Date: April 26, 2007
To: PFIC Message Board
From: Ken Jones
Subject: Long boring Catalina report —
Another Catalina Report-by Ken Jones aka More Than You Probably Wanted To Know About The Sixth Annual Catalina Get Together:
Scene 1A: It is somewhere around 1 PM on April 20, 2007. An aging, out-of-shape angler stands at the railing of the Cabrillo Mole at Avalon on Catalina Island. The angler is soaked to the skin/bone-and cold. He has a hat, and a hood from his jacket covering his head, but drops of rain fall steadily from the puddle crowning the cap. The Thought-O-Meter LE200 records his thoughts -“Maybe Algore and his Goebell Warning is responsible for this rain? Or perhaps it's Adam and Rebecca? After all, we never had rain until they gave up their title as hosts and moved to sunny Florida. But wait, I'm one of the ones hosting the event this year; maybe it's partly my fault! God I hope we don't have rain tomorrow when we have the tables and food and raffle items and kids and wives and the banner and whatever! No, come on, snap out of it, quit worrying about the rain and be ready for the fish. An opaleye is starting to inhale that shrimp; should I strike now or give it a couple of more milli-seconds? Strike-and fish on! Be cool little fish; come this way instead of heading down into that kelp. A really nice day on the opaleye, just wish I wasn't so dad blasted cold.”
Scene 1B-Alternative version: It is somewhere around 1 PM on April 20, 2007. An angler wearing a semi-transparent, yellow rain poncho over stylized fishing apparel is singing (and dancing?) next to the railing of the Cabrillo Mole at Avalon on Catalina Island:
“I'm fishing in the rain
Just fishing at the pier
What a glorious feelin'
I'm happy again
I'm laughing at clouds
So dark up above
The sun's in my heart
And I'm ready to fish
Let the stormy clouds chase
Everyone from the Mole
Come on with the rain
I've a smile on my face
I stroll down the rail
With my rod and my reel
Just fishin',
Fishin' in the rain
Why am I smiling
And why do I fish?
Why does Catalina
Seem sunny as spring?
Why do I get up
So early each morn'?
Happy and head up
With joy in my heart
Why is each task
A mere trifle to do?
Because I am living
A life full of you.”
Fade to large fish (opaleye or male sheephead) on surface of the water and apologies to Don Lockwood, lyricist for Singin' In The Rain.
Yes, Catalina Get Together Number 6 has come and gone once again and, as most years, it reflected a personality all its own.
Quick thoughts: (1) The heavy rain Friday morning didn't stop anyone from fishing but eventually took its toll. Most were ill prepared as far as “real” raincoats and eventually the coats and layered clothing were wet to the core. In time people were not only watching the water drop in rivulets from brow but were experiencing a cold to the bone feeling that was unexpected on Catalina. Too heavy to be popsicles (with the exception perhaps of JimboJack initially and Scott and Steve later) we looked more like frozen stout bars. However, the slightly more murky water provided some top-notch fishing and that fact, along with the refusal of anyone to cry uncle, led most to brave out the conditions. If Mola Joe can survive snow and ice, we can survive a little wind and rain. However, most were glad (even if they didn't admit it) when the time came to return to the hotel and change clothing and equipment for the surf derby (which was rain and fish free).
(2) Several of the long-distance, partygoers drove all-nighters this year and, as a result, were really tired out upon arrival. Whereas most years there is a straight line to the motel followed by a straight line to the pier, this year people actually got some sleep and rested before starting their fishing adventure. People were asking where's GDude, where's Ben, where's Minnow Magnet? Little did they know they were enjoying some peaceful bliss before renewing the quest.
(3) The group itself was smaller this year but also very cohesive and seemed to have a really friendly and helpful karma, a somewhat unusual trait for such a disparate group. And while the numbers of fish were down slightly (at least during the actual derby), the number of larger fish like opaleye, legal sheephead and bonito were up, reflections of improved bait-ghost shrimp, and improved technique. A logical extension provided by anglers who had given thought to past experiences.
