Topics

1

Freshwater Shore Fishing Reports / Blowing off Steam (5/15)

« on: Today at 01:50:03 PM »

After getting the news about my job, I decided to run down to the puddles amd soak some lines.  Plan was to see if there was any holdover trout, but half the lake is closed for construction.  All of my good spots are closed and it didn't help my mood.  Then Bass guy walks right up next to me and starts casting standing at my rod.  He could feel the tension....

Well, I got a new record... SEVEN Pond Chickens in one session!



Then I got a few real bites, but as you can see, it was quite the sprint to get to them so I ended up missing a few.  I finally got on the board with a 1.25# cat...  Not even enough for a hush puppy.  Well, no more puddles until construction is done.

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Salt Water Shore Fishing Reports / Kauai Part 3 - "Desperation"

« on: Today at 10:18:10 AM »

My chance of catching fish was diminishing and diminishing after every passing minute.  I only had small windows to get out and the weather and tides were not cooperating as well as all the local netters in the only fishable spot.  I looked on Google and saw a pier not far away in Ahukini Recreational Pier State Park.  It was an old sugar wharf from the old days of the sugar plantations and was in real disarray but looked like an absolute fish magnet!

I talked my wife into getting an Uber down to the pier for a few hours before heading out to lunch.



There were a few people fishing and I saw a few fish come up on the rickety dock.  That dock was sketchy as hell and I can't believe it wasn't condemned!  lol



I walked all of those rafters and dropped crack on every piling!









Great view..



Also had a few turtles swim up to the pier and check us out.







I was casting to a HUGE Houndfish (probably 4-5 feet) but all the lure did was scare it.  I even tried snagging it I was so desperate!  lol

My wife them saw some slender needlefish which wanted to play!  I hooked at least 6, but  trying to swing a wriggle slender needlefish that high onto the dock was infuraiating.  My wife almost grabbed the one, but it bit her and she was not happy about it since I said "Just grab it!".

I am considering it a catch and new species (Platybelone argalus) even though I couldn't get a picture of it. (Species #370 in order, but #375 in the grand scheme of things)

Well, the hours flew by and my wife wanted lunch so we called our Uber.



Next morning and I could feel that something wasn't right.  Not feeling great and the weather was not helping... but the wind was starting to die out finally.







Had some good bites but I couldn't get them to stick.  A local was telling me to use small white curly tail grubs and I happened to have a pack of 1" Gulp grubs!



Today we had the helicopter trip, so my fishing was at a minimum.  Those trips are EXPENSIVE as hell, but I heard I wouldn't regret it.  I bought a few seats for my wife's 50th birthday and she was excited and a little nervous about it.  Man, that was EXHILERATING!  A memory I defintely will not forget anytime soon.  Saw no less than 200 waterfalls and dropped into the crater.  I thought we were buzzing the cliff walls awfully close, but it was just amazing.





I took GoPro of the entire trip but need to edit the video.  Absolutely amazing.





When we got back to the resort, I started eying up the Koi and almost resorted to dropping a hair rig in their face! 



My wife was now getting in real bad shape and didn't leave the room.  I was feeling terrible, but not as terrible as I would if I didn't start catching fish!  I scaled down a lot and went on a full mission to catch something.  (I have a meeting now so will finish up in a half hour)



I'm back....





I went for a quick pre-dinner trip just to make a few casts and YES!  I never knew such a small fish could bring so much joy!  LOL Stocky Hawkfish! Cirrhitus pinnulatus (Species #371



I then realized I was on a nest of them, and my little Z-Man did what it was supposed to.  I'm not sure how big these things get, but they all were pretty small.  Caught 3 and lost another 3.



Then the bites stopped, and I went back to the room to check on the wife and get ready for dinner (even though I wasn't too hungry).

Last day before we leave and I arm myself with the tiny gear.  I take the little grubs and a small Kastmaster out.  I literally walk down and on my first cast, New Species!  Moi!
6-finger Threadfin, Polydactylus sexfilis.  (Species #372)





I then realize all of the fish out here run in schools.  I was really trying for a goatfish, but that apparently is more of a summer fish along with the Ulua.

I caught the magic number of 3 (1 sportsman's release) and looked like funny mullet.  I heard the locals would have mugged me for these fish, so thankfully didn't see me catch them.







I fished longer than usual since my wife was stuck in bed and started throwing the little irons.  I then felt a hit, but only in the slightest.  As I was reeling in I saw a school of them around what I hooked!  I thought it was a needlefish at first, but saw that tiny little upper lip!  New Species! Tropical half-beak!

