More of the Same Stuff...LEGAL BUTTS!!! Pre-Mother's Day S.W.A.T. Report

[skunked4life]

Got to make this short 'cause I am between two jobs right now and have to take the older kid to school in one hour.

I knew that fishing Mother's Day would be difficult and in reality, not a good idea if you know what I mean. :Wink:

I had my parents in town for Mother's Day weekend and you know old people right? They get up at the crack of dawn and want to golf or whatever before any other sane people are up (except for fishermen of course). My dad said that if I would go out and catch a halibut for Mother's Day, he would let me slide but that I had to be back by 8:30. That severely limits my choices of AOs.

Got some texts from Jaysuun about an AO that I feel will go off real soon, but it is about 20 extra minutes outside my comfort zone. I also get some texts from Kelly/K-dub (aka Remington) that he is itching to soak a line. I did not commit to anything and just let divinity lead me. So I got into the car at 4:30am and started driving. I figured that I could probably meet up with Jaysuun for a solid 1.5 hour session and get back. But something pulled me off of the freeway sooner. So I get to my other intended AO. Sorry 'bout that J I didn't want to push the hall pass too far with my parents.

I see Kelly drive by and yell, "why you parked there?" So I get in the car and drive to the spot. I get onto the beach at 6:05 but forget my pliers. So I go back to the car. Then I realized that I forgot my jacket. This is turning out to be a bad morning.

We start casting and I immediately hook into a short!
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/A45AE91F-30DC-4E18-B115-7D7272EDDFD7_zps3p5xsgg1.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/A45AE91F-30DC-4E18-B115-7D7272EDDFD7_zps3p5xsgg1.jpg.html)

After Remington and I hook into a couple of more shorts, we realize that the "P" in CPR is not needed today!

I pull in my first legal of the day at 23 inches exactly.
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/ED56FC52-CA5C-4E3A-A88C-8CBB99AE3546_zpsditsivpd.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/ED56FC52-CA5C-4E3A-A88C-8CBB99AE3546_zpsditsivpd.jpg.html)

Then another at a little over 23 inches.
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/F035F177-15B3-484E-95B9-AFB837B5CE5E_zps67wiaeez.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/F035F177-15B3-484E-95B9-AFB837B5CE5E_zps67wiaeez.jpg.html)

I hook into a few more shorties and so does Kelly.

We keep switching spots so that we can each get our fair share of fish but they seemed to be all over the place. I turn to see how Kelly is doing and as he is pulling on his rod to pull in his LC....BENDO!!!! I see Kelly's jaw drop and he pulls up a legal right from the foot of the shore...right by his actual foot! Taped out at barely shy of 23 inches.
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/c41b5a5d-22d3-4487-81a9-6c3c6ab6e2a8_zps4ed6534b.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/c41b5a5d-22d3-4487-81a9-6c3c6ab6e2a8_zps4ed6534b.jpg.html)

Now, I let both 23's go because quite frankly, I was getting greedy and wanted a big one to give to mom and dad. Well, it doesn't look like the big ones want to play today. :Sad: I get my last legal of the day after pulling in a few more shorts. Taped out at 23.5 inches and good enough to appease my dad and make mom's Mother's DAy!
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/0B6CA9C2-44B3-4A14-88E2-A29EA0CEA5B2_zpsstb4wc9l.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/0B6CA9C2-44B3-4A14-88E2-A29EA0CEA5B2_zpsstb4wc9l.jpg.html)

Total fish Count:
Me = 8 shorts and 3 legals (18 Legals for the year!)
Kelly = 4 shorts and 1 legal and a ton of missed bites! (11 Legals for the year!)

Happy Hunting Everyone!

