My new reel

I think it is obvious I love fishing. I love it so much I will go out even when the fishing isn't off the charts amazing! I do this for a few reasons...




One there is always a chance that I will be out there the day conditions change and the fish show up




Two just cause the fish aren't biting doesn't mean I wont see amazing marine life (I love whales, dolphins, even sharks, sunfish, all kinds of cool stuff) I don't get so jazzed about sea lions or seals but I saw an otter once that was rad.




Three there is never a bad day on the water (do I say this EVERY post?). For me it is not just about fishing, it is about getting away from reality and relaxing, enjoying the smells and sights you can only get out there on the ocean.




I still wonder how fishing is what I love. It is so not girly (I was always a tomboy I guess) but I swear it is something in your blood. My mom was one of the best anglers I have ever known. She was LUCKY to hook some amazing fish but had the TALENT to land them.




I must have gotten her fishing genes.




Everything about fishing appeals to me. I love the knots, all the gear, rods, reels, boats, anchors, gaffs, nautical terms....I love that eat type of fishing requires different set up, hooks, techniques, rods, reels, jigs, etc etc




I still have so much to learn and see in my life.





It is one of the reasons I love the boat shows. Which this year I set out to get a new rod & reel. Somehow I went from looking at spinning reels to getting a Newell 220 conventional.






The thing about my spinning reels is that I can cast with accuracy and distance. It is comfortable for me. It is what I have always used since I pulled in my first fish at age 11.

I have been so scared to use a convention reel because I am not as skilled at it. I am worried about backlash. That is where the line balls up in the reel when you do not keep accurate pressure on the reel while casting. I feel like I won't be able to keep up with the fishing because I am not as good at using conventional reels. The ONLY standing in my way from being a great fisherman is my own self! I just need to practice! I just need to go for it, get out of my comfort zone and try. The thing is you don't wanna be "practicing" or trying to figure out a new reel in the middle of a wide open bite!! So it was good that I finally took my new toy out for a test ride when fishing was possibly slow.

This is THE REEL! I honestly bought it because it was special. Only 50 of them made! And it looks so damn cool!!! But as it turns out once I got it on a rod (my buddy Jason loaned me the perfect rod!) and started using it I found it to be perfect for me!




I started out just flipping my baits underhand while fishing the bottom. It was such a fun set up to fish! & one reason I got the reel was cause everyone wants to check it out. There is nothing like it. So every time I walked away from it one of the crew was fishing my rod (perfectly acceptable with me). Then we anchored up in the kelp beds to try to get some calico bass.




I never want to say that any type of fishing is my favorite BUT calico bass fishing is up there (with all the rest-except maybe squid fishing once was enough for me).




Anyway calico bass fishing is one of my best skills! There is so much technique involved and just finesse to it.




The only bad part about today was that the fishing was not that good. I got bit on the bottom one short sand bass, and a few short calico bass. I managed to get one legal calico and just when it was time for the 1/2 day to be over the bass seemed like they were ready to bite. The only good news was it was a great chance for me to start casting my new reel and I did a great job! I didn't have the distance and accuracy I want just yet BUT no backlashes and it came totally natural to me!




I am so excited for the upcoming season I think that this is going to take me to a whole new level of fishing and prepare me to take on bigger fish in the long run when I can go on longer range trips!!

my one and only legal fish this trip a calico bass

Happy Mothers Day to ME!!!

So when asked what I want for Mother's Day my obvious response was FISHING! I ended up on a different boat this time. It was out of H&M Landing called the Premier. WOW what a NICE boat! I was hesitant to go at first because the weather seemed iffy and it was a new boat I had never been on. Once I was out there though I had the best time! Fishing was not off the hook but it was steady and I was getting fish consistantly.


I will always say any day out on the water is a good day! (UNLESS I spend the day getting sick that is!)



Just a little guy



Me with a brown rockfish

TREEFISH!

I never posted a picture of the galley on the boats.

This is a much newer boat then most in the fleet built in 1990!

My catch (from what I kept)

What happens next...

I think most people dont like fish because they have never had fresh fish and also have not had it prepared correctly. I pay extra on the boat to have the fish filleted for me. It is so cheap and such a huge convienence! So when I get home all I have is the fillets with a little bit of skin left on for fish and game identification. There is very little that needs to be done. Just remove the extra skin and any bones that need to be but out.

With rockfish breaded and fried is the best and then make fish tacos or just eat with a squeeze of lemon or tartar sauce. In my case I bread and bake the fish cause I'm watching my calories.

Flour, egg, and crumbs

The fish fillets. I used the rockfish for the oven and the sheephead I caught for Ceviche

Lemon juice, cilantro, cucumber, onion, garlic, jalepeno, tomato

The final results!!

REDS REDS REDS

May 13th is about when things should start changing for fishing off the coast. It is just about time for calico bass to start biting in the kelp beds, barracuda to show up and maybe even yellowtail!!

So the fact that I was headed back out to fish the bottom for rockfish. DO NOT get me wrong! I love all fishing! I just like to be out there and I have fun everytime!

I was just a little frustrated this season cause it seemed no matter what boat I went on, no matter when I could not catch a "red" to save my life! Vermillion Rockfish (reds) are the sought after catch when going after bottom fish. They are so tasty and put up a bit more of a fight!

This trip was different!!!

I decided to photo all my fish so I could keep track of how many I got this time. When I go out bottom fishing all the little guys go home (well they usually just go in the water and get eaten by a waiting pelican). BUT sometimes my pics dont reflect how many fish I get...

Well on this trip I got sick of taking pictures of little tiny little rockfish!

What was exciting to photo was the fact that I FINALLY caught me some REDS!!

that is Fred the owner/captain jumping in my photo

another little guyanother little guy hahathis is the goofy rig Jason told me to try that he used the other day that killed on the reds
That smile says "I finally caught a red" I do not give any credit to the goofy rig! it is about here I stop photographing the little fish Jason taking off yet another baby rockfish!!

My BIG RED

not only did I finally catch some decent reds I also won the jackpot!!!

The cool thing about winning is I always give the pot to the crew who always takes such good care of me when I am out there! Thanks guys!!!