Newport Landing P.M. 1/2 day - California Fishing

FishSlayer · 05-14-2004, 09:42 AM

Tough day yesterday on the P.M. half day, lots of Calicos and little Cuda but even more broken off in the Kelp. I hooked up a dozen times but only landed two stinken fish...13 inch Calico and a short Cuda.I fished the harber prior to catching the boat and caught two Spotties on a chartreause curlytail.I can not wait until the Sand Bass start to spawn...its usually ausome.

Wahoo! · 05-14-2004, 11:18 AM

Thanks for the report. I'm ready for the sandies!

Sharkbait · 05-15-2004, 09:38 AM

The biggest calicos are deep in the kelp and are suspended or near the surface. When a fish gets stuck in the kelp DON'T PULL. Put your reel in free spool or just slack the line a little bit. The fish will swim out and when it does reel the fish away from the kelp as fast as you can. This has worked literally every single time for me. Most people try forcing the fish out but you can't. You'll pull the hook or brake the line that way. What pound line were you using?

Anthony

FishSlayer · 05-15-2004, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sharkbait

The biggest calicos are deep in the kelp and are suspended or near the surface. When a fish gets stuck in the kelp DON'T PULL. Put your reel in free spool or just slack the line a little bit. The fish will swim out and when it does reel the fish away from the kelp as fast as you can. This has worked literally every single time for me. Most people try forcing the fish out but you can't. You'll pull the hook or brake the line that way. What pound line were you using?

Anthony

I started off using 10, then went to 15 and finally 20...got the same result on all of it, it just took longer to break off on the 20 pound. The deck hands were doing what you suggested and it did work some of the time but this was just not my idea of a fun day. I love light line fishing, catching 2 to 4 pound fish on 20 pound line is not fun for me. When I trout fish I use 1 pound line and if I could find a smaller size I would use it. This year when the Sand Bass are spawning I am loading my Calcutta with 6 pound and going to have some reel fun.

Wahoo! · 05-15-2004, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rreck

I started off using 10, then went to 15 and finally 20...got the same result on all of it, it just took longer to break off on the 20 pound. The deck hands were doing what you suggested and it did work some of the time but this was just not my idea of a fun day. I love light line fishing, catching 2 to 4 pound fish on 20 pound line is not fun for me. When I trout fish I use 1 pound line and if I could find a smaller size I would use it. This year when the Sand Bass are spawning I am loading my Calcutta with 6 pound and going to have some reel fun.

Hey, where did you find 1 pound line? I've been looking all over for it! I want to get some for my trip to June next week. Let me know where I can get some. Thanks

Sharkbait · 05-16-2004, 03:41 PM

Using light line is fun but when your fishing in the ocean(on a boat) most of the time light line has no place on the reels. Usually I use 12 pound line and have caught 5 pound calicos deep in the kelp. Even on 12 pound line they pull. You never know when that big fish will grab your bait and will totally dominate you on 6lb. What if a seal comes for your fish? You won't be able to do anything. What if you hook a 40'' cuda? well you know what I mean. Even light line for sand bass is a risk since the barracuda, wsb, and yellowtail hangout with the bass on the flats. I would rather catch fish then lose fish.

Anthony

FishSlayer · 05-17-2004, 01:15 AM

The risk is half the fun...and how am I supposed to break any line class records fishing inshore on 20lb?