Tip of the Week for 7/14/97 : When Ocean Fishing, especially Bay or Surf fishing, be sure to check the local tide charts before you go. It's best to fish about 1 hour before and after a high tide.
Tip of the Week for 1/15/2001
Planning your fishing in accordance with the tides can help make your bay fishing more productive. Bass and other predatory fish prefer to feed in the shallows on incoming tides as the rising water exposes new grounds for which they can hunt. Near shore pelagics like mackerel and bonito like to feed on baitfish schools around the mouths and jettys of bays during high tide when the water is cleanest. Halibut, rays and sharks like to sit in the main channels of the bays when the tide is dropping so they can pounce on morsels that are being sucked out with the current
Jeff
Tip of the Week for 11/23/98 : jeff-having fished the bays of southern california for some 35 years would like to pass on a tip that will increase success of all who give it a shot. PLEASE RELEASE ALL FISH FOR OUR FUTURE using 4 to 6 lb mono with 3/16 oz darter head and "wham" red flake tail (turners outdoors carries them) . freespool 100 to 200 yards of line out while drifting either incoming or outgoing tides. remember you can't put out to much line. once line is out simply tighten up until pole tip loads up creating continuos bend at tip. at that point simply hold watching tip for any change. when fish picks lure up tip will dip slightly. when this occurs DONT SWING ON FISH. begin winding keeping tight line. reason this works is by letting out this amount of line you are fishing in horizontal manner on bottom where fish are as opposed to vertical fishing which removes lure from "fishy" areas. when slack tide occurs you can switch to chrome 1/4 / 1/2 oz. bombers and troll main channels or weed bed areas. hang on. REMEMBER-these fish face the incoming or outgoing tide when feeding and dont chase baits very far. put the baits in their faces and they WILL bite year round. contrary to some, FALL AND WINTER ARE GREAT TIMES TO FISH PROVIDED YOU WATCH THE TIDES AND FISH THEM ACCORDINGLY DAVE (recess@celnetwest.com)
Title=Surf Fishing Reply
Name=Hanapa Mike
Date=6/27/99
Message=Michael,
How's it bra? The crabs are there. Those little ones you find are da babies, but they work too. The adults layed those eggs are on the sames beaches. You gotta look harder. Keep in mind that the adults are biger, & stronger, they will be deeper in the sand, & in different lines than the small stuff. Hey bra, I hope you practice good catch & release on the surf fish. The surf fisheries are very fragile. See you on da water. HANAPA
Title=Re: Surf Fishing in San Diego
Name=Roy
Date=11/30/98
Message=Hey Dave, here are some tips that I have learned through many years of fishing in and around San Diego. First is bait selection, certain fish prefer certain baits, however there are some that work on a majority. The fresher the bait the better. If you take the time to pump your own Ghost shrimp you'll save money and catch more fish. Fresh mussels are a hot bait, as are live blood worms. Watch out blood worms BITE!!! Fresh razor clams are good, chose a bait and go fishing. Try light tackle and a sliding bait rig with a small egge sinker in areas like north P.B, Tourmaline street, S. Mission near the jetty or in the La Jolla area around Wind an' Sea. You'll find Barred surf perch, yellow croaker, sargo, spotfin croaker and occ. corbina. Experiment, but remember, most surf fish feed in the zone where the waves are breaking. If you are casting out beyond the breakers you are over shooting the zone. Good Luck!!!!
Tip of the Week for 5/31/99 : ITS THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN WHEN THE LCOAL SURF FISHING TAKES OFF BIG TIME. CORBINA, PERCH, HALIBUT, AND NUMEROUS OTHER ASSORTED FISH TYPES GO ON THE CHEW. HERES A GREAT TIP FOR THOSE OF YOU READY TO GIVE IT A TRY. THE NUMBER ONE PROBLEM MOST SURF FISHERPEOPLE HAVE IS TRYING TO OVER CAST THEIR BAITS. THESE FISH ARE IN TIGHT TO SHORE AND REQUIRE NOTHING MORE THAN A CAST OF 50' OR SO. ON MANY OCCASIONS YOU WILL FIND FISH AT YOUR FEET AND NOT 150' OR MORE OFFSHORE. THESE FISH ARE THERE FOR ONE REASON AND THATS TO EAT. THE BREAKING WAVES STIR UP THE BOTTOM AND EXPOSE DINNER FOR THESE GUYS. THE RUSH OF WATER TO SHORE EXPOSES SAND CRABS AND ALSO ALLOWS THESE FISH THE OPPORTUNITY OF AN ASSIST TO FEED. ON MANY OCCASIONS I HAVE WATCHED AS 5 LB CORBINA FEED IN NO MORE THAN 6 INCHES OF WATER. I HAVE ALSO WALKED OUT 20' OR SO AND TURNED AROUND THROWING MY BAIT TOWARDS SHORE CATCHING CROAKER AND CORBINA. POINT IS, DON'T WORK TO HARD. FISH THE INCOMING TIDES, USE LIGHT LINE (8LB) AND HAVE FUN. BEST BAITS INCLUDE-SAND CRABS, BLOODWORMS, GHOST SHRIMP, ANCHOVY PIECES, CLAMS, AND SINGLE TAIL PLASTIC GRUBS WITH 1/8 OZ LEADHEADS. ALWAYS PRACTICE CATCH AND RELEASE. DAVE (RECESS@HIGHWAYS.NET)
Tip of the Week for 11/6/2000
I have been doing some experimenting lately, and have found that corbina will take small plastics readily when fished correctly. I use a small (1.25") clear/red most of the time, but white ones work also. Use the smallest head and hook you can find. I use ultralight tackle w/ 4 lb test line. I first locate the fish in the shallow wash, then cast over them to the area where they will return to deeper water (just a few feet past the fish). This takes some practice to know how they swim in the current. When in an area where the wash extends a long distance, I will even throw the lure towards the shore and get fish. I have actually had many large corbina swim right between my legs in less than 8" of water! If you prefer to fish bait, lose the sinkers and fly line sand crabs, ghost shrimp, or bloodworms in the wash. Most surf fisherman fish their baits too far out and too deep. Another tip: If you have problems with your plastics sliding off the head, put a drop of super glue where the plastic meets the leadhead. Bill
Title=FRESHWATER BASS TRICKS FOR SALTWATER FISH
Name=LAGUNA TUNA
Date=02/09/99
Message=HEY ANYONE EVER TRY A CASTAIC TROUT, FOR YELLOWTAIL? OR A BUZZBAIT FOR 'CUDA? MOST PEOPLE SAY NO! BUT IVE FOUND CROSSING LURES OVER IS EXTREMELY DEADLY. IVE EVEN DROPPER LOOPED A OLD CASTAIC SOFT BAIT AND JIGGED FOR LINGS AND JUST KILLED THEM YOU GO THROUGH BODIES BUT YOU ONLY GET THE TOADS, AND PUTTING A STINGER HOOK THROUGH THE BODY OF A GIZZARD SHAD AND THROWING IT FOR CALICOS ESPECIALLY AT THE WALL AT NIGHT, DOING A SLOW DROP COUNT RIGHT ALONG THE FACE JUST WATCH HOW MANY TIMES YOULL GET SLAMMED AND YELLOWS LOVEM TOO, WHEN YOU HAVE BREEZING FISH AND EVERYBODY IS THROWING IRON (TRUST ME I ALWAYS HAVE THE OLD TADY READY FOR ACTION)I REACH FOR MY SLIGHTLY MODIFIED GIZZARD SHAD AND IVE EVEN CAUGHT DORADO OFF OF PATTYS ON IT. TRY IT I THINK YOU'LL BE PLEASANTY SURPRISED BUT DONT JUST USE CASTAIC BAITS, TRY BUZZ BAITS TOP WATER POPPERS (DOLPHIN GO INSANE FOR THESE)12 IN. WORMS FOR CALICOS AND SANDIES SOUNDS WEIRD BUT TRY IT SOME TIME YOU'LL SEE
GOOD FISHIN' AND TIGHT LINES LAGUNA
Tip of the Week for 2/8/99 : FOR THOSE OF YOU USING THE PLASTICS WITH LIMITED SUCCESS THERE ARE TWO TIPS THAT WILL INCREASE YOUR CATCHES. WHEN USING THE DOUBLE OR SINGLE TAIL TYPE PLASTICS SUCH AS MOJOS OR WORM KINGS, USING A NARROW STRIP OF SQUID WILL ASSIST. MOST ANGLERS USE FAR TO WIDE A STRIP WHICH KILLS THE ACTION OF THE LURE TAIL. BY USING A STRIP NO LARGER THAN 1/4" WIDE BY 2" THE ACTION IS RETAINED WHILE BEING ENHANCED BY THE SQUID SCENT. REMEMBER YOU ARE DEFEATING YOUR LURE BY GOING BIG. ANOTHER QUICK TIP IS TO USE THE LIGHTEST WEIGHT MONO POSSIBLE UNDER CONDITIONS OF DAY. YOU MAY LOSE A FEW FISH BUT I'D MUCH RATHER GET BIT THAN NOT AND TAKE MY CHANCES. THE LINES ON THE MARKET TODAY ARE FAR SUPERIOR TO THOSE OF YEARS GONE BY AND CAN TAKE A BEATING. PLEASE PRACTICE CATCH AND RELEASE.
