4/17 LB local

getagaff · Apr-19-2005, 10:59 AM

Had a nightmare morning getting down to the ramp finally got in the water around 10am. Picked up the boys at the big boat and headed out in the skiff. Fished for flatties out side on the flats to get away from the red tide. No go on the flat fish so came in to the wall and anchored up to relax and have a few beers. Nasty off colored water and little current. At 1pm or so the tide changed and the bite went wide open for about two hours. The calicos were plentifull but still two to three sandies per one cali. The calicos mostly came on the frozen squid with a wicked fast chew. Most were in the 2 pound range and the sandies were a little bigger. Went to the plastics and went wide open on the sculpin about fourty feet outside the wall. These sculpin were huge with a few going 5-6 lbs. Weather was great with a little wind chop and not a swell to speak of till about 4:30, and it was only a foot and 1/2. Had a great time with my two brothers and catching some fish was a change. Havent installed the new finder on the skiff yet so don't know the water temp but felt leuc warm to the touch. Kept a few sandies for the grill and released all the others. Made are way to the trailer and drove back to the marina to BBQ on the big boat. Made it home buy 8:30 and had a nice quiet evening with the wife. Looks like its gona take off here soon so keep the reports coming.

Final count for three anglers

Sand Bass - 23
Calicos - 10
Sculpin - 15

Yutaka · Apr-19-2005, 11:50 AM

"These sculpin were huge with a few going 5-6 lbs."

Nice catch. Did you know the CA record for Sculpin is 3 lb 0 oz? Caught Dec 26, 1997 off Silver Strand Beach by Nathan Weatherson. I've caught some huge Sculpin myself, but they turn out to weigh a lot less than you'd expect. Would love to see a 6 pound Sculpin. I'd say that it would have to be around 25 inches - longer than a legal Ling Cod.

Glad to hear you scratched out a good day in that ugly brown water.

getagaff · Apr-19-2005, 06:16 PM

Crazy did not know that. The first one that came in we weighed with the boca at 3lbs9ounces. A few that fallowed were much longer and thicker. May have to go back next week to try and claim a record. The biggest came up and with the pectoral fins in wide display we measured 12.5" from tip to tip. For some reason we didnt measure length but I would say in the low to mid 20" range. Always been a little leary of them after being stuck a few times. We released them all because of how huge they were figured they were a good breeding stock. They were caught about 3/4 of a mile down from the light house, a long cast away from the wall. They were all over the rainbow trout storm swimbaits. The largest could of swallowed a tournament soft ball with ease. Funny usually the smaller ones give a little fight before being pulled of the bottom, these toads were just dead weight straight from the get go. Thanks for the info. I used to snorkal that area alot and have seen a few big ones but not like sundays catch really massive sculpies.

**gonsurfn** · Apr-19-2005, 07:41 PM

Those are HUGE sculpin...did they glow in the dark

...bet the small lings are afraid of them...get out there and set an IFGA record!

**Orca** · Apr-19-2005, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gonsurfn

Those are HUGE sculpin...did they glow in the dark

...bet the small lings are afraid of them...get out there and set an IFGA record!

I could be wrong, but I don't think you can apply for an IGFA record for a fish caught out of season.

locobro · Apr-19-2005, 09:01 PM

Sounds like a great day, it is fun catchin a bunch of fish. It's nice to hang close and take it easy, sometimes I forget that. Hangin with family and catchin fish is the best!

HoleHoPPer · Apr-20-2005, 12:16 AM

I was thinking the same thing. Sculpin don't get that big. Are you sure it was a Sculpin and not a Cabezon or something else?

getagaff · Apr-20-2005, 09:08 AM

Very sure they were sculpies. I have never seen them this big before and I spent several years penheading in O'side, and pride myself on my ability to ID fish. Gona have to check all the IGFA regs to try and set a record. Definately not cabizon although usually we get a few good ones every time we fish this spot, and didn't catch a one on sunday. Do any of you know if you can claim a record and keep the fish alive say in a live well?

**Orca** · Apr-20-2005, 09:29 AM

Just talked with DFG. You can not have on board a fish that is out of season. CPR document with photos of weight and measurements. doubt documentation would hold for a record. better keep your honeyhole a secret until you get your record catch. Those fish are territorial. good luck.

getagaff · Apr-20-2005, 11:31 AM

Thanks for the info, gona try a dive trip this weekend to see what structure is holding these fish. Hope the water clears up for visibility. Again these fish were very lathargic and would probably let me get a good look at them and maybe some length measurements. Two were verry red and pulled up some reef type plants that looked the same color. The one we weighed was darker more like rock color so should see alot of structure differences in that spot. Will report back after the dive.