 |
|||||
|
FROM THE DECK
by Captain Jack
Uninvited Guest
Well Mates, if'in ya been out on them waters you may have noticed that you is not alone. Now, I'm not speaking of other boaters or fishing folks. It's the wild kingdom we have out there in our midst. Seems that all the environmental actions over the years have produced a boom in sea life and that is a beautiful thing, if'in yer into taking photos. However, if it's catching fish and them sea creatures are stealing yer catch; well, that's a fish of another color. RED!! AArg....
First, came the boom of sea lions, more of them furry beast than fares, on a party boat. One sea lion is assigned to each fisherman onboard. They are allowed to eat yer bait and any catch hooked to yer line. Those sea dogs believe our sole purpose is to feed them; and feed they do! During the El Nino period when the Yellow Tail were thick as fleas, the only way you could get one on the deck was to use 40lb test and crank those fish out of the water by their lips. We would pop the boat in gear and pull'em out of the water, then water ski'em up to the rail just out of biting range of a seal. It was man against beast; most of the time it was beast!
Then, El Nino became La Nina and the seals died of starvation caus'in there weren't enough food in the bay to keep them alive. Some fishermen were accused of killing them; but when the authorities found no foul play they was vindicated.
Next, sea creatures that flew into the picture was the California Brown Pelican. I calls them the flying sea turkey. My momma grew up on a farm and said turkeys were dumber than her brothers. Well, pelicans either have no fear or they got a brain the size of a guppy. Last week we actually had a pelican dive into our bait tank that was no bigger than a toilet. I ain't never seen anything like that! Had another one land on the top of the boat cabin and try to eat my hat! When we shooed him off with the fish net, he crapped all over the place leaving a smell worse than an outhouse door on a China clipper. AArg Sez the Captain.....
If the pelicans don't make ya crazy, watch out for the Cormorants. Had a flock of them black buzzards eat every sardine I put in the water. Couldn't get away from'em. They actually would fly behind the boat then dive on yer bait; could even get stuff 65 feet off the bottom. So, what is a fisherman to do when yer all surrounded by sea creatures.
Tip #1: Use a trap hook on all yer bait, if you can. Sea creatures don't like getting hooked any more than fish do, except for the pelican. I think they like being hooked. Must get some kind of rush out of being pulled to the boat, then let go. However, seals and cormorants have good eyesight. They can see the trap hook and most times will leave yer bait alone. But, they will eat yer catch if they can.
Tip #2: Pelicans do not like water. Here is a bird that dives for it's food; but if you spray water on them when they come up to the boat they will fly off! I rigged up a water hose to my bait tank. With a flip of a switch it's a spray gun. Keeps the critters at bay and it don't hurt ‘em; which is a high crime and misdemeanor.
As to catching, from the Mountains to the Sea, when the weather front moved out of the area the Trout were snapping on all lakes that has them; this includes Catfish. Out front in the bay plenty of Sculpin and Sand Bass to keep yer pole popping. However, the Big Momma Halibut have not moved in yet. There was a White Sea Bass bite off Rocky Point; but it was short lived, as was the squid availability.
Keep sending yer fish pictures and fish tail to Captain Jack, c/o Easy Reader, P.O. Box 427, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254 or Email easyreader@earthlink.net. ER