Newport Harbor, 1/1/2016 - 1/2/2016
 

Happy New Year everybody!

I got to the USCG station just before 6am, on the water shortly thereafter. I spent most of my time near some moored boats SE of the Coast Guard station, where I caught my first spottie. Saw a few decent sized fish boiling before the sun came up. Missed a few other bites. Decided to head North to the Balboa Island bridge. Caught another spottie on my first cast near the bridge. Worked the North side of the bridge for two sandies. All fish safely released.

It was a beautiful morning! Very calm and quiet.

Used 3" Big Hammers on the 3/8 oz. lead heads that I make. With Hot Sauce.

I'll be out there tomorrow and likely Sunday as well, taking advantage of the long weekend. I'll be trying to hook one of the bigger guys I saw jumping this morning :reel:

If anybody has any tips/areas they recommend, I'm all ears! Saltwater bass fishing is new to me.


If anybody wants to meet up, let me know! I'll be arriving around 6am tomorrow morning, USCG station. Red Malibu X13.

I wonder if those bass will go for a surface plug?

Doubt in this cold weather


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We've got it good here in So Cal man! It's not like it's freezing :D

I do get cold pretty easily. I just layer up.

Though I do want to get something to keep my feet warm. My toes get cold.

Pretty good winter fishing for Newport. Thanks for the report. I might end up there on Friday, depends on the weather window. If it looks like the wind will be down I'll hit Dana, if not Newport.

Thanks Ed! I've learned a lot from your reports. I think I'll have to give the Paddlerz a try soon.

Hopefully I see you out there sometime!

Update: 1/2/2015
 

Got to the USCG around 5:45 this morning, on the water just after 6. Another wonderful morning on the water. Water was smooth, and no wind.


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Fished near some moored boats early on for a baby spottie and a small sandie. Missed a bunch of bites! They weren't sticking.


http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n...psffsssbbs.jpg


http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n...pskreejcva.jpg


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Moved towards the Balboa Island bridge after the bite seemed to slow down. These past two days, it's been slowing down just after the sun comes up.

Caught another small spottie. Also hooked into something more substantial. After it hit the swimbait, whatever it was clung down on the bottom after. I kept pressure on the line, but it came off. Bummer.

Bite seemed to shut off as the tide went slack, like yesterday.

I'm going to get out tomorrow as long as the weather/wind is decent. Tomorrow's forecast is showing a bit more wind, but it shouldn't kick up till after noon.

Thank you. Glad I could help. If you can, try a trip out at night. This time of year it can be really good (as you noticed, the sun shuts it down a lot). If you're ever free on a Thur or Fri hit me up.

I could do a night session next Friday! Let me know if you want to go that night.

For night fishing I have thursdays and Saturdays available. Have to be at work at 6am on saturdays.

Got it. Let me know if you want to go next Saturday night! I'm free on the weekend.

I get out as much as I can, weather permitting.

Let's watch the weather and figure it out later in the week.

Sounds good.

Caught only two spotties this morning. Sure beats a skunk though.

Weather was nice. Wind picked a bit later in the morning.