Bugs and Tails... S.W.A.T. Catalina Adventure on the Kolomona with the Webmaster.

[Wingnut]

Binh (Badbeat) and I hopped on the Kolo to fish with Jeff (Webmaster) out at Catalina this past weekend.
I told Jeff that we've never been Lobster hooping before and he says "Let's go, I'll show you how..." :Big Grin:

We left Saturday night out of Long Beach with one bait tank full of Anchovies and the other full of live Squid. :Dancing Banana:

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150336.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150336.jpg.html)

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150365.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150365.jpg.html)

About 9 miles from the island Jeff and I heard some clanking and loud screeching coming from the engine compartment. :Surprised:
We shut it down and open her up to take a look... Jeff discovered that the bolts to the alternator bracket have completely snapped off and throwing the belts offline.
Catastrophe I thought as we were talking about calling for a trip ending vessel assistance tow. :Neutral:
Just about when we were going to make the call Jeff says let's try something, he had an idea... :Idea:
He took the biggest flat head screwdriver he had in the tool box and wedged it in the alternator harness and pound it in place tight with a hammer. :Shocked:

We held our collective breaths as we fired up the engine and set out at a slow speed at first... then faster... and faster.
I don't believe it, the Webmaster turned McGyver did it, we're good to go again... U da Man Jeff! :UDaMan:

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150392.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150392.jpg.html)

We get to the spot and Binh and I dropped the Hoop nets baited with Skipjacks we caught on the previous Tuna trip. :Razz:

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150334.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150334.jpg.html)

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150337.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150337.jpg.html)

After the traps were in place we hung around the vicinity and fished until it was time to pull them back up again.
Jeff put us up close to the sheer cliff on the island and we had a blast catching one Calico after another.
They were just demolishing the Big Hammer swim baits and the fly lined Squid. We caught so many I lost count. Even though they weren't very big, we had a blast catching them. All Checkers were released!

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150347.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150347.jpg.html)

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150349.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150349.jpg.html)

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150343.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150343.jpg.html)

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150350.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150350.jpg.html)

After about an hour, we located the hoop nets and made the pull. I had the honors of pulling up the first trap of the night. :Cool:
Kinda exciting waiting to see what comes up... :Surprised:
On my very first ever pull... there were 4 shorts and ONE legal Bug! :Dancing Banana:
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150341.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150341.jpg.html)

Then another bigger legal a couple of pulls later... :Razz:
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150353.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150353.jpg.html)

Well, we kept dropping the hoop nets, then go fishing, come back to pull again and again...
We made a total of three sets of pulls and got nine (9) legal Bugs. Not full limits but we were totally happy that we learned something new and were successful at it on the very first try. :Big Grin: Lobster hooping is a lot of work!

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150355.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150355.jpg.html)

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150359.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150359.jpg.html)

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150357.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150357.jpg.html)

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150354.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150354.jpg.html)

It was around 3:00am after our last pull and we hit the bunks for some ZZZZ's... :Tired:

The next morning we headed out to the other side of the island...

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150360.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150360.jpg.html)

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150362.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150362.jpg.html)

Well, I'll make this final part of the report quick... since it's super late and I have a meeting early in the morning... :Confused:

Basically, we found the fleet all anchored up in one area and joined them.
We enjoyed pretty much a wide open Yellowtail bite, broken up only by a group of Seals stealing our catch and chasing the fish away. :Angry:
As soon as the Sea Dogs left and harassed other vessels, the bite picked up again...
No monster YT that we were hoping for, but the 5-10 lbs models that gave us some fast & furious constant action. Mixed in with them are some nice Bonito and big Mackerels.

So funny that we were calling for the Trout net that Jeff had on board instead of the gaff for these Yellowtails. :LOL:

We got three limits of Tails and headed back to the mainland.

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150376.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150376.jpg.html)

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150379.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150379.jpg.html)

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150377.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150377.jpg.html)

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150378.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150378.jpg.html)

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150373.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150373.jpg.html)

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150380.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150380.jpg.html)

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150381.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150381.jpg.html)

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150389.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150389.jpg.html)

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150368.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150368.jpg.html)

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150369.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150369.jpg.html)

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150366.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150366.jpg.html)

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150371.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150371.jpg.html)

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150375.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150375.jpg.html)

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150383.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150383.jpg.html)

There must be at least 60 anglers on this charter. :EyePop:

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150372.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150372.jpg.html)

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150385.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150385.jpg.html)

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150386.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150386.jpg.html)

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150387.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150387.jpg.html)

Let's go home... no problems with the engine on the way back. Way to go Jeff! :Thumbs Up:

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150393.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150393.jpg.html)

Back at the launch area.

