Short version- 2 fishin buddies, 12 hours, 9 WSB 40#-55#, not another boat in sight, priceless!
Long version- I was planning to fish one of the local (Dana Point) kelps in*my pursuit to break the 50 pound barrier.* We got my dad a 55 pounder some years ago at Salt Creek, my father in-law a 52 pounder at SBI (on his first WSB trip), and I have hooked quite a few big fish, but have been unable to get the 50+*in the boat.* While having a great seabass season at the islands, with fish in the 40's, I needed to stay on the beach as big fish continue to be taken there. (Billy Syler "King of the Beach" has 3 this year alone)**On Wednesday morning (6/24/09)*I got a call from Barry Brightenburg who said that some big fish were biting on the beach below the border.* With no time to waste,*I*drove down to San Diego and met Barry and his center console at the launch ramp.* We got to the spot a little after 4pm.* Not another boat in sight, and no real sign that this is the spot, with the exception of the flopping tail of a white sea bass 20 feet in front of the boat as I was letting the anchor rope out (kind of a good sign huh!).* We started fishing dropper loops and*light slide sinkers with fresh dead squid.* We were also throwing surface iron, as the fish had been in all ranges of depth.*
We hooked our first fish at around 5pm on the dropper loop.* Barry's got the video rolling and a*nice 40 lber. is coming to color.* As Barry*is putting the camera down to get the gaff, the hooked fish is followed in by another 40 lb. free swimmer, but not long enough to get a bait to it.* Very cool sight!**It feels like things are going to really get rolling, but no more love for the time being.**Several hours go by without a bite.* There are birds building outside of us picking away at fin bait, and the squid nest is beginning to build under the boat.* We start a slow*snag on the squid chain and fresh'in up*the rods with live squid.* It gets dark and we have a nice little float under*the boat.* Everything is good, we just need another swim-by.* At about 9 pm it comes.* Barry and I double up on a 52# and a 48#.* We put both fish in the boat and then I pick up a rod, give it a wiggle*and immediately hook*another.* This one is another*tanker, taking me around the boat, under the anchor rope, etc. etc.* The fish comes up under the squid light and shows its shoulders, wow, nice fish, in the boat!
I'm feeling pretty good as all three of these fish are tankers and could go 50+, but you know sea bass, their weights are so unpredictable.* The fish keep biting for another hour and a half and we land five more fish between the 2 of us. We ran home at midnight, with hopes of entering the 50 lb. club.* With all the fish well iced, we take a 3 hour napper and then weigh those first 3 big fish at Point Loma.* They are 54.8#, 51.8# and 48.6# respectively.* What an awesome trip.* Great skippering*Barry, and thanks for thinking of me and my quest to break 50!**I can check that one off!* Sweet!
Tight lines....
Jim
60 lbs White Sea bass aka Tanker
Cleared the point at 3pm friday,,sloppy seas and 15knts of wind Behind us,and we hit an area that has been good off Salsipuedes.
I was fishing on barry brightenburgs 21' ken craft,along with jimmy kingsmill...
for me,a trip that dreams are made of...epic!
the three of went 13 for 16 and kept 10...i got 3 that beat out my personal best..38.4/49.0/51.6 lbs
Barry's biggest went 47.4
Jimmys jackpot went 43.4
We kept 7 over 30,,,,unf.....beliveable trip.it was a steady pick from sundown to sunup,,,we had 10 total,and 7 in the box by midnight...with adrenaline flowing,we decided to fish through morning graylight....we each got another chubby in the morning....Glad we stayed.
Area fished was near Salispudes,in 15 fathoms,on the anchor....brought frozen-fresh dead squid,and fished that untill we jigged a few live for drooper loops.
I'm still tuckered out ,as i type this report....long run for this old fart.
Barry is now running his own charter operation..check it out;
www.alwaysanadventurecharters.com Barry is one of the best people to fish with,i ever know...he could have picked a shorter name for the chartering business if you ask me.haha!!
On the other hand,Anybody that has met barry brightenburg knows he shoots straight.It is my peasure to know the man..Looking to go fishing,and don't have a boat...click the link above,and pay the piper.you will have fun.and probsbly catch a fish,to boot.
One more Tanker 60.6 lbs
Here is Dave Pfeiffer of Shimano America with is Personal Best White Sea Bass 55 plus lbs
Once in a Lifetime Bite for Tanker White SeaBass
