Great Day - Non-Yak

So there I was,

It's raining - but not hard. 

The wind was blowing - not hard (yet). 

Definitely non-yak weather, (since I kayak alone a lot, I am never stupid, no matter how badly I want to fish) but I really didn't want to sit at the house and watch the rain and the surf is 15 minutes away and after all it's San Diego, how cold could it be? 

I layered up.  Two hats, 7 layers on the upper core and 3 pair of shorts (when I'm fishing I like to feel the water). I grabbed the 8'6" Fenwick inshore spinning rod and an Okuma California and resolved to put myself out in nature and see how it went.

I got to South Mission Beach at 9:30a.  The rain's coming down pretty good now but the wind out of the south hasn't really started going yet so I feel good about the adventure ahead.  We supposedly had a grunion run last night and I was curious to see how the variabes (wind, rain, tide, and run) would add up.  I was encouraged to find the surf relatively small (3-4 and blown) and the water clean of eel grass and kelp.  The reel was a little over full of 6lb maxima so the carolina rig of an ounce and a half egg, 6 foot leader, and size 2 mosquito hook with the 2 inch gulp camo sandworm really tossed well. 

The wind gradually picked up over the entire walk but I had the entire beach to myself (except for the 4 kite boarders - that looks like fun too).  After about an hour I reeled in the first barred perch (a solid 6 inch bruiser).  When I got the little guy in, I realized that the wind was blowing sooo hard and my hands were cold enough that I coudn't feel the bite happen.  So I fished for another half-hour (I was really enjoying the day), all walking north(really being pushed now).  I caught one more 5 incher and didn't feel that bite either.  The wind was now staight outta the south at 25-30.  The paralax on each cast was ridiculous, sometimes 10-15 cranks to tighten the line. 

By now I'm realizing all the small stuff.  My layers have been pentrated.  The wind is getting stronger to the point of picking up sand and blasting the backs of my legs when I'm not in the water.  And not least, I'm a good mile or more down wind from the truck.  I started the walk back, ate a little kelp (not bad), threw a few more times and reached the truck as a through and through wet guy.

Everything about this trip was just so much fun.  What a great day, really, really great day.  Follow that morning with a hot shower and some left-over baked chicken and I'm not sure it gets any better when you're by yourself and it's unsafe for the Tarpon140. 

So good in fact that I may go out again just before sundown (if the wind dies down).

In Team Bridgeport (the guys I adventure with), we have hunters (guys who catch fish) and gatherers (guys who get cracked on for not).

Today, in those conditions, I still managed to be a hunter (sorry - no pics)

Shirkus (formerly azteckayak) from down south

great report Shirk! wish I was down there instead of here at work.
see you next week

oh yeah, way to make a great call and standing down for the yak trip.
perfect example of the difference bewtween a crafty veteran and the lame.

Did you say 6lb line with a 1 1/2 oz egg sinker. Thats a sliding egg sinker, right? How does your line not snap while casting? Do you just lob it out there? Asking because when I surf fish I cannon that grub out there and I know if I used the setup you described I would be going through rigs left and right

Sounds like a great day for perch fishing to me! Sometime those little ones put up a good fight. They are like a little dog, too big for their britches.

Did you say 6lb line with a 1 1/2 oz egg sinker. Thats a sliding egg sinker, right? How does your line not snap while casting? Do you just lob it out there? Asking because when I surf fish I cannon that grub out there and I know if I used the setup you described I would be going through rigs left and right

Calbear

I chuck it pretty good.  And yep, I snapped a few off (re-rigged twice) that day (the 3rd happened at the hour and a half mark and I called it a day) .  My normal rig for the surf is 10lb main line 6lb leader and the 1.5oz egg.  And I don't snap many off with that rig.  I'm 6'4 246 (BLOTY week 6) and I put some stress on the line.  I'm not adept at judging distance but I try to get it out as far as I can on each throw.  The Okuma I spoke of came pre-spooled with the maxima 6lb and was returned to the shop I bought it from.

Then again, I went today for 4 hours and used the same rig (6lb main w/1.5egg) and only broke off once.  I guess you can make your own judgement of the casting.

The only way to prove it would be to come fish it with you some time

Shirkus

Turns out Calbear is accurate.

More then one person has commented similarly.

My line is too light and the weight is too heavy.  My thought was that "I've only snapped 3 time", but the feedback I've been getting (similar to calbear) is that there's no need to even break off 3 times.

I started in the surf about 6 months ago and followed my instincts of light line = more fish.  Turns out, in the surf, the light line can be the leader, and the main line can be heavier so as not to break off so much (why add lead to the water if it's not necessary).

Anyway, to everyone who offered help (calbear here - but others in person and on the phone)  Thank You

Always looking to get better

Shirk

Im always down for some surf fishing,bro. I think I use heavier line (15-20 lb) due to the amount of kelp and seaweed drifting in the water. If your line gets entangled in that crap good luck trying to save your rig. Also when Im fishing for perch Im also targeting striped bass.

Thats awesome getting out like that my gf thinks I`m mental for doing stuff like that. I`m sur you have had plenty of sugest. But when I use light line I do a full 360 turn or swing then let loose . It takes all stress off line . I learned that off a guy while fishing bass tourn.

Everything about this trip was just so much fun.  What a great day, really, really great day.

Yeah, Man.  That's what it's all about - a great day out in the weather, dealing with the conditions, enjoying the fact that you're pushing your limits but you have a warm truck waiting for you at the end of the trail.  This type of stuff led me to the realization that we're experiencing these adventures in the elements when in the past people would've been risking their lives to do the things we do now.  We're lucky to be able to test ourselves against the wet and cold and then take shelter in our technology.  I make a point  of appreciating it for the unique opportunity that it is.  Good Times.   

Everything about this trip was just so much fun.  What a great day, really, really great day.

Yeah, Man.  That's what it's all about - a great day out in the weather, dealing with the conditions, enjoying the fact that you're pushing your limits but you have a warm truck waiting for you at the end of the trail.  This type of stuff led me to the realization that we're experiencing these adventures in the elements when in the past people would've been risking their lives to do the things we do now.  We're lucky to be able to test ourselves against the wet and cold and then take shelter in our technology.  I make a point  of appreciating it for the unique opportunity that it is.  Good Times.   

Abking, you said a mouthfull.  I knew I'd find some folks that know where I'm coming from when I do these kinds of things.

Thanks

Shirkus

Thats awesome getting out like that my gf thinks I`m mental for doing stuff like that. I`m sur you have had plenty of sugest. But when I use light line I do a full 360 turn or swing then let loose . It takes all stress off line . I learned that off a guy while fishing bass tourn.

Brian 65

Most of my people think I'm a little CooCoo also.

I'm gonna try that 360 cast.  That just sounds cool.

Thanks

shirkus

i think i got wet after reading this....very good write!! 
thanks for the salty mist on everything too!