Redondo Sportfishing Pier

Report from Pierfishing.com:

Decided to hit up Redondo Sportfishing Pier with my daughter today. Made the extra trip down to San Pedro to pick up the good stuff... ghost shrimp! (BTW, Paul's Bait and Tackle is under new management but everything still looks the same.) Got to the pier around 10:30am and it was already pretty hot with the forecast high in the mid-90s. Also ran into Thomas (noviceboy) who jumped on the Redondo Special half-day boat. (He won the JP the day before with a nice lingcod and was looking to score again. How'd ya do?)

I brought a couple light spinning setups with 8# and 10# test, carolina rigged with 1/2 oz. sinkers, 12# fluoro, and a #4 circle hook on one and a 1/0 kahle on the other. Started it off with a good-sized sargo and a legal sheephead, both perfectly mouth hooked (circle). Ended with a couple senorita, both foul hooked on the kahle (stomach and tail). I encouraged my daughter to reel each one in, but she squirmed away each time and apparently didn't want any part of it. Even while taking pictures she was freaked out. Weird since she had no problem playing with the ghost shrimp and with throwing them into the water. :)

Left around 1pm because it was way too hot and the little one was suffering from the heat. Gave the rest of the ghost shrimp to the couple next to me and hit the road. Here are a couple pics (bad quality because it was a disposable):

Sargo (Mina hiding behind me)


Sheephead (She's warming up a bit)


Quality time

Miami

Got out for a couple hours on a charter targeting tarpon and snook in Miami. We saw a couple tarpon rolling and a couple thrashed our live bait, but we only came away with one snook and a couple ladyfish.

Largest "pier" I've seen--it's a an old converted bridge (old bridge is the lower one, new one is the taller one behind it).


First snook!

Mokai Trial Run

Had the opportunity to take the Mokai for a spin in the Florida Keys. Some quick thoughts:

• It's definitely not a kayak or a canoe (unless you've run outta gas!), although it has the benefit and low profile of those.
  
• Bigger than I thought depth-wise and that's because you're sitting inside. When paddling (like for positioning yourself in the water), you have to reach up and over a little bit more.
  
• I really didn't run into much chop so I can't comment on that, but getting around was obviously a breeze. The advantages are being able to push your boundaries, hitting more spots in your fishing day, getting in more drifts, etc.
  
• Steering was easy, just push forward (right) or back (left). Throttle was easy, too, plus it comes with a sort of "cruise control" where you can screw in a tab to keep it in place. My only complaint was it's placement because bending my right knee up got into the way when turning. It'd be nice if it was adjustable according to your preference.
  
• Turning radius is wider than I thought, but I don't imagine it's a problem for those out in the ocean. Maybe for bays in tight spots, but you just use your paddle to back out.
  
• Noise from the engine was not a problem for me.
  
• $3500+ is expensive, but you have to understand it's a personal watercraft.
  
• I wonder if it's possible to use a smaller design.
  

On the cart


The rep taking it for a spin


Steering/Throttle


Convenient tie-downs


Motor cover with venting


Jet propeller


Standing up in calm water


Over the shoulder view


First ride out on the Mokai going full throttle.


Standing up in the Mokai, starting her up, and running into brush. :)


More cruising through the mangroves.


Example of turning radius during idle speed.


Taking the motor out.

Halibut Derby, Marina Del Rey - Day 2

Report from Baytubers.com:

Sunday was much better or much worse, depending on how you look at it. Grabbed some live bait around 7am at the bait dock and made my way north. Set out a couple lines (trap rig with 2 oz. sinker and carolina rig with 3/4 oz. sinker) and paddled to Venice Pier. Drifted back for nothing.

Headed back in around 10:30 to try the harbor again. Found the hotspot this time and started off with 2 vicious hits. The 3rd time I hooked into a nice halibut, probably around 27" from my rough measurements next to the yak. I was nervous with the gaff but landed a solid hit, only to have it go crazy and fall off, biting the line off in the process. Sh*t! So if you come across a halibut with a big hole in it...

Ok, so the rest of the family has to be nearby, right? Caught his little brother next (20") and also saw a couple chasers follow my bait to the surface as I reeled in. Thought I had another one but this time came up with a chunky spotted sand bass, my first one (17"). Cool, but that's not what we're after.

On my 4th drift I hooked into something real good that pulled line easily. I tightened the drag and waited out the fight, then reeled in to find a nice, nice halibut at the end of my line. I didn't get a chance to measure but it was definitely bigger than the first one and my guess was likely around 30". So with my gaffing confidence almost nil, I decided to hang on tight and thought maybe I could drift back to the weigh station with it, LOL. Honestly, I just didn't know what to do. I drifted for a good while before I hailed down some boaters (turns out they were fellow yakers, Brian and Blair) and asked if they were able to assist me. Of course the answer was no because of the rules, but they provided me a little confidence boost to give the gaff another chance. I paddle away from the rocks, lift up the fish, and get ready to strike... Glancing blow and--F*ck--I miss! The halibut goes crazy, the line is cut, and he's gone. Sad

Ah well, if it was any other fishing day I'd consider it a successful day but the fact that prizes were on the line made it bittersweet. Great to see a few of the baytubers again and thanks for the tips/support, ha. I'll be practicing my skills and using that new technique! Congrats to yakers Mark, Pablo Joe, and Brian for placing in the tournament.

Crap bait tank if you're trying to move, but hey it slows your drift :)


Birds


17" spottie


Short halibut


Shot of the big one during the drift


Awards and raffle (Tons of giveaways but it lasted too long)

Halibut Derby, Marina Del Rey - Day 1

Report from Baytubers.com:

Not much to report for Saturday. Was on the water by 6am, off by 10am. As I mentioned earlier I stayed well within the marina. No live bait, just swimbaits with unibutter and I also bounced the new Lucanus jig in gold and black for nada.

Glass morning