7/28/13 - Solana Kelp, PB Calico - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

iethinker · 07-28-2013, 07:45 PM

I hit the water at daylight and broke through some mild waves. (Mild by Del Mar standards). Got out to the Solana Kelp and started working a sabiki to quickly land 10 Green Macs. One Grunion hit the rig too.

I got ten of these for my bait bucket:

I fished around for a while with no luck, moved my position and the third spot was the charm. Results included two Sand Bass, Five Calicos, One Sheephead and a few things that got away.

Here is the 18" Sheephead (Hit on cut Mac):

Here is the 22" Calico (My Personal Best, Hit live Mac):

Here is me getting ready for dinner:

Of added special interest today, I was able to surf the kayak back into shore. Another personal best. Waves were bigger heading back in. I know you veterans think this is no biggie. All of my prior attempts to re-enter here have resulted in a roll. I have learned to keep the kayak parallel to breaking waves while leaning aggressively on the paddle towards the wave. I still get swamped but stayed upright and under control. I think I'll still stow everything for re-entry at this location nevertheless.

makobob · 07-28-2013, 07:48 PM

Nice calico! Congrats on the PB!

619-SWIM-DOG · 07-28-2013, 07:53 PM

That's a fatty calico...Nice job today

easyday · 07-28-2013, 08:30 PM

Fat calico did you weigh that thing?

Honcho · 07-28-2013, 08:37 PM

Nice catch! Mind if I ask where you launched from? Thx!

echo1er · 07-28-2013, 09:19 PM

Damn baby got back!

Hobie-Pedaller · 07-29-2013, 12:45 AM

VERY awesome calico !!
certainly more fun & exciting to "catch", than the sheepshead.

but for "eating", i will take that sheep all day long over any bass.

.

taggermike · 07-29-2013, 08:29 AM

Well done, that's a quality cali. Those north county beaches can be tough and like you noticed, nice on the way out and mean on the way back in. Solona is a nice place with plenty of structure and kelp. There is fun boiler rock fishing there. From your fist photo that looks like a Spanish mac (brown) and not a pacific (green) mac. The Spanish have weaker mouth and some annoying little blades (scutes) running up from the base of the tail. They're both good baits. If you want to really target the sheephead skip the fin bait and go with raw head on shrimp, ghost shrimp, muscles, clams, or even craw fish fished right on the bottom. Your catch rate will greatly improve. Mike

07-28-2013, 07:45 PM	#1
iethinker Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Inland Empire Posts: 370	7/28/13 - Solana Kelp, PB Calico I hit the water at daylight and broke through some mild waves. (Mild by Del Mar standards). Got out to the Solana Kelp and started working a sabiki to quickly land 10 Green Macs. One Grunion hit the rig too. I got ten of these for my bait bucket: I fished around for a while with no luck, moved my position and the third spot was the charm. Results included two Sand Bass, Five Calicos, One Sheephead and a few things that got away. Here is the 18" Sheephead (Hit on cut Mac): Here is the 22" Calico (My Personal Best, Hit live Mac): Here is me getting ready for dinner: Of added special interest today, I was able to surf the kayak back into shore. Another personal best. Waves were bigger heading back in. I know you veterans think this is no biggie. All of my prior attempts to re-enter here have resulted in a roll. I have learned to keep the kayak parallel to breaking waves while leaning aggressively on the paddle towards the wave. I still get swamped but stayed upright and under control. I think I'll still stow everything for re-entry at this location nevertheless.

07-28-2013, 07:48 PM	#2
makobob Baitless on Baja Join Date: May 2013 Location: Vista California, Gonzaga, San Quintin, Asuncion, Mag Bay Posts: 4,250	Nice calico! Congrats on the PB! __________________ http://www.mako-ville.com Home 760-630-4470 Cell 760-520-2514 YES YOU CAN

07-28-2013, 08:30 PM	#4
easyday Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Oceanside Posts: 1,470	Fat calico did you weigh that thing? __________________

07-28-2013, 08:37 PM	#5
Honcho Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Carlsbad Posts: 101	Nice! Nice catch! Mind if I ask where you launched from? Thx!

07-29-2013, 12:45 AM	#7
Hobie-Pedaller Fish On !!! Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 194	VERY awesome calico !! certainly more fun & exciting to "catch", than the sheepshead. but for "eating", i will take that sheep all day long over any bass. . __________________ Hobie Kayaks: Use Your Legs to Pedal.... Use Your Arms to Fish !! Kayak Fishing is a DRUG.... and I'm addicted !!

07-28-2013, 07:53 PM	#3
619-SWIM-DOG Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: San Diego Posts: 619	That's a fatty calico...Nice job today

07-28-2013, 09:19 PM	#6
echo1er Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 598	Damn baby got back!

07-29-2013, 08:29 AM	#8
taggermike Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chula Vista Posts: 1,589	Well done, that's a quality cali. Those north county beaches can be tough and like you noticed, nice on the way out and mean on the way back in. Solona is a nice place with plenty of structure and kelp. There is fun boiler rock fishing there. From your fist photo that looks like a Spanish mac (brown) and not a pacific (green) mac. The Spanish have weaker mouth and some annoying little blades (scutes) running up from the base of the tail. They're both good baits. If you want to really target the sheephead skip the fin bait and go with raw head on shrimp, ghost shrimp, muscles, clams, or even craw fish fished right on the bottom. Your catch rate will greatly improve. Mike