Well the weather looked like it was going to hold up for us, but a strong nw wind was forcast for the afternoon.

Getting to the beach at 5:32 am, I was greeted by the stiff flags blowing from the SE. : ( It looked pretty bumpy and chilly, but I was hoping that it was just a morning pre-dawn blow.

We had a great turnout. 17 anglers fish out of float tubes, pontoon floats and single and double kayaks.

The wind never let up, and the water was a cloudy green, just about the right color, but a few degrees too cold.

I fished Plastics and Crankbaits from Goleta Beach all the way into IV, in tight for halibut all the way out to 30+ feet in the kelp. I then paddled back to campus point (upwind) and then bounce-balled all the way to the pipeline off the pier. I then trolled a rapala back to campus point, and fished the high tide in tight for halibut, then bounced balled back to the pipeline and fished plastics for bass. I also drifted dead chovies here and there. I finally bounced balled back to the launch and came in with a flapping stringer, flaping in the wind that is. : )

It was tough fishing for everyone, a total of 3 fish were weighed in. This was a little early to run a tourney, but I think everyone had fun and hope to see them all again at the next one.

Winners:

1 place and Big fish Mark Swinehart 2.5 lb calico $102
2nd place JD 1 lb calico $34
3rd place Jeff Bartholomew 14 oz calico $17

Everyone had a good time, a few people went for a premature swim, but losses were minimal. All par for the course.

I want to thank Paddle Sports in Santa Barbara for their help with cheap rentals for some of the fishermen.

I am going to watch the counts and how I do before putting together the next event. I think that it will be at Haskells beach, the new resort, Bacara, has put in a road right to the beach, so launching is a breeze. The area has lots of area for both bass and halibut as well as some WSB.

I will be putting on a BIG tourney in July, right around the fourth, so get ready guys, this one will be good!!!

I will post the pictures of the winners as soon as they retun from the shop.

Thanks guys!

Marco Farrell
Santa Barbara, CA