Cabrillo (2 lizards and a decal) 7/27/2013

I really thought twice about posting this in fishing reports.  It's pretty lame.   

I went to Cabrillo (SoCal) this morning to fish the inside -- relatively early -- (unusual for me!) and all I got were 2 lizards and a decal.   I was OTW by 6:45 am.  It was very still, no wind to speak of.  I fished plastics and some fresh dead squid.  I got bit a couple of times but I don't think they were "the right kind".

I got out for a "bio-break" at about 9 am and was met at the ramp by a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary asking if I wanted a "free" safety inspection.  I actually did not know about this or the USCGA and he was in a uniform with a clip board ... so, not really knowing this was not an enforcement action ... I said, "uh, yeah - sure."         

The good news is I got a very good safety check -- the only recommendation was for me to have an emergency first aid kit.  I had everything else.  So Mr. Martin put a nice shiny decal on my hobie.





So -- back to fishing --- a bit later I found the lizards, reliably, every cast they were munching on my white scampi.  I caught one, took his picture, threw it back.....




Then remembered, "Hey, these things are supposed to be good halibut bait."        So I caught another one




And this time I nose-hooked it on a standard halibut rig.   

I drifted that bait for almost 2 hours --- NOTHING! == but it stayed alive and wiggly the entire time. 

Around 11:30 the wind came up, so about 12:45 I got off the water and came home with a shiny new decal on my hobie and a boring fish story that you've now read.   

I think I may have to break down and get a live well for my little hobie.   

Dave   

A lizard fish is still better than a skunk    Thanks for the report and pictures Dave.

Thanks for the report. How big were those lizards? They look huge! I fished the cen coast surf and pier a couple weeks ago and those little bastards were every where,but only about 4 inches long. We were using strips of squid and the toothy little things wouldn't get the hook. There little needle teeth would get stuck in the squid.
So is there a coast guard requirement that I'm not aware of? Is there items your required to have or you get a citation ?


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Those lizards were pretty big.  I think they get that way down here.    I have fished with mackerel and sardines that were as big as this lizard.  (But I did not measure it.)

The inspection, it turns out, is apparently not mandatory.  It was voluntary, and as a member of Coast Guard Auxiliary this guy said he cannot do any enforcement.  He said that even if I was missing something and went out, he would not call the CG.  He also told me that with the decal I am likely not to be stopped by the LA Port Police or Coast Guard while out. 

So it's a "nice" thing I guess, but apparently not a requirement.  Yes, if you do not have a PFD you could get a citation.  There are a whole set of "rules" posted at the boat ramp for LA Harbor and they do issue citations.   

I will admit, I did not know whether it was voluntary or not when he came up to me, and with the uniform and clip board I felt a bit sheepish. 

They gave me a copy of my vessel safety inspection checklist.  It shows all the items they check. ==

If anyone is interested, let me know and I will scan and post it.   

Great report, Dave. I'd love to see that checklist.

I hope you find your 'but soon. 

Here 'tis before I rush off to work.  btw -- there were questions he asked during the inspection.

Front Page (with personal info redacted)



Flip side



If you click on them you can dld the higher resolution version from photobucket.

 

Thanks for posting the VSC Dave.