Bah, Humbug!! (12-21-17)

[Pinoyfisher]

I can't wait for Spring! The winter doldrums are slowly killing me.  Usual Thursday night sesh for Binh and I with Ben and Josh completing the rag tag crew. 1st location got the thumbs down from Binh just as I was walking onto the beach due to kelp. Ben wanted to tough it out while Binh and I made the move.

New location was much better for activity, but there was a long stretch of water extending about 20' feet that was just loaded with broken up surf grass and kelp. But once you got past that, it was smooth sailing. Every single bait was absolutely mauled boy critters. Mack heads were coming back hollowed out, middle sections came back just skin, and the tails came back just bones. It was a stay close to your rod kind of night. I beat the skunk with a 17" calico and the was kind enough to join me for dinner in spite of the "slow to grow" protests from Josh from a distance. Well, there always has to be one... you know... "that guy"... Too bad there wasn't any trees nearby for him to hug, a dog to pet, or a bug to catch and set free in a safe area to ease the pain of the calico slaughter he was witnessing 



So I beat the skunk. Josh smoked the skunked. Binh didn't go home totally disappointed... Ben, how'd you fair? Nights are cold to down right freezing. Multiple layers are key. I've even started using my Big 5 bought hand warmer packs, just tear open the package and it's immediately activated. Warm hands are happy hands.I know our winters aren't really winters, but I'm already over the cold. I'm Filipino, I was born in the tropics!

[spideyjg]

Cool. If I go out Saturday to steal the rod, you've been planning for, I can get dinner too.

Jim

[xjchad]

Nice calico, wish I could catch one, or anything really...
I'm right there with you Mike, I love the cold in every way except when on the beach fishing 

[lightline21]

Nice Calico! See you guys in 2018!

[Pinoyfisher]

Nice calico, wish I could catch one, or anything really...
I'm right there with you Mike, I love the cold in every way except when on the beach fishing 

Jim, I don't even think about that. Goal is to be in first for the shark list.

[BackBayMan]

Warm hands are happy hands.I know our winters aren't really winters, but I'm already over the cold.

Check out the fleece gloves from Duluth Trading Company that allow you to tap a cell phone. They're only about $20, warm, comfy, and you can easily reel in a fish or use your phone with them on. I've had mine for a couple of years now. We don't need them that often, but when we do it sure is nice to have them on hand

[spideyjg]

I have my fleece lined pants for the deep winter fishing. Warm hat, waders, and those I am set.

Winter sharking is like summer IV catfishing. Not for the meek angler.

Jim

[1morecast]

I was telling Mike And Josh that I would even welcome a surf bat at this point. Just something to pull on. 

[BenCantrell]

Ben, how'd you fair?

Salad wasn't bad for me once I moved down to the washing machine area right next to the rocks.  It may sound counter intuitive, but that's the way it was.  First half of the night baits came back clean.  Last two hours (9-11pm) baits started coming back chewed up.  Not as much as what you guys were dealing with though.  I called it a night at 11:30.

I've been trying out a different rod the past couple outings, a 3 piece 13' Daiwa Sealine.  Line weight 17-40 lbs and lure weight 1-6 oz, so not as beefy as my 12' Penn.  It throws 6 oz and a small piece of bait really well but gets sloppy with a bigger piece of bait.  Overall it's much less difficult to cast than the Penn.  The Penn barely loads up even with 8 oz plus bait.  It's nice to have options.

[BenCantrell]

I was telling Mike And Josh that I would even welcome a surf bat at this point. Just something to pull on. 

I'm feeling the same way.  I've lost count of how many weekday sessions I've done without a bite.  Over half a dozen I'm sure.

[vdisney]

I was telling Mike And Josh that I would even welcome a surf bat at this point. Just something to pull on. 

I'm not having a problem with hooking fish, I'm just having a problem "landing" fish