DAVE recess@celnetwest.com
Tip of the Week for 2/15/99 : THE BIGGEST GAME IN TOWN RIGHT NOW IS THE YELLOWTAIL BITE 6 OT 11 MILES OUT OF POINT LOMA. EVEN THOUGH THE FISH HAVE BEEN VERY ACTIVE MANY ANGLERS ARE GOING HOME EMPTY DUE TO THE FACT THEY AREN'T FISHING THE CORRECT DEPTH. WHEN USING THE "YO-YO" TECHNIQUE A REAL HOT TIP IS TO TAKE A PERMANENT MARKING PEN AND WHEN GETTING BIT FOR THE FIRST TIME MARK THE LINE PRIOR TO CONTINUING YOUR RETRIEVE. THESE FISH TEND TO MAINTAIN A CONSTANT DEPTH AND BY MARKING YOUR LINE YOU CAN SAVE YOURSELF A LOT OF WASTED WINDING. DROP YOUR LURE JUST BELOW THE ACTUAL MARK.THEN, BEGIN YOUR RETRIEVE. THIS AREA ISN'T SHALLOW AND DROPPING TO THE BOTTOM IS OFTEN A WASTE. ALSO KEEP A SURFACE IRON SETUP READY AS THESE FISH HAVE SHOWN A TENDENCY TO COME TO THE SURFACE EARLY IN THE DAY. AFTER 9 A.M. ITS ALL YO-YO FISH. BE READY TO GIVE THEM A FAST RETRIEVE. 6 TO 1 RATIO ON YOUR REELS WILL HELP. PRACTICE CATCH AND RELEASE.
DAVE(recess@celnetwest.com)
Tip of the Week for 10/25/99 We've all got those surface jigs that don't seem to swim worth a darn. And yet we have others that have become our favorites. Sound familiar? Well before you go out and buy another six pack of jigs just to find that one that "swims" dust off that pile of non-swimmers and try this! It works. Go to your local freshwater bass shop, someplace like Anglers Marine in Anaheim (no spam I promise) and pick up some Suspend Strips. They are adhesive backed lead strips designed to adhere to crankbaits to achieve neutral buoyancy under water. It takes some experimentation but add a couple strips along one edge of your non-swimming jigs and watch it come alive! You might even consider the dots for more flexibility. "Glenn Ueda"
Title=Fishing for Birds
Name=Richard
Date=Dec. 1, 1999
Message=went fishing at King Harbor recently and had a great time. one big problem, though. i started by flylining anchovies and immediately caught two birds...one a small seagull that grabbed and tried to fly away, and the other a bigger bird that grabbed and then swam down deep! had to cut the line both times. using a small rubber core sinker solved the immediate problem, but i do wonder--is there a way to flyline and fish the surface without hooking a bird? i had one final incident that day: i was reeling a mackerel in; when it broke the surface, a pelican grabbed it. a quick yank before the pelican could swallow saved it.
Title=Response to "fishing for birds"
Date=12/6/99
Message=We all know your feelings. It's happened to us all. Other than what you have already done with the rubber core sinker, a 12-guage coupled with a fine and/or jail time is your only REAL solution to eliminate the birds.
The only suggestion I would have would be to use a 3'-4' leader to the hook and tie on a snap swivel with a small sliding egg sinker above the swivel to get more feel on the chovey or dean's swim action when they spook. This set-up reduces the drag caused by the rubber core and allows the bait to act less "tethered". A rubber core gives no "slip" and the bait is always dragging it around constantly which - in turn - kills your bait in nothing flat from exhaustion. Especially choveys.
Birds are a sign of where the fish are. So either go with the odds and put up with the birds - finding SOME appreciation for their presents (showing you where the fish are) - or try your luck where the birds aren't.
Birds, seals and sharks are a part of fishing that will never change. Can you imagine pulling on your very first BIG tuna over 200 pounds for nearly 3 hours, finally getting deep color, then all of a sudden feel a tremendous surge of energey from the fish - only to find it was a 10 foot tiger shark with your fish in it's mouth leaving you with just the head? It happens all time on long range boats. It sucks.
"JB"
Tip of the Week for 7/28/97 : When fishing from the local Sport Fishing (Cattle) Boats, try to keep your line right in front of you. Often times wind and current will make the boat turn and sway and your line can end up going diagonally and entangling with your fellow anglers. If your line should cross someone's, walk over and trade places with him by putting your rod over or under his depending on who's line is on top. If the current is strong and everybody's lines are going one way, anglers do what is known as the "Tuna Shuffle" with everybody slowly stepping down the rail. Once you reach the end, you reel up, change bait, (always!) and start from the begining of the line again. When everyone cooperates, fishing can be quite enjoyable even under crowded conditions.
Tip of the Week for 2/22/99 : Here's some tips for the party boat anglers....."No angles, no tangles" "Wind in your face you're in the right place, wind at your back no fish in your sack!"
Tails Up!
Tip of the Week for 11/24/97 : When fishing from a party boat even the best bait can lose a lot of zing from being handled. Especially if you happen to have a less advantagous spot at the rail. This can be countered by bringing a small dipnet and 1 quart container with you to reduce handling and keep the bait in water till it goes over the side. Thanks, Steve P.
Tip of the Week for 9/8/97 : Ice chests are usually not allowed on the Sport Fishing boats. (They don't have the room!!) It is a good idea to bring one anyway and leave it in your car. This way you will have something to keep your catch fresh for the transport home.
Tip of the Week for 4/26/99 : Pass this on to all salt-water fisherperson's in regards to the seals problem....this works everytime... Keep any fishes you catch but don't want for the seals....when you catch your wanted fish (yellowtails,bass, etc), throw the unwanted fish or squid or whatever, way high in the air, let the seal see this and they'll go after the unwanted one...but you've got to hurry, while the seal(s) are playing with the other "bait"...while it may seem like you're feeding them it's better than losing your fish to the seals, we've used this method for many years and from Santa Monica to the Coronados...hopefully the NMFS will pass the bill on the lethal control of seals soon...it's about time, the seals are no longer in trouble, but rather over=populated....write your congressman, guys...it's our only hope...since we can't even say "boo" to the seals, without a ticket from DFG or others...\\
Signed,
Dave Jew
pierguy@juno.com
Tip of the Week for 9/15/97 : When fishing with live bait, try to select the healthiest looking bait. Bigger is not always better. Try to select a bait that doesn't have any bruises on the nose or missing scales. The best ones are usually the hardest to catch. When hooking it, try to handle it gentley and avoid knocking the scales off. If it does'nt get bit within a couple of minutes, change it and put a fresh one on.
Tip of the Week for 9/29/97 : A seldom used but very effective bait is live smelt. (the kind you see swimming around the docks in the harbor.) I have caught Yellowtail, Bonito, Barracuda, White, Sand, Calico, and Spotted Bass, keeper Halibut, Shovelnose Sandsharks, and 100+ pound Bat Rays all on live smelt. With an umbrella net and some bread for bait, I can usually catch a bait tank full in about 1/2 hour. When the bait receivers are all sold out or have poor quality baits, it sometimes pays to spend some extra time in the bay and catch your own bait.
Tip of the Week for 10/27/97 : To jig live squid for bait use a single, shaded clamp on lamp fixture. (the kind you see in the hardware store for use in garages, auto repairs, etc.) I prefer a 12-volt, 50 watt bulb. Turn off all other lights on your boat. You only want a single, dull light shining in the water. Squid will usually come up during the "quiet" time of night between 10pm-3am. Even if you don't find the squid, the light will often attract other small fishes which can be caught and used for bait. Good areas to jig squid are usually along shorelines with kelp beds. Some areas off Catalina Island and Rocky Point have been known to produce consistantly. Anyone who has used live squid can tell you that this is "Candy" for ALL gamefish.
Tip of the Week for 11/17/97 : When fishing from a breakwater it's sometimes possible to catch live bait with a light handline of maybe 2# test and a #10 hook baited with a small breadball. Just bring a few slices of bread with you and chum a few pieces to get the anchovies in and toss in the handline close to the chum. It only takes a few minutes to catch a half dozen and when those are gone, break out the bread again. A small (2qt.) container kept in a shaded place will keep the bait in good condition for some time. Thanks, Steve P.
