Ventura skunk - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

WildernessWanker · 07-28-2013, 07:37 AM

Report from 7/27/13. Launched from the beach just outside the harbor at 0600 and paddled out with ease to the breakwall. The water was a chilly 60° but smooth as glass so I was still looking forward to a fun day. Got to the breakwall and started throwing a 5" BH red calico hunter on 1oz yellow lead. 3rd cast and I get hit, which perks up my outlook for the day. Turned out to be a short calico, the first of only a handful of bass landed and all short. Paddled outside the harbor and up the coast dragging a chovie only for some short strikes. The water never read warmer than 60° so I wasn't too disappointed with my activity. After an hour or so I was getting tired of the 6' rolling swell and paddled into the marina, at a warm 63°, and went back to the BH. Had a few strikes throwing around the slips but nothing landed and off the water at 1100. It was overcast all day and glass in the harbor so I still had a great day. My highlight was running into a kayaker who paddled up to thank me for our conversation a few weeks back. I was landing my kayak when a SUPer was watching and came up to ask questions about my setup and how I felt about being on a kayak, to which I ranted for almost an hour about how great kayaking is. Well following our conversation she was no longer on the fence about kayaking and raced out to buy a brand new kayak. Even if it was only a bay cruiser and an off-brand, it still made my day.

Sorry no pics, but didn't feel like bragging considering the general luck others are having right now. J/K I soaked my camera last trip and it seems to no longer be functioning appropriately.

momo fish · 07-28-2013, 10:49 AM

worth a try.. Never had luck in that harbor, water always to cold and murky for me.. North and south of there are better

Amish Ed · 07-28-2013, 11:11 AM

A handful of short bass is better than nothing. Curious, what's the normal summer time temps up there?

alanw · 07-28-2013, 11:26 AM

By my definition you went out and caught fish, so didn't get skunked at all.

WildernessWanker · 07-28-2013, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanw

By my definition you went out and caught fish, so didn't get skunked at all.

Yeah, I meant to write "Ventura skunk almost" but I'm on my phone and it didn't cooperate.

I do go there occasionally because it's close but never do well. Probably just make the drive to Newport from now on.

gear junkie · 07-28-2013, 12:24 PM

haha....must be fate. Was gonna go today then had to clean some drains at 1am last nite. Just woke up and saw this....whew, glad I didn't miss much. You'll get em next week.

07-28-2013, 07:37 AM	#1
WildernessWanker WildernessWanker Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Lancaster, CA Posts: 345	Ventura skunk Report from 7/27/13. Launched from the beach just outside the harbor at 0600 and paddled out with ease to the breakwall. The water was a chilly 60° but smooth as glass so I was still looking forward to a fun day. Got to the breakwall and started throwing a 5" BH red calico hunter on 1oz yellow lead. 3rd cast and I get hit, which perks up my outlook for the day. Turned out to be a short calico, the first of only a handful of bass landed and all short. Paddled outside the harbor and up the coast dragging a chovie only for some short strikes. The water never read warmer than 60° so I wasn't too disappointed with my activity. After an hour or so I was getting tired of the 6' rolling swell and paddled into the marina, at a warm 63°, and went back to the BH. Had a few strikes throwing around the slips but nothing landed and off the water at 1100. It was overcast all day and glass in the harbor so I still had a great day. My highlight was running into a kayaker who paddled up to thank me for our conversation a few weeks back. I was landing my kayak when a SUPer was watching and came up to ask questions about my setup and how I felt about being on a kayak, to which I ranted for almost an hour about how great kayaking is. Well following our conversation she was no longer on the fence about kayaking and raced out to buy a brand new kayak. Even if it was only a bay cruiser and an off-brand, it still made my day. Sorry no pics, but didn't feel like bragging considering the general luck others are having right now. J/K I soaked my camera last trip and it seems to no longer be functioning appropriately. Last edited by WildernessWanker; 07-28-2013 at 07:41 AM. Reason: Missing info

07-28-2013, 11:11 AM	#3
Amish Ed Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Grants Pass, OR Posts: 1,906	A handful of short bass is better than nothing. Curious, what's the normal summer time temps up there? __________________ Amish Ed You can't catch it again if it's dead!

07-28-2013, 11:26 AM	#4
alanw Made in U.S.A. Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Dana Point Posts: 1,625	By my definition you went out and caught fish, so didn't get skunked at all. __________________ Hobie PA 14 ¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Jackson Kraken ¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Malibu X-Factor ¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Malibu Stealth-12 ¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Its not a spelling B its a fishing B ~yakjoe

07-28-2013, 10:49 AM	#2
momo fish Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Camarillo Posts: 1,491	worth a try.. Never had luck in that harbor, water always to cold and murky for me.. North and south of there are better

07-28-2013, 12:24 PM	#6
gear junkie Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Ventura Posts: 76	haha....must be fate. Was gonna go today then had to clean some drains at 1am last nite. Just woke up and saw this....whew, glad I didn't miss much. You'll get em next week.