The PCS Blogosphere
Over the last couple years, a distinct pattern has formed at the “California Offshore Challenge”, a two-day Calico Bass tournament hosted at Catalina Island. Both years, the weeks leading up to the COC were filled with excellent weather and biting fish and teams that pre-fished San Clemente or Santa Barbara Islands were treated to mill pond conditions as they consistently scored 25-30 lb bags of Calicos. But those conditions went out the window as tournament day approached.
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In July I gave it a shot again........this time with Barry Brightenburg of Always an Adventure Charters......and got this 49.8lber.............
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“Spots for Tots”
On Saturday December 3rd, 110 anglers woke up early and braved frigid winter temperatures to compete in a very important fishing tournament –and they brought their kids. The SWBA is known for high pressure tournaments where anglers vie for money and season standings, but at this event, the Olive Crest “Spots for Tots” tournament, it’s all about family and helping the less fortunate in our community. Rather than paying an entry fee for this event, teams showed up with toys and gift cards to help some poor local families experience the joy of Christmas. Donald Verleur, the founder of Olive Crest, was on hand for the event and was very happy with the show of support. “There are a lot of families struggling to get by this year and events like these go a long way towards helping them to have a merry Christmas” commented Verleur. The tournament was a huge success raising several thousand dollars worth of gift cards along with lots of toys for the kids.
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On Saturday December 3rd, 110 anglers woke up early and braved frigid winter temperatures to compete in a very important fishing tournament –and they brought their kids. The SWBA is known for high pressure tournaments where anglers vie for money and season standings, but at this event, the Olive Crest “Spots for Tots” tournament, it’s all about family and helping the less fortunate in our community. Rather than paying an entry fee for this event, teams showed up with toys and gift cards to help some poor local families experience the joy of Christmas. Donald Verleur, the founder of Olive Crest, was on hand for the event and was very happy with the show of support. “There are a lot of families struggling to get by this year and events like these go a long way towards helping them to have a merry Christmas” commented Verleur. The tournament was a huge success raising several thousand dollars worth of gift cards along with lots of toys for the kids.
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Screaming Reels!
Question: The problem I have at the moment is driving me crazy! I am having a bit of bother with one of my Penn 525 mags. It's the original one that I have had for a good few years but has been well looked after and serviced by myself. Basically the last 2 trips out it has started screaming intermittantly through the cast! Some casts not at all and other casts it will start halfway through as it starts to drop out of the sky. It's sounded like the ratchet vibrating on or engaging. At first as when I fiddled with the ratchet button mid cast it would stop the screaming. Problem solved I thought ! I sanded the ratchet pawl down to nothing so that it cannot engage but next trip out exactly the same. I am using braid on this reel and I know It does not come off as smooth as mono so this may well be making things worse ? However I used it all last year with no bother at all with the same line so it's not the only cause. Bearings are fine and everything else looks to be Ok so what could it be? It can't be anything bad like a bent spindle or else it would do it all of the time. Could the bearing inners be turning on the spindle maybe? Could it be the nylon bearing retaining clip/ratchet cog catching on something?
Question: The problem I have at the moment is driving me crazy! I am having a bit of bother with one of my Penn 525 mags. It's the original one that I have had for a good few years but has been well looked after and serviced by myself. Basically the last 2 trips out it has started screaming intermittantly through the cast! Some casts not at all and other casts it will start halfway through as it starts to drop out of the sky. It's sounded like the ratchet vibrating on or engaging. At first as when I fiddled with the ratchet button mid cast it would stop the screaming. Problem solved I thought ! I sanded the ratchet pawl down to nothing so that it cannot engage but next trip out exactly the same. I am using braid on this reel and I know It does not come off as smooth as mono so this may well be making things worse ? However I used it all last year with no bother at all with the same line so it's not the only cause. Bearings are fine and everything else looks to be Ok so what could it be? It can't be anything bad like a bent spindle or else it would do it all of the time. Could the bearing inners be turning on the spindle maybe? Could it be the nylon bearing retaining clip/ratchet cog catching on something?
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The Southland Shootout - 2011 SWBA Season Finale
Photos by Jimmy Sahagun
The top 25 percent of the SWBA regular-season field showed up in Newport Harbor on October 8th for the two-round marathon tournament that is the season finale. Round 1 was a five-hour session where anglers would try and catch their biggest limit of calicos or sand bass. After weigh-in and a short break, teams would start round 2, during which they would spend another 5 hours trying to catch a limit of spotted bay bass inside Newport Harbor.
Photos by Jimmy Sahagun
The top 25 percent of the SWBA regular-season field showed up in Newport Harbor on October 8th for the two-round marathon tournament that is the season finale. Round 1 was a five-hour session where anglers would try and catch their biggest limit of calicos or sand bass. After weigh-in and a short break, teams would start round 2, during which they would spend another 5 hours trying to catch a limit of spotted bay bass inside Newport Harbor.
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The San Diego Charge
Photos by Jimmy Sahagun
The SWBA family recently lost one of its most popular members when Socrates Abrahamson passed away at the end of July. This small dog has been a big presence on the tournament circuit since before most of us can remember and was loved by all. My condolences go out to Socrates' fishing partner and best friend, Eric Abrahamson. I understand that your loss is huge, but keep in mind that the separation is only temporary and one day you and Socs will be riding the high seas together again...
On to the tournament…
Photos by Jimmy Sahagun
The SWBA family recently lost one of its most popular members when Socrates Abrahamson passed away at the end of July. This small dog has been a big presence on the tournament circuit since before most of us can remember and was loved by all. My condolences go out to Socrates' fishing partner and best friend, Eric Abrahamson. I understand that your loss is huge, but keep in mind that the separation is only temporary and one day you and Socs will be riding the high seas together again...
