Long version- I was planning to fish one of the local kelps in my pursuit to break the 50 pound barrier.  We got my dad a 55 pounder some years ago at Salt Creek, I have hooked quite a few big fish, but have been unable to get it done.  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")  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 have 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 bite.  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 the 3 biggest fish at Point Loma Seafood. 


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!  Check that one off!  Sweet!