Tip of the Week for 11/30/98 : when preparing for saltwater trip take the time to bag up a bunch of common yard snails. we have recently discovered that these pests work great for bottom species such as sheephead, reds and even white seabass. when placed in salt water snails tend to "bubble" which acts as an attractant to fish in area. you can also create your own "chum bucket" by bagging up a few and lowering them to bottom attached to anchor. try it . dave-(recess@celnetwest.com)
Tip of the Week for 12/28/98 : FOR THOSE OF YOU CHOOSING TO USE LIVE ANCHOVIES OR SARDINES AS BAIT, HERES A TIP TAKEN FROM THE MEXICAN LONG RANGE FLEET. THIS WILL PROLONG THE LIVES OF MOST LIVE BAITS. SHOULD BAIT APPEAR TO BE DYING, "BLEED" A RECENT CATCH INTO THE BAIT TANK. BONITO AND MACKERAL ARE "BLEEDERS" OF NOTE AND WORK REAL WELL. THE BLOOD RELEASED INTO THE BAIT TANK CONTAINS HIGH AMOUNTS OF VITAMIN E WHICH SPARKS UP THE LISTLESS BAIT. DON'T BE SHY ON THE AMOUNT OF BLOOD PUT INTO TANK SINCE IT WILL CIRCULATE AND CLEAR IN A VERY SHORT TIME. THIS IS ALSO A GREAT WAY TO KEEP THE MESS OFF THE INTERIOR OF YOUR BOAT AND FRESHLY BLED FISH STAYS FRESHER MUCH LONGER. PLEASE PRACTICE CATCH AND RELEASE AT ALL TIMES. DAVE(recess@celnetwest.com)
Tip of the Week for 1/25/99 : ONE OF THE NEWER ITEMS USED BY SALTWATER FISHERMEN TODAY IS THE
"CHUMBUCKET" WHICH CAN COST UP TO 45.00 PER BUCKET. AN INEXPENSIVE ALTERNATIVE TO THIS EXCELLENT FISHING AID CAN BE FOUND IN ANY KITCHEN UTENSIL STORE.(THE WIFES OR MOMS CUPBOARD MAY ALSO BE HOLDING ONE OF THESE) ITS A HAND CRANKING MEAT GRINDER. YOU SIMPLY SECURE THE UNIT TO THE TRANSOM OF YOUR BOAT, CATCH A MACKERAL OR TWO, INSERT IN THE UNIT AND CRANK. THE MULCHING OF THE MACKERAL WILL BE DROPPED BACK OF THE BOAT CREATING A CHUM SLICK SECOND TO NONE. SPEED IS NOT IMPORTANT HERE. JUST A CONTINUOUS AMOUNT VERY SLOWLY DROPPED INTO THE WATER. BAITFISH WILL COME UP LINE FIRST FOLLOWED BY GAMEFISH OF EVERY KIND. SHARKS HAVE A TENDENCY TO COME UP THE SLICK AND PLEASE RESIST THE TENDENCY TO CATCH THESE AS THEY ARE BECOMING MORE AND MORE SCARCE. AT THE END OF YOUR DAY BE SURE TO CLEAN UNIT COMPLETELY AND DRY. THIS WILL PROTECT THE UNIT AGAINST CORROSION. PLEASE PRACTICE CATCH AND RELEASE AT ALL TIMES AND CHECK YOUR LOCAL REGULATIONS PRIOR TO CHUMMING OF ANY KIND.
DAVE (recess@celnetwest.com)
Tip of the Week for 1/1/2001
When chumming for mackeral (to be obtained as bait), I use chunky "tuna" flavored cat food. Mackeral love this stuff! I usually meter around with my sonar until I find them and start chumming a little bit, careful to not chum too much. You want to form a ladder that the fish follow to the boat. You can chum more heavily once they are close by. Another tip is to add glitter to your chum. The shine from the glitter really gets them excited! Picture a mackeral inhaling a "morsel" and glitter expelled from it's gills, it looks just like the real thing!
This really works. The sooner you can get your bait, the sooner you begin "real" fishing.
Glenn
Title=Huntington Harbor boat launch
Name=Patrick
Date=11\12\99
Message=Could anyone tell me if Huntington Harbor has a boat launch. I have a small 14ft valco I would like to fish this Harbor with. Also any hints on fishing there. thanks in advance! Hey Jeff! I sure like this board a lot!! my e mail address is DrCatfish@proidgy.net Title=Response to Long Beach Launch
Name=JB
Date=1/31/00
Message=There's a launch ramp right across from the Queen Mary. It's called "Golden Shores". It's off Ocean Ave, adjacent to the Catalina boats departure docks. If you are on the QM looking toward the mounitans, off to the left is a bridge, and just on the other side of the bridge is Golden Shores. 710 Fwy south - exit Ocean. I believe the street is actually called Golden Shores. JB Fishing Spots Title=Good fish Lat/Lon Oceanside,Ca
Name=Capt. Otto
Date=1/3/99
Message=I just received some GREAT toys for X-mas . My wife and I like to do ALOT of fishing. If you are ever in Oceanside,CA and would like some great lat/lon E-mail me at Onetootall@aol.com
Here are a some great spots Title=Where is Avalon Bank in Long Beach Area?
Name=Sam
Date=11/23/99
Message=Can anybody inform me where the whereabouts of Avalon Bank
is. I'm looking at getting some sanddabs and heard they were biting there.
Thanks for any info. Title=Response to Avalon Bank
Date=11/24/99
Message=Sam: The bank is a pretty large one. It runs parallel to the island and is a few miles long. The south end starts out in front of Avalon a few miles out. If you really want to know exactly where it is, I'd get a C.G. chart of So. Cal waters from West Marine. They have 3 charts that cover the So' Cal. area. I also have the Lat/Lon at home if you want the dead center of it. If so, let me know and I'll try to remember to write it down and take it to work with me next week. Another sand dab spot is at Long Point (Catalina again). Run about 100~200 yards East of the point and drift. In "normal" conditions you'll drift East anyway. Title=RESPONSE TO DANA HARBOR GLENN
Name=DAVE
Date=2-19-99
Phone=760 8680902
Message=GLENN- THE AREA FROM DANA HARBOR TO LAGUNA IS LOADED WITH POSSIBLITIES. FIRST TIP I WOULD GIVE IS TO LOCATE THE LOBSTER POTS AND FISH LIGHT LINE WITH BAIT OR PLASTICS. NUMEROUS SPECIES ARE FOUND THROUGHOUT THESE AREAS AND YOU SHOULD HAVE LUCK WITH ALL OF THEM. THE POTS ARE EASY TO FIND ON THE SURFACE. BE REAL CAREFUL NOT TO GET TO CLOSE AS YOU WILL GET HUNG UP ON THEM . THE AREAS AROUND THEM ARE HOT SPOTS. 60' TO 150' DEPTHS WILL PRODUCE. ANOTHER HOT SPOT IS THE ROCKY AREAS "BOILERS" THAT ARE UP TIGHT TO THE BEACH. THERE ARE SOME HUGE CALICOS LOCATED NEXT TO THESE ROCKS AND THEY ARE WILLING TO PULL REAL HARD. THE CLIFF AREAS ARE ALSO GREAT. WATCH THE SERGE OF THE WAVES THOUGH AS IT CAN GET INTERESTING ON BIG DAYS. ONE OF MY FAVORITE SPOTS IS AT THE NORTHERN MOST LIMITS OF LAGUNA. LOOK FOR THE TRAILER PARK ON SHORE WHICH TURNS INTO A ROCKY POINT AREA. THE ACTUAL POINT IS OWNED BY THE VANDEKAMP FAMILY AND THERE IS A HOUSE WITH A BLUE ROOF ON THE POINT ABOVE THE WATER. YOU WILL SEE SOME BOILER ROCKS ABOUT 200' FROM SHORE. FISH THE BACKSIDE OF THESE ROCKS WITH PLASTICS ON LIGHT LINE. AGAIN BIG CALICOS AND HALIBUT ARE THERE FOR THE TAKING. ANOTHER GOOD TIP WOULD BE TO PURCHASE THE VIDEO BY DANNY JACKSON CALLED" ORANGE COUNTY COASTAL HOT SPOTS". IT NOT ONLY SHOWS YOU THE SPOTS BUT GIVES YOU GPS NUMBERS AS WELL. TRY IT YOU'LL LOVE IT. ANY QUESTIONS JUST GIVE ME A CALL OR EMAIL ME AT (recess@celnetwest.com) Title=working palos verdes shoreline....
Date=Saturday, 20-Nov-1999
Message= can i get any information about fishing the palos verdes shoreline??? any areas to work first??? depth??? type of baits??? haven't work this area much and would like to find out info. on how to work the shoreline... what size weights??? size hooks???? and tips????? Title=response to "Bay and harbor"
Name="JB"
Date=2/7/00
Price=
Phone=
Message=I've fished the HH and wall area for many years. Newport I know has a lot of fishing in it, but I've only used it to get out to the ocean when I kept my boat in Newport Dunes. Title=float tube Newport Bay?
Name=Allen
Date=12/29/99
Message=I've been introduced to float-tubing Newport Bay. What's it like in the winter. I'm using plastic grubs. What type of lure is best? What about the tides? Looking for any helpful hints.
