Topics

136

Salt Water Shore Fishing Reports / Late report, north Ventura 10/23/15

« on: October 26, 2015, 08:49:59 AM »

Went out Friday night after work from about 5:00-9:30.  Weekend got too busy to post up so here's my late report.
Had a nice high tide, no seaweed, no current, and small surf with only the occasional larger set rolling through.
Conditions were great and my hopes were high.  Tried some new knots I've been practicing that I read about here, and played with some new rigging setups.  I started off throwing mac chunks and I've been alternating between longer soaks and quicker re-baits to try and find some sweet spots.  Learning more all the time and enjoying it, unfortunately, I didn't come up with anything exciting or worthy of the "Coolest Catch" contest.



Lots of small bites and bait stealers.  Finally got something to stick at about 8:00.  Turned to be a medium sized tractor, but at least it beat the skunk. (Sorry for the bad cell phone pics)



About 8:30 I ran out of macs and switched to double squid.  That got more action, but I could tell it was just getting pecked at by the little guys.  Finally had something that kept the rod bouncing for awhile so I reeled it in to find this energetic smelt that somehow found the pointy end of the 12/0 circle hook.





As the tide headed back out the bites died off so I packed it up. 

Got back on the sand Saturday morning, but left the gear at home so I could focus on something more important. 

137

General Board / Future fishing buddy

« on: October 06, 2015, 10:26:47 AM »

Got to meet my future fishing buddy today.  So far all my kids love fishing, so I'm hoping he/she does as well 

138

Tackle Talk / Sand Spikes

« on: September 23, 2015, 04:05:31 PM »

Just looking for any and all ideas.
I currently use a piece of PVC with a 45* cut on the end.  It works ok, but it's kind of a pain getting the rod in and out since the butt end is so long.  Just wondering what everyone else uses and looking for any ideas before I start making some new ones.  I'm thinking of using some aluminum angle and making my own.

139

Fishing Talk / Cool looking fish

« on: September 17, 2015, 01:00:49 PM »

 
https://www.facebook.com/fisheriesqu/posts/1496677460648587

140

General Board / Advice for a large family vehicle

« on: September 15, 2015, 07:54:49 PM »

So we're adding another one to the litter (#5) 
(One of the reasons I haven't gotten out to the sand lately.
Our current Chevy Uplander is out to seats so we're looking to upgrade to something larger.
Main concerns are safety and reliability. We'll most likely be buying used.
All minivans are out since all the kids are still in car seats.
I've always been a Chevy guy, but open to ALL suggestions.
Any advice?

141

Classifieds / WTB - 10-12' casting rod Heavy

« on: September 09, 2015, 05:58:36 PM »

Budget is pretty tight but I thought I'd throw this out there.
Looking for a 10-12' heavy casting rod to pair with my Penn Squall 40.
Also have a great condition Penn 500 Jigmaster spooled with new Bekley Big Game 40lb to trade/sell.

142

General Board / 3D printing

« on: August 28, 2015, 02:36:48 PM »

Just got a 3D printer at work.  I'm a total newbie, but so far my first prints are coming out good 
Anyone here do any 3D printing?
Any cool ideas for 3D prints for fishing stuff?

143

Classifieds / WTB: verizon cell phone

« on: July 24, 2015, 01:27:29 PM »

Hey guys,
 Went to a family pool party on the 4th and accidentally took my phone swimming with me for a couple hours 
 Tried all the tricks and it's toast.
 I can't upgrade till February so I was wondering if anyone has an old phone they don't need that works on Verizon.
 Doesn't have to be special, can't afford much, just something to tide me over till Feb.
 Thanks!
 Chad

144

Fishing Talk / Just a few questions...

« on: July 14, 2015, 08:44:52 PM »

After a lot of thinking during and since last weeks outings I've got a few questions floating around in my head. I'm sure there's several opinions on each, but I'd love to hear the different points of view.

1.  How many poles do you fish with?
     -I'm thinking at this point I should stick with one, but
      can't help but think. My odds would increase with
      another bait in the water.

2.  Are there any online dealers for fresh mackerel?
     -I don't have much time to fish for them and they're
      not very plentiful up here.

3.  What is the best low profile knot from the 40lb main line to the 80lb shock leader?

Thanks in advance guys!

145

Salt Water Shore Fishing Reports / From -1 back to 0 7/9/15

« on: July 10, 2015, 08:36:58 AM »

Well after being all excited about getting my first fish on the long rod Wednesday night, Chip kindly informed me that a thornback puts me at -1. 
So I decided that I needed to go out again last night and try to redeem myself.
Picked a new beach that I've been eying on my way to and from work every day.  Water was clear with 2-3 footers breaking close in.  I fished just before peak high tide to outgoing, 5pm-8pm.  As I walked up to the water there was a big pod of dolphins chasing bait right up to the sand! At least I know there's fish in the water 
I walked down the beach aways to get away from some swimmers and set up my first spot.  Threw out a mac head and started throwing the LC on my light rod....  nothing.  Fished there for an hour with not a bite.  Moved up the beach 100 yards or so and sent out another bait.... still nothing.  Stayed another hour and noticed all the swimmers were gone so I moved back down where the dolphins had been, closer to the structure.  Tossed out some more mac, messed with my phone, chatted with the locals and still no love.  Decided to try the LC again while I waited. Second cast gets nailed by this chunky 10" perch.


