Cabrillo Beach, San Pedro

Participated in my first Baytubers.com Big Summer Tournament. Fished with almost 100 other kayakers and float tubers. With $1000 and other prizes at stake, all the local "pros" were out in force.

I had delusions of grandeur... yes, dreams of bringing in a fat, monster 40" halibut! Ah, but it wasn't meant to be... Instead I ended up with 2 smoothhounds, 2 leopards, 2 croakers, and 2 sandies--all on ghost shrimp. I did troll a couple swimbaits for most of the day and thought I had a couple bites as the clicker went off, but nothing ever stuck.

The winner was Erik with a 35", 18lb 10oz halibut who won with his float tube. This is actually his second win in the last few months... Proves you don't need to go all hi-tech or paddle out too far to catch the big one.

Aside from the fishing, it was nice to meet fellow fishermen, old and new alike. Great job by Kiyo, Kenny, and all the helpers.

BTW, here's a nice write-up and video from the Daily Breeze (southland newspaper).

The 7 AM flotilla of kayaks


A couple stragglers starting late (including myself)


Smoothhound shark (grey, I think)


Leopard shark


You don't how big these cargo ships are until you're near them


Victor with his dinner


Short sand bass


Croaker


Everyone coming back in for the 1 PM deadline


The winning fish (3 other halibut in the background)


Kiyo's halibuts


Raffle time!