I'm just curious...
How far out will you guys go on your tubes? I know you generally fish just outside the surf, but what about the kelp beds? What about just past the kelp beds?
I ask because the yellowtail and white seabass to 50+ pounds were often within a mile of shore off La Jolla over the summer. Would you guys paddle out that far? Maybe with a big orange flag on your tube so boaters don't run you over? If anyone is crazy enough to give it a shot, I'll let ya know when they show up again.
Tight lines,
Adam

Yeah, let me know. I'd be up for it if I'm free. Don't know if you know, but Brian and I have been working on getting a trip together to fish the paddies this summer. Last year just didn't pan out, couldn't find the right boat, not enough time, ect. So, yeah some of us would be up for something bigger than bass or butts.

Let me know,
Amish Ed

If it works out, I'd be happy to meet you guys out there with some live bait on my kayak and take some pictures. Will definitely keep you guys in mind when the big boys show up.

Shoot, next thing you know, you'll be out there fishing threshers on your tube.

Tight lines,
Adam

Threshers..... Hey, that's a pretty good idea...... It could be done. You'd need a device comprised of two float tubes with some kind of 2x4 or something holding them apart. then, you get that between you and the shark when it's at the boat, stick a flying gaff in it's head, tie that off to one end of the "dual float tube shark landing facility", stick another flying gaff into it's tail, tie that off to the other float tube, gingerly cut off your hook (unless it's a yo zuri or somethin, them thing's expensive, in that case you get your buddy to reach in there with some pliers...). Let the shark sit for a couple minutes, take a knife with a fairly long blade (oh yeah, I'll carry two flying gaffs and a knife on my float tube), and cut it's spinal chord. Dead shark. Actually, a more practical and effective way would be to just carry a pneumatic speargun and shoot the sucka when it gets close. Tie that speargun off to a buoy with a net hanging down from it, and let that shark wrap himself up in the net real good, cut your line, after a few minutes, dead shark. I'm up for it... Anyway, about offshore float tubing. Me and Frank kicked for about 45 min. straight out one day chasing diving birds. I figure if we can kick at 1 mile per hour (we were kickin pretty fast to get out there) and kicked for 45 minutes, we were dang close to 3/4 of a mile out there, so 1 mile is no problem. I'd definitely be up for some fatty white seabass fishin from the float tube. Me and Ed can practice our big fish pullin techniques without flipping ourselves over...
-Brian

I'll have to get in shape quick, get ready for that long kick. I figure if I can handle the river Newport Harbor, I can handle a kick out to the kelp. Hey Brian, how's the current in SB Harbor? Newport can get sick, you can kick fullspeed and still go backwards if you get in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The more practice pulling the better,
Amish Ed

Ed,
The worst I've ever seen it was yesterday. Check the report in the saltwater board. Other than that, it's usually not bad at all. Maybe a little pull, but nothin that can't be handled easily. Yesterday, between the sandbar and the dredge, the current just funneled through I guess, and I was kickin as hard as I could and not movin. It was kinda sketchy.
-Brian

Do you think this new swell affected the pull? Surges can change the speed and create lulls where the current will stop for short periods of time. Newport seems less affected by waves, but Dana ( a much smaller harbor ) can get really funky during big swells.

Currents are a very real factor in NP. Not only do you need to fish around the high tide for a good bite, but you have to factor in where you fish according to the currents and tide. You NEVER want to fish the entrance on the pull, unless you are fishing around the low. You can easily get pulled outside with very few options for returning. Dangerous if you don't pay attention, helpful if you do. You can use certain eddies to work against the current and create a loop to fish even in the worst of currents.

When does your break end? I'd like to fish that park with you. Need to catch me some FW basses, and those ones seem like they might be dumb enough for my skills. Also, any word from Brandon?

Have a good Christmas,
Amish Ed

Just read your other post. Sounds like it was swell + low tide. Is SB a small harbor?

Amish Ed

Yeah, SB is really small compared to other harbors. I've got this week off of school, and then on Jan. 2 it starts again. I haven't heard from Brandon at all, I think he's coming up here mid Jan. A couple days ago I got a 7lber out of the trailer park so we should definitely hit that sometime. Maybe float tube leadbetter or somethin for calicos. Hey, I just got done opening presents and what not. New Pacific Bay rod wrapping machine, Calstar 700M blank w/ all components, and a big fat grin on my face. :-) Happy happy.
-Brian

This week is already way too full for me. Maybe next week I could meet you after you get out of school and we could hit it? Let me know.

Amish Ed

That would work. I usually go late at night, around 9:30, but we could go at like 7 or 7:30 or something. I don't have an email right now cause I'm setting up a new account on my cable modem, but I'll email you when I get it going.
-Brian

Sounds good. If you would, include a list of what types of baits I should bring. Do they eat the Senko, what about Zippers? Will 6lb work?

Amish Ed

Ed,
My internet's been down and it won't be back up till like Thursday at the earliest. Give me a call sometime this week (805) 569-2635.
-Brian

Adam,

I usually don't go out past 10 ft. (depth). I really enjoy fishing shallow - as shallow as possible. But... I'd love to knock one of those pig seabass. The great thing about a tube is being able to fish and move at the same time or hold your position while fishing without having to deal with an anchor. In deeper water I definetely think a 'yak is the way to go. I'm probably going to get one sometime next year. Either way I'd love to join you down there for some big deep seabass/halibut.

Pete