Catalina Get Together — April 14-17, 2011 would see the event and I was musing poetic: “What a way to end ten years of fun—and excitement. The Tenth Annual Catalina Get Together is now history but it will live on in the minds of those who made the trek to the “Blessed Isle” for the event. No, it’s not just a social event, and no it’s not just a fishing event. But it is a gathering of experienced and inexperienced fishermen together with their families and it’s definitely a GREAT TIME.
Some of the scenes—(1) It’s Thursday, the first day of the annual visit, and nearly 1PM when the “Pier Fisherman” [me] arrives at the Green Pleasure Pier. Already present is the bearded lad from Iran (Hashem) and he’s already caught a few fish. Luckily, for the second year in a row there is no dock at the end of the pier. The dock is scheduled to be installed in a few weeks but in the meantime there is more room to fish and railing space will be premium when the rest of the group arrives.
Boyd (Pierhead)
As for the fish, the mix changes somewhat every year although there are almost always the basic species—kelp bass, senorita, rock wrasse, halfmoon, and the two favorites, opaleye and sheephead. Some years sees mackerel some years do not. Fish will be caught but how will the mix change? The first drop yields a keeper-size opaleye and Hashem is willing to hold it up for a picture. But smaller fish are swarming the bait. Blacksmith are everywhere and are going to make it hard to fish for the more desirable species. As soon as bait enters the water it’s attacked by the blacksmith and as often as not they are able to grab the bait before the other fish. But a couple of sheephead do make it to the pier, lots of kelp bass (including two legal-size fish), and a smattering of other bottom species. Most are returned to the water.
During the afternoon other PFIC regulars begin to arrive. First there’s Rita and Kyle, then Hans and his son Bailey along with parents Ann and Richard, all from the Bay Area. Late afternoon sees Ross followed shortly by Adam, Rebecca, daughter Allison and his mother Sandi. It’s a long ways from Florida and he’s ready to fish. Everyone is catching fish and then, just before it’s time for the dinner break, a school of good-sized Pacific mackerel shows up. Soon the anglers are fighting nice fish and trying to avoid tangles. For the “Pier Fisherman,” tradition calls for 100 fish the first day at the GPP. This day the count is only 84 when he heads over to Antonio’s for dinner.
(2) It’s Friday and tradition calls for fishing the Mole before the derby. Arrival with Hashem sees only one other angler camped out at the Mole and it’s Adam equipped with a hot cup of coffee and a breakfast sandwich. He’s still on Florida time and it doesn’t seem quite so early to him.
Normally a visit to the Mole at the crack of dawn means opaleye—if you have the right bait and know what you’re doing. Although some opaleye are to be seen, catching them becomes a tough proposition. The problem is the blacksmith, which seem to cover the water at the Mole. If the bait is frozen peas you’re almost sure to hook a blacksmith; the same is true with sea worms. Whereas normally senorita will grab a worm before the opaleye, this year it’s the blacksmith. What about ghost shrimp, which is larger bait, and matching larger hooks? Again the blacksmith attack, they seem able to rip the bait to shreds and some even become hooked on the larger Kahle hooks.
Adam (Baitfish)
A variety of fish will be hooked but the blacksmith will affect the overall mix. Pretty much missing is the sheephead although a few will be landed during the day. They’re present but not in the numbers seen some years. What are present are a few ocean whitefish but they’re mostly in the deeper waters out past the kelp. Some will be caught but some will also be lost in the thick strands of the giant kelp.
By mid-morning a group of PFIC’ers has made an appearance. Some of the members who have never been to Catalina use this day for the normal tourist activities—a ride on the yellow submarine, a ride on the glass bottom boat, or perhaps an inland tour to see the island and the buffalo. There’s plenty of time and activities for everyone. But many are fishing. Most notable are the catch of youngster Kien who shows he knows how to catch fish. He’s catching the smaller fish but also pulls in a nice scorpionfish AND a moray eel that evokes a few laughs from the PFIC’ers who knows the “skipper” [me] has been trying to catch a moray for the past three years. But Kien’s an excellent angler for his age and deserves the fish he catches.
(3) It’s the traditional Friday night dinner and most of the “pier rats” have come to the Mi Casita Restaurant to share some time with friends. The food and drink are of course good but the companionship is the real attraction. At the start of the dinner three plaques are given out: The first goes to Adam who proposed the first Get Together hosted the event for many years The second goes to Hashem who has hosted the event for the past four years. The final plaque went to James who has provided the main food for the derbies most years.
An award for James (GDude)
The night was capped off by a second showing of the Catalina DVD we put together last year. Of particular interest was seeing how the next generation has grown over the years (particularly Kyle who is now over six feet tall) and the younger Liu’s. What I want to know is why most of the women have become more beautiful while the guys just seem to get a little bit more gnarly?
