WARNING: THIS POST IS LONG

Woke at 3:30am, light rain and no wind, so off to the Salton Sea. After being detoured on the 78 an extra 45min, I made my way over the mountains. I was greeted at the pass by 30 - 40mph winds. Hoping the wind would be o.k. down below, I continued to the Sea. Well it was blowing just as hard at the bottom. But I was there, so I headed for the closest water. Found some areas that looked fishable (tried one from shore), but it wanted to try the State Park.

I got over to the park around 9:30. A Park Ranger told me it had blown 40+ all night. And talking to some anglers on the shore, it was very slow. Wind was 20ish, water clear grean. So I worked my way south for a bit, and conditions only got worse. I picked up some lunch, and headed back to the place I had fished from shore. The water was flat, with a slight breeze. I got the yak rigged up, and of course by the time I launched, the wind was rising quick. I fished for almost 2 hrs with only one bite. Nobody else that I saw was getting anything either.

Figuring dead horses ought not be beat too much, I headed back. The wind got really crazy as I made my way south. One gust blew me into the next lane before I regained control. Seeing the sand storm ahead, I decided to go through Borrego Springs, and the State Park there. Very good choice. It was really windy, but the desert floor south of there was one big sand cloud. It was an absolutely amazing drive. Between the rock formations, views of the desert below, and wind, I'm lucky I made it back over the mountain.

Figuring I needed to fish some more, I hit Sutherland for 2 more hours of fishing. And Skunking. In fact I didn't see a single fish caught there until I paddled back to my truck and some guy on the shore hit 2 smallish fish in about 10 mins. Oh yeah, by the time I made it to Sutherland the wind was cranking pretty decent there too. I could report all the baits I tried at both places, but that would be another huge post. Though I did farm two at Sutherland while dragging a 3" pumpkin tube.

Even though I got a double stripe today, it was a very fun time. I actually relaxed for the first time in months. And for all of you who've never been to Anza Borrego State Park, or the Salton Sea; make it a point to see them. Anza is a study in stark beauty. The Salton Sea is a surreal mix of desert beauty, contrasted with human debris in various stages of decomposition. And the smell, well it's overwhelming at times, but you forget about it at times also.

Amish Ed
You Can't Catch it again if
it's Dead!

Amish Ed
You can't catch it again if it's dead!

Amish

What day was that? It has been windy (30+ mph) all through the low and high desert since mid week.. I went to the sea on 4/22, state park, nice weather and hot fishing..that's the way Mother Nature treats us...

That was yesterday. I knew the bite had been on, but I also knew I was racing the weather. I was on the backside of the front, so I didn't expect much. Though I had hoped for at least one. Oh well.

Amish Ed
You Can't Catch it again if
it's Dead!

Amish Ed
You can't catch it again if it's dead!

Sorry about the double stripe, but don't forget to tell the folks about the gooood bird watching at the sea:). at least that's what I do when I cant' get em to bite.. But on the serious side, the water is pea green at salton sea state beach, that sucks cause i'm going down there on wed or thurday of this week, and i'm hoping for decent conditions....

Thanks for the post, take a cue from amished guys we need the bad posts just as much as we need the good.....


Tight Lines.....................

You know what's funny CP? I saw very few birds, and I was looking for them. It seemed all fauna were laying low. On the fish side, I only heard of one fish being caught, and I saw many people come and go fishless. Most watching me as much as I was watching them. I'll be heading back soon, just need the weather to settle down some.

Amish Ed
You Can't Catch it again if
it's Dead!

Amish Ed
You can't catch it again if it's dead!

That's funny cause the birds were out when I was there, eared grebes, cattle egrets, and red shouldered blackbirds just to name a few... A buddy of mine went to the sea on monday and said the fishing was pretty good at the state beach... I'm driving down tomorrow (leaving sd about 5am) so hopefully i'll get a good shot at em. Back to the birds, I've seen frigates there and various terns, and a ton of unidentifieds (the peterson guide can only do so much :)) Well any how, hopefully one or the other (birds or fish) will show up tomorrow.



Tight Lines...............

Calico,

Please post the results of your trip..I'm planning on going back on Sat morning til 10 or 11am. I've been looking for those new Storm soft plastics at five local Wal-mart stores, but for the most part, all sold out. I did manage to get six inch mullet color, but that's it. Amish, are you planning on going back?

Hey Marcsee,

WARNING ALL OF MY POSTS ARE LONG...

I noticed that in one of your posts you said you fished the sea on 0422, I believe I was there on the same day... We probably crossed each others lines a few times :).

As far as the fishing yesterday is concerned (May 1st) it started out REAL tough, the wind was howlin from the north-north east, the little jetty was getting some pretty large breakers, and the water was a little lighter colored than it has been of late. Talked to the park ranger and she said that it was supposed to blow hard all day...but being the hardcore angler that i am I decided to stay... well two hours later, with my xtra-tuffs full of water and wet pretty much all the way to my boxers the fish decided to chew...HARD, they started to bite at about 1130 (i got there at 810) and they did not stop!!! We had to leave them bitin cause I did not want to drive through that thick as_ fog in the mountains. The wind died down about an hour after the fish started up.

All of my fish came on BH's (#33,#50, and some new color that is not on their website). I've never fished the storm lures but if you live in the san diego area you can swing by Boss tackle and buy big hammers and you'll do just fine..

As far as technique is concerned we always try to stay in constant contact with the bottom, by holding our rod tips down and grinding so that you can feel your lure bumping against the rocks (this imitates the little croakers, and tilapia feeding) If you're fishing a red leadhead the paint should be scraped off of the bottom after a few casts.

specific #s' I ended up with 13 fish to 15-2, my buddy chris (who was on fire) probably ended up with 16 or so fish and francis probably caught 10... All in all my best day at the sea yet.

So if you get there and the conditions suck try to stay awhile, time before last it rained on me, but they still bit..you just gotta believe }>

Tight Lines.....

Nice fishing! Where on the sea did you fish? Can you tube there?

Glad you had a great day CalicoPro. I hope to make it out there next weekend.

coakes, you can tube there. Just make sure to watch the air pressure in the tube as the day warms up. There is tons of places on the west side where you can fish for free. On the east side is the State Park, and it's only $2 to park.

Amish Ed
You Can't Catch it again if
it's Dead!

Amish Ed
You can't catch it again if it's dead!

My next trip back will be on 5/5 (gives me more time), thanks for the info. I was there on 4/22 for the afternoon bite arrived at 5:00pm. I wanted to get back sooner but wife, kids, and job wouldn't allow that. As far as the storm lures go, I checked the stores where I live in Palmdale. I have about a 3 hour drive to get to the sea, averaging about six trips a year for about 9 years now, the drive is routine for me. Don't like to go in the summer because of the intense heat and the annoying flies. I want to go again before the corvina bite ends. Did you see any other species caught?