I finally got to fish Sunday morning after two weeks out of the water. I launched from Dana Harbor and fished near the shore to the south of the harbor. I know this is a pier/jetty/shore board, but hey I was almost in casting range of those places the whole time...

I caught a couple of barracuda a small halibut and a croaker in the harbor on my way out, then nothing trolling back to the shoreline, then;

Sat in a school of sand bass in about 15' of water and caught many 12-16" sand bass and a couple calicos. Also a big sculpin. I headed in even closer to shore and started picking up halibuts. Legal ones. Like four of them. Then something hit one of my trolled rods that I had secured half-way along the length of the rod with velcro to the tube. The rod snapped in half at the velcro on the hit, then in my frenzied attempts unsnap it and grab the broken ends I lost the whole rig over the side. Then I had a double hook-up on my remaining two rods. Both 30"+ halibuts, both lost when they broke the line while I tried to net them. I am going to buy a gaff! Then several more halibuts right around legal size, including one ~ 25" one that broke me off at the tube, I cast out my other rod, got bit on the sink, and when I went to remove the jig from this 25" flattie I noticed my first jig in it's mouth, so I got it back!

The spot with all the flatties had a guy fishing there with an inflatable kayak. He said I had found his secret spot and that he had caught several halibut in the 30-40 pound class from that area. I believe him.

about this time I noticed the wind had started to blow, coming from the direction I needed to return. I also noticed my left side pontoon was losing air. Not cool. I made it back in time, however.

Totals:

SAND BASS: lots, I was getting them every cast for many casts in a row, and only stopped catching them when I moved on down the coast line. I kept four 12-14" ones for my father-in-law. All four had gotten the jig down deep, and might have died anyway.

WSB: Two, both about 26", released.

CALICOS: like three or four 12-14" + one toad, released.

Halibuts: something like 6-7 of 18-25" ones, several smaller ones and a couple that were too big for me to boat without help or a gaff. Also had a pole broken and pulled overboard at this spot, presumed to be a BIG halibut.

Various barracuda to 24" a couple of reef/rockfish and a couple croaker.

All fish were caught on 6# and 4# P-line using swimbaits.

All other fish except the four sandies mentioned were released-
or farmed!

Quietman



JR.

What a crazy day out in the tube! That sounds like too much fun! I'm getting the chills just thinkin about it! GREAT report! I'll have to try it down there some time! Thanks!

Darin

JR,

>I launched from Dana Harbor and fished near the
>shore to the south of the harbor. I know this is a
>pier/jetty/shore board, but hey I was almost in casting
>range of those places the whole time...
>
>I caught a couple of barracuda a small halibut and a croaker
>in the harbor on my way out, then nothing trolling back to
>the shoreline, then;
>
>Sat in a school of sand bass in about 15' of water and
>caught many 12-16" sand bass and a couple calicos. Also a
>big sculpin. I headed in even closer to shore and started
>picking up halibuts.

It sounds like you were fishing just outside the surfline at Doheny state park beach; is that right? I take it you were fishing swimbaits from your float tube? I would like to go try the area in my kayak.
BTW: Where is the pier within casting range?

Thanks,
CK

Jeez man! What an epic day! Too bad you had to lose a rig but sometimes thats the price you pay to play! Wow, truly amazing report. Lets us know if you nail. that flattie who stole your rig... I bet she's a beast.

CK replies:

>It sounds like you were fishing just outside the surfline at
>Doheny state park beach; is that right?

Yes...mostly a little south of the park.
...And at times a ...little...deeper...experiment, troll if
you don't get bit keep moving when you do then stop and really work the area, the 'butts seem to bunch up a lot.

>I take it you were
>fishing swimbaits from your float tube? I would like to go
>try the area in my kayak.

I was using nothing but swimbaits, dark colors until the o-cast burned off then lighter colors. 1/8 and 1/4 oz matzuo heavy metal heads..they are painted and have an inverted "V" bottom that adds a lot of action to a swimbait...but don't tell anyone.

>BTW: Where is the pier within casting range?

I left that on by accident from a pier fishing message baord...no piers around, sorry...

>Thanks,
>CK

Your welcome!

Quietman

Unbelievable! Nearly 30 fish for a Sunday morning. I've better head down there so I can get a story like THAT under my belt.
Congratulations!

Sweeet...great report! Now I need to get a floattube and get in on the action! I surffished Salt Creek this morning for an hour using squid (no sandcrabs around) for only 2 perch. A nice day though and at least the kelp is gone! Good going on the fish!

Hey Todd, if your in the market, let me know. I've got a couple tubes I'll sell cheap. Or trade for...?

Amish Ed
You Can't Catch it again if
it's Dead!

Hey AmishEd,
What are ya selling and for how much? I too am looking to get into the tubeing world...
Email me...
mceehops2@cox.net

Ed, thanks for letting me know. I don't know much about floattubing, but may consider it in the future as it seems like a fun inexpensive way to potentially get larger fish than most from shore.

Brum, I'm leaning in that direction as well! Not a huge investment and sounds like alot of fun if I could get over my White Shark phobia.

Got two: a Caddis Navigator II that needs new bladders (about $35). Otherwise, it's in good condition. Plus a caddis rod holder. $15 takes it.

The other is a Trout Unlimited Gallatin, like the Nav II but roomier and has more storage. Only used it 3 months so it's still in excellent condition. Plus a Fishin Buddy FF holder (works as a rod holder too), Plus a caddis rod holder. A steal at $60.

I'll also throw in a FREE guided trip to Newport Harbor or San Diego Bay. Heck, that's gotta be worth something right?

Amish Ed
You Can't Catch it again if
it's Dead!

PS: Aztec, get over the shark fear. Fiberglass Sea Lions are the real danger. And the furry ones will only make you nervous.

I bought a "V" tube on sale at sportmart, and I liked it.
But then I went to a baytuber tournament and saw the pontoon style tubes. So I took back my V tube and bought a pontoon tube at sportmart. Much better because: It's BIG two 4' pontoons and a big seat and lots of storage. Plus you sit almost out of the water, and can go faster and farther and it's more stable. It cost $65.00 on sale half price. I took back a caddis pontoon boat and a trout unlimited pontoon boat because they were smaller.

The only problem with my "Pioneer" pontoon boat at sportmart is that it is an ugly blue/green color, and that they usually sell them for $130.00.

I made two trolling rod holders ($8.00 for both) that hold the rods out to the sides for the troll. I bought a 4 tube rod holder from Eric? $25 a livewell for the catch $40 and a livewell for the bait $16, both from Kenny. Plus I made a drink/jig "stuff" holder from a center console car holder for about $7. I mention these accessories because you will need most of them for a good time on the water.

Also waders and fins, of course...

Check out www.Baytubers.com

Quietman

Amish,

If the Nav II is still available, please let me know.

-CC

Both are still here. No rush to buy, no rush to sell. Email me: amished@hotmail.com

Amish Ed
You Can't Catch it again if
it's Dead!

I keep trying to attach a jpg of my tube, but it won't work...

Any ideas?

Quietman

JR.