(4) It’s Saturday, the derby day, but there’s still time for a little fishing at the Green Pleasure Pier prior to breakfast and the trek out to the Mole. Bass and opaleye are the goal but upon arrival it’s apparent that once again the blacksmith are going to make it hard for opaleye. What are also in evidence are large schools of Pacific mackerel and sardines that come streaking through the area every few minutes. Time to get some fresh bait for the derby and though the pier fisherman rarely uses Sabikis, one will be used this day. Together with Rita and Kyle, a mess of fresh mackerel and sardines are soon sitting on ice in the bait cooler for use on the Mole.
(5) Saturday at the Mole sees the arrival of Redkorn and the legends from the north, Robert and Sylvana. The Mole is full of people, mostly pier rats there for the derby and they will experience one of the best derbies if judged simply by the sheer numbers of fish that were caught. Few large fish were seen but everyone caught fish. In addition, the weather was great, a balmy 78 degrees and no wind.
(6) Saturday night at the Mole sees one lone, solitary angler on the pier and he has the scene to himself. The moon is full and reflecting off the water while the ocean is flat like a lake. It’s low tide and there’s little water movement—but the fish are biting. The colorful lights from the shops and restaurants that line Crescent Beach in Avalon Harbor reflect off the water while mid-harbor the Green Pleasure Pier stands out. Visible in the lights at the end of the pleasure pier are a number of anglers in quest of sharks and rays. Barely audible are the karaoke singers at the far off El Galleon Restaurant while nearby a group of teenagers are heard but not seen. They sound like they are having a good time with a lot of laughter and a happy birthday serenade.
But while the atmosphere and ethereal-like beauty is one that will be remembered for a long time, fishing is the reason why the angler is on the Mole. The pier angler started fishing at 9:30 PM in short-sleeve, T-shirt weather; at Midnight there was just enough of a breeze to put on the light windbreaker. He’s wearing a skullcap and mounted on the cap is an adjustable light. Next to the angler sits the pier cart, next to the cart is a hoop net. He’s got his two rods rigged and lines are in the water. One is a medium action rod equipped with heavier line and big bait; the goal is a moray eel. The second is the potpourri, medium-light rig. When the bait is near the bottom shallow-water rockfish and sculpin (scorpionfish) are hitting the bait. Mid-water sees some salema; mid-water to the top sees large jack mackerel. All depths are producing kelp (calico) bass. Confirming what the marine biologists have always said, a number of the daytime species are apparently sleeping. No bait-stealing senorita, no rock wrasse, and no sheephead. At the same time, the fish that are supposed to be active at night are making an appearance, the rockfish, scorpionfish, salema and jack mackerel.
The angler will fish until 1 AM and easily could have fished the entire night, but he’s been up since 6 AM and has a long ride home the next day. Nevertheless, 33 fish and two lobsters will be landed during the special night. [That angler was me.]
Some of the scenes—(1) It’s Thursday, the first day of the annual visit, and nearly 1PM when the “Pier Fisherman” [me] arrives at the Green Pleasure Pier. Already present is the bearded lad from Iran (Hashem) and he’s already caught a few fish. Luckily, for the second year in a row there is no dock at the end of the pier. The dock is scheduled to be installed in a few weeks but in the meantime there is more room to fish and railing space will be premium when the rest of the group arrives.
Boyd (Pierhead)
As for the fish, the mix changes somewhat every year although there are almost always the basic species—kelp bass, senorita, rock wrasse, halfmoon, and the two favorites, opaleye and sheephead. Some years sees mackerel some years do not. Fish will be caught but how will the mix change? The first drop yields a keeper-size opaleye and Hashem is willing to hold it up for a picture. But smaller fish are swarming the bait. Blacksmith are everywhere and are going to make it hard to fish for the more desirable species. As soon as bait enters the water it’s attacked by the blacksmith and as often as not they are able to grab the bait before the other fish. But a couple of sheephead do make it to the pier, lots of kelp bass (including two legal-size fish), and a smattering of other bottom species. Most are returned to the water.
During the afternoon other PFIC regulars begin to arrive. First there’s Rita and Kyle, then Hans and his son Bailey along with parents Ann and Richard, all from the Bay Area. Late afternoon sees Ross followed shortly by Adam, Rebecca, daughter Allison and his mother Sandi. It’s a long ways from Florida and he’s ready to fish. Everyone is catching fish and then, just before it’s time for the dinner break, a school of good-sized Pacific mackerel shows up. Soon the anglers are fighting nice fish and trying to avoid tangles. For the “Pier Fisherman,” tradition calls for 100 fish the first day at the GPP. This day the count is only 84 when he heads over to Antonio’s for dinner.
Rita (Rita 001)
(2) It’s Friday and tradition calls for fishing the Mole before the derby. Arrival with Hashem sees only one other angler camped out at the Mole and it’s Adam equipped with a hot cup of coffee and a breakfast sandwich. He’s still on Florida time and it doesn’t seem quite so early to him.