Title=Tubing Newport
Name=Mola Joe
Date=12/31/99
Message=Allen, what a great harbor to start tubing in. It's one of the few harbors left where you still can have 50 fish days, even though the average size of the has shrunk a little over the years. Still plenty of legal spotties left, with the occasionall 3 to 4 pounder thrown in. I have never tubed it ,but started fishing the harbor in a inflatable in the early 70's. You picked a tough time of the year to start fishing with the cold water, but you still can catch fish. Come spring it starts to get better. AS for fishing it, I personally like a 3 to 5 inch anchovy Worm King, the skinny ones, not the fat shad type. The absolute best time to fish is a early morning high tide before there's alot of boat traffic. Use a 1/4 ounce leadhead with a quality thin wire hook. You want it to sink slow because most of the hits are on the sink, be ready to set the hook. Pitch the bait right on edge of the docks ,especially the docks that have a piling in the front! Drop the bait right down the side of the piling. As the tide drops, try fishing farther out towards the channel, and swim your bait slow across the bottom.I've always done good all the way around Balboa Island, but the front side is best. Good luck, let us know how you do, and please let the spotties go so I can still be catching 50 fish a day 30 years from now! I sure would like to be there when you stick a 50 pound bat sitting in that tube. What fun. GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!! Title=Re:Ed, fishing in baja
Name=Kevin
Date=3-10-99
Message=Ed, fishing in mexico/baja is just like anywhere else in the world. Make sure you're licensed and paper work is in order, travel in groups, don't drive at night and keep your wits about ya (i.e. don't get too drunk in the wrong part of town and decide you're going to pee in an alley). There's a number of check points going down, and they can be somewhat intimidating given that the police in the states don't walk around with AK 47's, but they're just doing a job, like our customs agents. The federales are looking for drugs and guns, two items you shouldn't have to begin with. They'll look in your stuff, but I've never had a problem. Sometimes a cold soda helps "quicken" the search. Sometimes they just ask you where you've been, where you're going and wave you through. Just be calm and honest and everything works out ok. I've also been stopped by the local police and the best thing is to go with them (in your vehicle) to the station and pay whatever infraction you're done. If they're looking for a mordida (bribe) and you say you'll go to the station that usually kills the whole thing right there. I did miss a stop sign once when I was lost and paid the price ($8.00), at least they don't notify your insurance! A lot of people hear the rumors of problems and bandits etc. in mexico, however, it's just like any other place you visit, there are always areas that you want to stay away from and research beforehand helps. I mean really, there are areas of L.A., Miami and even my home town, San Diego, that I wouldn't want to find myself in after dark or even in the day! Good luck, I've fished there over ten years with nothing but good stories about a lot of fish (there is that time I rolled the truck in the middle of nowhere and five locals helped me roll it back over, but even then it was a great weekend!) Tight lines... Albacore & Tuna Fishing Tip of the Week for 11/3/97 : When fishing offshore for Tuna, Dorado, etc., most people use between 20-30 pound test line which is fine for these types of fish. However, you may want to keep a 50 or 80 pound setup handy just in case something BIG pops up like Bigeye Tuna or a Marlin. Your chances of actually landing the fish are GREATLY INCREASED with the heavier gear. Tip of the Week for 9/18/2000 Tip of the Week for 7/3/2000 Tip of the Week for 8/4/97 : When Fishing for Albacore, try to get a bait into the water immediately after a troll fish is hooked. Even a dead bait has a good chance of getting bit when the majority of the school is still behind the boat. Unless in a frenzy, Albacore don't normally hang around a boat for more than a minute or so. First baits in the water usually get bit !! Tip of the Week for 8/18/97 : When approaching a floating kelp paddy offshore, it sometimes helps to use some extra caution as to not spook the fish that may be holding under it. When you spot one, try to manuever the boat so that you approach it from the upwind/current side. Don't make any sudden throttle changes, instead, gradually cut back to nuetral and let the wind/current drift you to within casting range of the paddy. Don't run over the paddy and try not to rip it apart with your jigs or hooks. Tip of the Week for 5/17/99 : THE ALBACORE/TUNA SEASON IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER AND HERES A TIP THAT WILL INCREASE YOUR CHANCES BIG TIME. "TEMPERATURE BREAKS" HAVE ALWAYS RANKED HIGH ON THE "FLEETS" WEAPONS OF CHOICE. MOST PRIVATE BOATERS HAVE NO CLUE AS TO HOW TO FIND THEM, AND WILL SPEND HOURS FISHING AREAS NOT HOLDING FISH. WHEN LOOKING FOR THE "TEMPERATURE BREAKS" YOU SHOULD LOOK FOR FLOATING DEBRIS SUCH AS KELP PADDIES, TRASH, OR SCUM LINES. ONCE YOU FIND ANY OF THESE ITEMS, LOOK FOR THEM TO BE LINED UP. THIS LINING UP OF PADDIES ETC. WILL BE THE CLUE TO A TEMPERATURE OR CURRENT BREAK. WORK BOTH SIDES OF THESE LINES THOROUGHLY. ESPECIALLY WHEN FOUND IN AN AREA OF CLEAR BLUE/PURPLE WATER. FOR THE MOST PART DON'T SPEND A LOT OF TIME IN THE GREEN OR MURKY WATERS ALTHOUGH THEY TOO WILL PRODUCE FROM TIME TO TIME. ANOTHER CLUE IS TO GO TO THE "SATELLITE IMAGING" SERVICE AND PURCHASE AN UP TO DATE MAP OF LOCAL BREAKS. KEEP IN MIND CURRENTS/TEMP BREAKS ARE CONSTANTLY CHANGING AND IMAGES PURCHASED MAY BE LESS THAN ACCURATE. GOOD FISHING TO ALL AND PLEASE PRACTICE CATCH AND RELEASE. DAVE RECESS@HIGHWAYS.NET Title=Smoked Fish Recipe
Date=12/2/99
Message=I've been smoking tuna for about 10 years and the following are my favorite ways. Halibut Fishing Tip of the Week for 11/27/2000 Title=Surfing Halibuttttts
Name=JB
Date=1/3/00
Message=Trancas and NORTH is known for having nice butts - and of lately too. Although, many times they're staying in the deeper stuff (75~110 feet) that not even Konan can cast out to. Tip of the Week for 5/3/99 : FOR EVERYONE INTERESTED IN GETTING IN ON A RATHER HOT BITE HALIBUT BITE GOING ON IN THE SANTA MONICA BAY HERES A TIP. USE A "DROPPER LOOP" WITH NO MORE THAN 24" OF LEADER AND A 6 OUNCE TORPEDO SINKER. THIS MAY SEEM SOMEWHAT HEAVY FOR MOST APPLICATIONS BUT IN THIS CASE IT REALLY WORKS. YOU MUST KEEP YOUR BAIT PRESENTATION ON THE BOTTOM WHERE THE BIG GUYS LIVE. ONCE YOU GET BIT MARK THAT DEPTH AND WORK IT HEAVILY. HALIBUT SEEM TO STAY WITHIN A CERTAIN DEPTH AND IT CAN RANGE FROM NEARLY NOTHING TO OVER 200 FEET. MARKING THE DEPTH WILL KEEP YOU ON THE BODY OF FISH AND WILL NOT ONLY SAVE TIME BUT INCREASE THE NUMBER OF BITES YOU'LL GET. KEEP IN MIND THIS IS A SPECIES THAT IS COMING BACK AFTER MANY YEARS OF OVERFISHING. THE NUMBERS ARE RISING AGAIN BUT WE MUST CONTINUE TO PRACTICE CATCH AND RELEASE. Tip of the Week for 10/30/2000 Bass Fishing Tip of the Week for 6/30/97 : When Sand Bass fishing, release the larger bass and keep the smaller ones (over 12 inches). The larger Bass have a greater chance of producing a succesfull and more abundant spawn than the smaller ones. The bigger ones are also more tough and less tasty than the "pan size" bass. Tip of the Week for 3/1/99 : WITH THE RETURN OF THE KELP BEDS (THEY ARE, INDEED ,RETURNING) HERES A TIP WE'VE USED FOR THE BIGGER CALICO BASS. KEEP IN MIND, THESE BIGGER BASS SHOULD ALWAYS BE RETURNED TO RESTOCK THE NUMBERS. USING A 3/4 OUNCE "KASTMASTER" LURE IN CHROME, WE REMOVE THE STOCK TREBLE HOOK AND REPLACE IT WITH A SINGLE LONG SHANK TYPE HOOK. WE THEN ADD A SINGLE TAIL GRUB (KALINS) WHITE IN COLOR. ADD "HOT SAUCE" OR ANY OTHER TYPE OF SCENT AND 10 TO 15 LB MONO. PLACE YOUR BOAT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE KELP BED AND FISH THIS ADAPTED LURE VERTICALLY JUST OFF THE BOTTOM. IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE FISHED FAST AND CAN ACTUALLY BE LEFT IN THE ROD HOLDER ALLOWING THE SWELL TO PROVIDE THE ACTION NECESSARY. IT IS CRITICAL THAT YOU NOT SHY AWAY FROM THE KELP CANOPY AND CENTER YOUR BOAT OVER IT. IT IS A GOOD IDEA TO RAISE YOUR MOTOR AND SLIDE INTO AREA TO BE FISHED. THE LITTLE HOLES FOUND WITHIN THE KELP BEDS WILL ALLOW PLENTY OF FISHING ROOM SINCE THE KELP YOU SEE ON THE SURFACE IS USUALLY JUST A CANOPY WITH OPEN AREAS JUST BELOW. WE HAVE ALSO CAUGHT WHITE SEABASS TO 24 LBS AND HALIBUT TO 16 LBS USING THIS SYSTEM. AGAIN, PLEASE PRACTICE CATCH AND RELEASE. Tip of the Week for 12/27/99 Barracuda Fishing Tip of the Week for 1/4/99 : I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it for my own eyes. Fishing the tail end of the recent hot barracuda bite the logs were hitting only jigs. But not all jigs. Yes, it was the typical blue and white but the slimes needed more. They really hit the jigs that had "HOT SAUCE" with a heavy coat spread on them. No, I didn't have any on that trip to my dismay. There were three men throwing the iron along with the rest of us and they out fished those throwing jigs by at least 4 to 1 fish per throw. We could see the fish following the jigs to the boat but they wouldn't hit it. But these three men just kept getting bent at the rail. They were the only people on the boat with this sauce. I've seen it in stores but never bought it. Now I have a bottle in my box. I've used it and I'll be damb...It does work when the bite is getting tough. Iv found that when it jumping, its jumping and its not necessary but when you need that little something ...HEAD TO THE SAUCE BABY! -RBravo3162 Bottom Fishing Tip of the Week for 12/15/97 : When fishing for rock-cod, especially in deeper water, make sure your bait is hooked securely. Often times a poorly hooked bait will fall off on the way down and much fishing time is wasted without even any bait on the hook. Tip of the Week for 12/22/97 : When fishing for sheeps-head, an excellent bait to use is frozen shrimp. These tasty bottom fish will usually gobble them up even at times when they will bite nothing else. Title=Candy bait for big perch!
