I’ve been rekindling my fishing hobby.

[vash]

I don’t know why I stopped. Maybe when I moved to CA and away from my brothers bass boat. Maybe.

I Recently took up surf fishing for perch. I’m getting better and better. I’m certainly casting better. It’s fun, and low impact. The fish taste great.

Last night I blew the cobwebs off my ultralight spin gear, loaded up with fresh 4-lb line and gathered up some random soft baits I had lying around. It was looking bleak in the gear dept, but eff it. I was going!

Today I hiked 2 miles in to a city lake near my house. You can’t drive there. I took a shortcut that I think a goat built. The trail up; it was steep! I get there and tie on. It was so crowded. I lowered myself off a cliff, waded thru some reeds and found a suitable tiny cove. Perfect social distancing cove. Second cast I got a bass!

It was game on once I figured how to slow my retrieve. The bass would soft bite my lure. It felt like I hit weeds. I would take up tension, feel a tap, and set the hook. They were 1 lb fish, but on my lUL gear they were jumping like tarpon! What a hoot!

All my commotion brought other fishermen. Six foot rule? Chit. I got popular. I broke my rod down and bailed. I left them there throwing huge plugs with a splash towards the horizon.

I went to the bait store and bought tiny crayfish and lizard soft baits. I am going to kill them. I saw crayfish parts in the clear water. I’ll go on a work day to avoid the crowds.

Oh my wife said, “you should buy a float tube?” Oh yes. Humping it up that hill will suck, but it will be killer exercise to prep for hunting season. I wonder what that imposter did with my wife? Float tube shopping!

[wdfifteen]

I gave up trying to outsmart fish a long time ago.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

I gave up trying to outsmart fish a long time ago.

You just need dumbasses

Awesome Cliff! I sold my bassboat a few years ago (had her 27 years) and only do the ultralight spinner thing now in a pond.....well...when the watermutt lets me....it suits me just fine

[cabmandone]

I went to my dad's quarry yesterday with my son and my older brother. We caught 40 nice size bluegill but none of the really big ones so sorry, no pics. Had a really nice fresh fish fry, also no pics.
I did take a picture of the quarry though!

[KFC911]

^^^^ Cool! Yeah...I use the "we caught xx fish" or "we averaged xx fish each" a LOT too

[cabmandone]

It's true though! I got there and my brother had already caught 25. My son and I rigged up my ultra light and went to work. That rod in the pic is so sensitive I can feel the vibration in the handle when a fish farts. AWESOME for bluegill. Even more fun when I get a bass on it.

[Bill Douglas]

Good score Vash.

A lot of fun is using a flyfishing rod for small fish. Haha, trout are had to catch but perch and other breeds are easy and fun.

[KFC911]

I'm just messin' witcha Nick....after a few I lose count since I usually don't keep 'em

I go casting....fish are a bonus

[LWJ]

Nice. I've been a trout fisherman forever. But, there a bass everywhere! And close. Caught my life prize largemouth last year at 6.xx lbs. Shocking, as I am a complete noob for bass.

Trout = hours and hundreds of miles. Bass? I could walk.

I see the temptation!

[craigster59]

You need to put together a Surf Fly rig. I went out with lowwyder and CraigT and we caught Barred Surf Perch in Ventura. Lots of fun!

[aigel]

When is that kayak coming? Surf perch? YUCK ... not if you can get rockfish. I spear fish and the rainbow perch are always in my face. I pass them up.

G

[Bill Douglas]

Originally Posted by craigster59

You need to put together a Surf Fly rig.

I googled that and it looks like what we use for salmon (river salmon). I've been using my very light trout fly rod out in the sea and catching fish called kahawai, the Australians call them salmon. Very fiesty and not terribly smart, like to jump out of the water etc. Huge fun. Not great eating but suitable for fish pie.

[vash]

Originally Posted by aigel

When is that kayak coming? Surf perch? YUCK ... not if you can get rockfish. I spear fish and the rainbow perch are always in my face. I pass them up.

G

they are a cool family, and her young kids..i worry about visiting to grab the canoe. i do need to make a Ranch99 run soon. there is one by their home.

[vash]

Originally Posted by LWJ

Nice. I've been a trout fisherman forever. But, there a bass everywhere! And close. Caught my life prize largemouth last year at 6.xx lbs. Shocking, as I am a complete noob for bass.

Trout = hours and hundreds of miles. Bass? I could walk.

I see the temptation!

bass are a lot of fun. they are just little tanks. that last hurrah they give when they see me, and do that last power run..so much fun. and i like how a bass hits a lure. it can be a missile strike, or a gentle vacuum. it takes finesse. i cant count how many times i set the hook on a underwater tree branch thinking it was a timid bass.

[KFC911]

^^^ LOL....when fishing off my bassboat, in the wind, currents, etc. I caught many stumps and rocks, etc. Set the hook and crank the handle like a crazy fool for a spell...got a few logs to the boat too .

[Bill Douglas]

Originally Posted by vash

i cant count how many times i set the hook on a underwater tree branch thinking it was a timid bass.

Vash, I use a single hook (no trebles!) and have the hook upside down. So in other words the point upwards and I find it doesn't snag as much. I've also filed the barbs down a lot so it doesn't tear up catch and release fish.

[vash]

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

Vash, I use a single hook (no trebles!) and have the hook upside down. So in other words the point upwards and I find it doesn't snag as much. I've also filed the barbs down a lot so it doesn't tear up catch and release fish.

me too. i lay the barb down with a pair of needle nose pliers.

[KFC911]

^^^^ I only fish with a barbless hook that's imbeded in a plastic worm or other soft plastic lure....anything else is no bueno in grasses etc. Rather than filing the barb down...I just use some needlenose pliers and crimp the barb down...just takes a second .

edited: ....or do what vash sez

[Bill Douglas]

Duh, needle nosed pliers. That's a good idea. A lot easier than a file and injuring myself in the process.