James (GDude or Gyozadude)
Normally a visit to the Mole at the crack of dawn means opaleye—if you have the right bait and know what you’re doing. Although some opaleye are to be seen, catching them becomes a tough proposition. The problem is the blacksmith, which seem to cover the water at the Mole. If the bait is frozen peas you’re almost sure to hook a blacksmith; the same is true with sea worms. Whereas normally senorita will grab a worm before the opaleye, this year it’s the blacksmith. What about ghost shrimp, which is larger bait, and matching larger hooks? Again the blacksmith attack, they seem able to rip the bait to shreds and some even become hooked on the larger Kahle hooks.
Adam (Baitfish)
A variety of fish will be hooked but the blacksmith will affect the overall mix. Pretty much missing is the sheephead although a few will be landed during the day. They’re present but not in the numbers seen some years. What are present are a few ocean whitefish but they’re mostly in the deeper waters out past the kelp. Some will be caught but some will also be lost in the thick strands of the giant kelp.
By mid-morning a group of PFIC’ers has made an appearance. Some of the members who have never been to Catalina use this day for the normal tourist activities—a ride on the yellow submarine, a ride on the glass bottom boat, or perhaps an inland tour to see the island and the buffalo. There’s plenty of time and activities for everyone. But many are fishing. Most notable are the catch of youngster Kien who shows he knows how to catch fish. He’s catching the smaller fish but also pulls in a nice scorpionfish AND a moray eel that evokes a few laughs from the PFIC’ers who knows the “skipper” [me] has been trying to catch a moray for the past three years. But Kien’s an excellent angler for his age and deserves the fish he catches.
Kien and a scorpionfish
(3) It’s the traditional Friday night dinner and most of the “pier rats” have come to the Mi Casita Restaurant to share some time with friends. The food and drink are of course good but the companionship is the real attraction. At the start of the dinner three plaques are given out: The first goes to Adam who proposed the first Get Together hosted the event for many years The second goes to Hashem who has hosted the event for the past four years. The final plaque went to James who has provided the main food for the derbies most years.
An award for James (GDude)
The night was capped off by a second showing of the Catalina DVD we put together last year. Of particular interest was seeing how the next generation has grown over the years (particularly Kyle who is now over six feet tall) and the younger Liu’s. What I want to know is why most of the women have become more beautiful while the guys just seem to get a little bit more gnarly?
Adam (Baitfish), Hashem (Mahigeer) and an Ocean Whitefish
(4) It’s Saturday, the derby day, but there’s still time for a little fishing at the Green Pleasure Pier prior to breakfast and the trek out to the Mole. Bass and opaleye are the goal but upon arrival it’s apparent that once again the blacksmith are going to make it hard for opaleye. What are also in evidence are large schools of Pacific mackerel and sardines that come streaking through the area every few minutes. Time to get some fresh bait for the derby and though the pier fisherman rarely uses Sabikis, one will be used this day. Together with Rita and Kyle, a mess of fresh mackerel and sardines are soon sitting on ice in the bait cooler for use on the Mole.
Eugene (kelpangler)
(5) Saturday at the Mole sees the arrival of Redkorn and the legends from the north, Robert and Sylvana. The Mole is full of people, mostly pier rats there for the derby and they will experience one of the best derbies if judged simply by the sheer numbers of fish that were caught. Few large fish were seen but everyone caught fish. In addition, the weather was great, a balmy 78 degrees and no wind.
Robert (Red Fish)
(6) Saturday night at the Mole sees one lone, solitary angler on the pier and he has the scene to himself. The moon is full and reflecting off the water while the ocean is flat like a lake. It’s low tide and there’s little water movement—but the fish are biting. The colorful lights from the shops and restaurants that line Crescent Beach in Avalon Harbor reflect off the water while mid-harbor the Green Pleasure Pier stands out. Visible in the lights at the end of the pleasure pier are a number of anglers in quest of sharks and rays. Barely audible are the karaoke singers at the far off El Galleon Restaurant while nearby a group of teenagers are heard but not seen. They sound like they are having a good time with a lot of laughter and a happy birthday serenade.
But while the atmosphere and ethereal-like beauty is one that will be remembered for a long time, fishing is the reason why the angler is on the Mole. The pier angler started fishing at 9:30 PM in short-sleeve, T-shirt weather; at Midnight there was just enough of a breeze to put on the light windbreaker. He’s wearing a skullcap and mounted on the cap is an adjustable light. Next to the angler sits the pier cart, next to the cart is a hoop net. He’s got his two rods rigged and lines are in the water. One is a medium action rod equipped with heavier line and big bait; the goal is a moray eel. The second is the potpourri, medium-light rig. When the bait is near the bottom shallow-water rockfish and sculpin (scorpionfish) are hitting the bait. Mid-water sees some salema; mid-water to the top sees large jack mackerel. All depths are producing kelp (calico) bass. Confirming what the marine biologists have always said, a number of the daytime species are apparently sleeping. No bait-stealing senorita, no rock wrasse, and no sheephead. At the same time, the fish that are supposed to be active at night are making an appearance, the rockfish, scorpionfish, salema and jack mackerel.
The angler will fish until 1 AM and easily could have fished the entire night, but he’s been up since 6 AM and has a long ride home the next day. Nevertheless, 33 fish and two lobsters will be landed during the special night. [That angler was me.]
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