Offshore Fishing Adventures

It was a couple hours before sunrise in San Diego. Today we were going to headed about 20-30 miles off the coast of Baja. The water was choppy, the tide was on its way in and there was a chill in the air; I quietly laughed to myself.

Most of the fishing I had ever done was in the cold ocean waters of Puget Sound or in lakes and rivers of the Great Pacific Northwest. So today was a new adventure for me and I was extremely excited as this would be my first time fishing offshore in the great wide open near the Southern tip of California.

I felt at the mercy of Mother Ocean as my ass came crashing down on the warped piece of wood covering a storage compartment at the front of the boat. Nonetheless my mind was fearless, “bring it on” I thought to myself as though I were encouraging Mother Nature to test me for I was full in the Spirit of Adventure, as we picked up speed just outside the jetty. I was in that moment completely fascinated with the Ocean and all that Mother Earth had to offer me.

To have had dolphins swim next out our vessel was like a sign from above. All my life I had been fascinated with them. They are so fearless and playful yet brave and loving. How close their behavior is to a human, my curiosity got the better of me as I must have gotten the better of them as well…in my mind, one of God’s greatest creations.

I asked the Captain as we prepared the trolling lines why he loved fishing so much. When he said, “because it is peaceful and quiet”, I gave him a little smile because the sound of the motor was still humming, he continued…” Fishing isn’t just about catching fish. You don’t always catch a fish that is why they call it fishing not catching, but for me it is about challenging Nature or just being out here with no one to bother me, no one to judge because sometimes I just need to think.”

And though I never said it, I felt just the same and I knew then that while the Captain and I have our differences, we were out there for the same reasons and without having to say it, we understood each other; utter contentment and adventures unfold.

I took a moment to pray silently, Lord God, My God above, the one Above all, let this day bring us your peace, let our catch be plentiful and watch over us on this stormy, windy day… My heart content and humbled by the greatness of the Ocean, and the endless horizon and instilled in me was the feeling of knowing it would be a day I would never forget…

We cast our lines out.My heart started pounding with excitement a few moments after, by the sound of the baitrunner taking off. Wait for it…wait for it…, at the right moment, I flipped off my baitrunner and gave a good yank!This one, this one was BIG! I could feel it.It had me all over the boat, front back, left, right, reeling up and down, wait….run…wait…reel. This was a challenge but who was going to win?

To be continued…

Offshore Fishing in San Diego

Without a doubt I love going fishing. Nothing brings out the inner spirit of a person set upon the face of the Earth as a person set free to experience life in all its has to offer. Angling is such a fulfilling venture because not only does it require the use of your brain but also seems dependent on your intuition.

Through the years I have gathered information on which lures work the best for the types of fish I want to catch. Like trout fishing, I like to use a fly reel and fly lures like feathers or top water plugs. Certainly fishing with a basic fishing pole and line will catch a fish but something about fishing for what you want puts a new dynamic twist on fishing.

I really enjoy lake or river fishing but nothing compares to ocean fishing or offshore fishing. Out there I am in their territory. I am at the mercy of so many other things and knowing so puts me at the top of my game. And often that is what it is, a game.

On a river or a lake, I am in my territory. Don’t get me wrong, fishing on shore has its own advantages and listening to the birds sing or watching the trees sway in the wind bring me inner spiritual fulfillment as well…

But out there on the sea, out on the ocean is like an adventure. It is venturing off into unknown territory. It is not knowing what you are going to catch and it is about using your knowledge so that for the most part, you don’t catch something you really didn’t want to catch.

For instance, using larger baits will catch me larger fish. Really this is common sense because a smaller fish won’t eat a fish bigger then itself. Or, trawling, which is different from trolling because trawling uses nets and catches creatures or animals that you didn’t want to catch and are hazardous to dolphins and certain fish.

It’s about knowing which fishing reels and rods to use and what pound test line or what kind of line or hook sizes you should use and it is about teamwork. While fisherman are solitary creatures, there is a certain amount of co-habitation that needs to happen when being out in the open ocean to make sure everyone stays safe because certainly, you never know what Mother Nature has planned; when a high wave will break or to know what fish are poisonous or to have help when you have an extremely large fish.

