Oh Snap!

[THE DARKHORSE]

Squid laden, clean clear water (up and down the entire coast) and the prettiest November I can remember. Crazy opportunities for those in the know---and damn near equal opportunities for those just getting started, really. At least the biggest question of all has been answered, right? Ya' know, what they're eating? I doubt there's too many kayak anglers here, regardless of their' time as a member---unaware of the seven month long squid bite! Well, I should say seven months buried in squid with flurries for those who put in their' time. Not to mention, quite a few lucky first time visitors. Secret? Please.

By now anyway, one should realize finding squid doesn't necessarily mean connecting with your target species. And if that's news to you, you probably haven't spent much time fishing the past few months---oh snap! I think a lot of guys, myself included, anticipate the presence of squid each year. And in a typical year---the sporadic presence of squid' carries a heavy dose of nostalgia. To fisherman and fish alike.

Who doesn't like a little variety in their diet? I mean really, how many Mackerel can you eat before the smell of Sardines consume you? And since our local Jacks are pattern driven, chasing Sardines for months (in a typical season) has got to get old, too. If anything, I'm sure the speed of squid---or lack there of, is a welcomed sight after chasing down porn-star Greenback Mackerel all Summer (read: in a typical Summer season). I'm sure it's a nice change of attack which helps in the department of energy conservation---slowly cruising the depths. Not to mention, a great way to pack on the pounds. Gorging oneself for months on squid is certainly great for our trophies' physique.

In recent years, if you stumbled on a squid spawn event---especially in those first five days---watch out. WFO! These larger schools of fish and giant homeguards alike take a beating during those wide-open days, though. And from that perspective, maybe a never ending squid presence isn't such a bad thing. Maybe the irresistible lore of candy has finally worn off? Thus the pick-bite being the norm these days. I don't know about you, but after seven months I'd love to see the squirts cease and desist.

This November the rocky, nooks and crannies of Wind N' Sea have been packed with the bikini brigade. Thanks to ample heat and very little wind on most days. Which is better late than never if you asked me. There might be less tourists around, but the local ladies have been locked in the gloom with the rest of us. Who can blame them? And what's wrong with a little bronzin'? Add to that a few grease calm days with double overhead surf and Southern California livin' doesn't get much better! It could be worse, right?

A strange season, no doubt, but one for the record books in more ways than one. How long will this ridiculous body of squid hug the coast? How many White Sea Bass died this season? How many huge, homeguard Yellowtail fell victim to the dropper-loop? Will a big storm and colder water temps get things back to normal? Well, like you, I have no idea.



All I know is there's one less Yellowtail over forty pounds out there. Fortunately or unfortunately, I caught her on a surface-iron with a ten foot jig-stick. The fight started off with a trip through the lobster pots. Which turned into a trip through the bull-kelp---all the while pinned to a rail of the Pro Angler with buttoned drown drag. The good kind of pain!