| rossman |
08-12-2009 11:24 AM |
Old Man's 08/12
2 Attachment(s)
Decided to take a trip down to Old Mans at San Onofre State Beach this morning and try for a flattie . Got down there early, so I was 4th or 5th in line when they opened the gates. They actually let us in a few minutes early so I was on the water by about 6:00am.
The launch was uneventful with a 2 -3 ft south swell. There was no white water to contend with in the channel. Went outside the surf line in about 12 ft of water and started working a small swim bait (3 in chovey color in a 1/2 oz red lead head) in an area that I have been getting some smaller buts the last couple times I've been there. I didn't have any action for a half hour so I decided to go out to another reef that know about in around 30 ft of water. I was able to scratch up a few bass out there, but I was hoping to find some macs to drag around back in the shallows. No luck with that plan so I went back to where I started from and worked the plastics some more. This time I was able to pick up a couple smallibuts in the 16 inch range, almost on consecutive casts. So I figured I was in the right area.
A few minutes later I stuck something that felt a lot better. The typical head shakes convinced me that this was going to be the right kind and the right size. After a short up and down fight, she came up without a lot of drama. Brought her to the side of the yak and had a swing and a miss with my gaff. This did not make her happy. She did not want to come too close to the kayak after that. When she finally calmed down I got another shot with the gaff and nailed her in the belly just behind the gill plate. Got the game clip on her, pulled a gill, and eventually got her loaded on my back deck. She's a schosh short of 40 inches. Don't have a means of weighing her but I'd say she is over 20 and less than 25. I have uploaded some pictures but I'm not sure I know how to get them into this post Attachment 1407
Attachment 1408
I was afraid that all of the blood and slime would attract some unwanted visitors so I headed in and was back on shore by 8:30.
Rossman Out |
