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!

[wiseguy]

Fuck me running! That's a nice fish! Even better on the

[blackcloud9]

Oh snap, it's Jack. Nice one Josh.

[The Kid]

Great, thanks! You just had to do it. Last time I do your reel for free hahaha! The circus is coming to town

[steveooo]

Nice! Big old mossback! On the surface iron in November? - What a crazy year...

[tagyak]

that's awesome. thanks for the info and the picture...like they say a picture say a 1000's words. wow

[roadx]

WOW

[Matt]

The most important lesson I ever learned from Josh was simply put "never ever, ever go fishing without at least 1 jig stick!!"........in the boat I generally never have less than 2!!!!!!! Nice job Josh!

[romspacenut]

Damn, nice catch!

[Tman]

Originally Posted by THE DARKHORSE

Secret? Please.

the sporadic presence of squid' carries a heavy dose of nostalgia. To fisherman and fish alike.

This November the rocky, nooks and crannies of Wind N' Sea have been packed with the bikini brigade. 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

Haha...Josh you hit the nail on the head...great write up, and kudos for bringing on the local flavors...always nice to see the turistas, mo' better seeing the local treats...nice, uh, what is that fish again?

[dsafety]

Thanks for jumping in Josh. I think that we all need to get refocused on the goal. Lets go out and try to catch some fish. Sure, some of us have been skunked more times lately than we would like to admit. Others, however, are still getting it done.

The last few times I have been out, I have had the grounds to myself. Undoubtedly, the lack of provocative fishing reports has probably kept many away. As for me, poor luck, lack of skills or bad karma have prevented me from being able to post a beautiful fish such as Josh's latest trophy. Maybe next time.

It doesn't really matter. Like most of us, I love to fish. Catching a fish is much more fun than not catching one, however I still enjoy every day on the water. As soon as I can, I will be out there again.

I am hopeful that we have made it past the dark period during which some have felt that sharing fishing stories with friends was somehow uncool. No one is asking for trade secrets, (OK, maybe some are). That is the beauty of forums such as BWE. You can say what you want... or not. Personally, I prefer it when our brothers and sisters feel comfortable sharing their successes and failures.

Lets hope that the future holds many more success stories such as the one that Josh has shared with us.

Bob

Beautiful fish Josh!! Where do you store a fish
like that on your Pro Angler?

[Hypoxic1]

There he goes again, folks!!

and Yani, I bet he ties that big mf on the back like the rest. Old habits die hard.
Way to go DARKHORSE

[sdfisher]

you should be a guide!
nice fish Josh

[fishinkid2010]

Beautiful fish Josh, that undoubtedly had to be one fun hell of a fight!
I love your reports, so thanks for posting!

[bigbarrels]

nice

[herbo]

That is just freakin' awesome!!!!!!!!!.....H

[Fiskadoro]

Love it... Green with envy!!!!


Does this mean I should fish La Jolla tomorrow

[driftwood]

Thats a biG fish!!

But, the fish use to look alot bigger when you were on your Revo

Nice write up thank you!

[j mo]

I wonder what the Wind N’ ladies have to say about the guy with just ONE oversized forearm?


I can Just hear you now: "No girls, I swear, my right forearm is oversized from catching yellow tail on my 10' jig stick".... "Wait dont go, A jig stick is a rod, I mean...."

HAHAH!

Let me know next time you go to costco, I’m down to tempt fate!- epic fish!