(4) The only thing that didn't seem to change was the events designation as the highlight of the year and a call for additional visits-where and when possible. Perhaps unsaid was a little envy by those who had traveled down from the Bay Area, the home of a vast bay that seems at times like an inland sea. Drives of 30-40-50 miles to fish are common. Why, given the short one-hour ferry ride from Long Beach, are there not more southern PFIC members present at Catalina? Even more, why would those who live close not travel over the Catalina Channel several times a year? Would more frequent visits make the experience less special?
The Prelims — There are many things involved in setting up such an event. Luckily the three caballeros-KJ, Ben and Mahigheer -were able to take the past work of Adam and Rebecca, and the lessons they learned, to give us guidance this year. Early on I posted the general specifications-with only a few modifications from what Adam and Rebecca had originally done. Notification and permission to use the Mole was then gained from the Harbormaster. Once that was done we needed to figure out the Friday night “Surf Get Together” and the Saturday “Derby-Food-Raffle.” We decided to do the Friday dinner at the Buffalo Nickel different this year-pre-pay for dinner, use their menu, etc. (Good thing because we didn't catch a single fish at Pebble Beach.) Ben was assigned the task of talking to the restaurant manager and events went as planned even though we wound up walking over earlier than expected. Due to a road closure we were even able to get the restaurant to provide transportation to and from the restaurant. For Saturday's event we needed UPSAC materials stored in San Diego-which Mahigheer drove down and retrieved. With materials on hand and some additional prizes I was able to scrounge up from different sources (including a Beachmaster Rod Holder), we felt we had a decent list of raffle prizes even before seeing GDude's beautiful rod and reel. Where's the banner, where's the raffle tickets, do we have bags for the fish fillets, do we have cards for the derby and pens to mark them? What about tables and chairs and certificates for the winners? Ben spent part of Wednesday making certificates in his classroom. Mahigheer and KJ spent part of Wednesday night going through the various materials and figuring out how to carry it to Catalina. Thursday-nothing to do other than the trip itself.
Thursday - A 6:30 journey to Mahigheer's house resulted in a free breakfast, free storage space for my truck for the next four days, and a loaded van full of the various accouterments needed for the trip. I of course had my pier cart together with a duffel bag and one of Pablo's rod bags. Mahigheer had his normal equipment plus a cooler filled with prizes for the raffle drawing and extra rods/reels.
Once on our way we headed to San Pedro and Paul's Bait and Tackle. There we met up with Matt who graciously filled 30 of the large Styrofoam containers full of ghost shrimp-30 per cup. Normally selling for $8.00 a large cup (he also has two smaller sizes) this represented a retail value of $240. I had actually tried to talk Bill the owner into less shrimp but he said no, one cup per person per day and better to be as little over than a little short. This would be free bait for participants for Thursday and Friday. Another load of free live shrimp, 36 containers, was to be picked up by Eugene on Saturday (or a value of $288). All told, Bill and the bait shop donated $528 worth of bait to the Get Together/PFIC/UPSAC and I sincerely hope that locals remember this largess.
Next it was on to the Catalina Landing in Long Beach for the 10 AM boat and one-hour trip over to the island. Unfortunately, at the boarding, Mahigheer was given a little grief and told his four-wheel cart, heavily loaded with items, would not be allowed to be pushed onto the boat. Instead he would have to hand-carry the items onto the boat and then return for more items. Only problem, a catch 22 situation in which once he carried an item onto the boat he would not be allowed to leave the boat for another trip. What to do? Luckily Gordo Grande was taking the same boat. A couple of additional items were tied down on top of my cart, a couple of additional items were tied down to the top of Gordo's cart, and Mahigheer has several items piled on top of his big cooler (thankfully one with wheels) while hand carrying his four wheel cart. Once on the boat we all sighed in relief. On the trip back the deckhands jumped right in to help carry everything off of the ship; no such help on the way over. But we made it and didn't lose a single bag.
Immediately upon arrival we (KJ, Mahigheer and Gordo) headed toward the Hermosa Hotel but on the way we saw Harry (Graybeard) eating breakfast and told him to join us in fishing when he finished. We then checked in at the hotel, unpacked our fishing equipment, and headed down to the pier. While Gordo and Mahigheer grabbed a bite to eat, I headed out to the end of the Green Pleasure Pier where I found myself alone with all the fish. The fishing was fast and furious with a nice mixture of fish. A short time later Harry joined in the fun while Mahigheer and Gordo arrived a little later. Everyone was catching fish and once again the Catalina experience was taking place.
