May 16th Corona del Mar Yakking (w/ Pics) - California Fishing

Yuckster · 05-17-2007, 12:31 PM

Tide, surf, and wind finally cooperated for me and I was able to take my fishing outside of Newport Harbor. The 3 to 5 foot swells had me thinking twice but once out past the jetty it turned out that they were soothing 3-5' rollers

I found myself some nice kelp beds to tie up to and started my work. My first fish was a short Calico (my first Calico if you can believe it). Shortly after that I thought that I snagged some kelp because my line was really heavy. When the end came into view it wound up being a nice rockfish (also a first). It was a little scary bringing this guy on board with me. I was nervous about getting my legs spiked so I had to straddle the yak while I took the pick. I am sure this was a legal size rock fish (11-12") but I had no way to keep him fresh for the trip home so back in he went. I later found that this guy had a stowaway on him. If you look in the last pick you will see a little crab in my cup holder. I think he was holding on to the rockfish when I reeled him in! After I landed the rockfish the bite died down so I switched from plastic to ghost shrimp. I had no problem getting bites but had a heck of a time keeping the damn fish on. I think next time I'll try some bigger hooks (I was using #4 circle hooks). I managed 3 more on the ghost shrimp before I ran out. The 3rd picture is a 12" Calico and the 4th is a short sand bass. I am not sure what the fish is. It looked like a Calico w/ poor coloring but I'm not sure. Any ID would be appreciated. Notice the little crab in the last pick.

All in all this is the best day I've had yet. I managed 5 fish in less than 4 hours of fishing. I farmed at least twice that number.

Also, if anyone is interested, I'll be conducting the Intro to Kayak Fishing at the Huntington Beach REI in June. It's geared toward people who are interested in getting into the sport. I will have my boat on display and I will talk about safety, tips for rigging, and I will even share some good launch places. It's free to all except HUSF members. You guys have to pay for the privilege of heckling me

I will post an announcement when we have the date set. It will be on a Thursday night at 7:00PM.

spooky007 · 05-17-2007, 12:43 PM

Nice going out there!! Be careful with those sculpin as they sting is painful that can last for several hours. Last pic looks to be a johnny bass.

Al

Yuckster · 05-17-2007, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spooky007

Nice going out there!! Be careful with those sculpin as they sting is painful that can last for several hours. Last pic looks to be a johnny bass.

Al

Yeah, I know about the sting. Thats why you dont see my legs anywhere in the pick

I must have looked pretty strange with my legs hanging off either side of my yak while trying to take a pic.

MOBassman · 05-17-2007, 02:10 PM

Great pics and report! What kind of yak do you have?

Beresford13861 · 05-17-2007, 02:45 PM

nice report, and that last one is a johny

Supa711 · 05-17-2007, 04:51 PM

Sure the sculpin didnt cough up the crab? I got a bonita last week that puked up a still kickin chovy(?) on the deck, bonita in the bag and chovy on the hook worked out well haha. Looks like you had a good day out there, the kelp is comin in pretty thick this year, makes for some good times divin and fishin. I'll be at the REI demo for sure, missed last years. Let me know if you ever want some company in NPH.

Yuckster · 05-21-2007, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Supa711

Sure the sculpin didnt cough up the crab? I got a bonita last week that puked up a still kickin chovy(?) on the deck, bonita in the bag and chovy on the hook worked out well haha. Looks like you had a good day out there, the kelp is comin in pretty thick this year, makes for some good times divin and fishin. I'll be at the REI demo for sure, missed last years. Let me know if you ever want some company in NPH.

I am quite sure that the crab was not coughed up. I have seen crabs like that on TV. They pick all the parasites off the stone fish. It took me a minute to figure out where it came from though.

YakityYak · 05-21-2007, 10:16 PM

Nice going! good report and thanks for the pics. Be sure to post the info for your seminar. I'll definately make it if at all possible.

mickeysindahous · 05-22-2007, 10:11 AM

Awesome day with an awesome catch. I've got a yak as well and it doesn't make it out as often as I wish. Perhaps you can post full info on that seminar and persuade me to take it out more often.

Post Day/date/time/address, etc. Look forward to being there.

WTG on your trip!