Hemiramphus depauperatus (Species #373)





Then the locals starting coming in waves on the beach and started jumping in my little slough.  Oh well, I walked up to check on a little waterway I saw coming into the resort.  I thought I saw peac*ck bass, but never got positive ID.  I did see a TON of cichlids!  WTH, let's see....



Boom!  I couldn't get any big ones to bite, but caught a bunch of little tilapia!  Blackchin Tilapia!  (courtesy of Africa)

Sarotherodon melanotheron (Species #374)



These guys loved the crack!



I also had a catfish, but it made small work of my little size 10 baitholder.  Later I heard they were African cats... Grr... bummed I lost this one.  Looked more eel like.

I then saw something and tried for it!  Bam!  I thought it was a snakehead when realized it was a Sandwich Island sleeper! Endemic species to Hawaii

Eleotris sandwicensis (Species #375)







On the way back to the room, I noticed a ton of Placos in the ponds!  Lets just say security was not down with me trying to catch them though...





These were the lures that got most of the fish.



Well, pretty much the trip was over at this point since my wife couldn't even get out of bed.  I ended up going to dinner by myself since my wife couldn't muster the strength.  I brought her back a meal, so she was happy but it wasn't the way we hoped to end the trip.  In any case, it was all worth it!




...Oh, I forgot to mention that I got a Hawaiian Pizza in Hawaii.  I did this to tease my Italian friends back in NY who want me hung for putting fruit on pizza!  lol



Thanks for reading and until next tide!

3

General Board / 1980's Gym Class Dodge Ball

« on: May 15, 2024, 01:32:15 PM »

I asked my boss about if I should be coming in with the "Rona" or not since all of the guidance from our company seemed to be out of date.  His response was "I'll set up a meeting for us about it" and I never got a meeting request.  I masked up and went in just to get shoveled out and told to go home.  I get home to get on my computer about the big company announcement... and.... They are shutting our TRD site down.  That means I only have 3 months, 6 months or possibly a year left.  I won't know until later this week.

I was going to put up a third and final post right now, but I may just go down to the puddles, grab a pint, and Blow the "Rona" out in the fresh air while waiting for a whisker Trout to bite.

I'll get up the finale later today.  The last 3 days have been 1980's Gym Class Dodge Ball...

4

Hunting Board / Have-A-Heart Hunting

« on: May 13, 2024, 08:22:55 PM »

My game trail cam broke, but I suspect a Racoon or Possum wreaking havoc in my garden.  My wife wants no harm to come to it, so I have to get tricky with the trap in order to catch it.

I just finished taking my NyQuil because of the bug and was ready to hit the sack at 11:00.  I decided to check the trap before bed just in case since I didn't want to deal with a pissed nocturnal animal in the day.  Sure as hell, there it was....



Well, I wish the animal transfers went as well as this one.  Put him in the truck (covered).  Ran down to the campground and found a tree filled spot near the dumpsters and off he went.  Didn't even let out a screech at all, just walked right out after opening it and went right up the tree. 

I think the wife was bummed that I relocated "Slobber", but I have this feeling I might see him again i a month or so.  Just a hunch, but I hope I'm wrong.  lol

5

Salt Water Shore Fishing Reports / Kauai Part 2 - "Morning Recons"

« on: May 13, 2024, 08:15:57 PM »

Next morning woke up to howling wind and lowering tides.  The bartender was telling me the reef goes out really far and fishing isn't too good, but I grabbed my rod and my wife after breakfast and went scouting the beach.



First off, the reef was wicked between the lava rock and the coral.  This is not like SoCal surf fishing. Another thing, no sea-weeds anywhere, but plenty of wood!  I mean WOOD!



All of it was moving with the waves so you couldn't stand too close if a set was coming in just in case it lifted a tree trunk and dropped it on your foot!  No Joke!

Finally came across someone set fishing but it was weird.  They were using the long rods, but you couldn't cast out too far, so they were lob casting it 50 feet.  They also set the rods up high on the beach and let the line slope down from the tip straight into the sand as they walked over it.  Multiple times I watched them dive in to free their gear from the reef which seemed even more weird with this outfit.





On the way back, my wife goes Look!  I turned to the last thing I thought I would ever see on a Hawaii beach....  Seal!  Monk Seal to be exact!  This is quite the rarity and the old zoo keeper in me got a kick of it wiggling up the beach to us.







Damn thing wasn't afraid of anything... Still a cool sight.

I had 4 swings and misses.  I was throwing a 1-1/2 oz metal jig but couldn't get any of them to stick.  I had to reel in fast since it was only 1-2 feet with the reef and the water was all turgid from the wind and waves.  I wound up losing both jigs, so called it for some more resort time with the wife.

