frozendog
Posts: 1115
Location: SLO County
|
On the rocks and reefs, of course.
Low tide was at 6AM at -1.5ft - very low.
High tide was at 12:30PM at 3.9ft. Not a real high tide, but a lot of water movement.
This is where I started at daybreak...
I hadn't fished this spot on a minus tide before. Was moving around to some new rocks that I haven't been able to get to when the water was higher. I did a lot of climbing for only a little fishing. The rocks were there and I could get to them on a minus tide, but each one was blocked off by other rocks that were now out of water. Weren't any alleyways between the rocks. I would cast out and get snagged when I tried to bring my bait in on every cast. Plus, there was a bit of an onshore breeze which also made it difficult casting as the wind would bend the line. Also making it hard reeling in. Bottom line - moved back to a spot I had fished before. Very disappointed. Wanted to access the other rocks that I haven't fished hoping there would be some fish hiding there. But, as always, that's part of rock fishing.
So, back at my reef, fishing was slow. I kept throwing pieces of fresh smelt but no bites. Finally, it occurred to me to try some of the frozen squid I brought - throw some different bait out there. And it worked. Between 9 and 10:00, I got a nice black and yellow (they don't grow very big and 12" is a nice one for this area), and an 18" cabezon.
By 11:00, I was starting admit that there weren't any more fish there. The tide had come in considerably and moved me to the last dry fishable rock.
Right at 11:00, I got a hard hit fishing a smelt chunk in close. It was a 24"ling cod who made it very difficult bringing him in over the shallow rocks.
Maybe that's why there weren't any other rockfish biting there in the shallower water. When a ling is on the prowl, the other fish move off. My other fish were caught on the other side of the reef. The SS posse catches all sizes of fish from the same spot, but they are fishing in a lot deeper water.
So, I had plenty of fish and went home early. I like fresh fish. Better to leave the fish swimming around in the ocean than being frozen. Besides, I don't have room in my freezer as it is full of bait. I know, I'm lucky to be able to fish when the weather is nice and/or when I feel like it. So, I don't freeze fish. Also, gives me another excuse to go fishing when there's no fish in the refrigerator or freezer.
And food: We had lot of fish tacos. I used a cajun coating, made a spicy mayo, and topped them with a tomato mango salsa. Also, took fish to the Dutchmans - our weekly treat.
A beautiful Spring day on the Central Coast
_________________
"Mrs. Kittyfish, we'll just drive up to one more point, it's just a couple miles further, and look at the rocks. No more, I promise" |
|
Posted: Fri May 18, 2012 3:18 pm
)