Palos Verdes 2/22
Two weeks ago, we had a little rain here in The Southland which I hoped would spur more algae growth at Colorado Lagoon in Long Beach. A check this morning at the slime pit revealed mostly short strands unsuitable for opaleye bait purposes lining the banks. Almost a trip killer, I was forced to walk further and search longer before I found one miracle clump floating in the water that filled my pale with 8.723 to 9.585 quality algae.
For today’s 5.7 high tide at 8:15 we have a one-to-two-foot swell rolling in, perfect for another attempt at Flat Rock Point along the west-facing shore of Palos Verdes. Even though I only caught two little guys my first time here a couple weeks ago, I really like these rocks on a major point and I know some day The Breakwall Crew will experience a memorable bite.
Right at six o’clock I chummed two handfuls of bait into the water then made twenty casts with the WildEye five-inch sardine tied to my twenty-pound stick. I felt only one hit and it was already too light for big bass. I need to get here earlier next time to have more dark to cast into until Daylight Savings starts March 8. After that date, casting at 6 will be more productive.
I filed away the baitcaster, grabbed the opaleye bobber fifteen-pound rig and tossed out about forty feet. Immediately I saw the bobber wiggle, which is a good sign. Fifteen minutes and four re-baits later I tied into my first three taco opaleye of the day.
I chummed some more, cast out and watched as the bobber indicated there were plenty of fish around albeit not that big. By seven-thirty I bagged two more three taco opaleye. That was a pretty good start, it is still early, history would suggest I will catch seven more in the next two hours for a limit of 10.
Oops, not exactly. Today was an early bite, as the rest of the morning saw many hits but only one other opaleye caught worth a mere one taco and released. Not very memorable at all.