Name=Mola Joe
Date=1/15/00
Message=Late winter and early spring is prime time for the barred perch spawn of our beaches, but the same thing happens in our local harbors with big rubberlip and piling perch. The shiping docks around San Pedro and Long Beach Harbor fill with fish every year. You can see big fish around the pilings but most of the time it's hard to get them to eat. The candy bait for them is small sidewinder crabs, about the size of a quarter. Any place down by the harbor that has large rocks that you can turn over by hand will usually hold crabs. Only go at low tide, and low light conditions work best. If you have a small boat, just pull under the docks and flyline the crabs on light line,6 or 8 lb test with a small bait holder hook.I started fishing this way in the late 60's and very seldom see anybody doing it. Every season we catch fish toping 3 pounds. If you try it, PLEASE release the large spawning females so the fishing remains good for the next 30 years, besides, i'm not to sure how healthy it would be eating them anyway. Can you say glow in the dark! They are alot of fun to catch and make sure you have plenty of crabs, as it is not unusual for two guys to get over 30 fish for a morning of fishing. [an error occurred while processing this directive]
Patrick,
There are two launches in Hunt. Harbor that I know of. One is at the end of Edinger St. ($7) and the other is all the way in the back off Warner I believe. It is by the fire station. This one is free but the parking spaces are metered. The entire harbor is good fishing, just stay away from the Navy stuff on the other side of the bridge. The MP's get a little upset when you get too close to their property.
Jeff.
Sam,
The Avalon Bank is located 2-3 miles straight out in front of Avalon Harbor on Catalina Island. I'm sorry I don't have any GPS #'s for you but I found the sand dabs on my first try with only a depth finder. Just head out from Avalon and stop when you reach about 200 feet of water. Use small hooks, about #4 and a small piece of squid or mackerel on a dropper loop setup. Good Fishing, Jeff.
Good luck.
JB
GOOD FISHING TO YOU
DAVE BRUCE
any information that you can provide will be greatly appreciated!!!!
thanks!!!
fish hard!!!
Re: working palos verdes shoreline....
Monday, 22-Nov-1999 14:00:29
The steep clif areas and boilers you might try plastics for big calicos.
Hook size depends on the size of the bait. Pinheads use #2 or #3, deans usually can handle #4s and #6 for the larger ones.
Lead size depends on what you're doing and the size of your bait. If you're drifting for flatties in front of a beach area, use a fish trap setup. Flatties are famous for "sucking" on the tail of your bait - if your hook is in the head, and they'll suck on the head of your bait if you butt hook em. It never fails. Unless they're really hungry or really pissed, they won't swallow the bait, they'll just "smoke" it like a cigar.
They way I like to set up my traps are as follows:
Tie a 3-way swivel to the end of your line. Tie a 2' leader to the bottom eye, and a snap swivel to the end of the 2' leader for your lead. Tie a 4'~5'leader to the middle eye (use at least 5' in the beginning until you get proficient at the hook end of this). Then tie a "nose" hook (#4 live bait hook or smaller if the bait is small) to the leader, leaving about a 1' tag (a "tag" is the piece of line left over after tying a hook). This is where the practice comes in. If your bait is an average size dean (6") then you want about 7" of leader to the "tail" hook - which is a large trebble hook. It's going to take you several attempts to get the line the length you want from the nose hook. So you might want to wait on tying the hook leader onto the 3way - or even cutting the leader to 4' or 5' until you get the tail hook tied the way you want it. You might even want to make a few up the night before before you go and tie a snap swivel onto the hook leader to snap onto your 3-way. That way you're not sitting in the boat screwing with it because this is NOT an easy set up for your first time tying. Sitting at home with a cold beer and tying 3 or 4 traps the night before eliminates the frustration I can guarantee you'll have if you wait until you're on the boat. Snap swivels are a wonderful thing.
Drift fishing works best when the wind's up. Otherwise you need to power drift. And be REALLY careful when you are drifting - you WILL get close to shore. Watch for swells - that turn into breakers! Don't get caught in the surf line! And when drift fishing close to shore - ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS have your anchor at the ready if you can't get you motor started. Throw the anchor immediately if your engine doesn't kick over right away. It's easier to pull up an anchor then it is to pull your boat off the beach or rocks!
Good luck, and keep it safe!
"JB"
John "JB" Butler
Re: working palos verdes shoreline....
Monday, 22-Nov-1999 16:44:14
I agree with JB, be very careful how close in you get at PV. I fish calicos up tight and all of a sudden found myself in only 6 feet of water still well from the beach itself. Fortunately, there was little swell. You will typically find the right current (downhill from the west or north) at the upper end of PV. The lower end is usually uphill (running out from the beach) and not good for fishing. Danny Jackson's hotspots for PV video gives good locations and coords. for the spots.
fongster
fishing inside san pedro habor
von writes:
I HAVE BEEN FISHING INSIDE THE HARBOR FOR A YEAR ON MY 16FT BOAT WITH SO-SO LUCK. I KNOW ABOUT THE BASS THAT HOLD AGAINST THE ROCKS, BUT i WAS WOUNDING IF i COULD GET SOME HELP ON SOME OTHER INSIDE SPOTS. i HAVE HELPED MANY OTHER FISHMAN AND THIS TIME I CAN RECIEVE SOME USEFUL HELP.
Re: fishing inside san pedro habor
JB writes:
Von:
I've fished that area also - mostly at the west entrance. With the wind blowing on-shore, I power up to the outside of the entrance - right in the middle of the opening - and cut the motor. Drift fishing the bottom for halibut. The wind blows you back through the entrance. Let it take you 200~300 yards back into the harbor before reeling up and powering back to the starting point. You'll get 15 shorts to 1 legal, but hey, that's fishing!
And don't be surprized if you pick up a lemon shark or a skate there as well.
The only thing you need to be aware of is that it is the only entrance and exit for the shipping lane. Many times I've been harrassed by the harbor patrol to get out of there. They don't want you in the way when one of those big boys comes in because they can't stop or turn. And if you suddenly find yourself unable to start your engine and you're in the way, you're gonna get crunched.
"JB"
John "JB" Butler
Re: fishing inside san pedro habor
Jeff writes:
Von,
The backside of the oil islands is also a good halibut spot and is a good place to dift when it is too windy elsewhere. When all else fails, I take my little skiff under the shipping docks where the big ships dock. The pilings are usually loaded with perch that will readily take some fresh musssel scraped from the pilings.
Jeff
Re: fishing inside san pedro habor
Mola Joe writes:
Von,if you have a bait tank on your boat,try picking up a scoop of live squid. The stuff works on just about everything, but the white seabass eat it the best. If you don't mind fishing right outside the harbor, the best way I found to fish squid is a 1/4 to 1/3 ounce white leadhead, hooked once at top of squid. The leadhead may seem light, but the squid will go down,and it swims a lot better with the light leadhead. Try fishing all along the outside of the rocks. Set up the boat about 100 yards from the rocks, and drift up as close as you feel comfortable. Fish 3 or 4 rods at different levels(15-20-30-40 feet)with most seabass coming at about 25 or 30 feet. Most fish range from just short, to about 8 to 10 lbs. We have caught some to 25 lbs., but are rare that size. We pick up good size calicos and sandbass almost every trip, as bigger fish seem to like the live squid. I fish 12 to 20 lb test as the fish seem to eat the lighter line a little better. When you get close to the rocks, move down the rocks and back out. Keep moving until you find fish.Usually december-april are the best or whenever they have live squid. It will also work inside the harbor, but you need some kind of structure, like the oil islands. Good luck,
e-mail me if you do any good.
Mola Joe
The closest place to launch a boat with respect to the wall (east end) is Davies in Long Beach. Bill's bait is right there too. I've seen many a thrill seeker in a 12' aluminum job drift fish'n the inside oil islands. It's not a matter of being "available" to boats like yours. When the wind picks up, or on a busy weekend it can get pretty snotty out there and you'd never catch me in a lil' boat with no freeboard in conditions like that. But if that's all ya got - then that's all ya got - be careful.
Set up on a drift on the east side of an island and have at it. Typically it's 20~30 feet deep all through there and deeper around the openings for the freighters. I wouldn't suggest going down that far in a small boat and only 5hp. Stay around the east end of the wall and no further than the most westerly oil island. There's plenty of action in that area to keep ya busy. My last day out I boated the ONLY keeper butt at the end of a drift in 20 feet of water half way between the east island and SHORE! Even saw a guy in WON that boated a 20 pounder from a FLOAT-TUBE from shore in the SAME area.
Even though it's behind a breakwater - it isn't controlled by one or two openings. The East end is completely OPEN to the ocean. there's probably a good MILE between the end of the breakwater and the shore so anything and EVERYTHING gets in there and it's a nice place to hang out (in a bigger boat) when it gets REALLY shi!!y out there. My kids have had their most fun fishing the wall and that whole area because of the usual calm conditions - again "calm" being subjective to a bigger boat!
The ONLY reason I'm harpin on the size of your boat is because that area is the thru-way for yahoos going from HH and LB harbors to the queen mary area and the restaurants up there. A LOT of BIG boats throwing BIG wakes go through there with no regard for a small boat like yours. Most of them think you got no friggin business being out there in the first place and if you get swamped - too bad and some even think it's funny to TRY and swamp ya. So just be careful.
