Newport Bay 2/27/26

[Bendo]

Launched my Brand new 40 year old Skiff “Longshot”into the Harbor for a shakedown fishing trip with my Buddy Robbie. He has been ill for the past year and it’s not getting any better. He has lost the ability to speak, buy still loves to whack fish. We had a nice 7 foot out going Tide to start the day. Fresh Coffee in Yeti Cups fit right in the new Cup holders, steaming in the cool 7 am air. It was a 30 minute putt to the area we would fish. I pulled up on a hard bottom spot, the water flowing out of the Harbor creating a fast drift. I started to tie on a 1/4 oz. Jig with an 5 inch ZMan Streaks in “The Deal”Color, I look over and Rob is already hooked up. Had had stealthy pre-tied on his Jig and caught the First Bass of the day. We landed four on the first drift, as we got past a certain point, the bait schools dried up and so did the bites. I fired up the brand new, very quiet 4 Suzuki Stroke and idled back up for another drift resulting in four more Spotted Bay Bass. Two more drifts thru the area had diminishing returns. We cruised over to another area, for a 25 inch Halibut but no Bass.The air had turned warm, there wasn’t a breath of wind. We hit a few areas for the next couple of hours but the current was slowing down, no more bites. A run up the Harbor brought us to Pizza Pete’s near the Balboa Pavilion for some great Sandwiches, and some Cold Water to fill our Jugs, it was now pushing 90 degrees and still as can be. My hat was wet with sweat. It was was dead low tide, not much going on for an hour, we ate our Sandwiches and set up a Dock fisherman with a proper Jig to catch Bass when the incoming Tide would start to flow. It was 1:30 pm when we drove back down to the lower Bay, we went all the way down to the Boat channel, between the Jetties. The Tide was barely moving and we relied on the Electric Motor in the beginning to move back into the Harbor as we tossed the Jigs to each side of the boat. The bite stared slowly, a Bass here and there, mostly Sand Bass now with few Calicos. By the third drift thru this area, the Tide had begun to move and the bite took off, we had double hookups many times, and it was a memorable trip. I landed another 25 inch Halibut to top off the trip. Pretty good fishing for February in the Bay. Back at the Launch Ramp there was trouble. Someone had decided to unhook their Trailer for some reason, it was a huge 3 wheels on each side. It started to roll down into the water and kept going eventually stopping about 10 feet deep. There was a group of people scratching their heads, looking in the water. Bubbles coming up easily marked the spot where the Trailer was. I piped up, grab your Anchor and toss it over the Trailer and tie the rope to your Trailer Ball and pull it out. It worked perfectly the first time and we were gifted a couple of Pacificos for the help. A great way to finish the day. Final Count of 40 assorted Bass and Two 25 inch Halibut (all released) for the two of us.

[Midnightpass]

Sounds like a great trip.. Glad to see you getting your buddy Robbie out on your rehab'ed skiff... Enjoy them both...
Butch