Fun & misfortune surf fishing . . .

I loved fishing growing up. Even though we lived in the suburbs of NYC, I would fish in Twin Lakes, the Bronx River and the Hutchinson River. Occasionally my family would go to Glen Island Sound for a Sunday picnic, and to cool off in the ocean. At these times I would do some bottom fishing for flounders. I should mention we never ate any fish I caught, it was strictly catch and release. We knew of pollution way back then.

Now that we are living a rocks throw from the Pacific Ocean, I want to pickup my old sport. I also want to bring home fish for us to eat (It's a male thing to want to bring home the meat). So on our last trip, I brought along some salt water fishing gear to try surf fishing. I knew nothing about surf fishing other than what I read in a few books, but I was also spurred by a fish story told by our friend Joe. He tells of catching a 40 lb fish in front of our house. Every time I see him he giggles and begins the story about the 40 lb fish. He never says what type of fish, but it was "40 lbs", he states.

My first attempt at surf fishing was when Rowan visited for a week. I was not really prepared for fishing in the ocean, nor was Rowan. However, he caught fish and I didn't. I had a 10 ft. rod, which is good for surf fishing, but my reel was set up with 12lb/test line that is not strong enough for surf fishing here in Tenacatita. I also had several very large lures (large spoons) that scared fish away, instead of luring them. Rowan had a three piece travel rod that was better suited to trout fishing small lakes and streams rather than the Pacific Ocean. Rowan had small lures that were impossible to cast very far, especially with the stiff NW wind. We had fun and we must have been fun to watch battling the ocean. During the entire week I didn't catch a single fish, but Rowan was lucky and caught a couple of fish, which we ate for dinner.

After Rowan left I bought 20lb/test line and several Kastmaster lures and wham my luck changed. I was catching Jacks ranging from 1 to 20 lbs; a bunch of 1 lb sierra mackerel, and one nice 4 lb snook. The Jacks were great fun with their amazing strength and great runs. However, their red flesh is not that desirable, except by local Mexicans. I ate it with the builders one day and enjoyed it; Sharon did not. it was like eating steak. The snook and mackerel were delicious consisting of thick white meat.