Dana Point Mystery 12-22 - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

steveooo · 12-22-2005, 05:31 PM

Anyone feeling playful?

Sorry for just the teaser but ive got a fish to clean and eat.
Ill put up full report with pics tonite...
For now though ill play Brad's game,
Any guesses?
Species?
Size?

Steve

Lit-up1 · 12-22-2005, 05:38 PM

WSB 28#'s

Dave

twinfin · 12-22-2005, 05:48 PM

30#---nice work steve!

hubz · 12-22-2005, 06:02 PM

White human male. About 180 pounds. Nervous.

Iceman · 12-22-2005, 06:54 PM

If that is your big toe, that WSB was a monster

megustafish5 · 12-22-2005, 07:46 PM

wsb 29.8 pounds 8)

Aaron&Julie · 12-22-2005, 07:56 PM

If that's a thumb-40lb WSB. If it's a toe (you must be limber

) our guess is a 55lb WSB.

Dean Machine · 12-22-2005, 07:57 PM

All I want to know is where and when because Dana point is my backyard and I want a piece of the luck!!! I promise to post all post worthy posts after today from now on for the point!! I was wondering how the launch might be (even out of the harbor). I was watching the waves today out of Del Mar Beach on Camp Pen. Seemed pretty wicked and I wondered about the point and fishing the inside of the jetti for some Butts. or whatever. Tomorrow I've got the whole day. Let me know if you plan on paddling Dana and want some reinforcements.

steveooo · 12-22-2005, 08:11 PM

Good guesses ladies

Post is comin soon, soak in the hot tub first...
before u get your hopes up, no records were broken today :lol:
That is an index finger for the record.

Iceman · 12-22-2005, 09:14 PM

Nice Fantailed Corvina..........I am gonna say 40.2 pounds

............damn that is like 60 points

Walter · 12-22-2005, 09:15 PM

OKAY so stop JERKIN off what was it? SO you have big fingers?

steveooo · 12-22-2005, 10:30 PM

Bunch of comedians out there eh?
Ok, heres the picture

Heres the short story.
Weight- 50 lbs on shimano spring scale
Length- 53 in
Girth- 30 in
Depth- 70ft
Bait- Fishtrap
Line- 20 lb
Time- 1 hr+
Profanity- so much

and here is the long story

After trying my hand at surfing yesterday and being unsuccessful in every way imaginable, I decided to go fishing. You guys had done a pretty good job scaring me out of the surf launch, so I decided to skip the yellowtail action and go try my hand at dana point for some c+r calico action. It seriously has been killing me to read your reports the past few weeks, WFO YT action, although Im a school teacher and only work 180 days a year, it seems that those are the only 180 days a yr that YT bite!!!
Got a late start on the day, hit the water at about 8:00am
Started out the harbor, it was a little unnerving to see the waves crashing over the breakwater, while I was still in the harbor.
Got out and the swell is pretty bad, every once in a while a rogue wave would crash out in open water that would scare the piss out of me.
I have had pretty good luck trolling swim baits over kelp for calicos in the past so that is the plan today. Of course I only have the light rods and line to make it fun.
Got to the spot and was surprised to find no kelp… Is kelp seasonal?
Tons of eel grass floatin around though. I keep my 2 swim baits in the water while searching for some kelp, noticed that one had gotten clogged with eel grass. As I stop in about 70ft or water to reel it in the other bait sinks and gets NAILED!!!! I thought it was a sealion, because I had seen a bunch earlier. I only have 20lb test so I get Immediately spooled. Button down the drag and start the sleigh ride. I was lucky the fish was swimming mostly straight out and not straight down. Get towed in circles for half and hour and then start the up down pumping game. Meter the fish at 50 feet, get spooled. Meter the fish at 25 ft, get spooled. Im tired now, fortunantly so was the fish. Finally get it to color, realize that I didn’t even think to pack my gaff for the calicos. Let her tire out and finally when she is close enough, do the patented tail grab maneuver. As soon as I do that, my swim bait pops loose. Reach for the boga and get a good lip grab berofe she goes ballistic. Didn’t want to take any chances so I pulled her up on deck and gave her a bear hug for 2 minutes as she went ballistic. She is also purring like chewbaca the whole while. After she calms down I start the hooting and hollering, my first WSB!!!
She was too big to put on the deck so I make the SLOW paddle back while dragging my fish.
Was seriously wishing for a professional photo BIATCH, but settled for some guy in a canoe.
I seriously do not think that any part of me landing this fish was skill, things just went in my favor, or maybe God was repaying me for the anguish I experience from reading all of your WFO YT reports. Today was my lucky day, sucks because Im going to vegas next wk! Either way I was/am sooooooo stoked!!!

