In-Shore Fun!
I got an opportunity to fish with Tim Boyer on his 26 foot Striper along with his son Chris and friend Jack (Thanks Tim). We launched at Dana Point Harbor around 8:30 Friday morning. The launch ramp is across from Dana Point Jet Ski and Kayak Center which Tim owns and operates. We picked up a half scoop of well cured sardines first then headed out of the harbor towards the power plant.
Weather was cool and overcast with water temps of 62 degrees. It was a short 15 minute trip to the fishing grounds. We set up our halibut rigs while Tim put the boat in place for a drift. We were in 20 to 30 feet of water. Gradually the sky cleared and we had full sun.
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Tim
Tim hooked up first on something that took a long fast run and broke his 65 lb. spectra. We never saw the fish. Jack hooked up next on a sandbass which he released. We made several long drifts occasionally bringing back raked baits.
Tim pulled out fixins for some great make-your-own sandwiches. As Jack was eating his pastrami sandwich, Chris yelled, “Jack, you’re bit!” Jack put down his sandwich and landed a halibut just short of legal. Jack rebaited and set his rod in the holder and grabbed his sandwich. Again Chris yelled, “Jack, you’re bit!” Another short halibut.
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Chris measuring his halibut
Tim hooked up first on something that took a long fast run and broke his 65 lb. spectra. We never saw the fish. Jack hooked up next on a sandbass which he released. We made several long drifts occasionally bringing back raked baits.
Tim pulled out fixins for some great make-your-own sandwiches. As Jack was eating his pastrami sandwich, Chris yelled, “Jack, you’re bit!” Jack put down his sandwich and landed a halibut just short of legal. Jack rebaited and set his rod in the holder and grabbed his sandwich. Again Chris yelled, “Jack, you’re bit!” Another short halibut.
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Chris measuring his halibut
Chris with his halibut
I threw some loose change overboard (to appease Neptune) in an effort to get bit. Chris got bit next and he landed and released a short halibut. Tim hooked up next and caught the only legal halibut of the day.
I was truly enjoying just being on the water which was fortunate. It was late in the afternoon without a hooked fish when I got bit. It was heavy, big enough to require a gaff. We were sure it was a nice halibut - until it got to the surface and we saw the tail. A big, beautiful Skate!
I was truly enjoying just being on the water which was fortunate. It was late in the afternoon without a hooked fish when I got bit. It was heavy, big enough to require a gaff. We were sure it was a nice halibut - until it got to the surface and we saw the tail. A big, beautiful Skate!
2 Comments:
Did you keep and eat the skate?
No. We thought it was a ray until I looked it up when I got home.
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