Topics

31

Salt Water Shore Fishing Reports / Early session at The Bat Cave

« on: August 06, 2023, 06:56:18 PM »

 The twins wanted to fish for Bats before school starts in a couple weeks so we hit The Cave on Friday morning and set up Shop.



It was low tide and filling in fast so we were hoping for players. Max has his casting skills dialed in pretty well and he wasted no time sending out a whole squid


They brought their bass rods too and tossed around a BH Swim Bait for no love


Around  Noon the motorhomes started filling in and the peace and quiet quickly disappeared . We did have a few bass make our clickers chirp a few times to get the blood pressure excited and I lost a Spotty on my bass rod, but at 2:20 we called it a day and headed home. No Bats but a nice relaxing start to a beautiful weekend. Hope to have a Cyclops report next weekend

32

General Board / Addition to the Fleet

« on: July 31, 2023, 07:31:42 PM »

 My buddy passed away back in 2018, he had a 95 Jeep Wrangler that he bought brand new and my son Aaron grew up riding in that Jeep on every camping trip. He replaced the motor and transmission back in 2016 and then he bought a bigger, newer Jeep so the 95 was not getting much use and his wife wanted to sell it but offered it to me first She wanted me to keep it and drive it since it's basically new and I have always wanted it. We settled on a fair price and I gave her crisp 100 dollar  bills I picked it up Sunday and it is fun to drive and it looks great at our house, hope to use it to cruise around town and when the Twins start driving, they can learn on my other Jeep




Even has a Pirate Flag to match my one eye 


The 99 is still going strong and looks good after a Detail 





More tires to buy Oh well, he will be with me in Spirit as I cruise his ride

33

Saltwater Boat Fishing Reports / Must be Shark Week

« on: July 25, 2023, 08:59:15 PM »

 Had a buddy guide me on my boat to get a few pointers and just get as much advice as I could get. We launched The Cyclops at 6:30 am at South Shores and hit the Bait Barge before heading out to La Jolla, hoping to see some Yellowtail. We metered a few and thought we had a hookup then as fast as it happened it was over Oh well. Next stop was Point Loma in search of Ling Cod. We hooked a couple nice ones and had a good battle and the 25Lb. Flouro was bit off Headed back North a bit and found a nice stone about 5 miles out, we stayed there till 5:30 pm, non stop action and we had to call it quits cause we still had to get back to the launch and still an hour drive home. Water was a beautiful purple and calm as could be, didn't want to leave The pics will tell the story 









I heard these sharks were tasty, so I decided to try it......Shark Steaks on the BBQ coming soon

Heading back out on the 4Th, Cheez from AZ. is coming out for the weekend, hope to fill the kill bag again 

I put 43 miles on the boat and burned about 18 gallons of gas, not too bad. The Spot Lock is a must have, it works great 

34

General Board / Long Overdue Swine Festival

« on: July 17, 2023, 09:49:34 PM »

  2018 was our 25th Annual Pig Party, then life and Covid happened so it was time to rally the troops again and make more memories with Pig Party 26 It starts with lots of planning and multiple shopping trips and tons of work  After last month's facelift on the pit, It was Janie's turn to pick out a few items at the store


Then a few days before (Thurs and Fri) the Trailer Trash starts showing up Only had 5 or 6 rigs and a few tents this year Some setup shop next to The Cyclops 





Why not have a party before the party.....everybody in the pool !





Time for the work to begin, getting the pig ready and setting up for the big day




Can't cook without fire and 3 trailer loads of wood









All buried and time to check for leaks




Off to bed at 2am only to get up and get ready for the big reveal Start digging it up at 4pm, Party time !








Time to eat, but first I had to change into my proper shirt





We had a High School Reunion while we were at it. About 25 or so out of 160+ people were from the Class of 1985






My dad's shirt was as loud as mine 


Great time had by all even if it was 102



Till next year.......SQUEAL like a pig

35

General Board / Not A Chance

« on: July 01, 2023, 07:01:19 AM »

 Not going near a boat ramp this weekend, that's all Be safe out there and enjoy the warm weather !

