New Guy Introduction - California Fishing

gnicks · 08-13-2008, 01:27 PM

Hello fellow fisher people. Let me intro myself and ask for your help at the same time. I'm a beer drinking , fun loving, S.O.B.. I moved to So. Cal. about 3 yrs. ago from the midwest. I immediatly started my apprenticeship on saltwater with 3/4 day charters out of Dana Warf and Helgrins in Oceanside with great success on all of them.The only disappointing charter I have been on was an overnighter out of San Diego with 17 people on the boat and 16 fish caught. guess who got skunked. LOL. I then decided to start to learn surf and shore fishing.

This is where I need your help. After only a couple outings I was in a car wreck and suffered a spinal cord injury and have spent just short of 2 yrs. rehabing. I am now finished with rehab and have nothing but time on my hands for fishing (hooray!) I am limited to a wheel chair and need suggestions and tips for shore access. Of course sandy beaches and rock jetties are out, but if you have any tips I would love to hear them.

I also would like to know if you people have any knowledge of the policies of the charter boats? I can walk short distances with a walker, like down a ramp or dock but could never stand next to a rail all day. Will they allow my wheel chair onboard. And if so would any of you view it as an imposition for a guy to take up so much prime real estate at the back of the boat, the only place to really put a wheel chair and leave room to move around?

Anyway, thanks for reading my thread and I eagerly await your suggestions.

gnicks · 08-13-2008, 01:32 PM

Sorry guys. Thought I was in the message boards when I posted this. Turns out I was in the reports. OOOPPPS!

spooky007 · 08-13-2008, 01:49 PM

Welcome to the site!! Sorry to hear of your accident and hopefully you recover fully!! Not sure what the charter boat policies are but I'm sure if you call around they could help you out an dmake appropriate accomidations for you. Look forward to your reports!!

TunaTickler · 08-13-2008, 01:53 PM

Welcome to HUSF, hope too see some reports from you soon. Some of the surf champs should be able to help you.

cst · 08-13-2008, 02:20 PM

You should be fine for 1/2 and 3/4 day trips. Any longer then that and I would be worried about you being able to follow your fish along the rail. A good crew should be able to accommodate you even in those types of trips. Let us know when you go, I'm sure someone will hop on the trip.

dodoman · 08-13-2008, 02:33 PM

welcome aboard.
on many trips in the past , I HAVE SEEN DISABLED AND LIMITED HANDICAPS ON FISHING BOATS.
you should call the landing ahead of time and tell them your conditions.

if no luck, you can ride with us on the toons...........

gnicks · 08-15-2008, 10:36 AM

Thanks for your concern and ideas gents. What doesn't kill ya' makes ya' stronger.

Will most certainly check you out for a Toon ride some day DoDo.

mickeysindahous · 08-15-2008, 01:21 PM

Hey Glen, welcome to the board buddy! Sorry to hear about your accident, but I'm glad it sounds like you're recuperating quite well, though I wish you a full recovery soon. As for shore fishing, you're pretty much SOL! No room for the handicap buddy! Muahahaha...

Ah, I'm just kidding bud. You'll find that we have some nuts on the board, myself excluded. Hope you have a good sense of humor and even better fishing skills.

I have personally been on 3/4 day boats in which there were two fellas on wheelchairs. I gotta way, these dudes had some arm-power! We were rock fishing at one point & they just pulled one after the other without breaking a sweat. So with that said, I'm sure 1/2 - 3/4 day boats should be good. I'd call the landing beforehand just to be on the safe side.

As far as shore fishing...are you open to pier fishing? If so, you've pretty much got endless options (Santa Monica, Manhattan, Malibu, Belmont Shores, Seal Beach, Redondo, and the list goes on...) Another cool spot would be Chase Park in Marina Del Rey. They've got a designated fenced fishing dock with handicap access. There's also the Bait Barge in Marina Del Rey. They let you fish for 3 or 6 hours (can't remember) or only $10. This includes unlimited live bat (sardines). Here you can pull out monster Bat Rays, Short White Sea Bass, Halibut, Yellowfin Croakers, Eels, even Seals & Gulls

. I don't know if they allow wheelchairs, though it's got a ramp so I don't see why not. I'd call them just in case. I'll put two numbers at the end of the post, not sure which one it is, but call them up. They by Berth 55, I think...

I hope this helps get you an idea for new spots to hit. Let me us know how it goes & be sure to take lots of pics & report every time you go out. Welcome to the board!!!

Marina del Rey MDR Bait Co. (310) 822-3625
Marina del Rey In Seine Bait Co. (310) 322-7691

cst · 08-15-2008, 02:56 PM

Chase Park is a great suggestion. Fun place to fish

gnicks · 08-15-2008, 03:02 PM

Thanks Mickey. The info will be very helpful. It looks like piers are going to be my best recourse for now. Going to concentrate on the fishing pier at Oceanside small craft habor for the next month or 6 weeks as it is the most convienent. Would like to fish the big municipal pier at O'side beach but they have one festival or another going constantly until the end of Sept. and I don't want to fight the crowds. LOL. I love the bait barge idea, will definately be checking that out. As for a sense of humor, I'm 6'3" , big as a mack truck, with my own set of wheels(lol) and I'm told I look like John Candy. If I can't take a joke I'm in trouble. hehehehe. Thanks again for the info.

Glenn

mickeysindahous · 08-15-2008, 03:36 PM

Well alright! We got an official Hook Up member on board. Welcome again & make sure you check out both the bait barge & Chase Park.

In fact, what some fellas do is hit up the bait barge, buy a 1/2 scoop of sardines & head out to Chase Park. The fish at Chase Park ain't so used to being fed 'dines all day so they get more excited to bite than the ones at the bait barge. You just gotta figure out a way to keep your sardines live during transport & while fishing.

Good luck!!

dodoman · 08-15-2008, 07:55 PM

hay gnicks, was that you at skinner with your son.
your identity is familular.

gnicks · 08-15-2008, 08:46 PM

Nope not me. Don't have a son. I'm a 3 daughters guy and man am I glad they're all grown and on thier own now. LOL. Do have a grandson, can't wait till he is old enough to hold a rod.

SoCalGuy7 · 08-20-2008, 08:59 AM

Welcome,
Ramona, is right in the middle of some nice freshwater lakes, some allow dock fishing...ie, Henshaw.

SCG7

fishnut · 08-20-2008, 11:33 AM

Hey all,

I'm not trying to explote anyone but...as a handicapable fisher myself I can relate. I would gladly offer to take Glenn out on a boat if I had one. But since I don't I'd like to ask if any of you BIG haerted fishing gents would consider lending space on your bout. In return I'll gladly help out anyone in my aera to return (pay forward) the favor.

I live in Tehachapi and fish (it's just what we call it, otherwise it would be catching) Brite (not so) lake. And also make trips to the Aqueduct.

Speaking of aqueduct...it's wheel chair accessable!!

Peace
Brother fishnut