San Clemente Island- The Self Guided Tour

[seatech]

OK, I've been to SCI once and friend Norm had never been there, so after checking with a few of the SCI Gurus for advice, off we went.

The original plan to fish the backside was canceled by a pretty good pounding trying to round NW Harbor.

Off to the front side and in tight to the rocks and kelp.

Man this place is just beautiful!!!





Our first drift up the island lasted over 2 hours and was good for approx 40+ fish. No big fish, most in the 1-3lb range, with a few pushing 4lbs.


Lots of nice colors in the fish today




Started the drift with a few on the Pearl Swimbaits and then we had an epic iron bite for well over 1.5 hours. A few nice doubles in the fray made it that much mo bettah!!!





Tried going down around Pyramid but the wind was howling, maybe 25+ mph???


Back up the frontside for a slower pick, mostly on the swimbaits.

Wind died and it was a decent ride home 25-32mph 95% of the way, drinkin' Red Bulls and eatin Fried Chicken. Don't get much better!

Total we figured was in excess of 60 of them calico fish today!!!

Anyone know were to get a cheap skin graft for both thumbs????

Ed

[Robert]

"Anyone know were to get a cheap skin graft for both thumbs????"

Ed,
You know you have had a good day when that happens! Thanks for the report!
I have never fished SCI. From what I have heard, that place can be on fire
sometimes. Congrats on a great trip.

Robert

[seatech]

Robert,

This is the second time I fished SCI and I love the place. I must to go thru the beating we take in a small boat going 2+ hours/60 miles each way I'm pretty sore today!

I really want to find a window to fish the backside, as that is where the bigger fish tend to hang out. A friend fished the backside on Sunday and caught something like 25 bass over 5lbs, including a calico that was 10.8

I lost a 7lb fish just under the boat due to a breakoff, for no apparant reason, and we had lots of 5+lb followers, just none of the big fish wanted to eat plastic/iron yesterday.

Ed