Surprisingly we didn't see anyone else that day except for GDude and family at Antonio's, the spot where we traditionally have our first night's dinner. That scene was repeated and I, for one, was rewarded with a delicious calamari dinner. Should we go fishing after dinner? No, we were all too tired.
Friday - This day we're scheduled to fish the Mole in the morning and do the surf fish derby at Pebble Beach late afternoon. Unfortunately when I make my bi-hourly pee run at 4AM I notice an additional little pitter-patter, this time coming from the roof. A look out the door reveals rivulets of rain tracing their mercurial way down the vines of the bougainvillea on the deck. Great! Instead of a 6:30 journey to the Green Pleasure Pier (normal routine) Mahigheer and I do breakfast. The Mole can wait until 8 when we join Gordo. Luckily even though the rain is steady so is the fishing-including numbers of good-sized opaleye who seem to like the ghost shrimp. Eventually the cast of the Get Together begins to arrive-Ben and Brandy, Jimbojack, Scott and Ben, Redfish and Sylva, Ark and his wife, and of course Minnow Magnet, Robin and friends from the north, Dylan and Dave. By late morning the Mole is filling up and fishermen, rods, pier carts, bait and assorted fish are littering the deck. Early afternoon the sun arrives along with some bonito and GDude limits out in fairly quick fashion with his Buzz Bomb. Things are looking up and it even appears a dry surf derby is on tap.
Most people head back to their cabins around two to change into dry clothes and drop off excess equipment. Then it's back to the Mole and a hopeful pickup by the restaurant's shuttle vans. Everything seems to go smooth at first, although somehow we lost Scooter and Steve, but then the surf derby is a bust. We had been told the whitefish were late this year and hadn't made a showing but we hoped some would still show up. Nope, they wouldn't cooperate and none of the other species would fill in for them (maybe it's a union thing?). Anyway, after two hours, only a few nibbles, no fish, and increasing winds, we decided to walk over to the restaurant for dinner. The Buffalo Nickel provided good food and with an encouragement from Mahigheer's Raki (Lion's Milk) everyone opened up and really seemed to have a good time. We talked the van driver into taking us back to our hotel where most went to bed. Ben and Jimbojack headed back to the Mole where Ben got a nice-sized rubberlip perch.
Saturday-Everyone was at the Mole bright and early but the sun was out and the fishing had slowed. It seems to always be the case that the fishing during the Saturday event is somewhat slow and as soon as the event is over the fish pick up the bite. It happened again. Of course about 9AM the three caballeros are discussing final plans for the food. What additional food is needed to supplement the items GDude is bringing? KFC has closed so we'll do the chips and salsa routine to match his Mexican food along with soft drinks and a few sweets. People pitch in money while Ben and Brandy (since they're younger and stronger) are stuck making the actual run to Von's Express (and they come back with a big honking cart of stuff). We're well on our way to once again having more than enough food.
Then it's time for the derby and raffle. Cards are passed out and people fish; some even catch fish.
Although several additional people fished and watched, only twenty-two people actually signed up for the event: GordoGrande, JimboJack, Gray Beard, Mahigheer, Eugene & Mina, Scooterfish, SteveO, Dompha Ben, Pop, Mom and bro. Johnny, Ark, Redfish and Sylva, Robin & Minnow Magnet, Dylan & Dave, Lee, Warren and Amanda.