"JB"
re:Newport bay
Posted by Jerry on May 19, 2000 at 00:38:12:
All you need to bring are three rods in 6 1/2 to 8 foot all with 6 pound and 8 pound test. The wedge area and the coast guard area are generally very productive for bass and halibut. The bay has tons of legals and the fishing has been very good in the past weeks. I usually set a rod out on clicker with bait and throw plastics with another rod. Smaller fish traps and aa curly tail grubs kill the bass and halibut. The area right in front of the pavilion is ok as well. Just set drift and fish hard. Tight lines
newport bay tactics
Posted by fongster on May 19, 2000 at 17:05:38:
Richard, I like 6# test on a 6 to 6-6 fast action graphite for tossing plastics. Try 3 inch bighammers or worm kings on 1/4 oz heads. 3" kalins grubs are great too. Please release your spotted bay bass as they are in an enclosed fishery and have been pressured too much over the years. You can catch a gob of them because the guys in the know always release theirs.
re:fishing in Newport
Posted by Jerry on May 29, 2000 at 11:58:24:
I have fished Newport for a long time now and some of the best action that I have had has been towards the end of the wedge area. The mouth is very productive, and two years ago in July I was fishing with two buddies of mine when we caught yellowtail!!! Yes, yellows in the 10-15 pounds range. We have our pictures on the board at Daveys. The mouth has been very productive for bass and halibut. good luck
Mola Joe.
Posted by Jerry on October 19, 2000 at 21:16:15:
I fish the bay a lot and find that during the winter times the fishing is a little bit slower, but I catch most of my larger halibut during that time, especially in the Coast Guard station area and the inner bay. Bass fishing is slower, but the spotties are still on the docks. Fishing on a skiff can never be that bad though, you always catch a least 10 fish. Good Luck
Does anyone have any advice on fishin for yellowtail in San Diego? we need to find a good place to launch a 20ft personal and to locate the bait barge, We usually fish the Long Beach area and want to try some yellowtail action or just something different, we have a GPS and fishfinder onboard also. Would appreciate any advice.
Fishon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jim
I have the following suggestions:
1. Launch ramp for free at Shelter Island in San Diego Bay. It just past the sportfishing landings on Scott Street. Launch early enough to be on the grounds at daylight. Another option would be to launch at Mission Bay and avoid the crowds. About 5 miles further north I think.
2. Bring plenty of fuel as there will be much searching with the sonar. Look for large schools or small clusters of fish between 50' and 150' feet deep. Drop a yo-yo jig over the side, let sink and then wind like hell. Not that half the bites will come on the "fall" after retrieving and letting the jig back down or on the initial drop. If you get bit throw the reel in gear and crank. DO NOT swing!
3. Bring binoculars to help find the birds. They will be where the fish are.
4. The party boats will be in the general area but you do NOT need to follow them! Quite the contrary you are better off trying to locate your own "untouched" school of fish by working nearby areas. These schools will always be more willing to bite. The first school we found last Saturday got us a double hook up.
5. They are biting the yo-yo jigs, like the chrome/blue or blue/white Ironman 5, 95% of the time. Anything with white in it will work. Some success can be had on the surface iron like the Tady 45 in blue/white as well.
6. Slow trolling live sardines can work well at times. Use a 1/4 oz. sliding sinker to keep the birds off your line. I understand that a few were taken this way last weekend. I would bet that a blue/white or black/white Rapala CD14 would work great.
7. The fish were located northwest of North Island about 2 miles in water temps ranging from 59 to 61. Visit sandiegofishing.com for map references and headings.
8. Watch the weather as it was and has been NASTY lately.
9. Bring the heavier line to eliminate missed strikes. With most of the bites coming at least +100' down away from the boat, 40# is the way to go as the "grinding" into the strike will assur ea good hookset.
10. Work at it hard, keep your eyes open, and especially respect those around you by not driving onto breaking fish or crowding those already hooked up. There was a clown in a Grady White that shut down a number of good bites by throttling FULL speed into an area and putting the school down. He and his passengers DID not catch a thing...those around him didn't either unless they were hooked up BEFORE he got there. Creep into an area slowly looking for the school to appear on YOUR sonar. A lot of times the school (they do not sit sit still under the party boat as they chum) is headed in your direction as you approach. Try and guestimate their direction of travel and get ahead of the school. Be prepared to drop a jig in NOW!
Hope all of this helps. Best of luck it will be a jungle out there this weekend. I guarantee it.
Glenn
Yes, there are yellows in San Diego. The Coronados are producing great early action. The best bet is to fish in around 300 feet of water, dropping the iron down and yo-yoing it back up. Look for birds as fish often break beneath them. My suggestion for iron would be scrambled egg and blue and white (IRON MAN JIGS). Fly-lining the dines are producing fish as well: best when fished under birds. A good launch spot would be Campland On The Bay, if they will let you in for a day. Also Shelter Island Launch ramp is a good one. The Mission Bay bate barg ( located near Islandia Sport Fishing). If you launch out of Shelter Island you will be about 8 miles closer to the Coronados and there will be a bait barge on the way out.
Boat Name- Gordo II
Grunion in O. C.
I used to do this alot and had awsome luck in North Newport Beach area around 50th, 60th street area but it's been years since I've done it. Got to do it again. If there are people around. Wait! I've had them more than once show up after the beach got quiet. If you see a few showing up, let them go. Be patient! Treat the first fish as if they are scouts. The beach comes alive more ofter when you stand back and let the first ones go. Try it!!!
A suggestion for eating these little guys is to first scale them (takes time and I suppose that scaling is optional), then gut them, cut off the head and then butterfly them. If they lay flat like a pancake in one piece and with the tail attached, you've done it right. To cook them just fry the till crispy. They must be CRISPY cause the way you eat them is to hold them by the tail and eat them (including the bones) like a french fry. Then throw away the tail. They really are good. Another nice thing is that you and freeze them by laying them flat on a cookie sheet covered with wax paper. After they are frozen, just put them in a plastic zip lock and eat-um when you want-um. Have fun.
Bob
I've always had success from Newport pier on the south side on down to the border of Balboa. One trip down should get you plenty enough. There are more where there are no people around so the walk south makes sense as you'll find deserted spots swarmed with grunions such that you don't know which one to start grabbing and end up with a lower catch % than if only a couple were found. Only take what you can eat and let the rest come back. You got whole season ahead. Most important is you got to check the scheduled runs like R.G. said. They are not there every night, only on full moons - don't waste a trip. If the rules are the same then there some monthes after March that are closed seasons to protect the fish and then the season reopens. You don't want to get caught out there out of ignorance, it could mean $$$ in fines.
Carl's Catch
The "Huntington flats" . . .
Posted by John Butler on June 28, 2000 at 19:06:41:
is the entire area between Newport jetty and Long Beach Fed Break water, and goes out to the oil islands mid channel
about 11 miles out. Even though SOME people will say the flats are from Beach Blvd North to the inner oil rigs off Sunset
beach, The "FLATS" area is this entire ledge off the beach. Depth ranges from shore out to 100 feet and then gradually
down to 180-200 feet at the outer edge, then it drops off to thousands of feet beyond the outer rigs. There is a trench right
out in from of Newport that's pretty impressive that is NOT a flat area at all, but that's probably more commonly
considered where the flats "begin" and extend North to Long Beach.
Hope this helps.
Sea Floor map
re: fishing jetties
Posted by Carl Lee on August 06, 2000 at 21:33:24:
Good jetties to fish are the Wedge, Newport short jetties and 72nd street jetty. Alway becareful of high surf on these structures as the big waves do over the rocks and have on numerous occasions knock people into the water on the other side with injuries. I have sween the surf going over as high as the top of the electric cables at 15-20 ft at the Wedge - a very scary sight and thought.
Just your K-mart light tackle will do with light line no greater than ten. Anchovies and other surffishing bait does fine and peas for the opaleye. Take care.
When using artificials (Irons, feathers, plugs) for large tuna like bigeye or bluefin, be sure your lures have large SINGLE hooks on them. Treble and tandem hooks tend to pull out of the fish's mouth during a long battle. Single hooks stick much better and can "swing around" without tearing up the tuna's thin mouth.
Long before circle hooks were being used to hook fish in the corner of the mouth, and therefore enabling you to use a lighter line for line-shy fish such as Bluefin Tuna, people were landing just as many fish on light line by hooking Bluefin in the corner of the mouth by using the proper technique. When a Bluefin tuna hits your bait, resist the urge to "set" the hook. Simply put the reel in gear and start to wind. When the line goes tight, just raise the tip and begin to fight. 9 out of 10 times the tuna will be hooked in the corner of the mouth. I learned this in the early 90's on sportfishers out of Point Loma. My days of getting "bit off" after 30 minutes into a fight were over. I was able to scale back my line size as the bit required, and still catch fish.
Bob Szeyller
Dodo advise
Posted by fongster on August 09, 2000 at 11:02:11:
We stayed about 75 yds. from the paddy, slowing way down as we approached. We were never in line with the paddy as we would've drifted over it. You will find that dodos are not always tight to the kelp as other species are. Many of our hookups were quite aways from the paddy itself. At our first stop, we never saw the paddy, just a cluster of boats spread over a huge area, the dodos were free swimming everywhere. Our baits were some nice sardines--7-8 inchers on a 2/0 flylined or with a 1/2 oz slider. We nose, shoulder and butt hooked them all with equal success. 15-20# line worked with 15# getting bit best. We also shut down the engine asap. The dodos will move off the paddy and mill around the boats--we did hang a bongos chum bucket over the side we had left from making macks--don't know if that did anything. Macks got bit too but ours were big 10 inchers--you needed to let them eat it a lot longer.
Posted by JB Boatbuilder on July 31, 2000 at 15:56:17:
Response to Wang's DODO questions.
When in pursuit of Dorado, I drag feathers so I can speed up if I want to cover more ground and not worry about a rapala launching itself then lodging itself in the back of my neck.
