106
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Prehistoric Soul - 2020
This has been an unprecedented year in the world and has slowed to halted many shark fishing activities during the peak times. Prehistoric Soul will be here when you need us. Read through some old posts and browse some categories. We also welcome you to write any articles that you may feel important to be here on the site. Soon enough, the sharks will return and we'll be back to normal, whether new or not.
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107
Outdoor Activities / Bird watching...
« on: September 08, 2016, 02:00:33 PM »
I hit the local ditch by work with the tenkara rod again today. Lots of little bites, but no fish.
At least this osprey didn't get skunked!
At least this osprey didn't get skunked!
108
Salt Water Shore Fishing Reports / Lunch break ninja (and a new species) 8/31/16
« on: August 31, 2016, 01:32:47 PM »
I rarely take lunch breaks anymore, just get too busy. When I do, I like to get out and walk, stretch my legs and back, and get some fresh air.
Today I needed to get out and a couple of other factors worked together that allowed me fish a spot I've had my eye on for awhile: high tide, and a tenkara rod.
Near where I work there is a protected wetlands area that has trails through it. It's a beautiful area and when I go walking I like to explore there. One of the times through there I was on a bridge over an estuary and I could see a lot of sea life moving in and out of the canal. Mostly mullet, but also rays and leopard sharks and some other small fish. At low tide there's not much water, but at high tide it fills up pretty good upstream a ways. Fishing is prohibited in the wetlands area and I had no desire to get ticketed. However, I did notice that upstream the estuary comes under some railroad tracks which are the boundary for protected area. On the other side of the tracks is an elementary school and a retirement community. I found that if I walk down the tracks from my work I could access a small area on the edge of the stream (which is a concrete canal at this point) that didn't seem to be on anyone's property. I've walked down there a couple of times with no gear, just to look around.
Last week I received a small Tenkara rod from amazon that I'd ordered since it was so cheap($8.92) and I thought this would be a fun place to try it out. It's small and simple, perfect for keeping in my backpack. I grabbed a soda and some frozen shrimp from the liquor store and walked down to the spot. I rigged up the pole with the tenkara line and a short 6 lb. fluoro leader with a #6 hook. Pinned on a small piece of shrimp and tossed it out.
Then I cracked open my soda and sat down to relax. As I'm sitting there I can see and hear the mullet jumping all up and down the canal. Some of them are probably around 2' long! After letting it sit for 10 minutes I see the line start to move! I picked up the rod, let it run a little more and set the hook! Fish on! This thing was pulling pretty good on the little tenkara rod, but after a few seconds the hook popped out and I never saw it.
Excited that I had some action I checked my watch, still a few more minutes to try for another before heading back to work. I sent out another piece of shrimp and waited...
Just as I'm thinking I need to pack it up I see the rod tip twitch. Then the line starts moving. I picked up the rod and waited for it to go tight then set the hook, fish on!
This one was pulling pretty good too
Lots of fun on this light rod!
I got it close and saw it was a small ray. After a few runs I get it to the edge and lifted it out. My first Round Ray! (please correct me if I'm wrong)
Not sure how big these get, this one had about a 14"-16" wingspan.
Thankfully Joe had just warned me about these and not getting them confused with thornbacks. I carefully unhooked it and sent him back into the murky water.
A great quick fix to get me through the day! Thanks for reading, I'm sorry it was such a long post just to show a small ray LOL!
But now I'm up to -1! I'll be back in the + in no time!
Today I needed to get out and a couple of other factors worked together that allowed me fish a spot I've had my eye on for awhile: high tide, and a tenkara rod.
Near where I work there is a protected wetlands area that has trails through it. It's a beautiful area and when I go walking I like to explore there. One of the times through there I was on a bridge over an estuary and I could see a lot of sea life moving in and out of the canal. Mostly mullet, but also rays and leopard sharks and some other small fish. At low tide there's not much water, but at high tide it fills up pretty good upstream a ways. Fishing is prohibited in the wetlands area and I had no desire to get ticketed. However, I did notice that upstream the estuary comes under some railroad tracks which are the boundary for protected area. On the other side of the tracks is an elementary school and a retirement community. I found that if I walk down the tracks from my work I could access a small area on the edge of the stream (which is a concrete canal at this point) that didn't seem to be on anyone's property. I've walked down there a couple of times with no gear, just to look around.
Last week I received a small Tenkara rod from amazon that I'd ordered since it was so cheap($8.92) and I thought this would be a fun place to try it out. It's small and simple, perfect for keeping in my backpack. I grabbed a soda and some frozen shrimp from the liquor store and walked down to the spot. I rigged up the pole with the tenkara line and a short 6 lb. fluoro leader with a #6 hook. Pinned on a small piece of shrimp and tossed it out.