The derby was catch and release using a point scale:
Species Minimum size Points
Yellowtail N/A 30
White Seabass 28” 20
Barracuda 28” 20
Halibut 22” 20
Leopard shark 36” 20
Bonito N/A 10
Kelp Bass 12” 10
Sheephead 12” 10
Scorpionfish 10” 10
Opaleye N/A 10
Ocean whitefish N/A 10
Moray eel N/A 10
Pacific mackerel, jack mackerel, halfmoon, sargo, rock wrasse, giant kelpfish, misc. sole, rockfish (any species) = 2 points
Blacksmith, kelp/shiner perch, senorita, striped/crevice kelpfish, jacksmelt, sardine = 1 point
Garibaldi = 0 points
Other fish = points to be determined by the skipper
As seems usual, the fishing during the derby was slower than that before or after the event. The ten to two, bright-light-hours, are not the best hours for fishing, especially when you have the crystal clear purity of water that you find at the Mole, and action seemed somewhat desultory. One difference this year was less small fish, reflecting the use of ghost shrimp by many contestants. Less small fish and thus less fish in the total count but more big fish than at most derbies. Minnow Magnet though was able to use small bait and hooks to snare enough jacksmelt to win the junior division. James (Gdude), who had a limit of bonito and would have won the derby, was strictly catch and keep so ineligible for the derby.
Then the announcement of the winners:
Adult Category: 1st Place - SteveO; 2nd Place - Scooterfish; 3rd Place - Lee Smgley
Junior Category: 1st Place - Minnow Magnet; 2nd Place - Dylan; 3rd Place - Warren Liu.
The raffle followed with Amanda doing an excellent job picking out the tickets. Lastly it was time for a group shot of this year's participants to finish off the festivities.
Finally, back to more fishing. The events had gone as planned and everyone seemed to have a good time. Around 6 PM the group starts to break up and people head off to various haunts for dinner. Several of us go to Antonio's one more time for an excellent dinner. Ben says he wants to do a little late night fishing at the Mole and I agree to meet him. But I could barely make the walk back up to the hotel and with sore back and legs am forced to forgo the search for my moray eel (for the first time at a derby I felt my age). Ben heads down with Mahigheer, Scott and Steve. But after fifteen or so minutes, and not much action, they head back.
Sunday - Last day and I am up early and out to the Green Pleasure Pier at 6:30. I know there are some good fish there so I'm casting bigger baits and have the pier to myself. I don't get a lot of fish but in two hours manage three keeper-size sheephead along with another large opaleye in a mix of a dozen and a half fish. Then it's back to the cabin where I meet Mahigheer for breakfast prior to checking out. From there we haul all of various bags down to the Mole to fish until our 3:45 ferry departs to Long Beach.
Good-by Catalina - for now!
Personal fishing: As always the fishing was superb but there was a slight drop-off in overall numbers for myself partly because I fished fewer hours and partly because I chose to fish with the “Pier Rats” at the Mole rather than at the too-congested Green Pleasure Pier. Thursday, the first day, I did fish the pier and averaged more than 20 fish an hour but it was potpourri fishing, anything goes . However, with its various ropes, cables, boats and docks interfering with space only a few people can now fish the pier at a time.
Most people drift over to the Mole where the fishing space is more open. The Mole is also home to some of bigger species such as bonito, barracuda and an occasional yellowtail. However, it's my firm belief that you can catch as many, if not more, BIG opaleye and BIG sheephead at the pier; it's just harder to hook and land them.
The time at the Mole did give me a chance to check out the rocky inshore section a little more and I managed a couple of new rockfish species that I had not caught previously at the Mole-a kelp rockfish and two brown rockfish. The time also gave me a chance to land a new pier species for myself, a Mexican scad, an uncommon species rarely caught in California (which makes up for the eel I wanted to catch)* The variety was good as were the number of big opaleye that were caught and the legal-size sheephead. Both figures were undoubtedly up because of the ghost shrimp.
The variety: Cabrillo Mole (16 species): opaleye, halfmoon, garibaldi, blacksmith, rubberlip seaperch, sheephead, rock wrasse, senorita, California scorpionfish, giant kelpfish, treefish, kelp rockfish, brown rockfish, kelp bass, jacksmelt and one new species-Mexican scad (looks similar to a jack mackerel).
Green Pleasure Pier (8 species): opaleye, blacksmith, sheephead, rock wrasse, senorita, kelp bass, jacksmelt, island surfperch.
* That now makes 118 species that I have caught from California's saltwater piers. If I include all of the fish and piers I've fished in California (up through the Delta), I've now fished from 127 piers and caught 127 different species. The quest continues.