36

General Board / 56 In The Altitude

« on: June 26, 2023, 11:41:50 PM »

 We planned our trip to The Sierras and my family wanted to celebrate my Birthday on Father's Day since I wouldn't be here on the 23rd.Apparently my sister thought I was 55 and not 56 (I'll take it)
 



The next day The Twins washed the car and we loaded it up and hit the road




First stop was at the 395 and 15, Pee Break at the Truck Stop



One more stop at the Rest Area below Bishop, still a ways away but can feel it by the scenery




Made it into Bishop and got our hotel room at The Creekside Inn, same as Last year, great place ! Had time to kill before check in so we hit the local Canal behind Vons. Water was stained from all the run off




Everyone said the streams in the Mountains were a BUST and unfishable, had to see for ourselves anyways but I figured with all the snow still up there that fishing was going to be tough this year. Oh well, didn't matter to me cause we were all together in a beautiful place, Aaron even met up with us on his way back from Sacramento so it was great to have him along for 1 day   We all hung out and then fished a bit and played in the snow too





Wanted to check out Lake Sabrina since it was holding fish. The water was very low but full of fish so we hiked around and found a few takers




Max caught a few Trout and some sort of Sucker Fish



Myles was part Billy Goat and fished the rock pile for a few fighters too



I got in on the action and we called it a day, it was getting late and a bit chilly......52 degrees


The next day we went to Intake 2, or maybe it was the first day, can't remember, I'm old now The fish wanted to play and I was Ok with it. I guess they stocked it recently so the trout were plenty




Water was abundant and everywhere so we wet a line any place that looked fishy






There are two Tackle Shops in Bishop and we hit them both for Photo-Ops and a few misc. items. Janie loves to shop Vons sells Tackle too





3 days in Bishop, time to head up to Mammoth area and spend a few days at my Buddy's house, it's a beauty with a stream running thru it. He took us sight seeing as well. 




Went to lunch in Mammoth Village and spent the day cruising the Lakes, they are just BEAUTIFUL !!! Got a new shirt too







A cooler and fishing poles is all you need 



Back to the house to Chill and BBQ He had this bear carved and shipped from Alaska, so the boys and I helped unload and set in a nice spot so you can see it as you drive up the driveway





Watched the Sun thru the window Sunday morning and it was time to head home. Had a great visit and we are possibly going back in August


As we drove down the road, I saw Squatch    We waved and made our way back to reality


I always wanted to stop here and check it out, finally did and got a few samples



Last stop before home......Janie loves to shop ......Had a look-see and lunch too. Janie had her eye on the Pontoon Section, she misses her's




Feels good to be home in our own beds, sorry for the long winded post but The Sierras are a special place and I hope you all get the chance to see the magical beauty at least once in your lifetime. Now it's time to get The Cyclops back in action now that Summer decided to show up

37

General Board / 25 and 9 Years

« on: June 10, 2023, 08:47:21 PM »

 Well, this BBQ Pit has been in the ground for 25 years and it's been 9 years since I retired and had to quit operating due to losing the vision in my left eye from Cancer. The pit was always a bit low, but after years of rain water dumping into it I finally decide to exume the beast and arrange it so it is easier to work around while lifting the pig out of it. My buddy offered to help with his little backhoe but it just was too small for the job, not to mention it was killing me to watch him at a snail's pace I called in a real backhoe and had it delivered this morning and I made quick work of digging it up and raising it up about 2 feet.

My buddy Mark started the dig last weekend after the twins pulled out some tin




Mongo had to check for Lizards



7am the Hoe arrived


Time to get busy




Had it up 2' in no time and ready for backfill





Plenty of water, small lifts and wheel rolled for proper compaction



Got it all buttoned up and it looks good, even moved a few Boulders too



Moved an Olive Tree that outgrew the pot as well


Busy day but we are ready to cook a 300Lb. pig next month. Oh yeah, we found a petrified/dehydrated  toad in the pit. Looks like Jerky


I have a trip to LJ Planned for July, The Cyclops will be looking for Yellowtail  I was reminded today why I can't operate backhoes and excavators professionally anymore, my depth perception for precision digging is just not possible Tying knots is a B#tch too

38

General Board / Tupperware Addition

« on: May 31, 2023, 08:39:47 PM »

 The twins got new toys for their Birthday and they are anxious to put them to use. My parents got them Kayaks and my concern was where to store them ? Didn't want to keep them in the Toy Hauler cause it would just invite more stuff getting crammed in there,so after Max tried his in the pool, we found a spot out of the way in the Shop for now. Hopefully they get put to good use this Summer

Bad Pig hauled them home from Temecula


Max testing his out in the pool




Off the floor and out of the way



They wanted to take them to Bishop in a couple weeks but I don't have a rack for the Escalade and not sure how much access  there will be to the lakes with all the snow. Hopefully the sun comes out and we can make a day at Mission Bay.

