Lobster Opener in Catalina 09-27-2013 to 09-29-2013

So I decided to go along with my friends Hashem aka Mahigeer and John aka Redkorn to Catalina for the lobster opener this year. Season opened at 12:01 AM on 09/28/2013. Mahigeer and I arrived around 7:30 AM on 09-27-2013 and John came in on the 9:00 PM boat. We all left on 09-29-2013, me on the 10:15 AM boat. Lots of fun was had, many fish were caught (including my first ever bonito from shore), lots of eye candy was enjoyed and most importantly I did come home with one lobster (thanks to John ;))! A very detailed report of the trip can be found here Catalina Mole, lobster opener 9/27/2013 which is the PFIC (Pier Fishing In California) website we all met on many years ago. Below are my pics from the trip and a few comments, but make sure to check out the link for the detailed report, it is a beautifully put together report of the trip. BTW, I was up for close to 90 hours straight between the day before and this trip, so I was a bit tired when I got home, lol.

09/27/2013

Cruise ship parked outside of the bay

 Mahigeer with triple Mackerel hook up above and double bonito below

 

My first ever Bonito caught from shore!

 

Tree Rockfish above, horn shark below

09/28/2013

 Casino at Night

 Sunrise

 Local Lobster Poacher in red shorts, called Cal-Tip on them, but no one ever showed up.

 Redkorn aka John fishing hard!

 Nice man named Bill we met on the trip with an Eel he caught

Lots of short lobsters below

09/29/2013

 My first ever legal that I actually pulled up!

 Another small tree rockfish

 Parting Shot

Days of work for this, but it was worth it :)

Jetty Fishing Ventura 09-24-2013

Brian's girlfriend had a hair appointment in Ventura, so we did our usual of fishing a nearby place while she is getting primped. This time it was the jetty off Greenock street in Pierpont Bay next to Ventura Harbor. We arrived at Noon and fished until she was ready to go, which was around 3:30 PM. Fishing was pretty slow most of the day. I did catch two cabazon pretty close together at 12:24 PM and 12:33 PM. One was 8-9" the other was a little over 14"....so close to being legal, lol. Nothing after that for either of us. Our fishing was somewhat cramped due to congested waters around the jetty. Tons of surfer sitting right where we usually like to cast (I mean they have the whole fucking ocean, why surf right where people fish?) as well as a tanked diver / spear fisherman and a snorkeling spear fisherman (who really got in our way a few times, jerk). Anyways, another great day on the water in Sunny Southern California :).

Birthday Fishing in Malibu 09-23-2013

Being that is was my Birthday, what better thing to do than what I love....go fishing! My regular fishing buddy Brian was still out of town and others were busy, so I went alone. I got to the fishing spot at around 6:30 AM and left around 10:30 AM. Low tide was a 1.81 at 5:42 AM and High was a 5.01 at 11:53 AM. Bait was squid. Fishing was pretty slow the first couple hours, with just nibble here a nibble there. First fish of the day was caught at 8:38 AM, which was an 11" grass rockfish. Released em to get bigger and the next fish was a 12" grass rockfish at 9:04 AM. Into the potential keeper bucket of water and back to fishing for me. The last and final fish caught for the day was a nice 13" grass rockfish caught at 9:48 AM. I also reeled in a lobster leg at 9:40 AM, which I left on for bait (no takers that I know of, if came off after the third cast, not sure if it fell off or something took it off). Brought the 12 & 13" grass rockfish over to my parents and filet them for them to add to the other two I brought them a couple weeks back. Now they have plenty for a nice meal :). Day was capped off with sushi with the parents and wife that evening, so my day started and ended with fish....best birthday I could ask for :).

Surf Fishing Malibu 09-20-2013

Decided to hit up Malibu alone since Brian was busy and I couldn't sucker anyone else into joining me, lol. Arrived at my spot for the day at 5:35 PM and left around 8:30 PM (short session for me, as the best laid plans don't always work out. I was counting on fishing till high tide with a nice bright full moon lighting the waters, however the thick layer of clouds did not allow much light through and the bite died at sundown). Low tide was at 4:40 PM at 0.16 and high was at 10:43 PM at 4.77. Anyways, fishing was pretty decent with me catching the first fish at 5:47 PM, which was a medium sized butter mouth perch. Next fish was an 11" or so grass rockfish at 6:04 PM. The next, and last, fish caught was another 11" or so grass rockfish caught at 6:29 PM. Had a few other nibbles before sunset at 6:55 PM, but not even a bite after that. It was nice to catch some fish though :). All fish released, bait was squid as usual.

Montaña de Oro State Park 09-15-2013

Since I was still up in Central California with Brian after the Avila Kids Fishing Derby the day before, we decided to do some more fishing. Brian had a place he wanted to fish in mind, so off we went. We arrived around 12:30 PM and stopped fishing around 4:30 PM. Bait was squid mostly, but I did try white croaker and lizard fish with no luck. We started out fishing to on the rocks (forth pic down with girl and boy on it) to the left of the large rock / small hill in the middle. Luckily the swell was way down today, so we didn't get too wet. I caught the first fish of the day at 1:36 PM, which was a small thornback ray. Brian caught the second and last fish of the day at 1:56 PM, an 11" or so kelp greenling. At around 2:30 or so we tried to go up the big rock / hill in the middle to fish off the front of that, but with all our gear and my lack of climbing skills, we had to settle for a rock outcropping to the right of it. We tried there for about a couple hours, with no takers. Both fish were released, weather was great! Nice to fish a new place and soak in the rays :).

Avila Pier Kids Fishing Derby 09-14-2013

Brian and I decided to help out other PFIC members running the annual kids fishing derby held at Avila Pier. A report of the derby can be found here - Avila Pier Youth Fishing Tournament – Recap

We hung around a while after the derby to fish, then came back later that night to fish some more. We caught plenty of lizard fish and small white croakers, but nothing of note (other than a pretty starfish, lol). It was fun helping out and seeing the smiling faces on the kids.