To: PFIC Message Board
From: Ken Jones
Subject: Long boring Catalina report —
Another Catalina Report-by Ken Jones aka More Than You Probably Wanted To Know About The Sixth Annual Catalina Get Together:
Scene 1A: It is somewhere around 1 PM on April 20, 2007. An aging, out-of-shape angler stands at the railing of the Cabrillo Mole at Avalon on Catalina Island. The angler is soaked to the skin/bone-and cold. He has a hat, and a hood from his jacket covering his head, but drops of rain fall steadily from the puddle crowning the cap. The Thought-O-Meter LE200 records his thoughts -“Maybe Algore and his Goebell Warning is responsible for this rain? Or perhaps it's Adam and Rebecca? After all, we never had rain until they gave up their title as hosts and moved to sunny Florida. But wait, I'm one of the ones hosting the event this year; maybe it's partly my fault! God I hope we don't have rain tomorrow when we have the tables and food and raffle items and kids and wives and the banner and whatever! No, come on, snap out of it, quit worrying about the rain and be ready for the fish. An opaleye is starting to inhale that shrimp; should I strike now or give it a couple of more milli-seconds? Strike-and fish on! Be cool little fish; come this way instead of heading down into that kelp. A really nice day on the opaleye, just wish I wasn't so dad blasted cold.”
Scene 1B-Alternative version: It is somewhere around 1 PM on April 20, 2007. An angler wearing a semi-transparent, yellow rain poncho over stylized fishing apparel is singing (and dancing?) next to the railing of the Cabrillo Mole at Avalon on Catalina Island:
“I'm fishing in the rain
Just fishing at the pier
What a glorious feelin'
I'm happy again
I'm laughing at clouds
So dark up above
The sun's in my heart
And I'm ready to fish
Let the stormy clouds chase
Everyone from the Mole
Come on with the rain
I've a smile on my face
I stroll down the rail
With my rod and my reel
Just fishin',
Fishin' in the rain
Why am I smiling
And why do I fish?
Why does Catalina
Seem sunny as spring?
Why do I get up
So early each morn'?
Happy and head up
With joy in my heart
Why is each task
A mere trifle to do?
Because I am living
A life full of you.”
Fade to large fish (opaleye or male sheephead) on surface of the water and apologies to Don Lockwood, lyricist for Singin' In The Rain.
Yes, Catalina Get Together Number 6 has come and gone once again and, as most years, it reflected a personality all its own.
Quick thoughts: (1) The heavy rain Friday morning didn't stop anyone from fishing but eventually took its toll. Most were ill prepared as far as “real” raincoats and eventually the coats and layered clothing were wet to the core. In time people were not only watching the water drop in rivulets from brow but were experiencing a cold to the bone feeling that was unexpected on Catalina. Too heavy to be popsicles (with the exception perhaps of JimboJack initially and Scott and Steve later) we looked more like frozen stout bars. However, the slightly more murky water provided some top-notch fishing and that fact, along with the refusal of anyone to cry uncle, led most to brave out the conditions. If Mola Joe can survive snow and ice, we can survive a little wind and rain. However, most were glad (even if they didn't admit it) when the time came to return to the hotel and change clothing and equipment for the surf derby (which was rain and fish free).
(2) Several of the long-distance, partygoers drove all-nighters this year and, as a result, were really tired out upon arrival. Whereas most years there is a straight line to the motel followed by a straight line to the pier, this year people actually got some sleep and rested before starting their fishing adventure. People were asking where's GDude, where's Ben, where's Minnow Magnet? Little did they know they were enjoying some peaceful bliss before renewing the quest.
(3) The group itself was smaller this year but also very cohesive and seemed to have a really friendly and helpful karma, a somewhat unusual trait for such a disparate group. And while the numbers of fish were down slightly (at least during the actual derby), the number of larger fish like opaleye, legal sheephead and bonito were up, reflections of improved bait-ghost shrimp, and improved technique. A logical extension provided by anglers who had given thought to past experiences.
