Got to Dana Point around 7:30-8:00 this morning. Very calm waters, pretty cloudy, no wind. I had brought frozen squid and shrimp, but decided to buy a scoop of live bait anyways. The harbor was nice blue/green waters. As I head out of the harbor it was a different story. I went riding to the left and all I see is red tide.

I ride for about 1-2 miles and decide to give it a try. Nothing but lizard fish. With no luck I decided to turn around and try the right side. As I was riding I noticed the waters changing colors as the sun kept coming in and out from behind the clouds. I finally found some blue/green waters!

I threw on some live sardines and decided to fly line. Didn't get any bites for about 15 minutes then I hear my reel scream. I set the drag, then set the hook. I was fighting for about 10-15 minutes then finally something jumps out of the water...Hooked a Thresher! I fight it for another five minutes and it jumps out again, this time the hook got loose and it got away.

Trying my luck I decided to try it again. In about 10 minutes I hook on to another one but one my small pole. Instant snap! Now being frustrated I move a little more down and try it again. I tried to fish for bass with a small anchovy and another hit on my small pole, and yes another Thresher. I fight this one on my small pole for about 10 minutes. As it get close to the jet ski it just jet's away and snaps my line.

I decided now not to use my small pole. I used my heavy tackle poles and tried it once more. After about another 10 minutes I'm hooked again. I am fighting this Thresher for 10 minutes, it jumps but doesn't get off. I fight it for another 5 minutes and it finally comes up close to my Jet ski for a moment then it goes deep. All I feel is dead weight and very little movement for about 10 minutes,(feel like when you get snagged on a large kelp or rock) then it jets out and snaps the line.

I was a little pissed I couldn't land any but it was really fun, so I have no complaints. Is it common for that many threshers to be in one area?

Oh all threshers were between 40-80lbs estimated

Not very common but with that much bait in the water, there's got to be a predator fish or two around. Glad you made it out!

I'd say you had a pretty good day for a ROOKIE!

Bass fishing has been tough with the squid and red tide going on so you did good. There must have been bait around you the Threshers will often hit that kelp line for a meal.

Yeah, really no other bait in the water...i even tried for some mac's but nothing. I did fish around the kelps but didn't go into it. I was a little scared. I did end up buying a emergency paddle today though. Might have to check out the actual kelp paddie's next time!

socali714 wrote:Yeah, really no other bait in the water...i even tried for some mac's but nothing. I did fish around the kelps but didn't go into it. I was a little scared. I did end up buying a emergency paddle today though. Might have to check out the actual kelp paddie's next time!

If you do go inside the kelp pads make sure you bring shrimp, it's really useful and you will catch a lot of fish. Because jacky couldn't catch any fish in the kelp pad it's cause he has no skills.

alanhighhand wrote:

socali714 wrote:Yeah, really no other bait in the water...i even tried for some mac's but nothing. I did fish around the kelps but didn't go into it. I was a little scared. I did end up buying a emergency paddle today though. Might have to check out the actual kelp paddie's next time!

If you do go inside the kelp pads make sure you bring shrimp, it's really useful and you will catch a lot of fish. Because jacky couldn't catch any fish in the kelp pad it's cause he has no skills.

OOOCH Jacky, You gonna let him get away with that?

i was enjoying the scenery!