So many things can happen, like the attack of the wild barracuda. I heard a story about a barracuda that jumped out of the water and bit a woman’s face. Knowing that it can happen makes me exercise some caution when I know I have caught a barracuda; it’s whether or not I want to just cut the line or if I want to bring it in and get my hook back.

There are so many different reasons to fish, whether it is for the adventure, hunting for food, or finding inner peace etc. Whatever the reason I know that there is something in it for everyone. It might be stinky and messy and friggin’ cold at times but all of that eludes the mind when you have caught a fish or when you have had that time to think and sort through your everyday troubles. Fishing is not only about the fish.

San Diego Lobster Fishing

Whether you know it or not, lobster fishing is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to put something to eat on your table as well as save some extra cash in your pocket. Lobster season falls on the most stressful and trying part of the year as well. Not only is lobster gifting a great way to extend the holiday glee but also a great way to receive food sur la table without feeling broke.

“Lobster is food fit for a King” but it wasn’t always like that. Did you know that during our early history, lobster was thought of as Satan’s food and most always fed to the slave workers? It was because of an accident that was made when a king was given one of nature’s abominations that lead to the popularity of lobster.

Of course the irony is that what use to be food for slaves became the food of the elite. That is entertainment! Today the demand for lobster is a 1.8 billion dollar industry. Commercially fished lobsters bought at the store range anywhere from $5.00 an ounce to $60.00 or more at a nice seafood market.

No doubt that most of us don’t delight in lobster because we can’t afford it. However, the truth is that if you know how to catch a lobster and what you need to do so, it is literally the most realistic and most economically sound way to bring food to the table and to help supplement your income during the holidays.

Lobster season opens in the late fall, late October that is, and ends the first Wednesday after the 15th of March. When we go out, we do our best to get as many was we are allowed. Limits may vary depending on your location but where I live the limit is five traps and 7 lobsters per person with a license per day.

Lobsters stay good frozen for up to a year, so when we have a good night, we give some to our friends and family, have a couple for ourselves and save what is left. So when summer is upon us, we get to cook our lobsters while our friends are munching on hot dogs!

Last year when some my friends and I were down at the beach, my colleague and I totally busted out with our lobsters! If only you can have seen their expressions. No, what was better was ours when we said, “yeah right”, and laughed accordingly. Don’t get me wrong, we always share but sometimes we do like it when they ask first. LOL! After all, we are the ones who did all the work.

It is without a doubt that during these troubling times with our economy; you do not have to cut your losses and settle for Rice a Roni or Top Ramen. Nonetheless, you do have to get a license, some gear (well not really), put in some hard work and get maybe a pot to cook it in.

 

Please join me at Fly Fishing Reel Girl.

Lobster Fishing, San Diego, Ca.

Catching lobster is easier than you may believe. Living in San Diego there are a number of simple ways you can catch a lobster for dinner and maybe even make a couple bucks. I will list a variety of ways you can eat like a king, impress your girlfriends or just have something to do.

1. First, be sure you have a fishing and lobster license. You can pick one up for fairly cheap either for a day or for year. However if fishing off the piers you may not need a fishing license at all and you can check around for free fishing days.  However new regulations says that even those who are not required to have a fishing license must purchase a lobster card to catch lobster even off a pier.  I left a link in the comments below.

2. Get a trap. Hoop nets work pretty well. They are cheap, effective, easy to handle and much more convenient than crab cages or others. For more information and quick link to hoop nets found on Amazon visit Lobster.
Traps, however may not be necessary living in San Diego. Shucks, if you are brave all you need is a pair of gloves. Stick you hand in the water near the rocks and grab one. It’s true, you can pluck one right off shore.

3. If you have a net and do not have a license you can drop you trap off a pier.

For more information on:

Where to get a fishing license
Tips on catching lobster
Cheap hoop nets on Amazon.com