Newport Harbor 3/31/12
 

Hit up NPH with a buddy, we were on the water before 10am. As soon as we were on the water, I knew it was going to be a tough day. We had the dreaded opposite wind/current. As a result, the remainder of the outgoing tide produced 4 bass for us. Like last week, TONS of bait in the water. I managed to hook big and small mackerel all over the harbor, but heaviest on the way out of the harbor.

I waited out the rough morning for what would be better conditions with the incoming tide in the afternoon. My plan worked, I managed another 7 bass in a very short amount of time in the afternoon when the current and wind lined up nicely. Of my 10 bass for the tough day, 6 spotties and 4 calicos.

One of the spotties landed had crab parts in his mouth, I snapped a pic to see if I can get a swimbait or other creature bait in that color for future trips.
http://fishingfiend.smugmug.com/Trip.../IMG1305-L.jpg

Here's a shot of the hardest fighting bass of the day. All fish released for another day...
http://fishingfiend.smugmug.com/Trip.../IMG1293-L.jpg

Nice work!

Nice work on the Spotty ;)

Thanks for the report :)

What was the water temp? Last sat it was 55deg and slow as hell.I have never seen so much bait.Sardines were mixed in too and some of the dines were 10+ inches!

Thanks guys. TBone, my bad, I seriously don't remember the water temps. :o I'll be sure to note that in my future reports. I'm still getting used to having so much data available on a kayak. There was still tons of bait in the water! I should have kept some of the bigger macs for catfish bait.

see your having fun! haha thanks for the report. looks like the weather is warming up a bit more, this weekend should be nice!:you_rock:

When the harbor is movin like a river I always do good on the bass. when is the bait barge back in nph?

its back allready

Good fishing for Newport in the winter. What kind of baits?

Good tides, generally means good bass fishing and this weekend looks good! The bait barge is definitely in position now. Tons of bait around the barge for free.

All my bass were on 3" big hammers and they were far more active in the afternoon incoming tide. Colors that worked were:
http://www.swimbait.com/bighammer/images/hps50043.jpg
http://www.swimbait.com/bighammer/images/hps50063.jpg