Dana-----

[Lit-up1]

Had fun running South back North then back South then out West-and ralized later I didn't have to-caught all my bass-on 4 and 5" ARTIFICIABLES swimbaits blue-sardine color if you could see it through the UNIBUTTER coating
-had other colors tied on and never had to use them-caught about 15+ bass more Calicos than Sandies-also corvina,WSB,halibut --
pretty fishy in close where the water seemed warmer.

Thanks to OEX for putting on the shindig and cool schwag and great tacos to end the day--
weigh kayaks-thanks for doing the best you can-
we think the boats will be back in SD harbor
Mark PP way to bring the bacon-Calicos get in the mix and things change

[Will B.]

Good job going against the grain. Most people went to the Pipe. I thought something else might do it.

Hogan told me to go south and in close but I didnt listen-well after the Pipe didnt pan out I headed there almost made it-saw one person in close maybe Pierpoint but then turned around instead of going inside-another bad decision-

-on the water decisions--who knows how to figure that one out- so as to improve?

I only caught two fish at about 40 feet on the Pipe--had three others almost to the boat but they popped of-probably holding the tail of the swimbait and not he hook--so maddening

best lure for me was Mc Swim curley tail

Very impressive-Easton, Pierpoint and Park's bass weigh in-sounds like it was a great experience--Pierpoint said he caught 68 bass-best fishing of his life!!

Wish i had been there

Great independent game plan Dave

Many thanks to OEX-Andy, Steve CJ, Rik, and Brent

[Lit-up1]

Will,

I think Mark said 68 fish-not just bass-everything including the bait was in close-I saw something big-maybe thresher?? really close-

[flatinfifth]

Congratulations to those that made the top ten. Way to do it. I BLANKED. this post should be labelled: "How NOT to fish a tournament." Here goes, but first some photos........


In prefishing I had gone down a ways and had fished in tight for some BIG calicos......I mean BIGGGG. I lost one that was easily over 10 pounds and I saw it twice....it was way bigger than 10 lbs. I also caught several fish in the three to six pound range. However I also caught a nice limit of sand bass at last Saturday's friendly on the pipe in about 60 feet of water.....a fish each drop at times. Sooo................ I head down towards my beach area but on the way I stopped at the Capo reef and the bite there was non-existent. The water, the kelp, the bait, EVERYTHING was different. I wasted an hour there trying to get fish to go and all I caught were two shorts and a small halibut. Decision time: do I move on further down the coast or do I go back to my fall back spot on the pipe. Here is where the second mistake was; I based my decision on the fear that I would not be able to get back in time from my spot down the beach. WRONG!!!! I could have easily made it back. Instead I went to the pipe where I caught nothing but rockfish, a small ling and nothing else.

Moral of the story: Do not make decisions based on fear......make them based on what your intuition tells you to do. My sixth sense told me to go down to my spot on the beach and I didn't listen..................

Great tournament. Thanks OEX as always. Without your efforts this would not be possible. Oh......Al and I tested a new series of prototype rods for Dobyns this weekend.......AWESOME 7.5 footers with super backbone for that deeper bite on rocks.....pulls them right out!!!!! and sensitive as hell.

Angel Figueras

[Will B.]

Great report Angel. I like the stuff about the decision making--its critical.

Hitting the Pipe to check the early bite is a good move but if its not happening you got to go and not linger

you can get down there in time

I have experienced that first outer reef area as dead a lot but I think you have to keep moving in and down -there is a second reef area

when the current stops you still have wave action in close and the water is warmer

Hector at Hogans says there is lots of stones in close and he catches calicos from the beach!

the change of weather to hot sunshine points to calicos

so does the drop in sandbass catch over the last two weeks at Dana Sportfishing report

based on your prefishing I think you should of went south to your big fish area first
or hit the pipe for 45 minutes to check and then went there

I appreciate you sharing your thinking about game plan

[Will B.]

Dave--thats why you have a radio--dont be modest-share you successes with us--we are interested! We care!

[yani]

Thanks Andy and the OEX crew for putting on a great event.

The weather was perfect and the fishing: outstanding.
Special thanks to Steve for putting up with me not being
able to find him for the wiegh-ins. And the food? Top Notch!!!
Congrats to the first thru forth place winners. You guys kicked my ass.

I wanted to fish the outer reefs by the yellow pencil buoy
off capo. But before I even got close I had 2 hrs of non-stop
cat & mouse games going on with boiling bass. First the bait
would scatter, then, moments later, bam! boiling bass. I swear
I saw a couple of 5lbers doin flips. The best part of my day?: I had
the whole place to myself. Special thanks to all those glued to the
barber poles...

I used my favorite crankbaits, old frenzys and cyrstal minnows; and
for the far off boils, I threw my anchoive swimbaits. I had a ball.

Thanks Again, Yani

[T-Rex]

Many thanks to Andy, Brent, the OEX crew, guys in the weigh kayaks and the sponsors for putting on a great event.

Beautiful day and by far the best fishing I've ever experienced at Dana. I had a blast!

Already looking forward to SD Bay.

[IB Fish"N"]

Thanks to OEX Andy,Steve,Brent,Rik,and CJ for the great job on the tourney at Dana. Also great job on the weight Yaks. And Steve on the grill. Had a great time see you all at SD Bay.

Art

[paintnfish]

You guy's Rock !!! Thanks to all

Seems we went the wrong direction,Doh
and Somebody had to keep CJ out of trouble