Fish-Porn-Friday.

[THE DARKHORSE]

Originally Posted by VINNYC

Great report good pics making me want to drive down and go bendo!!!!!

Well, sometimes it is just that easy. Here's hoping your long drive ends up with the results you're after. Funny enough, I thought of you guys here recently. When asked to go and target rock-fish. My client wanted to go, North, to target Ling.

Finally had a client who actually wanted to target deep structure and rock-fish. My first time dropping on the rocks since the opener. Being that this gentlemen and I had already caught, White Sea Bass and Yellowtail, on previous trips. Rock-fish died.

A nineteen pound Lingcod made it aboard. Followed by two other legal Lings and topped it off with some Reds (Vermilion).

Right up there with any fish in the Pacific Ocean. Fight similar to a Halibut and rank just as high on the taste meter, too.

After seeing his photos in this very thread. I got a call to meet up on the water this week again. He came prepared with all sorts of new man-toys. Namely a new boat and sonar. A very, cool-Cat, if you ever have the pleasure to fish with 'em.

Anyway, fish died. As in plural. After we did so well last time the pressure was definitely on. Hard to tell in the photos, but this day had 15 mph South wind. A gross muggy, humidity filled, feeling in the air. And very few on the water -- for good reason.

Not to mention, the dreaded uphill current to go along with it, heavy overcast skies and looked like it was going to rain. Actually felt a couple drops here and there. A far cry from the beautiful weather our last time out. Honestly, couldn't have looked much worse for targeting, Yellowtail. The fish had moved from where they'd been for weeks. Just adding to the pressure. And this particular day, quite frankly, completely sucked for the most part.

Until I ran over this beautiful sight on the meter. I get hundreds of e-mails each year regarding which sonar to purchase.

From boat and kayak owners alike. I'm often asked what's the price of a good unit and how much should they plan on spending. My answer to that question, while I absolutely can't stand people who answer a question with a question: "Well, how much is your time worth?" After that question is answered the real discussion can begin.

On, Wednesday, I came across what looked like a free-swimming Halibut over the canyon.

Turned out to be a, Turtle. I took it as a good sign, though, and went on about my business after he came over to say hello.

The beneficiary of said, good luck, Turtle.

Also, if you're ever lucky enough to meet this guy? Make sure and buy him a beer -- he's got some amazing stories to tell.

Seriously. A great American and outstanding angler in the making. He did rescue efforts during Hurricane Katrina. And, easily, one of the coolest guys I've ever met. Could probably snap your arm like a twig. Yet, one of the nicest guys on the planet.

You want to hear something crazy, though. I met this gentlemen and he wanted nothing to do with Yellowtail. Nor, White Sea Bass. I told him exactly what I've been catching and he wanted no part of it. Just a relaxing day on the water was all.

So, yours truly actually got to pay a visit to Mission Bay. Been way, way, way too long for me. But, had a blast!

On his first ever trip to, San Diego, on the last day before boarding a plane? He nails a ten pound class, Halibut, for his first fish. His grandson caught a couple nice, Spotted Bay Bass. I ended up with a nice Halibut myself and had a blast with the spotties, too. For the first time in months actually got home early and didn't end up at the ice-house by day's end.

Then, of course, the very next day I'm right back grinding away on a pick-bite in pursuit of larger game. Fun, yes, but very hard work at the same time. A very successful week, no doubt. But, a lot of hard work in heavy winds to go along with it. Anyway, only two weeks in and I'm already slipping on my Fish-Porn-Friday updates. I just got back from the Coronado Islands and am about to get on another boat, headed up North, to target more White Sea Bass. I'll do my best to update this thread on time in the future. Here's wishing a happy father's day to all; maybe a couple photos of fish will brighten your day that much more. Or not. Until next time...