Launched out of Newport today at that dang Dunes ramp in the back bay. My suspicions were that the birds and the bait and the sharks would be right out front of the harbor, so I launched in the back bay and idled the 40 minutes to the mouth of the harbor. Saw some small isolated schools on the sonar, but nothing inspiring.
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3.5' swell had a long enough period today that it was nice and flat, though I was seeing those swells hit the beach in grandiose fashion all day.
Started trolling the magnum a quarter mile east of Balboa Pier, and didn't stop til a quarter mile west of Newport Pier. Reeled up and decided I'd book it north west until I saw birds. I got to Huntington Pier and was about to turn around when I finally spotted pelicans diving and dolphins thrashing. Yeeeeeeeee. Trolled through with the magnum and a sabiki with a rapala attached to the end. Caught an anchovy first, then a double on mackerel. Put both mackerel out to troll, one weighted and one fly lined. Eventually pulled up the fly line so I could have a second line in the water to keep the fresh macks coming.
No big game bites for the couple hours in that spot, but couldn't help but enjoy the weather and being entertained by consistent trolling action with the mackerel.
Started back to the harbor hoping to find something else. Found some more bait and this time I had some adjacent off-color water to work through.
No dice there either.
Got back over to the Wedge area and trolled the rest of the way to the harbor. 1300 had to get going for dad's birthday. Long slow idle back through the harbor, and a sh!t show at the ramp, which was to be expected from what I've heard.
Not thresher steaks.