Then I cracked open my soda and sat down to relax. As I'm sitting there I can see and hear the mullet jumping all up and down the canal. Some of them are probably around 2' long! After letting it sit for 10 minutes I see the line start to move! I picked up the rod, let it run a little more and set the hook! Fish on! This thing was pulling pretty good on the little tenkara rod, but after a few seconds the hook popped out and I never saw it.
Excited that I had some action I checked my watch, still a few more minutes to try for another before heading back to work. I sent out another piece of shrimp and waited...
Just as I'm thinking I need to pack it up I see the rod tip twitch. Then the line starts moving. I picked up the rod and waited for it to go tight then set the hook, fish on!
This one was pulling pretty good too
Lots of fun on this light rod!I got it close and saw it was a small ray. After a few runs I get it to the edge and lifted it out. My first Round Ray! (please correct me if I'm wrong)
Not sure how big these get, this one had about a 14"-16" wingspan.
Thankfully Joe had just warned me about these and not getting them confused with thornbacks. I carefully unhooked it and sent him back into the murky water.
A great quick fix to get me through the day! Thanks for reading, I'm sorry it was such a long post just to show a small ray LOL!
But now I'm up to -1! I'll be back in the + in no time!
110
Tackle Talk / Blew out a guide on my spinning rod
« on: August 30, 2016, 01:03:36 PM »
Last time out I blew out one of the guides on my Daiwa Sealine 12' surf rod.
The knot on my shock leader caught and ripped the insert out of the guide. It also broke the line right there and I lost the terminal rig as well
What is the easiest way to fix the guide? Can I replace the insert or do I need to replace the whole guide?
Also, in the mean time, is it ok to use it as is??
Thanks!
Chad
The knot on my shock leader caught and ripped the insert out of the guide. It also broke the line right there and I lost the terminal rig as well
What is the easiest way to fix the guide? Can I replace the insert or do I need to replace the whole guide?
Also, in the mean time, is it ok to use it as is??
Thanks!
Chad
111
Salt Water Shore Fishing Reports / New spot, new PB 8/26/16
« on: August 27, 2016, 08:35:47 AM »
Dad met me at a new spot I've been wanting to try. Seemed like a it has a lot of potential, but still no sharks. We fished from 5-9 with only a few small bites on the long rods.
I did land my PB SNGF though!
45"!
Caught on more tractor that was about 36".
They are fun to catch when nothing else is biting.
We fished from 5-9 with only a few small bites on the long rods. I did land my PB SNGF though!
45"!
Caught on more tractor that was about 36".
They are fun to catch when nothing else is biting.
112
Salt Water Shore Fishing Reports / Digging myself a deep hole...
« on: August 26, 2016, 08:19:52 AM »
Went out again last night for 3 1/2 hours. Once again there were perfect conditions but no fish. Not even a bat ray or shovelnose 
I did manage 3 thornbacks which puts me at -4 for my last two outings. The hole is getting deep, I'm going to need a spectacular night to get myself out of it.
I did manage 3 thornbacks which puts me at -4 for my last two outings. The hole is getting deep, I'm going to need a spectacular night to get myself out of it.
113
Salt Water Shore Fishing Reports / Skunk -1 (+ a bonus day)
« on: August 15, 2016, 10:17:08 AM »
Well I tried a new spot near the old spot in north VC on Friday night with my dad and brother. Conditions were PERFECT, but no targets were acquired.
Only bite I got was a -1 that was unfortunate enough to get his lip over the point of my 12/0 circle hook. I was desparate so I chopped him up and rebaited with chunks of thornback ray but no love there either.
My brother landed a couple of small tractors so I was happy that he caught something on his first time surf fishing.
I can't wait for the big game to come back!
To make up for the weak fishing, I took the family to the VC Fair on Saturday and we had a blast!
View from the top of the ferris wheel:
And pic of my minions
SOMEBODY PUT A SHARK ON THE SAND ALREADY!!!
Only bite I got was a -1 that was unfortunate enough to get his lip over the point of my 12/0 circle hook. I was desparate so I chopped him up and rebaited with chunks of thornback ray but no love there either.
My brother landed a couple of small tractors so I was happy that he caught something on his first time surf fishing.
I can't wait for the big game to come back!
To make up for the weak fishing, I took the family to the VC Fair on Saturday and we had a blast!
View from the top of the ferris wheel:
And pic of my minions
SOMEBODY PUT A SHARK ON THE SAND ALREADY!!!
115
Lure & Rig Crafting Board / Critter rig ?'s
« on: August 10, 2016, 08:40:34 AM »
For those of you that fish a second rod for critters with squid, chovy, or other smaller baits, what terminal rigs do you use?
I'm mainly talking about for the surf. In the harbor I usually use a cannon ball rig, but open to suggestions there also.
Thanks!
