Sorry life and work delayed this report
Headed over to Daina pier with TJ to get some fresh bait and maybe a Snookie or two before our 7 PM departure. Looked out to the North where I figured Sea Legs would be heading and saw one heck of a rain storm coming down. Sure was hopping it would be gone by the time we got there.
No problem with the bait (other than dodging the 500 others out there getting the Ladyfish and runners
) managed a dozen 4 to 5 inch Gogs and added a doz or so larger Pilchards for the live bucket....a couple quart bags of assorted size brined pilchards and we were ready to go fishing. ( no Snook
or Macs )
Light rain while we were headed out to the first spot had rain gear on for those that had brought it and others wondering how wet it was going to be.
Capt Ralph announced we were headed to a 200 foot plus spot for Vermilion Snappers and to rig up Chicken rigs with 4/0 to 5/0 hooks and 8 oz sinkers ( and I had just taken out of my bag and left them at home some 8 to 10 oz banks to lighten it as I did not need them for the expected Grover and tail fishing LOL ) so with some creative tackle rigging I was ready when we stopped. One little adjustment to fine tune the anchor point and we were on with some nice 2 to 3 lb Vermies coming aboard.
When the bite tapered off He pulled the hook and headed to some 60 foot Yellowtail water.
Anchored up and First mate Steve had the Chum bucket over the Stearn and lines were out with immediate Tail action ( spinners with 12 to 15lb line , 1/8 to 1/4 oz jigs, and Silversides ruled as bait.... produced a few under size ones ( all tossed back BTW ) followed by some very nice ones for pretty much the rest of the stop.
TJ and I both opted out of the tail action after a while and dropped some livies down for some very nice Grovers ( he won our side bet with a Grover that edged mine out by a good inch or two )
All in all we had a good cooler full of fish and a very pleasant night shared with good fishermen, and a great Capt and Mate. ( only made two stops all night and both had fish....way to go Capt.
) The rain had stopped almost as soon as we cleared the inlet and calm seas with calm to light winds made for pleasant conditions.
I will have to bring a camera to add some photos next time.
Oh yeah, good report Rick.
