[MaliaFishslayer]

We took a couple of friends, Wyatt and Greg, fishing for the fist time on our 25 Davis Bahia on Saturday. Originally we were going to toss big hammers for the calicos, however a friend called late Friday night to say that there was a WSB bite at Cruz, so we changed our plans. We got a scoop of chovies from the cheerful bait girl at Channel Islands and made or way over to Cruz. Our first spot had little current and the water was a weird color so we made just a few casts before we moved to our primary location. At our next spot we got a few baits soaking and tossed some big hammers. Paul was on the bow and he had a school of WSB follow his Big hammer to the boat and put the hook to one just 10 feet from the boat. He called out to the rest of us, but they sank out too quickly for anyone to get another hookup. These were small WSB about 15 pounds and we hoped to get some of the larger variety anyway. We made a short move, however the schoolies found us again and we got 3 more WSB of almost identical size, 15 pounds on the Bocagrip.
We moved to toss some big hammers between the kelp stringers for some calicos for a while and we caught some nice bass to about 4 1/2 pounds before the current died. Wyatt caught the last fish in weeds, and it was the biggest Kelpfish I think I?ve seen.
We decided to go drift for a few rock fish and we had a slow pick on greenspots, starys, salmon grouper and small lings. Paul got hammered and pulls up a wolf eel. Wow, is that thing ugly and really grumpy. Paul finally gets the hook out and releases it. Today must be the weird fish day. Paul gets hammered on the next drop and this time it?s a green ling.
We decide to call it a day and head back to the ramp.

 

[FRANK12345]

Nice report and nice fish. Thank you for the report

 

[freddie]

That's definitely the biggest Giant Kelpfish I have ever seen. They do get to be about 2 ft long, but I've never caught one bigger than 14 in. Wonder if DFG has a record on it - that could be it!

Nice work on the croaker but I thought they only fall for squid8*

 

[MaliaFishslayer]

So did we, but I got a 28 pounder a couple years ago on a big hammer red diamond tail and saturday it was all they wanted.

 

[ChannelIslands]

Thanks for the heads up on the Cruz WSB. Great report and pics. 8)
What time did you get the first one? If all goes well with the mechanic I will be out there next weekend.


Thanks for the report!


Chris

 

[bitesomthing]

From the picture That wolf eel in the water sure looks like a Oar Fish??
Nice giant kelp fish!!!

Oh ya and the C-bass aren't to Shabby either.

 

[Hithard]

From the picture That wolf eel in the water sure looks like a Oar Fish?? Nice giant kelp fish!!! Oh ya and the C-bass aren't to Shabby either.

Those are two interesting catches, a big ole Kelpfish and an Wolf Eel. I'll say I've never heard of those two fish being boated together. Cool.

This post edited by Hithard 05/19/2008

 

[rubble]

From the picture That wolf eel in the water sure looks like a Oar Fish??
Nice giant kelp fish!!!

I thought Oarfish too by the pic.....but by the discription of the release & the knowledge of the crew.it's No Doubt a Wolf eel......

And Definitly the biggest Kelper I've ever seen.... !!!!! :tu:

 

[ohfishal]

You guys sure that isn't a monkey faced eel?

 

[Bert 28]

Paul and Mary,

Way to go! Glad you had a great day and nice report.

 

[Jenna J]

Way to go Paul and Mary. I found a few fish myself on Friday. All bait fish (anchovies). Tell Paul he got me hooked on Spectra. It's awesome.

 

[chuckrac]

whats a "big Hammer"

 

[Deceiver]

whats a "big Hammer"

Swimbaits.

http://www.bighammerlures.com/

 

[blackfish]

You guys sure that isn't a monkey faced eel?

Ditto that...wolf fish have a thicker head, and shorter body...definitely not an Orr Fish.

That is a HUGE Kelp fish. One of the prettiest fish on our coast...JMO

 

[topstick]

Great trip folks. Sorry I missed that one. Gonna try for the Whities this Friday. Hugh

 

[Tunaslam]

A fun day for lots of different critters and ghosts, great job.

 

[oden1viking]

Great report Paul and Mary. My first ever WSB was caught on a big hammer while I was fishing for Calicos. Boy was I suprised.

I can't wait to get on the water again.

 

[Badger]

Crazy looking thing Never seen one before, pretty cool...

 

[ExpertMarine]

Hell of a catch. I've only seen 1 other Wolf Eel out of hundreds of dives locally. They prefer very cold water and are usually found 100'+.
Catching that is harder then hitting the lottery.
Go buy some tickets!