With our first cloud cover in almost two weeks, and the barometer starting to fall, I thought I would sneak out before the rain. Today had a different feel in the air, significantly cooler than days prior, and just a couple of anglers on the water. It might be the perfect sunny days without a cloud in the sky, no wind sheet glass conditions, ankle slapping surf at the launch, migrating whales with packs of rental kayaks in tow, or the fact that everyone is waiting for that winter squid bite to start. I think everyone on the water could tell you that the squid haven't moved in yet, and the fishing has been on the slow side (slow winter fishing). That wide open fishing we all anticipate with every passing full moon is taunting newbies and veterans alike. We all try to predict these fishing phenomenons, with varying levels of success, but month long summer squid bites should give us a good idea of what we actually know, not as much as we think.
I've seen quite a few new faces on the water lately, and it seems like summer has come early this year, or never left depending on how you look at it. New blood is good for the sport, guys catching that first trophy they will remember for the rest of their lives, and the whole addiction of beating your personal best. The biggest advantage these guys have is they appreciate their new experiences like some of us once did, from the days of finally catching quality bait to offer our target species, not flipping in the surf, to a nice assortment of rockfish for the family. I honestly enjoy watching another angler land that fish they have pursued for so long more than catching another one for myself, thus the career choice. That pride in their face, looking down on a fish with the emotion of a new addition to the family, as if they just gave birth.
Above all, enjoy every second you get on the water, there are few guarantees in life and some say "a bad day fishing is still better than a great day at work". The easy summer fishing with giant schools of rat Yellowtail, Bonita, and Barricuda will come sooner than you think, and before you know it trying to find a parking spot might take a while. Sure the water's freezing, it might be raining, the fishing's slow, but I can't think of another thing I'd rather be doing.
Even during the middle of slow winter fishing...I hold my rod like something might rip it out of my hands.