Rpt-Sat.-02-23-19 Limits of Frozen Bass!

Almost three weeks between fishing trips is hell, which describes the weather lately. Well we need the rain and of course the Ski resorts need the snow. We have to live with the weather Gods.



So I went fishing Saturday 02-23-19, with Lal on his 18’ boat the “Rubber Ducky”. We launched out of Davies in Long Beach at 6:15 am. Gad it was cold, 44 degrees, and the windy conditions made it much colder.



As we exited the harbor, the seas were very choppy, the forecast called for 6-9 knots of winds and 2 foot seas at five seconds, yep, that was right on. We powered our way to Izor’s Reef at a slow 12-14 knot speed with a Icey spray off the washing machine seas hitting me directly in my face, Brrrrrrrrrrr!



Frozen stiff, we arrived at Izor’s Reef at 7am, joining about six other crazy private boaters out in this cold. Come on California does not get this cold, unless you are in the Mountains at Big Bear or Lake Arrowhead locally or up north at Mammoth Mountain?



Well the meter lit up with plenty of fish and bait displayed. It was a slow pick for 1.5 hours, hitting one rock or hard bottom area after another. A fish here and a fish there, all caught on the plastics. We watched others fishing bait and did not see anyone catch a thing? It was 65 % Calico Bass and the rest Sand Bass. We managed to release some 20 Bass in this time frame, keeping a few for Lal’s neighbor for dinner.



Lal caught a couple of picture worthy Bass, a 3 pound Sand Bass and similar Calico Bass.




We worked the upper part of the Reef to scratch out another 10 Bass in the next two hours, very slow fishing. We decided to run north to the Shoe, where we slammed the Bass three weeks ago. The uphill run was tedious and chilly, despite shedding our jackets at 10am, when Father Sun finally warmed us up. The winds calmed down and so did the swells.

At the Shoe the water was Chocolate Green and the meter displayed few fish where we had hammered them three weeks ago. An hour later we had caught only two small Calico Bass and called it a day at 1pm. We were on the trailer by 2pm, with the wind picking up.



I failed to catch a picture any worthy Bass, with several 2.5 pound Calico Bass being my best.



As per usual Lal and I were both using Clear Red Flake Plastics with a 1 oz. Red Lead Head, on either 15 pound, or 20 pound test line with Flouro Leaders.



Water temps at the Shoe and Izor’s were only 54.3 rising to 56.1 degrees at the Shoe, very cold.

Thanks Lal, a well-earned day on the Ducky. Hook up! Cory

 

NICE

 

Nice.

Fished bass today as well off Point Lloma. Plastics were killing it. Live bait worked some if you used a sliding sinker.

I got smoked by a home guard yellow fishing 15 pound test on a bass rod. Very exciting until he made it to the kelp... bye byeeeee.

 

Great Job guys. I had considered going out today after all that rain. The forecast says totally fishable. The issue was, no fish reports to motivate me. I stayed home slept in and worked on the boat instead. I got something done. I'm a bit more ready to go out.
Thanks guys for the intel!

 

I felt like I needed to put on a sweatshirt after the second paragraph about eating that cold spray.
Thanks for the same day report. I’m glad the weather is cooperating enough to start seeing some reports on here.

 

Thanks for the report, basically what we saw today as well.

Ocean was a bit rough in the morning but became flat around noon, still cold and definitely feels like the deep of winter.

Saw a few party boats targeting sculpin and sand dabs, and several private boats sitting at the 150 not catching much; water temperatures seem way too cold up north for surface bites.

Right now they are predicting wind and rain on the rock fish open weekend.

Hope they're wrong about that, we need a break.

 

You two should fish those bass tournaments. Hardcore! Too cold for me!

 

Chilly start to the day for sure. Shortly after you pulled out and headed to the Shoe, A boat hooked into a big Black Seabass! They released it safely. I would say it was at least 40 pounds from our distance of view.

 

Lal and I never really took an interest in tournaments, but appreciate the suggestion.

 

Always fun to C&R a Black, no bitch slaps today for us, but many have occurred on the reef!

 

Bummer on the lost Tail, light line near kelp spells hopelessness! Glad you got out and whacked them.

 

Nice report Cory and Lal. We were out Saturday and experienced the same. We were the Parker that almost drifted on top of you...sorry! Anyways, squid tipped red plastics worked best. Fishing was slow at Izors but we caught some of the biggest sand bass I've seen. Tried the 150 for nada but plenty of bait size mackerel cruising around.

 

Way to tuff it out guys,the cold probably subsided a little while pulling on those fish,wtg,enjoyed the report and pics as usual!

 

We could probably be in the top 10 at most events but they are too structured for us-RULES-we fish for the sport of it only-FUN !!

 

Being a Army vet and a married man.... rules suck! It's bad enough that I have to behave on the daily to keep from going to jail. DFG puts enough rules on fishing.. last thing I want to do is volunteer for more rules just to fish a tourney..

 

Great report.
You got out and froze with fish . Beats warm at work!

 

Cory, Another informed report. Thanks Gary

 

Gary let's share a rail together soon!