Colors: Mexican flag, red/white, blue/white, and of course DODO (green/yellow).
When you find a paddy you want to try - there are several approaches one can make:
1. Troll the paddy
Make a swing around the paddy so the boat is not driving over the paddy, and drive around the back side so the feathers drive closer to the paddy than the boat did.
I'd drop back a nose-hooked sardine and slow troll it by the paddy.
Downside of this: Boats at trolling speeds can scare off fish.
2. Troll to FIND a paddy
Find the paddy, wind up the feathers and SLOOOWWWW DOWN - IDLE SPEED - and put out a nose hooked sardine. Dodo's will circle paddys and you may get hooked up on the way in. Don't get closer than 100 yards to the paddy and work your position to directly UPWIND of the paddy then point the boat towards the paddy for a few seconds and cut the motor and drift onto it. If there is no wind, then keep idling towards the paddy until you are within casting range then cut the motor.
Flyline sardines - butt hooked for deep swims, nose hooked for shallow. Always watch the FF on the way into the paddy.
3. Seeing fish - no bites
If you are seeing fish but are NOT getting bit, try strip bait. i.e. a piece of the side of a fish (mackeral) hooked once thru. DODO's LOVE strip bait. When ever I'm gettin looked at but not bit - I switch to strip and 80% of the time that does the trick.
Be patient, don't slam the paddys, be sure you can CAST a considerable distance and not kill the bait on impact, and keep it slow. Don't let your excitement of seeing a freeswimmer get you all horny and forget to be QUIET and SLOW.
Good luck!
JB
This is a true story that happened the summer of 98 aboard the Captain Hook II, and is on video if anyone wants to dispute it!
Everyone has their opinion of water temps and what to expect - or NOT expect. And for the most part, these rules of thumb are pretty reliable when planning your trip. For example: Albacore liking the coldest water of all the Tuna, and Dorado liking the warmer water and are most commonly found with Yellow-fin. But during a charter I put together on the Captain Hook II, I witnessed something I thought was pretty amazing and I wouldn't have believed it if someone was telling me this fish story: Albacore and Dorado - on the same jig strike.
The ocean is an amazing place. Just goes to show you, never discount the possibilities - and always go prepared for the unpredictable.
John "JB" Butler
To begin, I own a simple and CHEAP water smoker. They cost around $29 at Home Depot if you don't have one already. But you REALLY need to water aspect for this to work.
I usually start with WHOLE filets of Tuna - NO SKIN. By that I mean 4 pieces from ONE fish. Then I'll cut the piece to half-length making 8 pcs from one fish. Each length is around 8" long.
First step: You are going to "BRINE" the fish. That means: Soak the fish in salted/seasoned water for a while. depending on how thick the pieces are determines how long. My usual pieces are anywhere from 1" to 3" thick.
The traditional BRINE is 1 Gal. of water and 2 cups of SALT. To that you can add any other flavors you want. Typically you'd add garlic powder, lemon juice, pepper, etc. You put the brine in PLASTIC or GLASS tubs - NEVER in metal pots or pans. The metal gives off a flavor that you won't like.
Soak the fish - completely submerged - for at least 2-3 hours. BE SURE that the filets are NOT touching each other. The Brine must be soaking ALL surfaces of the filets. If the filets are touching each other, then the brine won't fully prep that area of the fish. It won't ruin anything, but this is the best way.
If you like salty fish, don't rinse the fish after brining. The outer parts of the fish will maintain a lot of the brine flavors.
If you DON'T want your fish with extra salt flavor on the outer areas, RINSE the filets really well in cold fresh water before smoking.
You'll need a 20 pound bag of charcoal. You won't use it all, but it's nice to have more than not enough.
Start the charcoal with a "chimney" or paper starter. DO NOT use lighter fluid - it will impart a nasty petroleum flavor into your fish and by most tastes, ruin the entire amount of fish.
Take a hand full of Hickory chips and a hand full of Mesquite chips and submerge them in a bowl of water to soak for at least 30 minutes.
While the coals are working and the ships are soaking, get your racks prepared. I spray them with PAM so the fish won't stick.
Then lay out the filets evenly on the racks. DO NOT lay the filtes too close to each other. Leave about 1/2 " spacing all around each piece of fish.
The typical water smoker is about 3 feet tall and has 2 racks on top. There's a water pan that goes between the fire and the fish. (I bought 2 extra racks and rigged them so I can smoke 4 racks of fish at a time.)
When the coals in the chimney are white, dump them out into the charcoal pan, spread them out evenly, then add more charcoal on top. About 1 1/2 times as much as you started with.
Fill the water pan to the brim and place it in the smoker. Put your racks of fish in the smoker, then put the lid on the smoker. Then add the wood chips onto the hot coals through the access door on the side of the smoker with a pair of long tongs. Close the door and have a beer.
VERY IMPORTANT: DO NOT TAKE THE LID OFF THE SMOKER - FOR ANY REASON - UNTIL THE FISH IS DONE!
Usually water smokers take around 2~3 hours to fully smoke a load of fish.
Here are some of my favorite things to do to make it more to my liking:
BRINE: I don't like my fish so salty. So I use 1/2 cup salt and 1 1/2 cup brown sugar in my brine. Then I add Tobasco, Worchesterchire sauce, white wine, loads of garlic and cayene pepper (go easy on the pepper).
I also put a shot or 2 of Jack Daniels in the water I soak the wood chips in, and a 1/2 cup of JD in the water that goes in the pan inside the smoker. Gives it a little kick!
If you like your fish really moist - more cooked than smoked - take it out of the smoker after 1 1/2 hours tops. If you like it dry, leave it in for 3 hours.
My favorite tartar sauce:
One cup Mayo
1/4 cup diced onion
1/4 cup diced dill pickle
1 tspn dill
2 tblspn Tobasco
juice from 1 lime or 1/2 lemon
ENJOY!
"JB"
Posted by Jeff on June 19, 2000 at 09:49:21:
Dave,
I just got done smoking some albacore and it was great!! I brought the whole batch into work (about 5 pounds) and it was gone in two hours. Here's what I did:
I use an inexpensive smoker called "H2O Smoker" that I bought from Home Depot. It has two racks, a water pan and a charcoal pan. First I cut the fillets into 1" chunks and soak them for 8-10 hours in a mixture of water, salt and brown sugar. You can add a little teriyaki or pinaple juice if you want. I boil the mixture and then cool it before soaking the fillets. Then I place the pieces onto the rack and spray with fresh water and pat dry with paper towels. Now for the smoker part, I get it ready by filling the charcoal pan 1/2 full of regular BBQ charcoal. Burn till it's white. Then I add small (about 6x2"), cut-up pieces of olive wood. I have tried the "shaved" wood that they sell in the stores but it burns too quick and does not give out a lot of thick smoke. The olive seems to work well for me (since I have a tree) but I heard of using orange, cherry, avacado, and other sorts. Just be sure to "smell" the smoke before you add the fish. If it doesn't smell good, the fish will not taste good. Smoke for about 3-5 hours and it's done! I usually get rid of it quick but if you want to save it, I would recommend vacum sealing to preserve freshness.
SMOKING FISH..ATTEN DAVE
Posted by BENT ROD on June 20, 2000 at 11:02:17:
HEY DAVE DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU BUT I HAVE A HELL OF A TIME TRYING TO KEEP THEM SUCKERS LIT!!!!!!LOL JUST KIDDING HERE'S WHAT I DO..... FIRST OFF DON'T USE A GAS GRILL I DO ALL MY SMOKING ON A WEBER KETTLE STYLE GRILL THE NIGHT BEFORE I GET A BUCKET AND SOAK MY WOOD CHIPS (MESQUITE,HICKORY,APPLE ETC)OVERNIGHT THEN IN A BOWL I PUT IN ONE CUP OF SOY SAUCE AND 1/2 CUP OF TERRIAKI SAUCE I LIKE A LITTLE SWEETNESS AND JUST ONE CAPFULL OF LIQUID SMOKE AND IF YOU LIKE IT A LITTLE ON THE HOT SIDE YOU CAN PUT IN SOME GROUND UP CHILI'S OF YOUR CHOICE...MIX IT ALL TOGETHER AND PLACE YOUR FILLETS AND YOUR SAUCE INTO A BAGGIE AND LET IF SOAK OVERNIGHT..YOU CAN ALSO SKEWER YOUR FILLETS TO GET THE SAUCE INTO THE MEAT EVEN FURTHER. START YOUR FIRE AND LET YOUR YOUR COALS GET ALL THE WAY WHITE AND THEN ABOUT 1/2 AFTER THAT GREASE YOUR GRILL I USE PAM THEN PUT IN YOUR WOOD CHIPS AND THEN THE GRILL AND FILLETS AND I IN ABOUT AN HOUR CHECK ON THE FISH. YOU MIGHT EVEN HAVE TO SAMPLE A LITTLE BIT TO SEE IF IT IS DONE TRY NOT TO LEAVE IT ON TOO LONG SINCE IT WILL DRY OUT AND BECOME VERY CHEWY..I LIKE LEAVING ONE OR TWO PIECES ON A LITTLE LONGER IT'S KINDA LIKE FISH JERKY...BUT SURE THAT YOU LEAVE THE SKIN ON THE FISH AND PLACE YOUR FISH SKIN DOWN IT HOLDS THE MEAT TOGETHER...YOU CAN ALSO EXPERIMENT WITH OTHER INGREDIANTS IF YOU WISH GO AHEAD BE DARING...GOOD LUCK AND LET US KNOW HOW IT CAME OUT........BENT ROD
Trolling help
Posted by JB - boat builder on August 01, 2000 at 12:40:22:
The speed you troll at will vary from the type of lure being pulled and the surface conditions.