Well by that time I was happy to beat the skunk so at about 7:30 I decided to throw out one more bait on the long rod.  Since the mac didn't seem to be working I pinned on a whole squid and chucked it out.  Put the rod in the holder and went to get my LC pole, but as I'm walking back I see the long rod double over! I dropped the light pole and grabbed it, as soon as I set the hook the drag starts screaming    Finally got my first decent fish!  After about 5-10 minutes I got my first bat ray onto the sand.  Measured the wingspan at 31"


A local guy stopped to take a pic for me.


I know it's no monster, but it sure seemed like it to me 
I'm definitely hooked and can't wait to get out again!

146

Salt Water Shore Fishing Reports / Finally back on the sand 7/8/15

« on: July 09, 2015, 09:34:51 AM »

Well after what seems like an endless struggle with a bad cough and a bout of walking pneumonia, I was finally feeling well enough to get back out and try my hand a long rodding again.
I fished the high to outgoing tide up here in Carp from about 5:30 to 8:30.
If you remember from previous posts, I've been struggling with casting, tangles, breakoffs, and all that newbie stuff.  Based on feedback from a lot of you guys I was suspecting the braid had a lot to do with it so right before I got sick I had removed a lot of it and, using what was left as backing, spooled the rest with 40lb mono.  Well that, along with some casting technique pointers from Verne and Eric, seems to have made a big difference.  I was finally able to start making decent casts and by the end of the session I think I was hitting about  60 yards or so.
That in itself was a big boost to my confidence!
First cast I threw a perch head and let it soak while throwing the LC. After about 30 minutes I see the long rod start bouncing so I grabbed it and waited for another hit then set the hook.  Got him!  I braced myself for a big fight and drag peeling runs like I've read about so often on here, but all I felt were little bouncing tugs as I reeled him in. Haha, oh well, still my first fish on the long rod so I'm pretty happy 


Cute little thornback


Unfortunately, shortly after that the kelp started rolling through and I spent the rest of the evening hauling in pounds of kelp.
Probably should have gone home sooner but I just kept throwing bait out in hopes of another bite before it loaded up with weeds.
I must have hauled in over a hundred pounds of it. This is about half of what I pulled in.


Anyway, Thanks for all the info and advice!  It's slowly coming together for me.  One of these days I'll have a real shark to show for it! 

147

Fishing Talk / Anyone fishing VC this week or next?

« on: June 08, 2015, 08:26:36 PM »

I need to get out on the sand some night this week or next.
Anyone interested?

148

Tackle Talk / Shimano Corvalus 400 ?'s

« on: June 02, 2015, 04:54:19 PM »

 I just picked up a new Shimano Corvalus 400 for $30
I knew nothing about it, but I figured for that price I should be at least able to resell it and break even if I don't want to keep it.  I've been doing some research online and it seems like it's getting mixed reviews.
What are your thoughts?
If I decide to keep it, what would be the best use for it, and what rod and line should I pair it with?
Thanks guys!

149

Fishing Talk / Any info on Lake Casitas?

« on: May 28, 2015, 01:25:39 PM »

Hi,
I just moved to Santa Paula recently.  Took the wife and kids up to Casitas on Monday to rent a boat for an hour and put around. Just wanted something different to do and we had a blast!


Anyway, I was wondering if any of you fish there and could give me some info on it?
I don't have a boat and won't rent one very often so I'd be fishing from the shore.  I love fishing for anything, but bass and catfish would be main targets.
Also, is there a way to get around the $15 parking/day use fee?
Thanks!
Chad

150

Salt Water Shore Fishing Reports / Makin' bait in Carpinteria 5/27/15

« on: May 27, 2015, 12:46:52 PM »

Well I figured I'd give it one more shot this week to try for a contender in Tom's leopard shark contest so I went out on my lunch break to try for some fresh bait.  Went to one of my usual spots with the tide way out and decided to walk the beach a bit and try to learn the structure. There wasn't much current today, but the water was pretty stained and there we lots of big chunks of kelp floating around.  Also noticed a lot of new SC beds 


I looked around a bit more and found a mostly kelp free pocket next to a small rip and started throwing some camo crack.  Second cast, tap, tap, tap, fish on!  Nice to finally catch something again!  Not a trophy, but good bait size 


Caught two more similar models in the next 10 minutes and headed back up the beach.  Hoping they do the trick and score a nice big leo!
On less positive note, I know they're saying the oil spill north of SB isn't affecting us, but I saw several spots like this that make me think otherwise 


Have a great week guys!