All things considered..

The fishing hasn't been that bad for late December. Weather has been stable, dry and cool. Lows in the 40s highs in the low 60s. Typical dry weather pattern with high pressure keeping the fronts way north of us. We need rain. We need snow in the Sierras NOW. Anyway, Striper fishing is a cat and mouse game at the present time. They are moving and eating at a fast pace. One day here and gone the next. To find better quality you better be looking at your electronics and comfortable with T14. If not, forget about. You might stumble on a feeding surface school but I wouldn't bet on it.

I watched a huskey Striper take care of an American Shad on his last leg. I was retying and caught a glance of the shad. Focused in to take a photo and noticed a Striper Zero in and take a look. You know what happened next. A 15-16" Shad made a nice winter meal.






American Shad not feeling so good

Striper investigating

one more look

Yesterday we hit the salt. I was a little hesitant bucouse this time of year the inshore fishing really isn't at it's best. Fly fishing is tough, winds are unpredictable and the shallow water fishing just generally sucks in late Dec - January for me. Well,  it was tough and the wind was unpredictable.  Still a good time on the salt in the fresh air. Butt ass cold in the monring but warmed up nice. The "cold" didn't stop the tourists from acting like they were at  Spring Break in Miami with the shorts and tee shirts out beach combing. Not to many fish caught by us. 6 or 8 reef fish and few Croakers and we called it with building seas. Still a fun way to spend the day. On a good note. I left a tackle bag on the wharfe by the boat hoist and someone actually called me and said I found your shit. A ton of flies and terminal tackle free for the taking and he called. Good stuff is going to happen to that guy. Wife ran over and picked up the next day with 50 dollar bill. I hope that dude has a great 2012.

 Canary rockfish

Shot from Capitola wharf

Capitola Beach