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150394.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/P1150394.jpg.html)

Thanks Jeff for another memorable trip. We appreciate you taking the time to teach us how to hoop for Lobster and showing us the right way to fish Catalina. :Big Grin:
Hopefully, the Tuna count will be good this week so we can chase them again soon... :Wink:

Good times spent with good friends... life is just a fantasy. :Razz:

Have an awesome week everybody!

Arthur (Wingnut)




Some people feel the rain... others just get wet.



Parting shots:

Monday night's dinner... baked Bugs! :Envious:

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/Lobster1.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/Lobster1.jpg.html)

This is what a total "Pug" overdose looks like... :Big Smile:

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/PUGS2.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/PUGS2.jpg.html)

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/PUGS4.jpg
(http://s143.photobucket.com/user/Wingnut32566/media/Wingnut%2012/Wingnut%2013/Wingnut%2014/PUGS4.jpg.html)

[Ryan_J]

Great Catalina report! Who had the chovies and the squid? Nacho or did you head up to Pedro bait?

[webmaster]

Awesome report Arthur. Once again it was an absolute pleasure fishing with you and Binh. Thank you Binh for driving the boat back while I relaxed. I am so glad I had that big screwdriver in the tool box, it saved the day! Believe it or not, I had just put it in there the trip prior. Hopefully we'll get some more tuna on the next run!

PS Wow, that's a lot of pugs!

[webmaster]

Great Catalina report! Who had the chovies and the squid? Nacho or did you head up to Pedro bait?

San Pedro Bait. Nacho only had big sardines.

[Fishingdachronarch201E7]

Awesome!!!!! that boat is always mashing!!!!! good job guys!! looked like an awesome time!

[madbass]

good eats right there!!
nice looking bugs!

[murrieta angler]

SWEEETTT!!!!
I was wondering how you guys did?!
Nice job McGyver....err I mean Jeff...:LOL: Always a good idea to have extra tools, belts and bolts on hand.
That lobster looks so tasty Arturo, did you share with the pugs?!? :LOL:
Binh, good job staying awake on the drive home...SAFETY FIRST!!! :Wink:
Nice report,
Robert
<><

[Badbeat]

Everything was fun on this trip, well except for maybe driving in the fog on the way back. :Surprised:
I was sore the next day from pulling all those hoop nets. :LOL:
Really appreciate you sharing your knowledge with us Jeff. It's a pleasure fishing with you too. :Big Grin:
See you soon!

[Jaysuuun]

Nice haul gentlemen! I would've been iffy on the the screwdriver fix :Shocked: But I'm glad it was able to hold the engine together long enough to have a safe trip.

[trail blazer]

Much respect for the ,on the fly repairs made on the water,

Really starting to dig the reports from the bosses boat,,

WTG Guys!

TRAIL BLAZER

[simijab]

Sashimi and lobster roll time

[basshole1]

Awesome report...now thats what i call a MEAL!!

[Fishbones]

Great trip saver!!
Is the screwdriver still holding?

[TUNAVIC]

Wow,good times,good report,good pics,great results,WTG guys,thanks for that report!

Cya Tuna Vic

[bones]

Damn....You guys just killed it big time!!!
Those bugs look great and of course by now we expect to see the pelagic slayage but as for the McGyver thing....I'm not surprised at all when it comes to the life experience of Jeff. I bet he has some super glue and duct tape along with a few zip ties also in his bag of tricks...LOL
As they say.....being prepared can really make a difference between a successful outing and a unsuccessful one!
As for the report....Awesome job as always Arthur!
I guess the surf is going to feel like a big step down for you this season but hey....You have to strike when the iron is hot so to speak and it's inevitable that the water is going to cool down and this El Nino season will come to an end.
Keep up the slayage with our honorary "SWAT Gandalf" out there while ya can bro!

[ToadHunter]

That baked lobster looked pretty good.