Skunked4life, aka Corporal Croaker, aka Ken


BONUS PICS

Here are some bonus pics of some of what I am catching when not catching legal halibut (without captions).
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/C935B683-A3C3-4AEC-B224-3F56BC9FBA3A_zps7rmdr3lc.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/C935B683-A3C3-4AEC-B224-3F56BC9FBA3A_zps7rmdr3lc.jpg.html)
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/87ADB95D-ABD0-480C-8C86-FF5BD2E6FE3E_zpso0zeceo4.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/87ADB95D-ABD0-480C-8C86-FF5BD2E6FE3E_zpso0zeceo4.jpg.html)

Ok, this one gets a caption: This little guy (at a northern AO) actually came up and bumped me...I got spooked and kicked up my boot and he turned upside down. He safely returned to the waters but I managed to get a pic! I don't even need a rod and reel! :LOL::ROFL:
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/A1585729-C4C7-4F4E-BFFD-562F232A94F1_zps4guexani.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/A1585729-C4C7-4F4E-BFFD-562F232A94F1_zps4guexani.jpg.html)

[remington]

And here I thought I would have the beach to myself, Lol. Timing is everything because I heard from a couple of friends that spot turned into torpedo city over the weekend. Just blessed we got on it for that short window of opportunity before the wind tore things up. Great job Ken!

Kelly

[TUNAVIC]

Quite the various selection of ocean species,octopus on the LC cool,thanks!

Cya Tuna Vic

[perch]

man thats some great fishing in just a short time on the water looks like you had a great time and im sure your parents loved the legal you brought home for mothers day

[SP Dan]

Great job Ken!

At times ... I wish that I lived more in your direction so that I could enjoy more fishing time with you, Kelly and the rest of the guys!

By the BIG :Big Grin: smile on your face .... I can see that you were quite pleased with the out come of your session :Thumbs Up: .... heck ... I would have been ecstatic to have a day like that!

I don't know what the record is for the most SWAT legals in one season is but by the way you are pulling them in ... you may break the record!

I am cheering :Big Smile::Applause: for you Ken .... you and your hot stix just may be unstoppable!

As always .... thanx for the fun read with pic's Brotha Ken! :Cool:

SP Dan <"))><

[bachiboy]

Nice going guys. Don't worry Kelly, that bigun is coming just around the corner.:Wink: Keep it up and we'll be reading that victory report soon!

Don

[5150fishn]

Another great report and pics on a Mother's Day hall pass. Nicely done! Glad to hear you caught that last legal. It would have been a bummer to leave empty handed after releasing 2. Lol
Congrats

[jaggerbub]

Nice for such a short session... I gotta try hitting the sand more.

[Nipple Twister]

Ken, Ken, Ken.........you just continue to raise the bar, well done buddy...........sitting here typing this out still shaking my head thinking "wow, how cool is that"!
I got the text from Central Command as I was walking off the sand and with headphones on I think I yelled out louder then I thought 'cause I got some funny looks......ok, energizer bunny, whats next?????? :LOL:



Well done Sir.....

[fishshep]

:Shocked:

Talk about someone who is"On a Roll" :Big Grin:

[yakfish51]

Great job! That looks like a nice place to fish. I was out today at my AO 2-3 ft breakers at 8 sec. Seemed like a lot of white water today. I could use a backup AO. I will write a report later.

Thanks for the report and Pic's

Tim

[DockRat]

Nice counts. Octopus taste good.
DR

[Raneman]

Nice going guys! Way to go on adding to your commanding lead! I'm sure mom and pops were real happy with dinner!

Raney

[Jaysuuun]

No worries brotha Ken! You listened to your fishing instincts and it paid off big for you! Glad you were able to bring some fish home to Mom. And thanks for the intel. We hit it up the next day, but only caught a few YFC's and a Calico between me and Tess. Peter was there before us and was able to pick up a legal. Lemme get my fish finder and you and I can yak that AO soon.

[Wingnut]

Awesome job Ken & Kelly. :Thumbs Up:
Ken, did you tape out that Octopus? lol
I think I gave you enough of a head start on the legal Hali count. Time to dust off my surf gear... :LOL:

[basshole1]

18 legals?! This year alone?!?! Fantastic!!

[skunked4life]

And here I thought I would have the beach to myself, Lol. Timing is everything because I heard from a couple of friends that spot turned into torpedo city over the weekend. Just blessed we got on it for that short window of opportunity before the wind tore things up. Great job Ken!

Kelly

Kelly, like I said before, I am not quite ready to give up on that spot! I have that AO as close to dialed in as possible, which really means nothing because it is so unpredictable....I just think I have been pretty lucky, that's all I guess. Let's meet up soon at the "other AO" we keep talking about hitting up.


Quite the various selection of ocean species,octopus on the LC cool,thanks!

