SMB to Dana Point

[marzocchi]

Took quite a few lobster trips this month and half with friends and neighbors. We did some old school spots to see what bounties it will bring us. We didn't expect too much, but it turned out awesome. We hooped Malibu, Long Beach, and all the way down to Dana Point. It has been a very good harvest for the crawlers. We had limits on each trip, which I am always happy about. The Lobster Gods been good to us. Pictures for you to enjoy:


First trip was in the Santa Monica Bay. We made bait inside the harbor. The anchovies brought the mackeral and some sardines inside for the evening.



After dropping our nets, we played with some calicos near the kelp line all the way up in good ol' Malibu. Here is Dennis with one of the few we caught. Kelp calico bassing wasnt that great that night, but we caught a few nice ones.



Our cooler limits for 3. Good to see that one of our old spot still produces.


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Our next trip was out of the LBC. We didnt want to deal with the mass inside the harbor so we went outside. It was alright. We had limits, so no complaints.




The real reason to head outside was to play with the structure leadhead eating bass before the San Pedro / Long Beach cattle boats make the switch over from rockfishing. Here is Dennis with one of the nicer Sand Bass for the night. Of course, all bass released!


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Next trip, I was expecting a fishing shop owner guest to come lobstering with me, but before the witching hour to leave, I didnt get a phone call from him. I didnt want to bug him to go. Dennis also got the call to go to work, so my plans were a-skewed. I went down the line of people to call for lobstering but no avail. I get a call from my friend Ed asking if he can borrow my utility trailer, so I made him come out with me to pull some nets. It was Ed's first time hooping and we did pretty well. We ended up with early limits and headed home. Thanks for coming out Ed!


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Decided to head back up north and burn some fuel for our next trip. Since Long Beach now holds the title of the land of the giant lobster, we checked our super far spot all the way up the line back in Mailbu to see if the quality lobster we caught in years past are still roaming the area. They are! Here is Dennis with a couple.



Limits for 3. Not bad at all.


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The following trip I didnt expect to head out the Thanksgiving week. Thought I relax and take it easy. Dennis calls me up the last minute and said he doesnt have enough lobster for Thanksgiving (I know, wth?) and asked if I mind doing a lobster trip. I said sure. We head down way south to check if the spots I lobster'd early in the season were still loaded. It wasnt, but we worked it all night and managed to cull out the numerous shorts for a 2 man limit. We headed back in later than expected.



Since it was already late. I made some free bait before heading back in. Squid box prices has jumped up a bit since the commercial market squid quota has been met a few weeks ago. I was fine with paying $3-5 bucks a box, but not $8-10, so I made own for free.


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Our last trip, we decided give in and fish inside the Long Beach Harbor to complete our November lobster run. I just stayed away from everyone and it paid off pretty well. We were done around 8pm. Here is Dennis with one of the big bugs that Long Beach offered up to us.



Obligatory cooler shot. 2 man limit. I forgot to mention we paid twice at the gate cause the machine screwed us and wouldnt let us in. $24 to launch. I was not leaving without a double limit and the biggest bugs. I also used a lot of the free water at the wash down. Damn you toll machine!


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There you have it. One month and half of fishing the lobster weekly. We have been hooping up and the down the coast to keep things from getting mundane. I always share part of my catch each week with the people I love most: family, friends and close neighbors. I am left with half about my lobsters each trip. Just enough for a weekly meal with maybe 1 or 2 saved up each week. Sometimes none saved if I have guests for dinner. I am more than thankful to have these people in my life to share my bounty with. Hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving. See you all next time.

[Stumpknocker]

Great story and awesome bunch of bugs!

[fish_sauce]

This reply's a little late, but thank you for the post!

LB has been a little slow for us, but it looks like you guys are doing great!

I still can't believe you have to "go down your list" to get people to go--there should be a long line of anxious fishermen knocking at your door by now, bugging you to take them!

Keep up the good work, and keep the bug pics comin!

Andrew

[tamddo714]

awesome report!! call me next time you dont find anyone to lobster with lol

[Sonnyyy]

Whoa, thats awesome! keep up the good work!