Newport Harbor: 5/29/07

[cricketwars]

what's up everybody. this is my first post.

I've been fishing NPH for the last couple of months with varied success. Lately though, I haven't been having much success from the docks and jetties.

After lots of research, i bought an Ocean Kayak Scrambler XT Angler. This was in hopes that i would be able to improve my fishing and have an amazing summer.

I took it out yesterday for the first time (second time on a kayak, ever. First time fishing from one) I launched at about 12 and got some smelt for bait and mainly to test out the pvc bait tube i just made.

I paddled to about half way down the wedge-side jetty and threw out a smelt on one rod, and started working a 4" grn/red big hammer swimbait. now, up until this point all my saltwater fish had been taken on frozen bait, so when i got a BIG strike on the artificial for the first time it was like nothing else. my first fish on the new boat was a decent sandbass. i was giddy like a little school girl.

Through the rest of the day, i got 4 spotties and another sandbass (my biggest of the day. caught on a live smelt). 6 fish altogether. 5 on a plastic swimbait which was a first for me. All bass were caught on lite gear with 6# test, so the bigger ones felt huge! I didn't have the balls to get my phone out of my hatch to take pictures (still getting used to the boat). but next time for sure!

I'm officially addicted to kayak fishing.

ps. a lot of my success today has to do with forums like this. I've been lurking them for a while and getting some really good advice and tips. i know i have a lot to learn but im off to a good start. thanks guys.

Blake