Headed out this morning after a long work week and wanted to get some stick time in. Conditions were pretty darn good this morning. Little bit of a high surf, but very manageable. Not to much salad, there was some spots with kelp, but it was easy to find the fish zone this morning.
Conditions shot
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7283/27308048664_6ed22806cc_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/HB7Ttf)
First started chucking the LC and got a few YFC. Here is one.
(https://c6.staticflickr.com/8/7529/27306441173_c3dfb78772_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/HAYDBT)
After that I wasn't getting bit on the hard bait. Beach was filling up with surfers, which I had to dodge. They don't care that your fishing out there and come right up close to you even with your line out in the water. Frustrating sometimes.
Changed to the plastic and I'm so glad I did. About my second cast in a feel a nice thump and set the hook. The fight felt different, big headshakes and pulling on the line. Hmmmm I said to myself this feels like a White Sea Bass. Have yet to get one from the surf this year. After a few nice drag runs I could see her getting closer and was smiling ear to ear! So much fun fighting them in the surf.
First WSB
(https://c5.staticflickr.com/8/7472/27640851700_212d447a64_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/J7wAdC)
I had to flag someone down to get a picture and I didn't want to keep the WSB out of the water for long, so I was in a hurry. She was already tired from the battle.
Just couldn't get the right pose I wanted.
(https://c6.staticflickr.com/8/7386/27919489325_c6c0657588_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Jx9FtB)
Quick measure.
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7449/27919373425_6610bedac2_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Jx962k)
Ran back as fast I could in the water, held her lightly by the under belly and waited for her to get some water flowing again. Didn't take long and she swam off pretty feisty.
Start casting again and very next cast, Boom! Another White Sea Bass, Just around the same size. Shook it off the hook and casted out again and wham another WSB on and another fun fight just around the same size. Wow! Found the school! Was so much fun fighting these fish.
Plastic still intact but damaged cast out again and hook into a Nice Halibut, short model around 17 inches. Shake that off, and now I needed to change plastics. Cast out again and Whack! This fish felt bigger than the rest though, and what a fight it was, the hook set was just perfect and the drag pulls so much fun! Definitely wanted a picture of this fish. Didn't stop anyone though, Just got a few pictures and quickly back in the water she went.
22.5 inch White Sea Bass
(https://c3.staticflickr.com/8/7692/27640808330_343ceeaac2_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/J7wnjS)
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7042/27842424321_5de1843480_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/JqkGJD)
Quick close up pic. A brute!
(https://c7.staticflickr.com/8/7124/27306943214_aa0c89f448_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/HB2dRL)
Ran back out to the water and was a nice quick release. Was enjoying all this action in the water. Casted out again and found some Calico bass, all shorties, but still fun to catch. Still trying to keep the WSB around but couldn't find them anymore. Ended with about 4 Calicos and a couple more YFC. Beaches were getting more and more packed and the waves were picking up. When I finally did get out of the water I was soaking wet and had the biggest smile on my face. You just dream about days like this on the sand.
A day I soon won't forget. Thanks for reading and good luck out there. Surge was still strong, very strong actually. I really had to use a lot of weight to push through the water. Got absolutely destroyed by a few creeper waves too. I did manage to keep one hand up out of the water and keep my reel dry. Not easy to do. lol Be safe and until next tide.
Joel
Damnnnnn, nice job joel 8)
Wow Joel, what an incredible session! Always love your reports dude!
Nice Joel! They are feeding on the grunion I bet.
Booyah! Nicely done Joel!
That's awesome! I really like the iridescence and patterns on their sides.
Nice surf biscuits!!!
Very nice! 8)