k2rick · 12-22-2005, 11:07 PM

but what was that thing on the first post?

steveooo · 12-22-2005, 11:19 PM

That was my ugly finger...
Oh, you mean the stones?!?
Im not sure, I think they are called swim stones and I found them in the noggin of the fish with a little help from a hatchet.

gabe · 12-22-2005, 11:47 PM

Steveooo,
waht a sweet fish. What an awesome catch, what an awesome fish. That is sweet. What a frst WSB. Congrats

I can share your exictement cuz I got my first legal there as well. I know exactly t=what your going through

Congrats again. I only found one stone in my fish though. The other one probably slipped by me.

How much of the kelp was gone?

gabe

fishinhb · 12-23-2005, 02:00 AM

Nice fish and shirt, should say "I'm a Croaker Man!"

Congrats on an awesome catch! Good luck in Vegas too.

TL,
fishinHB
Ron Pascual

potto · 12-23-2005, 06:29 AM

Nice fish. Congrats!!

With the swell being so high lately, I am not surprised with your findings on the kelp.

Walter · 12-23-2005, 06:31 AM

NICE

JimPat · 12-23-2005, 06:56 AM

Someone who knows more can chime in here, but Seaworld does a study on WSB I think and they ask for the stones from the heads of all WSB. As a matter of fact I think that I saw that some of the proceeds from the WCW program from this website go to that research.

Jim

PS... Nice fish :lol:

Dennis · 12-23-2005, 07:17 AM

First of all... Damn, Steve! Congrats on you first legal WSB. I caught mine oh so long ago, out in LJ. Instead of the tail grab, I had to hand gaff it or it would have swam away. The gill rakers cut up my hand nicely. Luckily for me, Nelz was there to help me string up my fish. Anyways... DAMN!!! Nice one.

Yeah, Seaworld's Research Institute (HUBS) actually takes the entire head...

Oh, and Steve... DAMN! That's a nice fish!

12-22-2005, 05:31 PM	#1
steveooo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 1,921	Dana Point Mystery 12-22 Anyone feeling playful? Sorry for just the teaser but ive got a fish to clean and eat. Ill put up full report with pics tonite... For now though ill play Brad's game, Any guesses? Species? Size? Steve

12-22-2005, 05:38 PM	#2
Lit-up1 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Point Loma Posts: 384	Guess WSB 28#'s Dave

12-22-2005, 06:54 PM	#5
Iceman Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 1-2 miles off the point Posts: 6,948	If that is your big toe, that WSB was a monster __________________

12-22-2005, 07:46 PM	#6
megustafish5 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 7	wsb 29.8 pounds 8) __________________ nice ocenwhitefish at guadalupe island dere

12-22-2005, 07:56 PM	#7
Aaron&Julie Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Spring Valley Posts: 1,400	Toe or thumb? If that's a thumb-40lb WSB. If it's a toe (you must be limber ) our guess is a 55lb WSB. __________________ "Never say die"

12-22-2005, 05:48 PM	#3
twinfin Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 121	30#---nice work steve!

12-22-2005, 06:02 PM	#4
hubz Junior Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: San Diego Posts: 24	White human male. About 180 pounds. Nervous.

12-22-2005, 07:57 PM	#8
Dean Machine Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: San Clemente Posts: 162	All I want to know is where and when because Dana point is my backyard and I want a piece of the luck!!! I promise to post all post worthy posts after today from now on for the point!! I was wondering how the launch might be (even out of the harbor). I was watching the waves today out of Del Mar Beach on Camp Pen. Seemed pretty wicked and I wondered about the point and fishing the inside of the jetti for some Butts. or whatever. Tomorrow I've got the whole day. Let me know if you plan on paddling Dana and want some reinforcements. __________________ "Good luck and tight lines!"

12-22-2005, 08:11 PM	#9
steveooo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 1,921	Good guesses ladies Post is comin soon, soak in the hot tub first... before u get your hopes up, no records were broken today :lol: That is an index finger for the record.

12-22-2005, 09:14 PM	#10
Iceman Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 1-2 miles off the point Posts: 6,948	Nice Fantailed Corvina..........I am gonna say 40.2 pounds ............damn that is like 60 points __________________

12-22-2005, 09:15 PM	#11
Walter Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 14	OKAY so stop JERKIN off OKAY so stop JERKIN off what was it? SO you have big fingers?

