Day Fished: 5/6-7/2000
Bait / Lures Used: dines, rapalas
Water Temp.: 60
Weather: Clear
Fished From:
Report: Started off Saturday helping Jofishmore work on his boat. It was a frustrating process and i won't get into details this time but I'll just say this... That first hookup on that 15 lb yellowtail made it ALL worth it. We started out Sat. fishing off La Jolla for some nice sculpin. These things were so big, they were eating the 6-inch sardines! We started getting whacked by the barracuda, but a sea dog showed up and had free dinner on us. Spent sun morning working on the boat again, and got a late start, about 10:00 before we started heading to the Islands. We get past South Island and put out the Rapalas. First hookup was a legal barrie. We motored south some more when Joe says "Hey Jeff, what the heck are those fish off the bow? I turn around and see a 1/2 acre of "puddling" yellows right in front of us. (Joe is from Louisiana and has never seen yellowtail before)"Stop the boat! Those are yellowtail!" we slid right up on them, threw out the dines and had instant double hookups. The rest of the day consisted of hookups on the troll and slide, and stopping on "puddlers" for instant hookups. Does anybody know why yellowtail do this? (puddle) They are not chasing bait, just swimming with their noses stuck out of the water. Limits were easy for most private boaters in the area. Cattle boats were having a tougher time because the fish kept moving around. Lots of chatter on the radio from guys hooking threshers right off La Jolla. It was a rough ride home, but the Breeze Bayou blew right through the chop and we made it home quickly. Thanks to Jofishmore for inviting me to fish with him on his fine boat and thanks to skipper Jeff of the "Vamos" for inviting us to fish with him on Sunday. Although the offer was tempting, (brand new 28' Skipjack) I am not one who gives up easily once I start something and i just HAD to figure out what was wrong with Joe's boat. It turned out to be the fuel selector valve for the two tanks. What a headache! Thanks again, Jofishmore. I look forward to fishing with you again soon!
Rating: Excellent