On to the tournament…
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20 Pound Reels!
One of the most common line weights used in Northern California is 20 pound test. For inshore fishing on the day boats out of any local Norcal port, it's pretty much all you'll ever need. Match up any of these reels with a lightweight 8 foot stick and you've got a great little 20 pound outfit. We're looking for a reel that will hold 200 yards of straight 20-pound monofilament. Star drag or lever drag is fine, but no two speeds and no levelwinds for the sake of this discussion. Just so we all get to start at the same point, we will clean out the bearings or bushings and then lube them with your lube of choice. We will also upgrade the drags to greased carbon fiber. That means that the only differences in our list of reels will be gear ratio, retrieve rate and price.
One of the most common line weights used in Northern California is 20 pound test. For inshore fishing on the day boats out of any local Norcal port, it's pretty much all you'll ever need. Match up any of these reels with a lightweight 8 foot stick and you've got a great little 20 pound outfit. We're looking for a reel that will hold 200 yards of straight 20-pound monofilament. Star drag or lever drag is fine, but no two speeds and no levelwinds for the sake of this discussion. Just so we all get to start at the same point, we will clean out the bearings or bushings and then lube them with your lube of choice. We will also upgrade the drags to greased carbon fiber. That means that the only differences in our list of reels will be gear ratio, retrieve rate and price.
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Japan offshore update
Recently, the offshore fishing on the Pacific Ocean side of Japan has extremely good for dorado, and hit and miss for the yellowfin and bigeye tuna. What is unusual is the fact that several very large yellowfin tuna have been landed close to shore, less than 10 miles from the harbors of Mie Prefecture. While there have not been many landed, there was a 209 pound specimen, taken on a topwater lure, on spinning gear only five miles off the beach.
These big fish have been following the 78 to 79 degree temperature break religiously, and moving with the Kuroshio Current up the coast. These fish are now 200 miles up the coast from where the 209 pound fish was caught.
Recently, the offshore fishing on the Pacific Ocean side of Japan has extremely good for dorado, and hit and miss for the yellowfin and bigeye tuna. What is unusual is the fact that several very large yellowfin tuna have been landed close to shore, less than 10 miles from the harbors of Mie Prefecture. While there have not been many landed, there was a 209 pound specimen, taken on a topwater lure, on spinning gear only five miles off the beach.
These big fish have been following the 78 to 79 degree temperature break religiously, and moving with the Kuroshio Current up the coast. These fish are now 200 miles up the coast from where the 209 pound fish was caught.
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Central Coast Fishing Update
Tuna fishing continues with albacore catches from the Rodriguez Seamount, Arguello Canyon and the Davidson Seamount. In some central coast areas, longfins are smacking trolled lures just 10 to 15 miles from the beach. Fish are running to 30 pounds, with 20 pounders the average size. Channel Islands fisherfolk are finding sporadic bites of white seabass around the east end of Santa Rosa Island and the southeast portion of Santa Cruz Island. Bounce-ballers are boating halibut from Chinese Harbor, Smugglers Cove, Christy's Ranch and Bechers Bay. Along the mainland coast, halibut are active near Rincon Point, Padero Lane, Goleta, Ellwood and Gaviota. Thresher shark are on a roll near Rock Island, Goleta, Naples Reef and Gaviota. Pier anglers are hooking into a few T-sharks along with other species of shark, they are hauling up a few halibut, scoring well on surfperch and nailing good quantities of mackerel.
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Tuna fishing continues with albacore catches from the Rodriguez Seamount, Arguello Canyon and the Davidson Seamount. In some central coast areas, longfins are smacking trolled lures just 10 to 15 miles from the beach. Fish are running to 30 pounds, with 20 pounders the average size. Channel Islands fisherfolk are finding sporadic bites of white seabass around the east end of Santa Rosa Island and the southeast portion of Santa Cruz Island. Bounce-ballers are boating halibut from Chinese Harbor, Smugglers Cove, Christy's Ranch and Bechers Bay. Along the mainland coast, halibut are active near Rincon Point, Padero Lane, Goleta, Ellwood and Gaviota. Thresher shark are on a roll near Rock Island, Goleta, Naples Reef and Gaviota. Pier anglers are hooking into a few T-sharks along with other species of shark, they are hauling up a few halibut, scoring well on surfperch and nailing good quantities of mackerel.
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Learning to Appreciate Your Crew
Well, I tried to get a crew together for albacore this last Monday, and nobody could get off work. But the weather was great, and the fish were only 40 miles out. I heard some great last-minute reports, so I decided it was just too perfect not to go. Off I went, with just my dog Bear, chasing longfins. I left the dock at 10:30 AM and arrived at the grounds near Pioneer Seamount at 12:20 with lots of other boats around. Put in only three rods because I didn't want to try to handle more than that single handed. Just ten minutes into the troll I get a double. Manage to get both in although I am glad no one was filming my gaff attempts. Put them back out and just a couple of minutes later I have a triple! Man oh man, I was tired at the end, but I got all three in.
Well, I tried to get a crew together for albacore this last Monday, and nobody could get off work. But the weather was great, and the fish were only 40 miles out. I heard some great last-minute reports, so I decided it was just too perfect not to go. Off I went, with just my dog Bear, chasing longfins. I left the dock at 10:30 AM and arrived at the grounds near Pioneer Seamount at 12:20 with lots of other boats around. Put in only three rods because I didn't want to try to handle more than that single handed. Just ten minutes into the troll I get a double. Manage to get both in although I am glad no one was filming my gaff attempts. Put them back out and just a couple of minutes later I have a triple! Man oh man, I was tired at the end, but I got all three in.
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