LAST EDITED ON Aug-08-00 AT 09:52 PM (PST)

Well, I made my first real fishing trip since my punishment. I met Pete and Mike and one of Mike's old buddies. We figured it would a mostly halibut deal so we fished the pier (from the tubes) with small plastics and fastracs. I got a couple mackerel, as did everybody else. Pete I think got a couple short halibuts, Mike got like 9 shorts (he got there before we did) and by dusk we headed over to the bait barge to see how dead the wsb were. Well, Pete decided to head across the channel and fish some pilings and stuff and I proceeded to miss 4 bites by the bait barge and as a small walk around drove by, I got a solid one. Connected with this one. Twas a good fish. I thought on a couple occasions that I had snagged the boat it was taking so much line. So I hollared at Pete and he kicked across and waited around for me to get it to the boat and I netted a 36", 15 lb. wsb. My personal best from the float tube. He bit the castaic swimbait (which is now history, it's so chewed) and swallowed the entire 7" bait. The fish might look a little thin in the picture, that's cause he's half filleted...
-Brian http://www.calfishing.com/images/daily_reports/brianseabass.jpg

Brian
Darn nice fish there son. Makes me really really wish I was back in SB to get after those bad boys. They never were that big 2 years ago when we fished them a lot. Guess the fastrac vs. fishtrap may not be decided in this round of competition <grin>.
Now, the question everyone will be asking.... where can I get them swimbaits?

I told Pete, man I bet Rob's regretting moving away now... Hey, I don't know where the hell to get those swimbaits either. I got mine at the hook when I was up north fishing the pro/teen and now that mine's ruined, I'm screwed. Might be time for the old pocket torch to come out and do some repairing. If anybody finds somewhere to get these things, put up a post.
-Brian

Which one do you have (or perhaps had). Turners True Outdoorsman down this a way has a few different ones. I use the small 3" ones with the lead head inside, which the spotties love. They have a couple different colors in the bigger versions and sell the tails seperately. Try calling info for the city of Orange.

Ed,
I actually was able to repair mine so I'm stoked, but it's still pretty jacked. At least it'll run (hopefully). The only ones I've seen/owned are 7" w/ the leadhead inside. Looks exactly like a sardinia. Mostly white w/ a dark grey back w/ black spots. http://www.calfishing.com/dcforum/User_files/3991d2f428718b5c.jpg

Can you say clear lake death?

Put a couple red spots on there... Of course I bought it at the delta, so who knows, kinda looks like a little salmon to me...
-Brian

It was fatter in person. Hopefully the shots we snapped off on my disposable will show it's true fatness. I missed three good strikes while Brian was dealing with his fish. One tore the tail off my 6 inch Big Hammer (took the rattle also - of course).

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You can't catch tomorrow what you kill today - please practice catch and release.

WOW!!! Congrats Brian on that nice fish! So, you break out of your home prison and decide to take out your frustration by catching ANOTHER toad seabass, huh? You are one helluva fisherman, my man!

Hey,
It was perfectly legal man. I'm free and able to fish as I please!!! Man, that ordeal was a pain in the @$$. I bombed last night though, probably cause I was using my own plastics for some of the time... We'll see, I think they'll catch fish.
-Brian

Very nice fish. All good things are worth waiting for. I believe this fish was a reward for completing your punishment. That is a nice island fish. Hope we can meet one another and fish sometime soon.

Hey Rob, I got your e-mail, notice I am not only writing in capitol letters.

See Ya,
Howard

Brian,
I found those Castaic Saltwater swimbaits at a great tackle shop just off the Freeway in Camarillo, ANGLERS DEN. Rick Graham has them in all colors. I grabbed two. Pass it on.

Mango,
Alright!!!!! I better get there before everybody else does!!!! Thanks a million for the info. Paul might be ordering a few at Harbor Tackle, just to let everybody know.
-Brian