Signs all over said Don't feed the wildlife... and here's my wife...





I guess to be fair, they were only wild chickens.... unless the Myna Birds, Doves, and other assorted random birds count.  lol

Next few mornings, I tried using the 2" gulp sand worm and smaller Kastmasters (3/4 to 1 oz) just to get on the board!





Two little nibbles.... Not what I was expecting.



Tried to go big with a 2oz Kastmaster also...  Only had some huge Trumpetfish chase it in, but would never commit.





Found some cool Beach Huts made by people with great taste!





Otherwise, I was just checking out reefs and reef critters since the reefs loved what I was offering as lures go.











There's 4 of these darters or gobies in this picture.  I found a ton of micro-life.



The beaches were filled with "Wood", but also a ton of "Hairy Nuts".



Everywhere I went, there was some c*ck staring at me.  I'm still astounded by all of the chickens here!



Everytime I came back to have breakfast with the wife, I'd check the private field.  It always had a few Nenes!  We had some Nenes at the Wild Animal Park and were the coolest geese.





Well, I'm done tonight.  I'm supposed to start work tomorrow, but I feel like I'm listening to things underwater and just having a rough time with the Rona.....  Oh well, Next installment tomorrow I suppose.  I have to catch a fish, right?

6

Salt Water Shore Fishing Reports / Kauai Part 1 - "The Trip Over...."

« on: May 12, 2024, 10:13:13 PM »

So much to write, but most of what happened was non-fishing related, so I will try and put together a little bit of a mixture of a post.

Short catch-up post is:

Wife's 50th Birthday and our 20th Anniversary happened within a week or so and I asked my wife what she wanted?  I was thinking a gift and a party, but she blurted out "I want to go to Hawaii".  Not what I expected, but I've never been there, so looking forward to it.

I knew it wasn't going to be a "fishing trip", but I packed a few travel rods in the old suitcase with a small variety of lures.

The trip out was exciting as any good trip should usually start out as.  Unfortunately, our first flight of the morning got delayed 2 hours which already put us behind on catching our second flight.  Realizing we were already going to miss our next flight was a kick in the stomach, but I was hoping something good would happen.  Sure as hell, we get on the plane and the Captain comes on the intercom and says we're going to make up that time in the air.  I'm thinking "why are so many planes late if this is the case?".

It was May 4th, so I doodled a bit on the flight over.  Not accurate, but just my mind having a little fun.



Anyway, we landed in Kahului and had enough time for a c*cktail.  lol



It was one damn fine tasting beer...



We landed in Lahue and we decided to just take a taxi the 6-7 miles to the resort.  We were upgraded from the "Garden View" to DELUXE Garden View as a gift for our anniversary and her birthday.  Get to our room, open the blinds and....  WTF.....

Nice roof building view! 



We already got there and just said we'll be fine since we won't be in the room long every day.  Might have to strategically tat the place up to compensate the "upgrade".





The wind was HOWLING!  25-35 and I heard it was supposed to be like this for 4 days at minimum.  Looking out the window and we were on the quiet side of the building.



Went right to the bar after checking a couple of things out.



The bar was bad ass, but they had one side closed off to block the nasty wind from the beach.



One thing was evident.... Chickens were everywhere!



Saw dozens coming up to the bar just begging for food.







Walked back to the room to get ready for dinner.  On the way up to the room, I noticed there was no "2" in the elevator.  It went L, 1, 3, 4, 5.  Where the hell is 2??? 
On the way back we took the stairs and sure as sh!t...





This mystery will need to be cracked by the end of the week.....

Dinner (as with everything else) was one pricey affair, but looking forward to getting a good meal in.  As I'm looking at the menu, I swore I saw Josh.  My mind's playing tricks on me.



We went for some music and more c*cktails after dinner to wind down the night. 



Walked down to check out the beach to see if the surf calmed down.  Pictures don't tell the story.





Also the beach is COVERED with WOOD!  I haven't seen this much wood since the beaches in Washington.

On the way back, I stopped to see the vending machine "Snacks".  I always liked seeing what other places stuff in their machines.  This place had Combos!  lol



....To be continued....

7

General Board / Just got back with a Special Prize!

« on: May 11, 2024, 04:52:15 PM »

Wife got sick three days ago and really bad.  Then I got it from her....  We're home now and trying to unpack and get stuff together.  Today is my wife's official 50th birthday and we're too sick to celebrate. 

