#8033, "One Mile Santa Barbara Report" Thu Oct-17-02 01:34 PM
Drifted the One Mile area today from about 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
Depths: about 55' to 85'
Rigging: 15 lb test w/ 100% fluorocarbon leader; 5" Big Hammer clear red flake (my favorite) on 1 1/2 oz Fishco leadhead.
Conditions: water about 60 degrees; not enough wind or current for good drifts.
Results: Fewest fish ever metered by me at the One Mile. One small flurry of missed sets at 72' (usually my most successful depth there), on the retrieve near bottom.
3 short or barely legal sandies, on the retrieve near bottom. (Small size could account for missed sets).
1 very ill-tempered 8lb giant seabass; released in good shape, in spite of his attitude.
Analysis: Metering so few fish is not a good sign, but I think that I could have done better under the conditions with 1/2 or 3/4 oz leadheads. Last fished there in June winds so 1 1/2 oz worked well then.
Disappointing day because work and other obligations have kept me off the water since June.(This is why I have filed no reports in 5 months).
Better luck to you all. The great fall-winter bass bite should be here soon.