My roommate and I tried to beach launch our 12' jon boat the Toad Hunter yesterday from North Beach, San Clemente to hit the West Reef.

With about 12" of freeboard and a 28 lb thrust trolling motor, we didn't stand much of a chance agains the 1-2' waves. We timed out the sets and made charge...paddles in hand...we lasted about 15 yards! We took two waves over the bow and we were damned near full of water. We were prepared to be swamped so we didn't lose any gear or anything. We thought we could make it, but we prepared for the worst before even attempting it. We managed to drag the mighty vessel ashore, pull the drain plug. She needed a good washing anyway!

Next time we're going to either wait for it to be completely flat (either way, waves or flatness, I'm covered!!) or maybe swimming the boat out would work...we could swim it like a surfboard to the outside, then get in and charge!

We'll make it out to the Reef this summer, I'm sure of it!!!

Matt, maybe you can hunt down the huge goat sheepie that used to taunt me when I lived above 204- I used to dive out there, I'd see the guy every time! He knew to stay way out of range of the speargun- huge goat!!! There are some nice checkerboards hanging on the dropoff on the outside of West Reef.

Yeah Bassnet,

204's! Yeah potty, we would be neighbors if you still lived there. I'm off calle sacramento, at the bottom of the hill...still walking distance to Dave's and Knuckleheads!

The West Reef is sick. I'll be ready for that slob sheepie, and any large halibi salassies out there. I've whacked the bass there good, but I've only ever done it from a surfboard or a boat out of the DP harbor. The Toad Hunter would kill it out there. It's too far from the harbor, and the beach launch is my only option....

When it goes flat, or a small swell at high tide will be makeable...coming in will be a thrill too!!

Right on, Matt- I used to live on Aragon, by the second set of stairs for 204- Knuckleheads was OJ's then, we used to tear that place up!!!! That reef is sick, decent surf out there on the right conditions.

You guys ever hear of west reef being called "goober's"? Or is that another spot? What's between west reef and the beach, any stones or just sand and cobbles?

Fongster,

I haven't heard of it called Goobers. That doesn't mean it isn't called that though...

I believe there are some isolated rocks between the shore and the reef. This summer I want to get the Toad Hunter out there with some fishing and snorkeling gear....I want to take a look around. I've seen some isolated boils near the shore on low tide at on a good south swell. I know there's rocks piles all throughout that area.... I know you know about Poachies and Capo Reef, and there is that stretch of mobile homes norh of North Beach that has some boilers out front....

I've heard somewhere you can get a killer map of the local waters, but have yet to see it...I should ask the guys at the Jig Stop.

I don't think people fish those reefs correctly...i.e. they anchor up and don't really work the area....I'm sure there's exception, but for the most part, the saltwater rigs I see aren't real perfomance inshore fishing boats. There's a lot of good trolling boats around, but very few rigs with a trolling motor....

Matt

You're quite right that most guys don't fish those stones properly--including me, lol! I have a bowmounted great white troller but haven't spent enough time fishing all the area--it's littered with good structure. It's that kind of isolated stuff that holds some big calicos in very shallow water. Good luck on your next beach launch. Be sure you have PFDs for safety as well as to be CG legal.

Bassnet,

You seen the sign they got for Knuckleheads? "Sorry, we're open!"

That's a fun watering hole.

matt, any of those stones reachable with a cast from shore? email to discuss further. fong.david@usa.net

David, email me if you want some info on those and some other shore side stuff. There is an area of hardbottom inside and up from West Reef. I forget the exact location, but it's there, there's probably kelp on it now. All kinds of kelp out there now.

Amish Ed

The reefs outside of Poache are real nice, and not too many guys pound them. A friend of mine has caught quite a few BSB there too. Lets share notes on this board as we keep checking the area. Any more word on the WSB at Creek?

Sounds like we're on to something. As for the Toad Hunter, yes it is CG legal...I think...we've got PFD's, lights, registration... but I don't have a whistle or sound making device....need to get that...

I don't know if I need an extinguisher or not...no gas on board...wouldn't be a bad idea regardless...

extinguisher? Just bring a bunch of M-80s for the friendly sea lions! Maybe we should have a group meeting at Knuckleheads, or Turks!

Bassnet,

Something tells me we might get along real well.
Turks-- shoots!

Wind&Sea doesn't break my heart either. I've got good friends who pour over there, and there's usually some kitten hangin' around!!!

Gotta love the gals serving at Wind-n-Sea! Sure beats Turks! We should get a group together for a "meeting"!

I worked a Wind-n-Sea Charter Monday night. There's definitely a couple jigstrikes in those waters. What about Sat. around 5 or 6? I have a 3/4 day charter to work, should be done scrubbing around 5 or 6. Or just come out on the twilight tomorrow on the Sum Fun.

Amish Ed

Ed, tomorrow's twilight sounds good! I passed on tonights, some of my buddies from work charged it, i passed to watch the Lakers go a crushing! Give me a call, 240-7183, I wouldn't mind tapping some puss bellies!

I'm not up to a twilight tomorrow. I just got home from one, and have to be up in 4 1/2 hrs for a full load 3/4 day charter. Plus I'm sick. But if you hit it, stop by the Sum Fun and say hi. Or just cruise down with a harbor rod and we can work the rocks for a while.

The twilight would be fun if I had it in me. The last three I've worked the bass have bit pretty well. We had 106 mixed bass tonight, and we had almost zero talent. One guy flylined 4 or 5 dines for 3 nice bass, then he went back to helping the kids. The macks were pretty sick, but if you got past them, it was pretty instant.

Anybody want to fish Monday? I have the whole day free. Was thinking of hitting either the 5-5 on the Fury or float tubing somewhere (probably in Laguna). Anybody free? Bassnet?

Ed, gotta work Monday! My buddies fished the twilight last night, my friend is a good plastic stroker, said it was slooooww! The pussbellies turned on as they had to leave, I guess they were fishing the DP pipe- How nice is the kelp at Creek, stretches from Monarch to the red can- I hit Lake I in Lake Forrest after the Boss thing and Senko'd a couple today- I got some cool Mission Frogs you gotta check out, little village bass were climbing over the mats for 'em, after dark they should slay!