(4) The only thing that didn't seem to change was the events designation as the highlight of the year and a call for additional visits-where and when possible. Perhaps unsaid was a little envy by those who had traveled down from the Bay Area, the home of a vast bay that seems at times like an inland sea. Drives of 30-40-50 miles to fish are common. Why, given the short one-hour ferry ride from Long Beach, are there not more southern PFIC members present at Catalina? Even more, why would those who live close not travel over the Catalina Channel several times a year? Would more frequent visits make the experience less special?
The Prelims — There are many things involved in setting up such an event. Luckily the three caballeros-KJ, Ben and Mahigheer -were able to take the past work of Adam and Rebecca, and the lessons they learned, to give us guidance this year. Early on I posted the general specifications-with only a few modifications from what Adam and Rebecca had originally done. Notification and permission to use the Mole was then gained from the Harbormaster. Once that was done we needed to figure out the Friday night “Surf Get Together” and the Saturday “Derby-Food-Raffle.” We decided to do the Friday dinner at the Buffalo Nickel different this year-pre-pay for dinner, use their menu, etc. (Good thing because we didn't catch a single fish at Pebble Beach.) Ben was assigned the task of talking to the restaurant manager and events went as planned even though we wound up walking over earlier than expected. Due to a road closure we were even able to get the restaurant to provide transportation to and from the restaurant. For Saturday's event we needed UPSAC materials stored in San Diego-which Mahigheer drove down and retrieved. With materials on hand and some additional prizes I was able to scrounge up from different sources (including a Beachmaster Rod Holder), we felt we had a decent list of raffle prizes even before seeing GDude's beautiful rod and reel. Where's the banner, where's the raffle tickets, do we have bags for the fish fillets, do we have cards for the derby and pens to mark them? What about tables and chairs and certificates for the winners? Ben spent part of Wednesday making certificates in his classroom. Mahigheer and KJ spent part of Wednesday night going through the various materials and figuring out how to carry it to Catalina. Thursday-nothing to do other than the trip itself.
Thursday - A 6:30 journey to Mahigheer's house resulted in a free breakfast, free storage space for my truck for the next four days, and a loaded van full of the various accouterments needed for the trip. I of course had my pier cart together with a duffel bag and one of Pablo's rod bags. Mahigheer had his normal equipment plus a cooler filled with prizes for the raffle drawing and extra rods/reels.
Once on our way we headed to San Pedro and Paul's Bait and Tackle. There we met up with Matt who graciously filled 30 of the large Styrofoam containers full of ghost shrimp-30 per cup. Normally selling for $8.00 a large cup (he also has two smaller sizes) this represented a retail value of $240. I had actually tried to talk Bill the owner into less shrimp but he said no, one cup per person per day and better to be as little over than a little short. This would be free bait for participants for Thursday and Friday. Another load of free live shrimp, 36 containers, was to be picked up by Eugene on Saturday (or a value of $288). All told, Bill and the bait shop donated $528 worth of bait to the Get Together/PFIC/UPSAC and I sincerely hope that locals remember this largess.
Next it was on to the Catalina Landing in Long Beach for the 10 AM boat and one-hour trip over to the island. Unfortunately, at the boarding, Mahigheer was given a little grief and told his four-wheel cart, heavily loaded with items, would not be allowed to be pushed onto the boat. Instead he would have to hand-carry the items onto the boat and then return for more items. Only problem, a catch 22 situation in which once he carried an item onto the boat he would not be allowed to leave the boat for another trip. What to do? Luckily Gordo Grande was taking the same boat. A couple of additional items were tied down on top of my cart, a couple of additional items were tied down to the top of Gordo's cart, and Mahigheer has several items piled on top of his big cooler (thankfully one with wheels) while hand carrying his four wheel cart. Once on the boat we all sighed in relief. On the trip back the deckhands jumped right in to help carry everything off of the ship; no such help on the way over. But we made it and didn't lose a single bag.
Immediately upon arrival we (KJ, Mahigheer and Gordo) headed toward the Hermosa Hotel but on the way we saw Harry (Graybeard) eating breakfast and told him to join us in fishing when he finished. We then checked in at the hotel, unpacked our fishing equipment, and headed down to the pier. While Gordo and Mahigheer grabbed a bite to eat, I headed out to the end of the Green Pleasure Pier where I found myself alone with all the fish. The fishing was fast and furious with a nice mixture of fish. A short time later Harry joined in the fun while Mahigheer and Gordo arrived a little later. Everyone was catching fish and once again the Catalina experience was taking place.
