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I have studied everyone's suggestions from my previous post and weighed them in the balance with my finances at this point in time and although those 3/4 day trips are very tempting, I'll be taking my nephew and I'm not sure he will hold out that long and paying for two will seriously tax my current ability to pay for it... So I've decided to try the 1/2 day cattle car trip out of Dana Point.. My question is, they say you can bring your own gear and it sounds like they mostly fish bait on the bottom, but they mention that spinning reels are available for rent and are easier to cast. What would you recommend taking as far as tackle goes, would you fish jigs rather than bait, and what techniques should I use? Oh it looks like they are mostly catching sand bass lately, with an occasional yellowtail or baracuda mixed in the catch.. Most bass are released, are they protected, or not that great as table fare? Thanks J
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First off are you going to eat the fish there??Are you planing to take them home to eat??
If not on both then catch and release all fish and have the fun of the catch.. But sand bass are good eating as almost all the fish you will catch, but sand bass may have a size they must meet to keep and are mostly small anyway ..
The line they may be using is 30# + so if you are taking your own reels make sure they can handle that size of line..
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I'm wanting some good fish tacos while I'm down there. Staying with family, so we should be able to pull that off. If I catch something interesting like a halibut. I will try and vac PAC it so I can freeze it and take it home to enjoy. Otherwise I'll likely let most fish go unless they tell me they are great to eat.
They say on this half day rock fish type trip they use 10 -20 lb test line. I have my pole set up with 35 lb braid so it casts nice, but is fairly strong. Is braid tough to rinse the salt out of? My reel is a Cabela Salt water reel, so I hope it will work well. Kind of seems like I'm a real rookie on this trip where I don't know much about most of the fish varieties. I did fish Florida ocean waters in the early 80's when I was on my mission, but I didn't have time to learn the game very well and I went after halibut in Homer AK in 05, but that was a guided trip where I just held the pole and reeled in the fish. I'm hoping this will be a little more fun than that one. Thanks for the response. Later J
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your braid will be fine
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Good deal, thanks for the info... J
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i use to fish in dana point the bass reg has change in cal. all salt water bass have to be 14 inches ask the deck hand what the bite has been i use lots swim baits in the ocean also use 10 to 20# mono i hope this help
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Thank you for the info, what are some examples of swim baits? Just want to make sure I'm not thinking something different. Thanks J
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If you can before you go stop by Fish Tech, let me know when and I will try to be there and show you a few lures you can get that has worked for me in the times I fished out there..
Some times I tie straight to the lure with the braid if its a green color..
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If you are going to use your braid, whatever you are fishing for, use a topshot of fluorocarbon line
if its the bass that are biting pickup some 20# fluorocarbon line(leader spool) and use a double uni or seaguar knot and put on 8-10 ft of topshot.
check what they are catching the day before and adjust that fluoro size maybe 25 or 30# for yellows and barracuda. ideally have a 15, 20 and 30# rods set up.
swimbaits ; the local tackle stores are loaded and they can help you with size and colors,, fishtraps or mc swimbaits are the common
If you havent fished live bait, and If its kelp bed fishing
for calico bass, use the bait its fun stuff. flyline in the kelp, don't worry about losing a few hooks...good luck..
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on the swim bait color ues yamamoto or big hamer in the yamamoto swim bits black / hologram belly # s930 or watermelon # s208 ,i also use the ika in root beer color in the big hamer i use 1/4 ounce to 1/2 ounce lead head on the swim baits here aer the colors i use in the big hamer pacfic chovy and creeping death those two and make sure if you fish bait you 1/4 to 2 ounce slideing sinker depending on the the curent out ther in the ocean and on hooks i use owner hooks in size 1/0 to size 4 salt water hooks i hope this help?
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Hey that is a great help. Thank you very much. J
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That's a really nice offer, if I can get there before I go I'll try go get a hold of you. Thanks a bunch. J
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Sounds like some great tips, I appreciate them a bunch. If you only had one top shot leader would 20# work best? Thanks again. J
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yes 20 # will work
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A few tips:
1.) Get to know the deckhands on the boat. Obviously don't bug them when they are busy working and getting things done, but introduce yourself to them, ask for their name, and tell them your situation. Be friendly and personable and they will help you out. I have seen this happen before and sometimes extra fish will end up in your bag. Tip them at the end of the day as well.
2.) When bait fishing, grab baits that are lively and moving. You will get to know that lively feeling of one that is active vs the ones that don't move and feel lethargic.
3.) Use fresh bait. If you have let your bait down and not caught a fish in the first 3 minutes or so real back up and put anew one on.
4.) Try to get and area at the aft (back) of the boat. The captain will usually have people rotate around once in awhile because the aft is the best spot.
5.) Be ready for some downtime from when you leave the marina until you get where you are going. Books, games, etc. may be good to have.
6.) Start checking the Dana Wharf Facebook page for updates/pictures to see what is going on. https://www.facebook.com/danawharfwhalewatching?fref=ts
7.) They will have a galley (kitchen) on board to make food, burgers, etc. You can bring your own lunch to save some $. You cannot bring alcohol if you are into that, you have to buy it on the boat.
8.) Drink plenty of water. Wear sunscreen, but focus on staying covered up. Have a hat and long sleeve shirt. You can get FRIED out on the the ocean, even if it looks cloudy the UV rays will toast you. (Worst sunburn I ever had in my life was on a cloudy day at sea.)
9.) San Clemente has some awesome food. Wahoo Fish tacos, Ryder's Club hamburgers, and food on the pier. The Pier has a fancy restaurant and a bar side. The bar side has great appetizers, that are reasonable. Get food and watch the surfers do their thing.
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Adding to what Bigben said,
How you hook your livie is very important, ask the mates which way is best for that bait and where you are fishing.
Sometimes in the back is best, sometimes below near the back is best, some time in the lips is better.
I used to cut one front side fin, 1/2 off my bait so it swam funny.
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Very nice set of tips, I appreciate your detail very much. Thank you. J
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Hey that's great to know its hard to hook those minnows so I appreciate your info. Thanks J
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Hey just curious, I have heard others say the back of the boat is best, why is that the case? Just wondering in case I don't get a shot at the back? I assume we will be anchored or drifting, why does the location make a difference?
Also one other question I will throw out to everyone.. How does Bonine... Meclizine the over the counter sea sick med compare with the prescription one? Has anyone taken them and know if they both work, and if they make you too drowsy or fuzzy??? Do you know what I mean... I took a sea sick patch once and it made me feel like I was in a dream state and so I didn't really enjoy my trip, but it was way better than the time I was puking my guts out for four hours.. Sucks to be sea sick... I just don't like to have to go see a Dr.. to get a prescription if I don't have to... Thanks J
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