conditions. Waves too big (we looked at the predictions and they said 1-2 foot, and they built to 12 feet, too much kelp, too much murk (happened at the end of our session), too rocky (during winter, a lot of the beach gets washed out and all the sand is mucking the water), and too much wind. So .... if I were you ... carefully look at the fundamentals before driving all that way. BUT ... if you don't care and just want to get away, forget what I just said. For fishing? There are far more predictable conditions closer to your home in Simi. To better! P.D. Dave

[simijab]

Hey SimiJab- It is a very difficult place to predict. I have been there possibly 4-5 times and half have been a bust. Even this day, if we'd started 3 hours later would have been 'bad'. Of the time's I've been there, and didn't catch are these conditions. Waves too big (we looked at the predictions and they said 1-2 foot, and they built to 12 feet, too much kelp, too much murk (happened at the end of our session), too rocky (during winter, a lot of the beach gets washed out and all the sand is mucking the water), and too much wind. So .... if I were you ... carefully look at the fundamentals before driving all that way. BUT ... if you don't care and just want to get away, forget what I just said. For fishing? There are far more predictable conditions closer to your home in Simi. To better! P.D. Dave


Thanks for the info. We have camped there alot. I like to spend the weekend for the same reasons your were saying. We have a trailer so can get out of the wind when it gets too gnarly. Its just nice to get out of the area every once and a while. Ive been there on days where all I catch is red tails and other where I can barely get a bite. Usually if I spend the weekend I at least get one good session in unless its windy and then its a bust all weekend. I have learned that if its windy at home then there will be no wind there which is kind of nice. Some times Ill just fish strips of squid on the long pole near the rockey areas and pick up a couple rock fish but over all you are right it is very unpredictable

[Wingnut]

Hey Dave, do you know where I can get some rod holders for my Fat Boy? :LOL:
I haven't been able to hit the surf much lately being so busy, but just love seeing all the reports. :Big Grin:
I think it's almost time that I head North to fish with my Northern S.W.A.T. Brothers again very soon... :Wink:


2013 - S.W.A.T. Leader Board Final Standings!

1st Place - Biggest Halibut = 36.5" - Jaysuuun

1st Place - Most Legal Halibut = 22 - Wingnut

1st Place - Biggest White Sea Bass = 38.5" - Tesserz

1st Place - Most Legal White Sea Bass = 2 - Wingnut

1st Place - Biggest Calico Bass = 23.0" - Wingnut

1st Place - Biggest Barred Surf Perch = 17.0" - Bones

1st Place - Biggest Yellow Fin Croaker = 20.0" - Bones

1st Place - Biggest Corbina = 21.0" - Bones

Exotic "Rare" Catch Award = Corvina - Murrieta Angler

Oddest "Weird" Catch Award = Double Top-Sided Halibut - PTN

Outstanding Angler Sportsmanship Award = SP Dan

Most Lost LC Lures Award = 19 - Bachiboy

Misc. Categories:
Biggest Walleye Perch = 9.5" - Saltman
Biggest Shovelnose = 50.0" - Wingnut
Biggest Spotted Bass = 15.0" - Murrieta Angler
Biggest Sand Bass = 16.0" - Bones
Biggest Cabezon = 17.0" - Bones
Biggest Stripped Bass = 34.0" (3-way tie) Murrieta Angler, Bachiboy & SP Dan

[Perchin' Dave]

Hey Dave, do you know where I can get some rod holders for my Fat Boy? :LOL:
I haven't been able to hit the surf much lately being so busy, but just love seeing all the reports. :Big Grin:
I think it's almost time that I head North to fish with my Northern S.W.A.T. Brothers again very soon... :Wink:


Hey Arthur, I don't know where, but maybe Mikey does. YES, would love to see you come up here and check out the North County. It is a bit of a drive but I think you'd really enjoy the remote location and by now the piggies should be showing up. I haven't seen any Halibut so you'd just have to love the company of good friends and be satisfied when fishing and smiling ... that works for us, how about you? P.D.

[PTN]

Hey Arthur, I don't know where, but maybe Mikey does. YES, would love to see you come up here and check out the North County. It is a bit of a drive but I think you'd really enjoy the remote location and by now the piggies should be showing up. I haven't seen any Halibut so you'd just have to love the company of good friends and be satisfied when fishing and smiling ... that works for us, how about you? P.D.

Knowing Arthur, he'll put a rabbit out of his waders some how..:LOL:

Beautiful pictures and even better report. Thanks for sharing with us Dave. I always wondered if you could ride a motorcycle and transport your rods somehow. Pretty cool get-up!

-Peter

[Perchin' Dave]

Knowing Arthur, he'll put a rabbit out of his waders some how..:LOL:

Beautiful pictures and even better report. Thanks for sharing with us Dave. I always wondered if you could ride a motorcycle and transport your rods somehow. Pretty cool get-up!

-Peter

Yes Peter, it works out perfectly. The cork of the rod fits between the fender and the rack and a bungie cord does the rest. I have a lot of people honk at me when I am out early. Yet in this instance I was just heading for Exfactor Mikey's house and we went up in his truck. Now, there's a nice road that is motorcycle friendly but the early morning low temps were -not- tempting me to want to ride this in January. So glad you enjoyed the report. Now go out and catch some big ones! Perchin' Dave!