12-22-2005, 10:30 PM	#12
steveooo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 1,921	Bunch of comedians out there eh? Ok, heres the picture Heres the short story. Weight- 50 lbs on shimano spring scale Length- 53 in Girth- 30 in Depth- 70ft Bait- Fishtrap Line- 20 lb Time- 1 hr+ Profanity- so much and here is the long story After trying my hand at surfing yesterday and being unsuccessful in every way imaginable, I decided to go fishing. You guys had done a pretty good job scaring me out of the surf launch, so I decided to skip the yellowtail action and go try my hand at dana point for some c+r calico action. It seriously has been killing me to read your reports the past few weeks, WFO YT action, although Im a school teacher and only work 180 days a year, it seems that those are the only 180 days a yr that YT bite!!! Got a late start on the day, hit the water at about 8:00am Started out the harbor, it was a little unnerving to see the waves crashing over the breakwater, while I was still in the harbor. Got out and the swell is pretty bad, every once in a while a rogue wave would crash out in open water that would scare the piss out of me. I have had pretty good luck trolling swim baits over kelp for calicos in the past so that is the plan today. Of course I only have the light rods and line to make it fun. Got to the spot and was surprised to find no kelp… Is kelp seasonal? Tons of eel grass floatin around though. I keep my 2 swim baits in the water while searching for some kelp, noticed that one had gotten clogged with eel grass. As I stop in about 70ft or water to reel it in the other bait sinks and gets NAILED!!!! I thought it was a sealion, because I had seen a bunch earlier. I only have 20lb test so I get Immediately spooled. Button down the drag and start the sleigh ride. I was lucky the fish was swimming mostly straight out and not straight down. Get towed in circles for half and hour and then start the up down pumping game. Meter the fish at 50 feet, get spooled. Meter the fish at 25 ft, get spooled. Im tired now, fortunantly so was the fish. Finally get it to color, realize that I didn’t even think to pack my gaff for the calicos. Let her tire out and finally when she is close enough, do the patented tail grab maneuver. As soon as I do that, my swim bait pops loose. Reach for the boga and get a good lip grab berofe she goes ballistic. Didn’t want to take any chances so I pulled her up on deck and gave her a bear hug for 2 minutes as she went ballistic. She is also purring like chewbaca the whole while. After she calms down I start the hooting and hollering, my first WSB!!! She was too big to put on the deck so I make the SLOW paddle back while dragging my fish. Was seriously wishing for a professional photo BIATCH, but settled for some guy in a canoe. I seriously do not think that any part of me landing this fish was skill, things just went in my favor, or maybe God was repaying me for the anguish I experience from reading all of your WFO YT reports. Today was my lucky day, sucks because Im going to vegas next wk! Either way I was/am sooooooo stoked!!!

12-22-2005, 11:07 PM	#13
k2rick Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 11	but what was that thing on the first post?

12-22-2005, 11:19 PM	#14
steveooo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 1,921	That was my ugly finger... Oh, you mean the stones?!? Im not sure, I think they are called swim stones and I found them in the noggin of the fish with a little help from a hatchet.

12-22-2005, 11:47 PM	#15
gabe Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 120	Steveooo, waht a sweet fish. What an awesome catch, what an awesome fish. That is sweet. What a frst WSB. Congrats I can share your exictement cuz I got my first legal there as well. I know exactly t=what your going through Congrats again. I only found one stone in my fish though. The other one probably slipped by me. How much of the kelp was gone? gabe

12-23-2005, 02:00 AM	#16
fishinhb Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Huntington Beach Posts: 48	Nice fish and shirt, should say "I'm a Croaker Man!" Congrats on an awesome catch! Good luck in Vegas too. TL, fishinHB Ron Pascual

12-23-2005, 06:29 AM	#17
potto Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 61	Nice fish. Congrats!! With the swell being so high lately, I am not surprised with your findings on the kelp.

12-23-2005, 06:31 AM	#18
Walter Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 14	NICE

12-23-2005, 06:56 AM	#19
JimPat Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: San Diego (La Mesa) Posts: 54	Take the stones to Seaworld Someone who knows more can chime in here, but Seaworld does a study on WSB I think and they ask for the stones from the heads of all WSB. As a matter of fact I think that I saw that some of the proceeds from the WCW program from this website go to that research. Jim PS... Nice fish :lol:

12-23-2005, 07:17 AM	#20
Dennis Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: South of La Jolla... Posts: 1,193	First of all... Damn, Steve! Congrats on you first legal WSB. I caught mine oh so long ago, out in LJ. Instead of the tail grab, I had to hand gaff it or it would have swam away. The gill rakers cut up my hand nicely. Luckily for me, Nelz was there to help me string up my fish. Anyways... DAMN!!! Nice one. Yeah, Seaworld's Research Institute (HUBS) actually takes the entire head... Oh, and Steve... DAMN! That's a nice fish!