Good on you for helping the Newbie 

Fished Belmont with my coworker Dave this morning, 0900-1100. Started quite nippy, probably 55, and warmed up to 65 pretty quick. High tide was 1130.

Water was pretty clean, LA River hadn't dumped a bunch of garbage onto the shoreline which was nice.

Shortly after I arrived, I saw a light tackle guy hook up to something good 50 yards away. I figured he would need a hand with landing it so I walked over to him. He was pretty green to surf fishing and was happy for the help. His drag was set really light and he admitted this was his first season of surf fishing so I started coaching him up quite a bit, resetting his drag and telling him to put more muscle to the fish because he was letting it sit on the bottom too much. Every time I told him to move to get in front of the fish he way over corrected and walked well past it. But, after some time, it came up and it was a nice butterfly ray around 30". No way to grip that thing so I just kinda got between it and the small waves and slowly pushed it up the sand a bit. Took his pics for him and shoved it off. He was very grateful and I may see him there again soon, nice guy.

For the rest of the time, Dave and I got nary a bump throwing LCFMs and I later switched to a KM. Gave up at 1100 and his girlfriend joined us from the dog park down the way and we got some great burgers at a spot called Grill 'Em All (metal themed burger joint on the harbor). I will definitely eat there again. Rooftop seating had a great view of the harbor.

Haven't pre-fished but it's time I did. Plenty of bait in my freezer. Seems I've got at least 3 guys from work who are excited about joining me this year so I'm kind of hoping they want to join at different times of day and I can try different things.

1st Paycheck goes towards a Pontoon

I'm surprised you haven't started soaking senkos for the trout yet, they sure seem to love them

Anyone doing any pre-fishing?

After signing the Offer Letter, I went to the puddles to fish in the rain.



The morning was wet and the water was muddy.  Ended up getting a average stocker before heading home for lunch.
I filleted him when I got home and Holy Crap! A big senko in her belly!



I headed back down at 3:00 to try and get myself a big one or a Lightning, but the wind was terrible and the lake was a mud puddle.  I moved to another lake that was a little bit more protective and got a few bites, but nothing stuck.  Oh well, at least the trout earlier pretty much paid for my permit.

One week left before I start work.  I have a lot to get done beforehand, but pretty excited to start getting a paycheck again!

Quote from: sasquatch on February 19, 2026, 05:47:19 PMAbout f@cking time! Congrats.

Thanks boss. 😂

About f@cking time! Congrats. 

That is some good news, Congrats !!!

The Puddles are going to get wrecked for the time remaining