Topics

151

Salt Water Shore Fishing Reports / Harbor skunk 5/22

« on: May 23, 2015, 01:26:51 PM »

Hit Ventura harbor for a solo session last night. Tried soaking macs in a new spot. Put my first bait out around 5:30 and fish lures on the light rod. About 6:15 the bait clicker starts screaming for about 3 seconds then stops. Only bite on the long rod all night.  .
At least I was able to pick up a few small croaker on the light rod.
Saw lots of baitfish breaking the surface and threw every lure I had but no luck there either.
This report is the same as the last few times I've been out. Figured it was time to post up.
I'll score a big one eventually, just putting in the time. 

152

Salt Water Shore Fishing Reports / High hopes turned to humble pie... then pizza pie

« on: April 24, 2015, 12:48:49 PM »

Well after reading all these great reports it kills me to post this one.  You guys get me so amped up reading them and then I finally get my chance to get out and I get shot down again.  Don't worry, I'm not giving up, just realizing that it doesn't come easy, and all the great fish you guys catch are the result of lots of hard work and experience. 
So anyway, I get all my gear out to my spot and get set up.


I'm super confident since I have some good info on the spot, some new rigs from Tom, and some fresh perch ready for some big leo's. 


Breakaway cannon loaded and ready to fire, I wade out waist deep, get the rhythm of the waves, and launch it...

WHAT THE!?
15-20 yards of line come off the spool and then a snarl and pop.  Actually got good distance out of the sputnik and perch head, but they're no longer connected to my line  I look up to see a big tangle of braid around the 3rd guide from the top.  I wade back in and look everything over but nothing else looks weird.  Oh well, so I get the tangle out, tie on a new shock leader and terminal rig, and pin on a fresh slab of perch.
Double checking everything, and I'm ready to go.  Water seems a little colder this time, especially once you get balls deep 
I get out just past the waves and launch it...
Repeat of the first cast!!     
This time I get pissed.  I wade back in, pack up my gear, and head for the car.  The walk back down the beach gives me some time to cool off and I decide to head down to ventura harbor and see if I can do any better there.
This was my first time at the harbor so I'm not sure where to try, but pick out a spot that looks good and climb down the rocks to the water.  This time I've got my shorter casting rig (not my 12' spinning set up from earlier).  After tying on a cannon ball rig, I impale a whole squid on the 6/0 hook and toss it out.  Finally have some bait soaking so I sit back and enjoy the sunset.
Well nothing big found my bait temping so it kept getting shredded by the critters.  After 5 or 6 rounds of rebaiting I decide it's time to go and start reeling in. This time I felt a little tension and pull this overly ambitious croaker out of the water.  LOL, not sure if this completely erases the stripe, but at least I got my hands fishy 


Well it was a bummer of session, but I'm chalking it up to experience and planning some casting practice next week.  Any advise or criticism(constructive or otherwise) is more than welcome.

At least my awesome wife cheered me up with this when I got home!
Her first try at chicken alfredo pizza, it was delicious! 


As always, thanks for all the great info!  One of these days I'll have some big game to post about!

153

General Board / Dogs on the beach

« on: April 15, 2015, 03:01:37 PM »

Am I just a scrooge, or does anyone else hate it when people have their dogs on the beach?
Don't get me wrong, I like dogs, we have one of our own, but I never take it to the beach.
I guess I don't necessarily mind the people that have them on leashes and pick up after them, but it pisses me off when they just let them run everywhere and do whatever it wants.  I really hate it when they think that I want their dog running up to me or my kids when their 50 feet away. I don't trust any dog around my kids no matter how much you think it "loves children".  I chewed out some lady at the beach the other day because her dog wasn't on a leash and ran up right in my son's face while he was eating his lunch.   
Oh well, rant over, hope I didn't offend anyone here. 

154

Salt Water Shore Fishing Reports / 4/11 for Nada

« on: April 12, 2015, 07:57:47 PM »

Well unfortunately not much to report.
I didn't have as much time as I'd hoped but was able to spend a couple hours on the sand at the top of the incoming tide. Had a couple of bites but all I brought in was kelp. The surf was picking up and there was a pretty strong downhill current.
Glad most of you had better luck!

155

Fishing Talk / Anyone going out this weekend in VC area?

« on: April 09, 2015, 07:40:54 PM »

Wondering if anyone will be heading out on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday?
I'm planning on fishing and thought I'd check to see if anyone wants to meet up.

156

Tackle Talk / Penn 500 Jigmaster

« on: April 08, 2015, 04:11:33 PM »

Ok feel free to flame away if I'm off base here LOL
I was going through all my tackle and getting organized after our move and forgot I had this setup.
It's a Penn 500 jigmaster on a 7' tuna stick that I had picked up as a combo at Sports Chalet 12-15 years ago.
Took it on a day boat once and never used it.
I'm wondering if I could use this as a second setup for rays and sharks?
I'm thinking mainly in the bays/harbors since it's pretty short for surf use. 
How is this reel for casting?

157

Salt Water Shore Fishing Reports / First report here

« on: April 03, 2015, 12:31:04 PM »

Finally back on the sand!
It's been awhile since I've been able to fish since I've been so busy with work and moving, etc.
Anyway, I was able to get out today for about 45 minutes on my lunch break.  Pretty big waves (3-5 ft), and strong downhill current. Not too much salad but the water was pretty stirred up.


No hits the whole time until my last cast. Got nailed after 2 or 3 cranks.  She fought good, even pulled a little drag.  As soon as I unhooked her and picked her up she started spitting out babies.  I scooped them up and threw them in the water then got a quick pic before releasing her.  Didn't have time to get out the tape, but I'm sure she was a solid 12", and thick.


Feels good to get back out there and get more confidence with the Lucky Craft   

158

Fishing Talk / Tom, thought you'd like this...

« on: April 02, 2015, 10:06:06 PM »

It would be pretty cool to hook one of these!
http://www.iflscience.com/plants-and-animals/hunting-living-fossils-indonesian-waters

159

Fishing Talk / Newbie intro

« on: April 02, 2015, 03:30:06 PM »

Hey guys,
Just wanted to introduce myself and say hi.
I'm somewhat new to saltwater fishing, but have been fishing freshwater since I can remember.  I started reading SCSF and posting there since I started a new job in Carpinteria back in June.  I've been fishing my lunch breaks for perch and stuff a lot, but am dying to tie into some big game.  I picked up a long rod awhile back and was hoping to get started for SNBF, but had a flight cancelled and didn't make it home in time.  Oh well maybe next year.
Anyway, I just moved to Santa Paula from Lancaster and I think there's a few of you that are up here in the VC area or at least fish up here occasionally.  If any of you don't mind me tagging along I'd love to meet up and learn what I can about catching sharks and rays.  Been reading everything I can on here, it's a great forum.  Thanks for all the info you all have shared!
Hope to meet some of you on the sand one day.
Chad