Surprisingly we didn't see anyone else that day except for GDude and family at Antonio's, the spot where we traditionally have our first night's dinner. That scene was repeated and I, for one, was rewarded with a delicious calamari dinner. Should we go fishing after dinner? No, we were all too tired.
Friday - This day we're scheduled to fish the Mole in the morning and do the surf fish derby at Pebble Beach late afternoon. Unfortunately when I make my bi-hourly pee run at 4AM I notice an additional little pitter-patter, this time coming from the roof. A look out the door reveals rivulets of rain tracing their mercurial way down the vines of the bougainvillea on the deck. Great! Instead of a 6:30 journey to the Green Pleasure Pier (normal routine) Mahigheer and I do breakfast. The Mole can wait until 8 when we join Gordo. Luckily even though the rain is steady so is the fishing-including numbers of good-sized opaleye who seem to like the ghost shrimp. Eventually the cast of the Get Together begins to arrive-Ben and Brandy, Jimbojack, Scott and Ben, Redfish and Sylva, Ark and his wife, and of course Minnow Magnet, Robin and friends from the north, Dylan and Dave. By late morning the Mole is filling up and fishermen, rods, pier carts, bait and assorted fish are littering the deck. Early afternoon the sun arrives along with some bonito and GDude limits out in fairly quick fashion with his Buzz Bomb. Things are looking up and it even appears a dry surf derby is on tap.
Most people head back to their cabins around two to change into dry clothes and drop off excess equipment. Then it's back to the Mole and a hopeful pickup by the restaurant's shuttle vans. Everything seems to go smooth at first, although somehow we lost Scooter and Steve, but then the surf derby is a bust. We had been told the whitefish were late this year and hadn't made a showing but we hoped some would still show up. Nope, they wouldn't cooperate and none of the other species would fill in for them (maybe it's a union thing?). Anyway, after two hours, only a few nibbles, no fish, and increasing winds, we decided to walk over to the restaurant for dinner. The Buffalo Nickel provided good food and with an encouragement from Mahigheer's Raki (Lion's Milk) everyone opened up and really seemed to have a good time. We talked the van driver into taking us back to our hotel where most went to bed. Ben and Jimbojack headed back to the Mole where Ben got a nice-sized rubberlip perch.
Saturday-Everyone was at the Mole bright and early but the sun was out and the fishing had slowed. It seems to always be the case that the fishing during the Saturday event is somewhat slow and as soon as the event is over the fish pick up the bite. It happened again. Of course about 9AM the three caballeros are discussing final plans for the food. What additional food is needed to supplement the items GDude is bringing? KFC has closed so we'll do the chips and salsa routine to match his Mexican food along with soft drinks and a few sweets. People pitch in money while Ben and Brandy (since they're younger and stronger) are stuck making the actual run to Von's Express (and they come back with a big honking cart of stuff). We're well on our way to once again having more than enough food.
Then it's time for the derby and raffle. Cards are passed out and people fish; some even catch fish.
Although several additional people fished and watched, only twenty-two people actually signed up for the event: GordoGrande, JimboJack, Gray Beard, Mahigheer, Eugene & Mina, Scooterfish, SteveO, Dompha Ben, Pop, Mom and bro. Johnny, Ark, Redfish and Sylva, Robin & Minnow Magnet, Dylan & Dave, Lee, Warren and Amanda.