Cya Tuna Vic

LOL - the octopus was actually a pleasant surprise since I skunked it up at that AO more times than I care to fess up to!


man thats some great fishing in just a short time on the water looks like you had a great time and im sure your parents loved the legal you brought home for mothers day

My parents loved the fish but I told them that the next few get released. Thanks for reading and replying!


Great job Ken!

At times ... I wish that I lived more in your direction so that I could enjoy more fishing time with you, Kelly and the rest of the guys!

By the BIG :Big Grin: smile on your face .... I can see that you were quite pleased with the out come of your session :Thumbs Up: .... heck ... I would have been ecstatic to have a day like that!

I don't know what the record is for the most SWAT legals in one season is but by the way you are pulling them in ... you may break the record!

I am cheering :Big Smile::Applause: for you Ken .... you and your hot stix just may be unstoppable!

As always .... thanx for the fun read with pic's Brotha Ken! :Cool:

SP Dan <"))><

Absence makes the heart grow fonder my friend. Next time we meet up, it will be all the more sweeter! Fantastic job these days at your "backyard" AO! Your experience and skills truly inspire me but your smile and warmth truly carry me my brother!


Nice going guys. Don't worry Kelly, that bigun is coming just around the corner.:Wink: Keep it up and we'll be reading that victory report soon!

Don

Thanks Don. I am trying not to pull a Daniel/Thien and S.W.A.T. - blocking Kelly from getting his induction fish.


Another great report and pics on a Mother's Day hall pass. Nicely done! Glad to hear you caught that last legal. It would have been a bummer to leave empty handed after releasing 2. Lol
Congrats

Thanks. When I initially released each one, I did so with an open heart but immediately went into panic mode when I realized that I may be jinxing it. Thanks for replying!


Nice for such a short session... I gotta try hitting the sand more.

You know, that is what I used to think...more is better. I am not really sure anymore. I spent a good part of the year last year getting out as much as I could and never stopped to really think things through. Now, I am more selective of my outings and I have skunked much less often and had multiple multiple legal days this year. Even though I still tell everyone to fish when they can, I have been trying to fish a little smarter these days.


Ken, Ken, Ken.........you just continue to raise the bar, well done buddy...........sitting here typing this out still shaking my head thinking "wow, how cool is that"!
I got the text from Central Command as I was walking off the sand and with headphones on I think I yelled out louder then I thought 'cause I got some funny looks......ok, energizer bunny, whats next?????? :LOL:



Well done Sir.....

Thanks John. I hope to see that orange stick of your in an AO nearby fairly soon my brother!


:Shocked:

Talk about someone who is"On a Roll" :Big Grin:

Thanks Daniel! My goal is a legal butt for every three pancakes I catch.


Great job! That looks like a nice place to fish. I was out today at my AO 2-3 ft breakers at 8 sec. Seemed like a lot of white water today. I could use a backup AO. I will write a report later.

Thanks for the report and Pic's

Tim

I have to pick and choose my battles which include battles with the conditions and the wife and kids. Just got lucky. As far as back up AO's, yes, try and have at least one or two.


Nice counts. Octopus taste good.
DR

Yup. But I didn't need to take that one home to confirm this. :LOL:


Nice going guys! Way to go on adding to your commanding lead! I'm sure mom and pops were real happy with dinner!

Raney

Raney! My mom and pops were indeed happy! Haven't seen you fish lately brother. Get out there!


No worries brotha Ken! You listened to your fishing instincts and it paid off big for you! Glad you were able to bring some fish home to Mom. And thanks for the intel. We hit it up the next day, but only caught a few YFC's and a Calico between me and Tess. Peter was there before us and was able to pick up a legal. Lemme get my fish finder and you and I can yak that AO soon.

Already replied to you face-to-face while devouring beef jerky...ummm delicious beef jerky...


Awesome job Ken & Kelly. :Thumbs Up:
Ken, did you tape out that Octopus? lol
I think I gave you enough of a head start on the legal Hali count. Time to dust off my surf gear... :LOL:

If anyone can catch up, you can Sir! Congrats again on the beast WSB!


18 legals?! This year alone?!?! Fantastic!!

I know right? This year's count surpasses my entire count for the last two years since I began surf fishing!