A buddy and I went fishing down in Palos Verdes this weekend for calicos. The night before, we attempted to patch my leaky tube and did so successfully. However, we managed to only get ONE of the holes.... I realized this as soon as I got out past the surfline. We started catching bass right away. Small ones at first. Then my fishtrap got sucked down 20 feet from the kelp fringe. I set the hook and didn't even move the fish. He took about 15-20 feet of 15 pound line on four pounds of drag. Then he sat on the bottom and sulked for a minute. I pumped him up slowly and saw a ball of loose kelp with a bigass tail. I called Chris over and lifted a super fat 6 pound calico out of the water...my personal best. I caught a 4-4 several years back and I remember that fish was a real beast. This fish was so much bigger. This was the second largest calico I've ever seen. I know some people get fatties out at the islands, but this fish came from a piece of coast that gets fished all the time. I'm still stoked. Unfortunately, this was one of the rare days I left a waterproof disposable camera in the car 200 yards from the beach. At least Chris saw the beast.

In 1.5 hours, we caught 13 or 14 calicos. I also got a 3 pounder...all on swimbaits. I shortly had to leave the hot bite 'cause of my sinking tube. I'm so glad I had 15 pound line on...that fish certainly would've got to the kelp with anything lighter.

LAST EDITED ON Nov-13-00 AT 03:17 PM (PST)

Very nice fish! I had one just of Ledbetter (near Shoreline Park) about a month ago or so that I would've guessed was about that size (around 20 - 22 inches) but I unfortunately got her on 10 lb. test and it wasn't enough. I was able to get her right under the tube where I could get a good look but that one last run into the kelp was all my 10 lb. could handle. They are around.

************************************************

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

Nice fish bro. I've almost got the mexico deal done. We need to find one more person who will go for sure. I'll email you some stuff.
-Brian

Hey Frank,congrats on that big beautiful fish!very cool that you let it go even though you didn't have a camera,thats goood fish kharma! you will get a even bigger calico tubing someday.As far as Palos Verdes getting alot of pressure,it does,but its one of the most prolific big calico areas on the coast,I have freinds that tube down regulary early before they go to work,and they get more big calicos than anybody.My buddy Greg was mad because he only caught 8 calicos over 8lbs,with one around 9 off PV last year,all float tube fish!...Larry

Damn! I have lots to learn I guess. I just got a new truck innertube to solve my sinking problem so I'll be out tubing some more soon in SB and PV. I'm a sponge for any tips or suggestions you have about technique, colors, or locations Larry. I've heard a lot of stories about big PV calicos too. I had a friend who caught a fish I estimated at 10 or 11 pounds on a dead anchovie the first time I took him out about 6 years ago there. That lucky fish still blows my mind to this day.

Nice fish. If you ever want another partner email me. I love to fish the plaid bass, and from a tube it's all the better. Again, nice fish.

Amish Ed

Frank
I'd like to register my congrats on the nice fish as well. I haven't been calico fishing in a while and I'm jealous!
The biggest calico I've ever seen caught was on a twilight trip on the seahawk out at cambys. Wes, the skipper caught it on straight flyline with 10lb. The fish was around 8 or 9 pounds. I caught my best calico that night as well although it was only around 5lbs.
Great job on the big 'un.

-Rob

Nice fish!!!

My brother just bought a house on the P.V. Penninsula, so I will be spending some time over there. I'm curious to know where you launch... if you are willing to divulge.
Hope to see you out there sometime.

C.K

Muchimas gracias everyone. That day, we went out in Malaga Cove down a paved path near a school. That launch was really easy. We fish in several different places down there. I think that they'll all kick out big fish. We've also fished right in front of the lighthouse, at flat rock, and Lunada Bay. The lighthouse has some gnarly rock structures jutting up out of deep water but the foghorn is almost unbearable. A couple months ago, I saw a big school of big WSB boil on the surface chasing big sardines. Of course I was retying at that exact moment.... I have been out and only caught a fish or two in PV but we have our days down there. My buddy once went out by himself and got about 2 dozen assorted bass and WSB in one morning. BTW, we ignore the signs that say "Please don't disturb our wildlife preserve". I think those signs are merely suggestions and not restrictions.

In PV, like most places, I've found its all about the wee morning hours.

Thanks for the info Frank!!! I can't wait to give it a try. I just picked up a new tube and I've been trying to figure out where to take it! That's awesome. I hope to see you out there! Thanks for the report. You may want to let us know when you'll be going back and maybe we can catch up to you!

Darin
aka hookup90247