Did a COVID test and both positive.  I realized that I couldn't smell the fesh cut flowers I got for my wife and then I stuck a stinky flip flop right up to my nose.  Can't smell a thing.  Neither can my wife...

We went above and beyond while out, but we heard a lot of sick people in the resort...  I really hope I get my smell back.  I'm really bummed without the sense of smell....

I'll check out all of the posts and catch up this weekend.  I have a lot of sorting to do.  lol

Cheers

8

Fishing Talk / Kauai Fishing

« on: May 02, 2024, 11:28:28 AM »

My wife is turning 50 and it's our 20th anniversary. I asked my wife what she wanted for her birthday and she said "A trip to Hawaii"....  Not exactly what I was thinking and a hell of a lot more $$$ than I was expecting, but neither of us have been to the islands before.  After she picked the island and resort, we reserved our time on Kauai at a beachfront resort.  I tried talking her into an air B&B, but she wanted a resort....  Well, I most likely won't be chartering any boats to go fishing with all the coin I'm dropping, but going to do some surf and reef fishing to hopefully get a few dozen new species to add to my list.  I would need 31 to hit the 400 species mark.  That may be a stretch, but I'm arming myself with all of the little critter gear also to help try and make that happen.

Anyone fish Kauai before?  If so, any pointers?  Everything I read so far is pretty standard to how I would go about it, but asking just in case someone knows something that I might not have thought of. 

Thanks!

9

Salt Water Shore Fishing Reports / SNBF-XVII Mission Bay Edition (4/27)

« on: April 29, 2024, 05:31:29 PM »

Plan was to hit the surf as 3'-4' was predicted and doable, but Squatch made a good point.  Instead of multiple trips dropping off surf gear and picking up the firewood and bay gear, just go bay.  We decided on a spot that Tim H absolutely destroyed them last year at the end of April.  We knew we had some satellite groups around the bay, so we gave it a shot.  Bait and terns were busting everywhere.  Unfortunately, the lines weren't.





Bendo!  (Well, Sasqutch squashed my obvious attempt at deception with a behind the scenes picture)  hahaha



Max joined us, so now we had 3 rods soaking... for nada.  4 hours for only little critter bites.  We then were going to make the move to the Bahia and check that out (What we didn't know was Jerry was already there and putting a whoopin' on a big BSB)

Max did catch a rag that had a crab in it, so possibly a +1.  lol



We just decided to run to the back and enjoy some drinks and soak in the sun while we hoped a bat ray would be around.  We got to the Back when Jerry rolled up and showed us the pictures!  Soaking a chunk of yellowtail, he got a 71" BSB!  Holy Schnikeys!





Well, it doesn't count, but that thing was more than twice, if not 3x the size f the one I caught with Steve!  That one was LEGIT!

Well, it was the typical meet and greet with some of the usual faces.



Jerry the Bat Man?  Nope, Jerry the Black Man!  He needs to update that shirt!  LOL









Roger looked the same size as Dave fishing next to Sasquatch's rod and sand spike!





Steve found something shady in his cooler when he opened it. 



All the mobile homes are gone....



The naked girl wasn't actually naked.  The big lens doesn't lie!



Part of the SD contingent



We had enough wood to last a week.  As Squatch said "You guys are burning an entire forest here!".  lol





Well, I'll revisit this post when I get some more pictures downloaded, but not much more to tell.  I had some tentacle shakers, but otherwise everything came back clean.  Miles had definitely what would have been the winning bat on as he  had an absolute screamer, but his connector knot gave and off she swam.  Miles didn't leave his rod's side for the rest of the evening until they left!  lol

Well, that was it.  We had people come and go, but no Chris, Mike, Josh..... just a generally small contingent that enjoyed the food, beverages, fire, and conversation. 

La got a 11" and VC won it again with a 32".  At least it made the minimum requirement for bats!  lol

Congrats VC!  SD, we need to actually put some effort in next year, even it means no cozy fire.   

10

Fishing Talk / And the Winner is....

« on: April 28, 2024, 12:05:05 AM »

... be right back.


...I'm back.....  VC repeats!  Story and pictures tomorrow.

11

Salt Water Shore Fishing Reports / Another Team Meeting Down at the Bay (4/25)

« on: April 26, 2024, 08:01:12 AM »

This will probably be my last after the day I had, but the fun parts were fun at least.

I got down early to set up.  Homas was bringing $150 in chicken, lamb chops, and beef for kabobs.  He's from Afghanistan and really cooks up some killer kabobs!  Probably the best I've ever had so I was looking forward to it.

Set up complete and rods in the water.



A front was moving through which made for some killer scenery.



