TWILIGHT TRIP

First trip of 2021 courtesy of Needles (Cathy Needleman) was a trip out of Davey’s Locker, Newport Beach on the vessel Western Pride.  I met Needles at the landing at 4:30 pm Thursday (2/25) then we walked to Newport Landing and had dinner in their upstairs restaurant on the outside patio overlooking the harbor.  It was wonderful just being out after staying quarantined so long due to the Covid 19 virus.  Needles and I were lucky to have received our two vaccination doses before this trip.

Jim and Randy met us at the boat at 6 pm.  The Western Pride is an 80 foot long by 22 foot wide vessel which in non-Covid times carries 80 passengers.  During Covid times, the boat reduces the load to 40.  In our case, Needles booked a private charter and there were just 4 of us plus three crew members on board.  Additionally, masks were required for our safety.

6:45 pm we boarded and headed out of the harbor and made a right turn traveling up the coast to an area off shore north of Newport.  

Robbie (one of the crew) said to set up a white glow in the dark plastic on a leadhead with a half-ounce sliding sinker, add a strip of squid then drop to the bottom and let the jig just sit there until the sculpin bite.  Unfortunately, the bottom is very rough and rocky so losing jigs is part of the game.

The captain anchored the boat in about 50 feet of water.  Needles caught the first fish.  Randy was next then Jim.  I couldn’t get a bite.  I kept trying without success until I got my jig stuck on the bottom and lost it.  Robbie set my rod up with a dropperloop and a red plastic on a leadhead with a 3 ounce sinker.  This was the ticket for me.  I started catching legal size (10 inch long) sculpin.  The bag limit is 5 fish per person . 

We fished under a full moon with a light breeze and calm seas.  The captain re-anchored a couple of times and after each time, the fish would start biting again.  With such a light load, crew got the rare opportunity to fish with us.  They seemed to have as much fun as we did. 

 

By 11:30 pm we had easy limits for the boat including crew members.  These fish are very small but very tasty.  Crew filleted the fish on the way back to dock.  We split everything up equally as usual so we all went home with a bag of fish.  I’m looking forward to dinner Friday evening.

 

It was wonderful fishing with good friends especially during these difficult times.  I look forward to our next fishing adventure. I am thankful for Needles generosity and friendship.