Featers are trolled faster then rapalas. Troll feathers in the 8~11 knot range. But if the wind is up and the surface is choppy - watch the feathers to be sure they do NOT skip on the surface. Wind from the side can easily pull the feather OUT of the water.
Rapala type lures are trolled slower - 3~8 knots. BE CAREFUL - Rapalas are know for jumping out of the water AT you on the retrieve!
Strip bait is also trolled slower than feathers because they'll tear apart.
Live bait trolling - this is the slowest of all trolling - in-gear-idle or just a smidge above idle depending on the size of the bait. Usually done around a paddy or a meter mark, or where the "fleet" is and hook-ups are all around.
Placement of the lures is measured by the number of stern wakes the boat makes. If you look behind the boat, you'll see small swell following the boat. Place the feather on the leading edge of the following swell. If you pull 4 jigs, I'd put 2 at the 3rd swell and 2 at the 5th swell. If you pull 5, then add the 5th in the middle - straight back and LONG. This gets hit a LOT as a straggler. Play with the settings. Some days the fish are boat shy and won't hit anything closer than 7 swells back, and other times I've been SLAMMED right at the transom. You never know. That's why they call it "fishing". You gotta "fish around" to find what works - that day. And tomorrow it could be COMPLETELY different and often times is.
Colors: Well, I tend to think that the tackle stores do more catching of fisherman with colors than colors catch fish. On the other hand, I will ALWAYS have dark colors out at gray light and lighter as the sun comes out. But I'll always have a mix in there too. DRAK AND BRIGHT. Now to completely contradict myself, I have been out - in CABO where fish are EVERYWHERE - and used a red/white/pink-skirted feather and caught 13 of the 14 trolled fish. MY buddy did NOT have this color, retied every feather he had and only hooked up on a red/white at the end. We were trying to "solve" this mystery about colors and if the fish really know. I will say this: I'll still use dark colors in gray light, and one bright just in case so when the fish are not "on-the-chew" I'll have something to entice them or just plain old piss em off - which is a very REAL aspect to some fish - like Dodos and YT.
But when they're "ON-THE-CHEW" - it don't matter what you throw at em. They'll bite ANYTHING that's in the water. I've hooked YFT on bare hooks becasue it was shiney.
Hope this helps some.
JB
Anglers in answer to the questions when and how about Halibut try these tips. #1 Follow the grunion runs ending day by 18-30 hours. Why because the targeted species Halibut, calicos and even white sea bass become conditioned to feeding at night during the run and aren't aware of their stopping. I wait 1 full day following the grunion runs stop (when it's over) and the bite almost becomes frantic as they anticipate an easy dinner coming up and it doesn't happen the next morning they are starving and I like to have the first baits on the bottom, my buddies and yours truly have had as many as thirty + in one morning. Many other factors will take over also including the tide, the wave height and current movements. Fish the shadowed water all day from piers (underneath), jetty sides in the shadow too. #2 Halibut in shallow water will seek shade from any source find it and find them. Some of the biggest speared halibut are right up against the break walls snug. #3 The live smelt is a great bait, grunion, anchovies both fresh frozen absolutely the best. I have had huge success using the plastics large grubs(pinned with the curl tail end up on the lead head) and swim baits white, green/ white belly, watermelon red fleck and gray/ white belly are my favorites. #4 When using plastics I recommend AA"s, they are soft and if any swim bait seems to not (swim) correctly bite a small Vee into the top of the tail at the back and see the difference. I also use the smelly jellies chovy scent in the bays and sardine outside. If they ever make a smelt scent look out. Any way when walking the sand at the Newport/ Seal/ Oxnard/ Oceanside/ Dana jetties casting to the rocks and drag back parallel to the structure and you will increase the number of strike zones that rocks and shadows offer. If in a boat drifting in bays or harbors always fish upstream this allows the bait a natural approach into the strike zone the fish is facing instead of bumping into it from behind and scaring it away. Start thinking like the fish and cast to those obvious ambush spots they will hold some large fish. #5 Halibut are a very lazy fish and don't like to fight waves or strong currents and surges so when they can occupy an eddy or flow direction change, like a point, a drop-off, large rock, mooring or piling that's where they'll be. Of course if the waves are overhead outside fish inside or enjoy a nice breakfast somewhere. I hope this will help.
Kent (hookset) Richards
I've DOVE Zuma beach from the very SOUTH end and seen many halibut in the surf line. There's a LOT of sand bottom thru Zuma and I know there's several guys who swim it almost daily with spear guns due to the presence of butts there.
JB
DAVE
(recess@celnetwest.com)
If anyone really likes fishing our harbors with plastics like I do, I've got something simple that works really well. Freshwater bass fisherman call the technique "jig and pig" where a strip of pork skin is attached to a jig for flavor. I've fished redondo harbor on days where you can see the bottom to see how the halibut react to my presentations. I've watched halibut jump from the bottom and actually nose my bait only to swim off without a strike. The trick is to find a "pig" that will not ruin the action of your swim bait. I use a 4-5 inch swim body of varying colors and sweeten it with a strip of mackeral skin. Use the skin of the belly of the mackeral. A thin white strip of about a centimeter in width and three to four inches long does the trick. You dont need the flesh, just the skin. What happened when I tried it, I saw the flatties jump up, follow, nose the bait then just engulf it. The strikes are usally aggressive when they're on the feed. And when they're not they do mouth the bait. Tight lines and good luck. Joe ps. great web site!!!!
Cooking Sand Dabs
Posted by JB Boatbuilder on October 17, 2000 at 13:28:33:
My favorite way is to fillet the dab, (no skin) and quick sautee it in butter, a squeeze of lemon, and a sprinkle of seasoned pepper. A glass of chardonay and dab finger food . . oooooo, I'm hungry now . . . JB
Cooking Sand Dabs
Posted by Downriver Don on October 18, 2000 at 17:55:32:
Like boatbuilder, I like to fillet them. then sautee in olive oil and lotsa garlic and lemon pepper. A cold Asahi and some crusty bread....mmmmmmmmmmmm
DAVE(recess@celnetwest.com)
Next time any of you are going out to try for Calicos try using a 3/4 oz. Kastmaster in silver or gold and replace the treble hook with a red octopus 1 or 1/0 gamakatsu hook. The red hook seems to resemble a wound on a baitfish. Make sure that you are using a light leader, about 2 feet of 12lb. test and for the backing use about 20lb.or 25lb. test. Just pull up onto the top of a kelp bed and drop your line through any openings and let the kastmaster do the rest. For the best result jig it up and down, what the kastmaster will do is a spiral motion on the way up and then wobble sporatically from left and right on the way down. This is a killer presentation for some ferocious hits on the calicos' part. Good luck and tight lines.
William
A FISH TRAP IS......
Posted by BENT ROD on July 05, 2000 at 14:04:54:
THE BRAND NAME FOR ONE OF MANY ARTIFICIAL PLASTIC OR SOFT RUBBER LURES THAT LOOK LIKE A BAIT FISH...OR AS THEY ARE CORRECTLY CALLED A SWIM BAIT THAT IS THREADED ONTO A LEAD HEAD.....HOPE THIS ANSWERS YOUR QUESTION.
Posted by FISH TRAPS on July 04, 2000 at 19:12:59:
THE COLORS THAT I HAVE BEEN HAVING GOOD LUCK WITH THE SANDIES ARE AS FOLLOWS...CLEAR WITH RED GLITTER,CHANNEL ISLAND CHOVIE AND THE SARDINE COLORS ARE WORKING VERY GOOD ALSO..GOOD LUCK I HOPE THIS HELPS OUT A LITTLE...BUT JUST REMEMBER WHAT WORKS ONE DAY MAY NOT WORK THE NEXT...IT'S A GOOD IDEA TO CARRY A WIDE ASSORTMENT IF YOU CAN AFFORD IT....
Posted by dave on July 04, 2000 at 19:58:09:
I have found the best fish traps that seems to work pretty well (for most basses), are the ones that have the SOLID orange colored bellies, dark black or brown backbone and glittered light brown or stained main body...sorry, i forget the name of it, but look for the ones with the orange-colored underside...they come in other body colors as well. red decks, dave
Posted by fongster on July 05, 2000 at 00:14:18:
For sandies I like halloween, chartreuse, green grunion, clear red flake in 5 inch size. Darker colors in lower light, brighter when it's sunny or clear water.
Carry a small tube of crazy glue in your tackle box to glue plastic swim baits to metal jigs. A single drop between the plastic bait and jig head will keep your swim bait running true in heavy current or when it gets short bit or nibbled on by a little fish. Be sure to put the swim bait on straight or it will not be effective and change colors if the bait isn’t working. And it doesn’t hurt to add to its enticing effect by soaking it in one of the many smelly fish attractants on the market.
Zosh
The best way to fish for calico bass is on a rocky shore and at night around 7:30pm-10pm the best months are june thru augest. dont ask why it just is I found it out when I was 10 now Im 16. Its been six years and all of them have been succesful. and the best bait to use isnt anchovies or mussles. its squid. U need to prepair the squid cut it in long strips : 3-4inches long and 3/4inch wide. member all the best ways to catching a big calico is june-augest,7:30pm-10pm, cut squid, and rocky shore trust me it works :) for more tips email me at oc_joseph@hotmail.com
Good Fishing.
Mola Joe.
