Night #1:
Launched next to PCH bridge about 10pm, came back in around 12am. I spent an hour getting my night box together, then I proceded to leave it at home. Luckily, I had a bag of misc. baits in my yak box, so I wasn't completely out of luck. There was a bad red tide, so I ended up fishing areas with lot's of light on the water. Christmas lights helped me on that. Nothing happening until I found a few Zoom Baby Brushhogs lurking in my bag. Got a few spotties once I switched to them, too bad I was freezing my butt off by that point. But, I T-rigged them and worked between the docks for those few fish I caught. One was about #2, the other 2 were short.

Night #2:
Launched with Steve (Landwhale) around 9pm, fished until about 12 or 1am. Redtide was almost gone, but the fishing was still on the tough side. I was homing in on the pattern though and was getting bit where I thought I would. Difference came when I added a bead between the weight and hook. Normally I've found this to be completely counter-productive, but works at night...in the winter. I think I finished with 2 legals and 2 shorts. Busted off one nice one because I was too lazy to retie, and it took me to the wood, literally. Took me into a piling. Later I lost a really nice one; I hooked it about 10' back into a slip, it was pulling some line when all of a sudden it was running right at me . Unfortunately, there was piling between us, and I was drifting past it. Maybe with a 10:1 gear ratio I could've got up the slack and got the fish past the piling, but as it was it was it's night, not mine. Steve had a rough night as it was his first time finesse fishing (in the dark no less). But, next time he'll be on 'em like a crow on curly fries. It was all about, slowww crawling the bait as close to the docks as possible. All but one of my fish came from w/in 5-10' of a dock. Hot baits were Baby Brushhogs and Assalt Ringer worms in watermelon/red flake and Assalt craws in Irish Whiskey. Jigs were a dud.

Night #3:
Got a late start because Atticus wouldn't go to sleep, and I was a might grumpy when I pulled up to the water. But, I shouldn't have been; turned out it was night 2 of the Newport boat parade. I ended up waiting an hour to launch since everybuddy and their mother was out in their boat. Many if them seemed at least slightly intoxicated too. Anyways I got out and within 1/2 hour I had a nice spot from a dock from which party goers and comers were bringing their Duffy boats. I stayed on those docks for about an hour for 5 fish total. Then I moved over to Balboa Island and started working my around to some yachts Steve and I had fished. They each had quite the festive electrical display, and I had 1 or 2 there when Steve and I had fished them. I was working my way down these boats and already had one keeper, when I heard someone ask how it was going. Well we ended up chatting for quite a while; turns out he ran the yacht for his 92yr old boss. She was having these big parties each night of the parade and he offered me some left-overs. Well let's just say that good conversation, Filet Mignon, kick-ass crab cakes, diet Coke, and a steady bite on the spotties (I think I got 5 legals and 3 shorts while we hung out) made my night. He even sent me off with about 4lbs of crab cakes, and a dancing snowman for the boys. I was back in around 1:30 or 2am. Took my time getting packed up and talked with a few teenagers fishing under the bridge. They were on a mean shark bite using frozen chovies and fresh mackies. I gave them about 1/2 my cakes, and took off home happy, but very tired. The pattern was definitely clear though; t-rigged (with bead) Assalt craw in Irish Whiskey or Ringer worm in watermelon/red flake, a wee bit of Pro-cure Calico Cocktail (the other 2 nights I tried Sardine Oil), fish it slow and tight to the docks (preferably shallower than 12'). I think I ended the night with 12 legals and 5 shorts. Not bad for night time in the middle of winter.

Next time though, I'm headed for the harbor entrance to see if the big sandies are coming in at night. If anybody want to join me on one of these night adventures, just let me know. I'll be going this Fri, and then again on New Year's Eve. After that it's all about pre-fishing with HobieTom for the Bay Bass Open.

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