January 10, 2019 by Mike
What is a good day of fishing? A good day of fishing with Pismo Adventures actually starts the night before. Make sure you have a fishing license. If you are in for a one day license you might as well buy a whole year. The peace fishing brings in this day and age is worth the price. Make sure to buy in January when new fishing licenses come out. You can maximize the time for the year.
For kelp fishing (5) 3 oz. weights, (3) double hook squiddy rockfish rigs and a knife and pliers is the minimum for a tackle box. You definitely can bring more. It’s just not necessary, and all of it has to fit in your fishing vest. A beenie for the morning chill, a swimsuit, thermal uppers, and a windbreaker round out clothing you’ll need. You can take dramamine too. If it doesn’t work you can barf in the water and sometimes it seems to make the fishing better.
I’ll get all my gear out the same way. Also the kayaks are ready with seats, paddles, nets, life vests, first aid kits, tow rope, and ratchets to keep the kayaks in the trucks. You can fish anywhere along the coast. You can take the kayaks along a dirt path or down stairs. Of course you can tell I love to fish along Pismo Beach.
Now the gear is all ready. Get a good night sleep. I get up at 5:00 a.m. and have a bowl of oatmeal and a couple of cups of coffee. If I’m really industrious, I’ll send out emails to clients. I get the kayaks loaded up and head down to the kelp forests.
I’ll bring a bag of anchovies and a box of squid for you to try. You always do your best to figure out which bait the rockfish want in the morning. Slip the hook behind the gill plate of the anchovy. On the other hook dangle the squid with tentacles out, so it can entice a fish. Tie off in the middle of the kelp paddy and drop down your line. You can fish three feet to thirty five feet of water. I get a little nervous the fish can see me at three feet. I also know you can catch them with a poke pole, so it all depends.
It’s best not to catch any fish the first 45 minutes. You need to get real hungry. In fact the thought should pass through your head, “Are there any rockfish this close to shore?” Then about that time your pole gets bent by an electric shock that shoots up your arm. If its a ling cod, your pole will bend down an inch more than for a regular rockfish. A brown rockfish will tap the cotton braid with ferocity. Real up slow. Don’t jerk him up, or he could throw the hook out of his mouth. Nice and smooth move the net into the water with the left hand. Keep the fish in the water while you lift up with the right hand and move the net under the fish with the left. Use a graceful motion to sweep the beautiful aquatic creature into the net. Put the net in between your legs, and the fish will flop a bit. Get him off with the pliers and put him on the stringer. Repeat.
Keep fishing till the wind picks up around 11:00 a.m. Bring the kayaks back to the truck. Clean your catch. Turn the fillets into delicious fish tacos. Use lots of butter, sour cream, and cheese. I like to use the bones for a fish broth and noodle soup. Some fishermen shake their heads in disgust at the idea. I think it tastes like the ocean. I’ll take care of the kayaks and gear. You’ll need to check the tide books to start planning your next trip.
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