I'm mainly talking about for the surf. In the harbor I usually use a cannon ball rig, but open to suggestions there also.
Thanks!
116
Fishing Talk / Cool program from the CDFW
« on: June 28, 2016, 12:51:43 PM »
I don't think I'd have a chance at 80% of these, but thought it was a cool program!
I requested my passport just to see what I could do
https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Passport
I requested my passport just to see what I could do
https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Passport
117
Tackle Talk / Bass Pro Shops
« on: June 20, 2016, 08:14:06 AM »
For Father's Day my family gave me a Bass Pro Shops gift card and a family trip to the Rancho store one day in the next couple of weeks.
I'm stoked because I've never been to one of their stores before!
I'm wondering if anyone has any ideas/recommendations for good deals or products there?
I'm sure I'll be a bit overwhelmed with all the cool stuff LOL
I'm stoked because I've never been to one of their stores before!
I'm wondering if anyone has any ideas/recommendations for good deals or products there?
I'm sure I'll be a bit overwhelmed with all the cool stuff LOL
118
Salt Water Shore Fishing Reports / New PB 6/9/16
« on: June 10, 2016, 09:25:06 AM »
Had a couple macs left and time for a short session after work last night. Hit the same spot hoping to find them still hungry.
Wind and waves were very low, but so was the tide the current was carrying lots of chopped greens.
I couldn't keep my bait in the water for more than 10-15 minutes before it loaded up with weeds. No sharks this time, but I did manage an new PB bat ray at 38". Not big for this forum, but it beat my last one by 7"
Wind and waves were very low, but so was the tide the current was carrying lots of chopped greens.
I couldn't keep my bait in the water for more than 10-15 minutes before it loaded up with weeds. No sharks this time, but I did manage an new PB bat ray at 38". Not big for this forum, but it beat my last one by 7"
119
Salt Water Shore Fishing Reports / The Brothers Grinn 6/8/16
« on: June 09, 2016, 09:33:51 AM »
(I'll start by saying sorry for the long post LOL)
My wife and kids were out visiting her parents for a couple of days so I took the opportunity to get some more time on the sand.
My dad got off work a little early and made out about the same time I did. We wanted to try a new spot Joe had filled me in on.
Conditions were pretty good, light breeze and 1'-2' waves, but there was a slight downhill current that was bring in a small amount of weed debris.
I also found a new source for macs that are frozen, but way more fresh than the others I've been using so I we very optimistic!
We set up shop, got some baits out, and relaxed for a bit. I also started keeping better track on my soak time, stetting a timer for every 20 minutes (any feedback on that would be great).
Well after a couple soaks and no action we decided to move down to the usual spot. That was the right decision. After about 10 minutes my dad's pole starts getting some shakes, as he walks up to it, bendo! After a really fun fight, I get to play sand hand and drag this pretty Leo up on the beach. 49.5" male. He beat my PB leopard by more than double!
We get it back in the sea and a few minutes later my rod goes off. I put the reel in gear and it starts peeling line. Made two decent runs and we can see the 7gill thrashing and coming half way out of the water. I wanted my dad to see how strong they are so I handed the rod off to him to fight it a bit and bring it in. Once he got it to the skinny I tailed it and got it up on the beach. As he putting my rod in the spike, I look behind him and see his rod going off! I yell at him to get it and he's on too! So now he's fighting his while I'm trying to get pics and measurements on mine, it was crazy! Right as I get mine taped, the hook pulls on his and it's gone
Mine was a fat 92" male.
Those eyes though.
While getting the hook out of his jaw, I got tail whipped pretty good. That shark burn is no joke!
This guy was feisty, kept trying to bite me all the way back in the water.
We get fresh baits in the water and sit down for a bite to eat. About 20 minutes later my dad's rod starts going off again. He sets the hook and a nice 7gill breaks the surface! He fights if for a bit and gets it in pretty close. I'm so stoked my dad is going to finally get a big shark! Right as it gets into the whitewater it makes a strong run and pop! Another one gets away. When he reeled in the slack I found that the rub leader had broke a few feet from the swivel. It was pretty messed up from the first one he had on and I didn't even think to replace it before he put another bait out. Rookie mistake!
After looking at his I decided to bring in my rig and check it as well. Both were pretty scuffed and nicked so we tied on fresh ones and got back to fishing. As the sun started to set, the downhill current picked up pretty good and started bringing in the weeds. We were starting to have trouble keeping the baits where we wanted them. After 5 minutes or so they would start to migrate south from the weed build up. We're about to call it quits and I'm starting to bring it in when I notice my line is moving south much faster than it should. I bring it tight and the drag starts ripping! This one feel really good, it's the hardest fighting one so far. I can feel the tail slaps and see it on the surface pretty far out. I can't seem to gain any line on this one and start following it down the beach. After 4 really good runs we end up in a standoff with him just outside the breakers. My arm and back were starting to burn. I slowly worked it closer and closer until the waves help push him up on the sand. We realized later that the heavy current probably had a lot to do with this one fighting so long. Another male that measured 88" but sure felt bigger! His stomach was in his mouth so we got a quick measurement and pics and sent him back out.
