Checkered Cat - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

wade · 08-08-2013, 07:36 PM

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With the local scene elbow to elbow-to anchor line-to stern-to shouting angler X/100 clueless googans, it was time to head offshore & back inshore again in search of some space and serious lack of pressure..

So...We headed out to Catalina for several days of bass fishin'. I took only one rod

and one change of clothes. Pitched Cat's beautiful barren coastline & kelp beds out to its rocky outcroppings for all day intense artificial tugger action. Swells were small as was the winds backing off a day before we arrived. On the first day of 'The Mixer', we made it around to almost half the front side before turning in. Landed and safely released fifty three Catalina-Calico Bass with a couple of the days monsters weighing in at a solid seven pounds, including two ElaZtech hungry Island Halibuts with 1 about 16#er, & the other around 24-25#. The second day pitching the kelp lanes on the backside was a little more intense.. Even the local dinks were inhaling my bait almost 2/3 their size. Very aggressive bunch of checkers for living the Island lifestyle.. I was throwing my trusty PaddlerZ swimbait with all day tooth tearing action and I still didnt have to change a single bait. Around the same count of fifty to sixty Calico bass to cap off day two's action. Since we were on vacation & no where to keep & cook, everything was returned back to the depths.. Without a trusty underwater camera anymore, I was able to capture just a couple moments on the first days fishing with my phone before it took a crap just like my Stylus UN-Tough camera. Also are a few photos from town with some unnamed amazing artist's fish inspired sculptures & artwork gracing the walls of everything in sight like it should..

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makobob · 08-08-2013, 07:41 PM

Very nice. Lot's of fun and fish.

easyday · 08-08-2013, 07:43 PM

Sounds like an awesome trip. Is it me or do the colors on those calicos look more vibrant than they do locally?

JeffB · 08-08-2013, 10:06 PM

Sounds like it was a blast. Very cool!

Hobie-Pedaller · 08-08-2013, 10:14 PM

nice report & pics.

awesome job with 100+ checks C&R'ed in 2 days.

and a 7 Lb Calico - DAAMMMM that's a toad !!!

Amish Ed · 08-08-2013, 11:01 PM

Dang, thanks for making me jealous

silentsmell · 08-09-2013, 12:49 AM

Whoa Captain Wade has a co-captain

yaker81 · 08-09-2013, 12:57 AM

Super cool, wade. Looked like alot of fun. Chasing yellows and whites with a bunch of idiots all around you gets old fast. A nice change in pace. Peaceful!!!!

Good job

blitzburgh · 08-09-2013, 08:47 AM

Good stuff Wade

erinoo · 08-09-2013, 10:56 AM

Atta boy junior

the dude · 08-09-2013, 01:05 PM

I love Cat...& nice trolling motor.

capntim · 08-10-2013, 11:14 PM

Great job Wade. I love that place! Best movie ever as well!!

Dirty Curti · 08-12-2013, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by easyday

Sounds like an awesome trip. Is it me or do the colors on those calicos look more vibrant than they do locally?

Easyday, we went out on a 3/4 day yesterday and we pulled in several calicos with that deep gold color. Much darker than i've ever seen before.

sdfisher · 08-12-2013, 10:33 PM

Wade - you have the right idea brotha, let the lady paddle while you fish, right on!

08-08-2013, 07:36 PM	#1
wade Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Oceanside Posts: 1,214	Checkered Cat • With the local scene elbow to elbow-to anchor line-to stern-to shouting angler X/100 clueless googans, it was time to head offshore & back inshore again in search of some space and serious lack of pressure.. So...We headed out to Catalina for several days of bass fishin'. I took only one rod and one change of clothes. Pitched Cat's beautiful barren coastline & kelp beds out to its rocky outcroppings for all day intense artificial tugger action. Swells were small as was the winds backing off a day before we arrived. On the first day of 'The Mixer', we made it around to almost half the front side before turning in. Landed and safely released fifty three Catalina-Calico Bass with a couple of the days monsters weighing in at a solid seven pounds, including two ElaZtech hungry Island Halibuts with 1 about 16#er, & the other around 24-25#. The second day pitching the kelp lanes on the backside was a little more intense.. Even the local dinks were inhaling my bait almost 2/3 their size. Very aggressive bunch of checkers for living the Island lifestyle.. I was throwing my trusty PaddlerZ swimbait with all day tooth tearing action and I still didnt have to change a single bait. Around the same count of fifty to sixty Calico bass to cap off day two's action. Since we were on vacation & no where to keep & cook, everything was returned back to the depths.. Without a trusty underwater camera anymore, I was able to capture just a couple moments on the first days fishing with my phone before it took a crap just like my Stylus UN-Tough camera. Also are a few photos from town with some unnamed amazing artist's fish inspired sculptures & artwork gracing the walls of everything in sight like it should.. • • __________________ Last edited by wade; 08-08-2013 at 11:24 PM.

08-08-2013, 07:41 PM	#2
makobob Baitless on Baja Join Date: May 2013 Location: Vista California, Gonzaga, San Quintin, Asuncion, Mag Bay Posts: 4,250	Very nice. Lot's of fun and fish. __________________ http://www.mako-ville.com Home 760-630-4470 Cell 760-520-2514 YES YOU CAN

08-08-2013, 07:43 PM	#3
easyday Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Oceanside Posts: 1,470	Sounds like an awesome trip. Is it me or do the colors on those calicos look more vibrant than they do locally? __________________

08-08-2013, 10:06 PM	#4
JeffB Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: La Jolla Posts: 1,216	Sounds like it was a blast. Very cool! __________________ If you're looking for me I'm

08-08-2013, 10:14 PM	#5
Hobie-Pedaller Fish On !!! Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 194	nice report & pics. awesome job with 100+ checks C&R'ed in 2 days. and a 7 Lb Calico - DAAMMMM that's a toad !!! __________________ Hobie Kayaks: Use Your Legs to Pedal.... Use Your Arms to Fish !! Kayak Fishing is a DRUG.... and I'm addicted !!

08-08-2013, 11:01 PM	#6
Amish Ed Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Grants Pass, OR Posts: 1,906	Dang, thanks for making me jealous __________________ Amish Ed You can't catch it again if it's dead!

08-09-2013, 12:49 AM	#7
silentsmell Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 117	Whoa Captain Wade has a co-captain

08-09-2013, 12:57 AM	#8
yaker81 Banned Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: SD Posts: 65	Super cool, wade. Looked like alot of fun. Chasing yellows and whites with a bunch of idiots all around you gets old fast. A nice change in pace. Peaceful!!!! Good job

08-09-2013, 08:47 AM	#9
blitzburgh Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Menifee Posts: 2,509	Good stuff Wade __________________ ”The beauty of the Second Amendment is that it will not be needed until they try to take it.” ~Thomas Jefferson.........maybe

08-09-2013, 10:56 AM	#10
erinoo Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Carlsbad,,Halfway up the Hill Posts: 486	Atta boy junior

08-09-2013, 01:05 PM	#11
the dude Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Valley Center Posts: 271	I love Cat...& nice trolling motor. __________________ The dude abides.

08-10-2013, 11:14 PM	#12
capntim Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Laguna Hills Posts: 115	Great job Wade. I love that place! Best movie ever as well!!

08-12-2013, 10:33 PM	#14
sdfisher Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: San Diego Posts: 179	Wade - you have the right idea brotha, let the lady paddle while you fish, right on!