Private boater out of Dana Point and what is this fish?

[JL]

The attached photo is of a fish that came right up to our boat just after we put out the chum bucket. We saw this fish a week ago and then again Saturday. in about 10 minutes we had 9 of these fish around the boat. We attempted to catch one to measure and weigh it but none were interested in any offering we made. I am sure someone on this forum will know what it is...... None of the State salt water fish charts or books we have any reference to this fish.

Jean and i again had one of those unusual days where the conditions were perfect but the results were zero.
We fished 1 -2 miles out at the barber poles and the pipe. And We also went north of Dana Point 2 miles to Salt creek.
Air temp ( warmest this year ) near 80. Water temp 66.8 - 70.9
Calm waters all day. Like Glass
Depth 85 feet at the pipe / 55 feet at salt creek and 35 feet inside the kelp
The kelp was broken up with large open patches. First time this year we were able to fish deep into the kelp without getting tackle or anchor wrapped in kelp.
Bait 5in to 7in Sardines/ Frozen Anchovies, Frozen squid.
High tide at 10:38 Deep low tide by 5 pm when we got off the water.

Jean and I each had one big strike that sliced our line at the hook early on.

Then NOTHING the rest of the day.

We are going to go south this week to tressels and maybe San ofre.

Tight lines and God Bless.

[DEVOREFLYER]

Ocean sun fish. Report your siteing of this fish below.

http://oceansunfish.org/

[MiM]

AKA Mola Mola. They are not very sporting, but they do get big and heavy. it should be noted they are very bony and not very good table fare. Cool fish to watch as they are very curious and like you said come up to the boat like they are checking you out as well.

[JL]

Thanks Devoreflyer. Great website for the study of the Ocean Sunfish. I submitted a report on our sightings. I was amazed at how big they get.

[DEVOREFLYER]

Those Sunfish eat jellyfish. So the question begs how do ya put a jellyfish on the hook. VERY CAREFULLY!!!

ps: Did ya send them the pic of the fish?

[Fish Dog]

Those mola's get BIG...









Supposed to be bad luck to catch one, which my be why all the pictures of big one are real old pictures.

[JL]

I did send pictures to the scientific website. Also the aquarium in Monterrey use to have an 800 lb sun fish they released into the ocean and a 1000 lb sun fish that they had to euthanize.

[DockRat]

Next time jump in and try to get a pic next to it.
They are tame.
DR

[JapanRon]

Hi DEVORFLYER,

You smear peanutbutter on the hook before dragging the setup through the eggs gel of the Jellyfish.

JapanRon

[DEVOREFLYER]

Hey JapanRon

Thanks for the heads up, oh and what size hook should I be using to catch these monsters? Would adding strawberry jam help the peanutbutter any?