I surf fished yesterday afternoon by the slough opening down towards the little driftwood fort at Goleta Beach from 3:30 - 5:30. The first hour was slow with two farmed fish. The second hour saw 4 halibut, three short and one just legal 22.5". All fish were caught on 5" Big Hammers in the brown back/orange stripe/clear flake belly with a 3/4oz. brown eyed head. I also lost one hookup in the second hour that felt like a really nice fish... but we have all heard and told that story before. :)<P>Conditions were really nice with an incoming tide, off color, but pretty clean water, and a very small swell. I was wading out to just below my waist and the water didn't seem cold at all.<P>Mike

Mike,<BR>Nice report, I've heard tell of some good flattie fishing by the mouth of the lagoon, but never checked it out myself. Could you see the fish or was it too murky? It's funny to think of all the poor souls out on the goleta pier about 200 yards up the beach who could probably walk down the beach and catch some halibut instead of getting the skunk.

Hi Rob,<BR>Sorry for the late reply, I've been away from the computer a few days. I couldn't see that halibut, however the water was fairly clear. I really need to purchase a pair of polarized sunglasses...<P>I tried the same area again on Friday afternoon, but the conditions were much worse. I only landed one short, had a few other hits, and my buddy hooked and lost a nice fish before we could see it.<P>I think the key to that area from shore is fishing near high tide. Otherwise you can lose many lures to submerged rocks (which I can't cast out to during high tide).<P>See ya,<BR>Mike

Yesterday I float tubed the same general area for about an hour and a half. Got one nice hit in very shallow water. I was in about 7 ft. but casted to shore and almost hit the sand. The fish hit not too long into the retrieve. Didn't get him but my Hammer was chewed pretty good. As soon as it let go a decent school of bait boiled on the surface. Got a 21 incher in about 7 ft. I was fishing right in front of the driftwood fort thing. I was using the Olive 5" Hammer with the red stripe belly.<P>Okay the reason I posted this - Mike you're right about the water it was 63 degrees - which is 3 degrees warmer than over by the stairs.<P>I tried fishing from the surf after I got out but it didn't work out as well for me as it did for Mike.

Way-ta-go Mike! Tell me now, whatever gave ya guys the idea to fish the slough? :)<BR>BH

Hi Bill,<BR>Althought I have fished that area before, a little bird gave me a tip on trying it again. ;)<P>Mike