I get a text from Squatch that the Oceanside Peir is burning and I felt really bad for him since that was his go to peir spot.  Such terrible news and I was hoping it wasn't going to burn into the sea.

I decided to cast a swimmy around since my bait rods were quiet and a lot of bait was popping.  I picked up a few nicer bass almost immediately!



Then the guys showed up.  Homa saw me releasing a bass and hook into another.  He came running down trying to prevent me from letting it go as he wanted to grill it up, but I acted like I didn't hear or see him and threw them back anyway.

A couple of them were real slugs and legal bass!



The gangs all here and except for noone bringing non-alcoholic beverages, we were ready for some fishing and bonfire.



I made it perfectly clear that keep your drinks low, but they are good at looking the other way with cans, but NO GLASS!  That's an instant ticket...

Well, as I was fishing, they had this big bottle of whiskey sitting right on the table.  I saw one of the guys throw it under the table and looked up to see the cops walking down to them.  They were issuing a ticket, but said They'd only issue one and save us from 5 more that could have been written, but they wanted someone to write the ticket to.  Well, it was like everyone started getting all squirrelly and the cops were getting noticably annoyed.  I heard the conversation as I was walking up and just said, here's my license.  They could tell that I was falling on the sword for the guys and they decided to take it easy on me by issuing a traffic ticket for failure to observe signage or something like that.  $140 ticket, but it didn't come with an alcohol violation on my license so they spared me.  They had us dump the bottle and took off. 
Only two guys offered to pay his share of the ticket while the others (who I never see) said they'll get me back another time (which was totally a big lie).  Irritated Tom came out and had to explain that I warned them and they did it anyway so I wasn't going to hope to get my money from them before I left since I'm sure I'd never see them again.  Well, everyone chipped in and now I have a traffic court ticket I need to pay for what that's worth.  It really took away from my jovial attitude.

Then all I heard was about them closing our site down and it was inevitable....  I tried changing the conversation to something more fun, but they were hard wired to talk about work crap.

Finally the police started to make their rounds to kick people off the island and I finally got a bite on the bat ray rod.  Only issue was it looked like it was right out of the womb...  Tiny... and got me with it's stinger which added to the pain and I was ready to get home.

On the way it was one lane traffic all the way.... thus not improving my mind...  Then I get home to the garage door not opening.  I squeezed by the boat and went in through the side gate and saw the springs were busted and the cables snapped.  I tried using the emergency release, but it was STUCK and would not open at all.  Now I had to take one thing at a time out of the truck, squeeze by the boat and bring it in the garage all one at a time.  Well, that was my tipping point.

It wasn't a good night and probably my last "Team Building" bay session.  Oh well....  I'm pretty numb about things nowadays.

Well, I have to get on the horn to a garage door guy here now.  I don't want to be packing for the Bat Fight by having to squeeze by the boat when loading the truck.

Thanks for reading and the sleep did me well.

Otherwise, I fear the bats are not back there so not sure what to do for the Bat Fight tomorrow.  Maybe it will all work out and Tim will catch the winning bat!

Thanks for reading my rant! lol

12

Fishing Talk / SNBF-XVII Ribbing Thread

« on: April 25, 2024, 06:28:07 AM »

I realize there aren't many people using the forum and most are using social media, but I thought I'd better throw this up here anyway.  Funny thing is there's this girl in VC that gets worked up easy when poked, so I expect to see some trash talking if VC gets on the board early.  lol

Otherwise, I think LA and OC has just as a good shot as Team AZ of winning this thing.  lol

13

General Board / 20 years today...

« on: April 24, 2024, 07:19:01 AM »

We tied the knot and she's been putting up with me ever since.  I was planning on fishing after work, but for some reason she said "no" this time.  lol

14

Food & Recipe / Rockfish Cakes with a crab Topper

« on: April 21, 2024, 05:09:46 PM »

I needed to do something different with the Vermillion Rockfish on this cook, so made some mock crab cakes.    I topped it off with a pillow of real crab and got the thumbs up from the wifey!

15

General Board / Ed the Woodworker...

« on: April 21, 2024, 05:07:47 PM »

The old wood worker that lived across the street passed not so long ago.  That was one old dude I loved talking to in the neighborhood since he was always tinkering with some type of wood projects while I was tinkering with my fishing ones.

The family gave me his old level from the early 1900's since they were wondering what to do with some of the stuff he had from the past 95 years.  My wife didn't like any of my suggestions, but I found a spot that almost look made for it.  Here's the "Where's Waldo" picture.

My wife literally couldn't find it and told me I was just teasing her.  Nope...