Re: First trip Santa Monica Bay -- Archive

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Subject: Re: First trip Santa Monica Bay

Author:
Glenn

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Date Posted: 947634376PST
In reply to: Jim Day 's message, "First trip Santa Monica Bay" on 947541825PST

> Ther are first trips: then first trips. We took the
> New MAX out this week and had one hell of a fist trip
> fishing Halibut.
>
> Woke up at four: headed for the valley to meet Mike.
> Since it was the first trip on the new boat I figured
> I wanted to ride along as he trailered it from his
> house. Everything was cool untill we stopped for gas,
> then I smelled brakes. Walked around checking the
> wheels then burnt my fingers on the left front trailer
> wheel. Looks like the left brake wasn't releaseing.
> Ok: Not good but we can live with it. I figured we
> could fish, then come back early. I'd pull the wheel
> and check it before the trip home. Got to the launch
> put the boat in no problem. She looked good in the
> water. Met a freind from the net Bellybuster as he put
> in. Nice guy with a sweet Parker 18. He correctly
> guessed we were waiting for freinds, and wait we did,
> for over an hour. One had problems with his kid
> (excusable) the other got really drunk and slept
> in.(not so good) Both should of called the cell phone,
> and saved us the wait. Gave up: picked up bait, and
> cleared the harbor. Here's were it starts to get good.
> The boat planed up a little slow but once there just
> flew. The ride is very stable evan at high speeds, and
> best of all dry. I've never fished a boat as dry as
> this one, absolutely amazing. While our Hydra Sport
> kind of smoothely cruised through and over the waves,
> this one kind slips over the top, really nice ride. We
> planned to stop at Big Rock take a few drifts, then
> work some holes up to Dume. The boat ran so good we
> just could'nt stop, decided to run up north around Pt.
> Dume. I heard from a few people that Flo Mar (another
> web buddy) had picked up a few good fish about halfway
> to PT Magu. When we got to the bridge there were a few
> boats but no wind, decide to take a few power drifts.
> First bait: I notice the bait tank was low, did some
> checks and saw that the bait pump a new "Rule" was
> down. I spent the next thirty minutes changing it.
> From then on everything went pretty smooth: Mike
> picked up a few shorts then a legal 23 inches. I got a
> short, then Mike picked up a few Sandies. We broke out
> the champaign and drank to first blood, the new boat,
> and to the good fishing we've had with more to come.
> The New Yamaha purred along. Sweet: every once in a
> while we'd pop it in gear for the drift, nice motor.
> Has a different sound than our old Johnsons but I like
> it! We headed back down the coast for a few drifts at
> Zuma beach, more shorts, then went to Dume. While
> rounding the point: I got that "lets fish here"
> feeling. We stopped in about sixty feet of water. I
> dropped down a Sardine on one rod and tossed a large
> Scampi jig with a whole squid for taste on the other.
> Now right here I guess I should say: some days Mike
> seems to catch all the fish, and some days I do. I
> don't know what the deal is but my attitude is as long
> as one of us catches something it's alright by me. I
> tend to fish for larger fish he goes for consistancy.
> I'm the dreamer and always fish for the big ones. Up
> to now the day had gone Mikes way, I'm talking ten
> fish to my one here. So I guess I was due. I got a
> good bite on my dine but missed him. While I was
> meesing with it the Scampi rod doubled over. I like to
> fish those big Scampi's on 20 spectra with about
> twenty feet of mono at the end. With it's small dia
> the spectra keeps them on the bottom evan in a good
> drift. About ten years ago I caught some good flatfish
> on the Happyman with these things, I've tossed them
> ever since. I don't catch a lot on them, but when I do
> it's a good fish. After all the bait a scampi togeter
> are about twelve inches long, so as they say it's got
> to be good. So I'm sitting there holding the wrong rod
> and this fish just comes and hangs himself: doubling
> the rod and burning drag. Didn't have to set the hook
> so I just picked up the rod and worked him up.
> Swoooosh Mike gaffs and flops a ten pound flattie on
> the deck. AQs my freind skip says: "it's better to be
> lucky then good" I'm thinking: Yea, fishy boat,
> alright. Too bad we had already drank the champagn. We
> pick up a few more shorts, get bored and head towards
> Malibu. Now about halfway there I get that fishy
> feeling again. I'm not psychic but something just
> looked right. I told Mike: "Lets try here somethings
> goin on." As soon as I get a bait down and wham hookup
> on the dine. This fish instantly takes about ten feet
> of drag, then starts that I'm going to shake my head
> off routine. Good fish...Ten minutes later quality
> flattie at color swooosh Mike gaffs and flops a
> fourteen pound flatfish at My feet. Now I'm thinking
> HOT DAMN FISHY BOAT. Baits down again: Mike hooks-up,
> my turn at the Gaff and a nice Legal Halibut about
> seven pounds thrashing on the deck. Lot's of smiles
> all around. Back upwind for another drift: baits down
> and Wham! I'm nailed again on the dine. Same MO: takes
> some drag shakes it's head, another quality flattie. A
> few minutes later another fourteen pounder on the
> deck. Now I'm stoked: New boat, nice day, and lots of
> fish to boot. Looks like the start of something good.
> After that the bite just shut down, but it diidn't
> much matter to us. Some guys we know picked up a few
> more quality fish towards Malibu. Flo Mar (another web
> buddy) dropped by for a chat in his 23 Parker (sweet
> boat). Lot of boat eyeing went on. I think he picked
> up a few up near point Magu. Then we packed it in.
> Hauled our butts(no pun intended) back to MDR running
> about 30 knots downswell. Dry all the way, just one
> hell of a day. Only dark cloud was I couldn't get that
> brake to work right. It actually locked up about two
> blocks from home. Had to back up to release it. Looks
> like the trailers going back to the dealer for
> repairs. Other than that you could'nt of been a nicer
> first date. The boats great: running all day and we
> did'nt evan burn a quarter tank. Now: thats my kind of
> rig. Can't wait for summer: then again, I can't wait
> for next weekend.
> Final count five decent legals...
>
> As Mike said (champagn bottle in hand): " Heres to ten
> years of Hardcore fishing on the new MAX"
> I hear that!!
>
> Tight lines Jim

Great story Jim! Sorry to hear about the trailer situation, the Maycraft 2300 Center Console really is a sweet boat. We will be at the Fred Hall Hall Show with the 2500 Center Console and the 2300 Cabin, be sure to stop by and say hello.

Glenn Perkins
International Marine
800-433-4030
http://www.maycraftboats.com

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