We tried one more set, but the current and weeds were too bad so we packed it up. Ended the night with two big brother sevengills and a nice leopard! It was a great evening and I'm so glad my dad finally got hooked up a few times and landed that nice Leo. Might try to make it out again tonight...
My wife and kids were out visiting her parents for a couple of days so I took the opportunity to get some more time on the sand.
My dad got off work a little early and made out about the same time I did. We wanted to try a new spot Joe had filled me in on.
Conditions were pretty good, light breeze and 1'-2' waves, but there was a slight downhill current that was bring in a small amount of weed debris.
I also found a new source for macs that are frozen, but way more fresh than the others I've been using so I we very optimistic!
We set up shop, got some baits out, and relaxed for a bit. I also started keeping better track on my soak time, stetting a timer for every 20 minutes (any feedback on that would be great).
Well after a couple soaks and no action we decided to move down to the usual spot. That was the right decision. After about 10 minutes my dad's pole starts getting some shakes, as he walks up to it, bendo! After a really fun fight, I get to play sand hand and drag this pretty Leo up on the beach. 49.5" male. He beat my PB leopard by more than double!
We get it back in the sea and a few minutes later my rod goes off. I put the reel in gear and it starts peeling line. Made two decent runs and we can see the 7gill thrashing and coming half way out of the water. I wanted my dad to see how strong they are so I handed the rod off to him to fight it a bit and bring it in. Once he got it to the skinny I tailed it and got it up on the beach. As he putting my rod in the spike, I look behind him and see his rod going off! I yell at him to get it and he's on too! So now he's fighting his while I'm trying to get pics and measurements on mine, it was crazy! Right as I get mine taped, the hook pulls on his and it's gone
Mine was a fat 92" male.
Those eyes though.
While getting the hook out of his jaw, I got tail whipped pretty good. That shark burn is no joke!
This guy was feisty, kept trying to bite me all the way back in the water.
We get fresh baits in the water and sit down for a bite to eat. About 20 minutes later my dad's rod starts going off again. He sets the hook and a nice 7gill breaks the surface! He fights if for a bit and gets it in pretty close. I'm so stoked my dad is going to finally get a big shark! Right as it gets into the whitewater it makes a strong run and pop!
Another one gets away. When he reeled in the slack I found that the rub leader had broke a few feet from the swivel. It was pretty messed up from the first one he had on and I didn't even think to replace it before he put another bait out. Rookie mistake! After looking at his I decided to bring in my rig and check it as well. Both were pretty scuffed and nicked so we tied on fresh ones and got back to fishing. As the sun started to set, the downhill current picked up pretty good and started bringing in the weeds. We were starting to have trouble keeping the baits where we wanted them. After 5 minutes or so they would start to migrate south from the weed build up. We're about to call it quits and I'm starting to bring it in when I notice my line is moving south much faster than it should. I bring it tight and the drag starts ripping! This one feel really good, it's the hardest fighting one so far. I can feel the tail slaps and see it on the surface pretty far out. I can't seem to gain any line on this one and start following it down the beach. After 4 really good runs we end up in a standoff with him just outside the breakers. My arm and back were starting to burn. I slowly worked it closer and closer until the waves help push him up on the sand. We realized later that the heavy current probably had a lot to do with this one fighting so long. Another male that measured 88" but sure felt bigger! His stomach was in his mouth so we got a quick measurement and pics and sent him back out.
We tried one more set, but the current and weeds were too bad so we packed it up. Ended the night with two big brother sevengills and a nice leopard! It was a great evening and I'm so glad my dad finally got hooked up a few times and landed that nice Leo. Might try to make it out again tonight...
120
Tackle Talk / Lever vs. Star Drags
« on: May 26, 2016, 01:44:27 PM »
Hey guys,
Been looking at options for upgrading to a conventional set up. (scouring the classifieds and craigslist for used stuff)
I've come across several lever drag reels and I want to know the reasons for the different styles.
The main reason I'm interested is because I've seen several lever drags in left hand configurations and zero star drag ones.
SO, what is the reasoning behind them and what are the pros/cons for using them the way we do in the surf?
Thank you!
Been looking at options for upgrading to a conventional set up. (scouring the classifieds and craigslist for used stuff)
I've come across several lever drag reels and I want to know the reasons for the different styles.
The main reason I'm interested is because I've seen several lever drags in left hand configurations and zero star drag ones.
SO, what is the reasoning behind them and what are the pros/cons for using them the way we do in the surf?
Thank you!