39

Saltwater Boat Fishing Reports / A Twin's Birthday Trip

« on: May 26, 2023, 09:13:56 PM »

 Well, today is the day Max and Myles were born 17 years ago I told them they could skip school and go fishing for their Birthday if they wanted, Myles said hell yeah and Max said hell no , He was afraid he would get sick again, so off to school he went. Got to South Shores at 6am and headed out to a few spots in La Jolla that did us well before Overcast and cool at the start of the day but it cleared up nicely


1st spot was loaded with bait and we raked in a few macks for later. I sent down a double Hookup Bait setup and got slammed


Made a few drifts and everyone was on fish, it was cool !





 I really wanted Myles to hook a nice Red for his Birthday, then it happened






We all hooked up at the same time and it was chaos cause nobody could snap a pic Blood was everywhere but the hose was a great help.


The kill Bag filled up pretty full and we had quite the variety, even a fat Sculpin and a Sand Bass




It was a beautiful day on the water so my buddy Richard took a break and chilled in the sun and relaxed a bit.


We fished till about 3pm cause it was so nice out there, then we headed for the Barn.


Got back to the Launch Ramp and loaded The Cyclops back on the trailer.


It was a quiet ride home, Myles had a BLAST !


Got home and took a few more pics before washing the boat and putting her away.


The whole plan was to beat the madness of the Holiday Weekend, it will be a Chit Show tomorrow thru Monday, so my plan worked Hope everyone has a safe 3 days

40

General Board / Giant Birds

« on: May 13, 2023, 08:33:49 PM »

 I planted 2 of these Giant Bird of Paradise on each side of the rock about 24 years ago, they were only a foot tall back then There is a 4 thousand Pound rock in the middle of that jungle


 The pole saw took a toll on my shoulders so I passed it to Myles, he did great. The birds are so tall we couldn't reach to trim some of them, so onto the deck for easy access


It was tough and we made quite the mess but we got it cleaned up into piles after filling up the trash cans




Looks a lot better after all the trimming





Just might have to make a Dump Run cause we did some Queen Palms and more Giant Birds in the backyard as well, just in time for Mother's Day

41

General Board / Birthday in Bishop

« on: May 12, 2023, 08:26:39 PM »

 Just booked our Hotel for next month in Bishop for my Birthday (56 in June) I would like to take Bad Pig and the rig but the campground I like was pretty run down last year compared to years past. We will slum it 3 days in the Hotel and then 4 days at my buddy's house at Lake Crowley. Looking forward to catching more trout and enjoying the beauty of The Sierras 

42

General Board / Wet and cold up here

« on: May 05, 2023, 09:00:52 PM »

 2 days of winter like conditions up here on the hill, did my 3 miles this morning before the rain, yesterday was a no go Ready for the heat and time on The Cyclops


Mongo is ready for some pool time, he is getting spoiled next to the fire


Have a great weekend

43

General Board / Cool Build

« on: May 05, 2023, 08:49:58 PM »

 My son Max brought home his Woodshop project today and I was impressed Made from layered birch wood and engraved also. 




The best part

44

General Board / Toy Store

« on: May 02, 2023, 09:08:05 AM »

 I'm in the market for another boat for my boys, Max and Myles. Hit Bass Pro to look around but not really impressed with what they had Grabbed a few shirts and other Misc. stuff and had a nice lunch. Always nice to sit in this Restaurant Came home and made Fish Tacos out of the rockfish, weekend went by way to fast !



Deep thought or wishful thinking


Fresh

45

Saltwater Boat Fishing Reports / The Cyclops Chop

« on: April 27, 2023, 08:18:26 PM »

 Took The Cyclops out of MB on Wednesday to fish La Jolla for Rockfish. The Bay was empty at 6am not a soul to be seen and it was great


Got to our first spot and got bit right away, sweet, hoped it wasn't a curse


My buddy Richard got one as well and then we threw a bunch back


Found bait but it wouldn't bite the Sabiki It was ok cause we had plenty of squid and shrimp


The sun never showed and the wind picked up at noon to a nasty chop, we kept metering around and scratched a few here and there but nothing big. The water was stained from the Red Tide inside, but outside it was blue. A Calico wanted to play.


Still managed to head back at 20-25 MPH in the choppy slop and hit a few spots before calling it a day at 3pm. Upon returning to Mission Bay, we were still the only boat in town Had the whole place to ourselves and the Launch Ramp too Didn't score big, but we got some taco meat Only burned 8 gallons of gas this trip, not too bad.


Ready for the next trip, just hope the sun decides to come out soon.