Hansen Dam, Lake View Terrace

Report from Pierfishing.com:

dimsumwong and riorust, thanks for the advice. I read what you had to say, Googled a nearby lake (Hansen Dam for me), and hurried home to pick up my daughter. I only wish I'd stuck around to see baitfish's words of wisdom.

My daughter was pretty excited as we left, demanding to hold the pole (almost taking my wife's and my eyes out) and yelling "fishing!" every couple minutes. But when we got there, she just wanted to swim. When I told her she couldn't she decided that throwing huge handfuls of pebbles was the next best thing. I was definitely frustrated because she had no interest whatsoever, but it wasn't entirely unexpected since she's not even 3 yet. Add to that the fact that I myself don't even know how to fish properly and don't have the right equipment for this lake--no bobbers, I've got heavy sinkers, big hooks... I busted out my Lucky Lura and caught a couple of small frys before it snapped off as I wrestled with the rocks. Ha...

So next time I'll definitely take a different approach. As baitfish said, it's not just about the fishing (translated: it's not just about ME) and I learned that first-hand today.

(Ken, thanks for the quotes--rest assured I am reading your book!)

I wasn't really looking to fish freshwater, but I wanted to find someplace closer to home that I could practice on. Hansen Dam is a small, square, concrete pond stocked with trout, bass, and catfish. I remember busting out my big saltwater outfit with 1 oz. weights and size 2 hooks, LOL. That's not what you're supposed to use, right? Anyway, I was getting desperate to catch anything so I threw out a Lucky Lura and snagged what must've been shad (I've since learned that using them in freshwater is illegal). Maybe I'll go back there with my kayak...

Balboa Pier, Newport Beach

Report from Pierfishing.com:

First, I want to thank you guys for all the helpful advice you offered this week. Your comments and the PFIC book really gave us a great headstart.

In a nutshell... My dad and I hit Balboa Pier around 8am and setup shop on the right side just before Ruby's. On my dad's first cast with live bait (smelt, I think) he caught a halibut and lucky for us it was a keeper at 22 inches! I wish we could say we knew what we were doing, but... The rest of the morning was slow with the exception of a snagged crab.

There were lots of friendly folks with a nice mix of fishermen and strollers. We learned a lot and had a great day!

The good folks at Pierfishing.com really set us up for success on our first day at the pier. I had no idea what rig to use, how to catch live bait, how far to "cast" from the pier (and that one doesn't necessarily cast off piers anyway), etc. Sheesh, I didn't even know any knots beyond the basic overhand knot. Leaders, swivels, sinkers, hooks, test... It's kinda crazy how much there is to consider for something as "simple" as fishing, huh?

BTW, here's a link to Ken's book Pier Fishing in California. It's a fantastic resource for beginners and a very nice read on the history of California's piers.

My dad's halibut


Spider crab


Me and my dad

Dana Point

Just a week later I was on another boat for another friend's bachelor party. Ok, this was the trip that got me into fishing. I don't remember the boat name, but it was out of Dana Point and we shared it with others. If I remember correctly, we used live sardines and were on bass all day long with a couple bonito mixed in.

I think the fact that we were with other experienced fishermen and that the bite was wide open really got my blood pumping. I'd already gotten comfortable with the feel of the rod/reel in my hands the week before so this was just a continuation of that experience.

I kept a sandie and a calico and probably released 3 others, one of which the deckhand told me was pregnant. A couple friends didn't want their catches (all bass) so I took 'em home and cooked them up for a party at my sister's place. It was delicious.

The guys


Egrets at the bait barge


Another patron pulls in a calico


Barred sandie and calico for me

Aggressor, Newport Beach

My very first fishing experience anywhere west of the Mississippi! I'd probably gone fishing about a dozen times before as a kid with absolutely no know-how and very little interest in it. Back then I was confined to the lakes of Illinois and the rivers of Georgia and had never experienced saltwater fishing. I wouldn't say this was the trip that "hooked" me, but my interest was piqued.

I was aboard the Aggressor out of Newport Beach for a friend's bachelor party. I remember the crew as being helpful which was certainly what a bunch of inexperienced, first-time anglers needed! We used live sardines and targeted the 3 B's: Bonito, barracuda, and bass. I don't really remember what I caught specifically (maybe a bonito and calico bass, of which one was stolen by a sea lion), but I do remember the bite being pretty slow for everyone.

One of the deckhands showing us the basics of baitfish


Playing with the birds


Can't remember who caught this barracuda


Trying to handle a snagged bird


Looking out at the other boats


Finally hooked (how did I get a left-handed reel?)...


...but my catch is stolen by a sea lion


My consolation prize is a snagged bird


Posing with our fish


The bachelor's calico


Gray or Brown Smoothhound shark


The bachelor showing off his bonito and barracuda


Group shot with the Aggressor