The derby was catch and release using a point scale:
Species Minimum size Points
Yellowtail N/A 30
White Seabass 28” 20
Barracuda 28” 20
Halibut 22” 20
Leopard shark 36” 20
Bonito N/A 10
Kelp Bass 12” 10
Sheephead 12” 10
Scorpionfish 10” 10
Opaleye N/A 10
Ocean whitefish N/A 10
Moray eel N/A 10
Pacific mackerel, jack mackerel, halfmoon, sargo, rock wrasse, giant kelpfish, misc. sole, rockfish (any species) = 2 points
Blacksmith, kelp/shiner perch, senorita, striped/crevice kelpfish, jacksmelt, sardine = 1 point
Garibaldi = 0 points
Other fish = points to be determined by the skipper
As seems usual, the fishing during the derby was slower than that before or after the event. The ten to two, bright-light-hours, are not the best hours for fishing, especially when you have the crystal clear purity of water that you find at the Mole, and action seemed somewhat desultory. One difference this year was less small fish, reflecting the use of ghost shrimp by many contestants. Less small fish and thus less fish in the total count but more big fish than at most derbies. Minnow Magnet though was able to use small bait and hooks to snare enough jacksmelt to win the junior division. James (Gdude), who had a limit of bonito and would have won the derby, was strictly catch and keep so ineligible for the derby.
Then the announcement of the winners:
Adult Category: 1st Place - SteveO; 2nd Place - Scooterfish; 3rd Place - Lee Smgley
Junior Category: 1st Place - Minnow Magnet; 2nd Place - Dylan; 3rd Place - Warren Liu.
The raffle followed with Amanda doing an excellent job picking out the tickets. Lastly it was time for a group shot of this year's participants to finish off the festivities.
Finally, back to more fishing. The events had gone as planned and everyone seemed to have a good time. Around 6 PM the group starts to break up and people head off to various haunts for dinner. Several of us go to Antonio's one more time for an excellent dinner. Ben says he wants to do a little late night fishing at the Mole and I agree to meet him. But I could barely make the walk back up to the hotel and with sore back and legs am forced to forgo the search for my moray eel (for the first time at a derby I felt my age). Ben heads down with Mahigheer, Scott and Steve. But after fifteen or so minutes, and not much action, they head back.
Sunday - Last day and I am up early and out to the Green Pleasure Pier at 6:30. I know there are some good fish there so I'm casting bigger baits and have the pier to myself. I don't get a lot of fish but in two hours manage three keeper-size sheephead along with another large opaleye in a mix of a dozen and a half fish. Then it's back to the cabin where I meet Mahigheer for breakfast prior to checking out. From there we haul all of various bags down to the Mole to fish until our 3:45 ferry departs to Long Beach.
Good-by Catalina - for now!
Personal fishing: As always the fishing was superb but there was a slight drop-off in overall numbers for myself partly because I fished fewer hours and partly because I chose to fish with the “Pier Rats” at the Mole rather than at the too-congested Green Pleasure Pier. Thursday, the first day, I did fish the pier and averaged more than 20 fish an hour but it was potpourri fishing, anything goes . However, with its various ropes, cables, boats and docks interfering with space only a few people can now fish the pier at a time.
Most people drift over to the Mole where the fishing space is more open. The Mole is also home to some of bigger species such as bonito, barracuda and an occasional yellowtail. However, it's my firm belief that you can catch as many, if not more, BIG opaleye and BIG sheephead at the pier; it's just harder to hook and land them.
The time at the Mole did give me a chance to check out the rocky inshore section a little more and I managed a couple of new rockfish species that I had not caught previously at the Mole-a kelp rockfish and two brown rockfish. The time also gave me a chance to land a new pier species for myself, a Mexican scad, an uncommon species rarely caught in California (which makes up for the eel I wanted to catch)* The variety was good as were the number of big opaleye that were caught and the legal-size sheephead. Both figures were undoubtedly up because of the ghost shrimp.
The variety: Cabrillo Mole (16 species): opaleye, halfmoon, garibaldi, blacksmith, rubberlip seaperch, sheephead, rock wrasse, senorita, California scorpionfish, giant kelpfish, treefish, kelp rockfish, brown rockfish, kelp bass, jacksmelt and one new species-Mexican scad (looks similar to a jack mackerel).
Green Pleasure Pier (8 species): opaleye, blacksmith, sheephead, rock wrasse, senorita, kelp bass, jacksmelt, island surfperch.
* That now makes 118 species that I have caught from California's saltwater piers. If I include all of the fish and piers I've fished in California (up through the Delta), I've now fished from 127 piers and caught 127 different species. The quest continues.