Finally got some slime on my boat

[Bill McIntyre]

Today I had the pleasure of meeting and diving with Fuzz (Harold), the guy who is famous for the photo of his incredible arsenal. If someone will post a copy, I'm sure it will be widely recognized. He and his friend Stewart (I'm not sure if he has a DB name) are down from San Jose laying waste to So Cal fish, and I tried to act as today's enabler.

There was quite a big swell on the way out, but at least it was fairly long period and the wind didn't get as bad as forecast, so we survived.

The vis was decent and the water temp was 57, which at least beat the 55 I started in last time. Stewart and I finally got bored and cold and came back to the boat, but Fuzz was still out there quite a bit longer, and it paid off. We spotted his Riffe utility float inflated on the surface and debated going over to help, but he seemed to be moving, and pretty soon he was back with this nice fish, the only one he saw, but the only one he needed for a limit.

It was hard to get a definite weight with the scale bouncing up and down in the swell, but I decided a decent average of the bounce was about 45 lbs.

BTW, he was using a 60" Sea Sniper gun, so I finally got to see one. It sure was pretty.

There was another dive boat anchored where we really wanted to be, so we moved to another bed. I got about 50 feet from the boat and a very nice fish cruised through the kelp under me. I took the surface shot and missed. I was so pissed!

I think my excuse is that the surface was rough and it was hard to hold the gun steady.

Or maybe it was the fact that the fish looked bigger than the one Fuzz shot, and I felt like I wouldn't be a good host if I shot it so I just subconsciously muffed the shot.

Or maybe its just that I suck and was so delighted that I was about to start my season that I rushed the shot .

Pick one of the above.

We moved to another spot but there was a fairly stiff current running. Stewart and I again returned to the boat. Fuzz had been swimming around with his little gun and said a nice pair came by about 8 feet under him while he was on the surface.

Aaargh! There is no God!

With that news, I went back in for another 30 minutes, but it just wouldn't happen for me.

Oh well, one of these days. At least my deck has seen some blood and slime for the first time this season, and it was a very pleasant day with a couple of great guys.

[Whopperhead]

Sounds like a blast! Nice Fish!

[Pastor]

Fuzz used to be a mentor here until reasonably recently believe it or not. If my memory serves me correctly he was also the spreafishing editor here a while back too.

I can't believe your a nice enough guy to miss a fish just to be a good host, so it had to be the rough water! If you haven't got time to sink below the surface then you just have to take your chances I guess

[SurfnSpear]

Nice fish that. They look so similar to the Dagga Salmon I have shot in South Africa.

[Old Man Dave]

Originally Posted by SurfnSpear

Nice fish that. They look so similar to the Dagga Salmon I have shot in South Africa.

Yes looks like the smelt I shot last week. Oh! 45lb. I thought it said 4.5oz. .

Nice fish and great report. I like the sound of those WSB. Like our Euro bass x 10. If I ever did fish overseas I think WSB would be high on my list of "must do's".

Dave

[BatRay]

Congrats on the end of the dry spell, Bill! Conditions have obviously improved, then Do you plan on going out again soon?

[podge]

Great stuff Bill and that is one nice fish, you must have a whopper size BBQ to take the fillets of one of those bad boys.

[Bill McIntyre]

Originally Posted by BatRay

Congrats on the end of the dry spell, Bill! Conditions have obviously improved, then Do you plan on going out again soon?

As soon as possible. I have a niece coming to town on Monday and I guess I need to stay home and see her, but I'm hoping to get out Tuesday if weather permits.

[beamjoel]

Bill,

You are just a gracious host!!! Letting your guest have all the fun and not showing them up!! Always the giver!

I am heading out to the front/ west side of Catalina this Sat. hope I wee some of the same action.

Joel

[Bill McIntyre]

I'm heading out tomorrow in hopes of getting another shot at the one that got away.

[Pastor]

Fill that freezer Bill

[BatRay]

Indeed! I am looking forward to another report in a day or two, except even more successful than the last one

What gun did you use?

[Bill McIntyre]

I was using a 60" Wong hybrid.

[settingsteel]

Nice report/read Bill, thats a nice WSB...but c'mon the truth is you just missed on purpose to put your guest on the spotlight...you go boy!