LJ 11/12 Sunset

Short sunset session in La Jolla, South of Children's. Lots of salad 10 yards from the rocks. Picked up my fist Senorita. Thought it was a juvi wrasse, but after an ID from Werfless, and putting on my readers, it turned out to be a new species for me and a de facto PB. Truth be told, it was a foul hook, but ill take it. A bit later, I dragged out a PB tank of a calico. Not much of a fight at first, but when it hit the surface, it was a bolt and dive run like little I've experienced from the shore. The drag peel was awesome. This old guy had a #1 hook in his #2, so after a little proctological surgery, and a quick couple of pics, he was put back in the drink. #6 Owner circle hook burried in shrimp did the trick. The plano box in the picture is a 9", so your guess is as good as mine regarding actual size and weight. I'm more than stoked, regardless. Great to be back out.

 

Yea. Its not the first I've seen that (2-3 in as many years) and all but 1 have been bass. The old hook had about 8" of what looked like 10# mono still attached. The hook end was encapsulated in goo and easy to remove, so at least no additional damage.

 

Done - 16.75" it is!

 

Thanks. Yea - Occasionally, I'll get a negative comment or two. The closer you get to the MPAs, the thicker it gets. Mostly, I get tourists taking pics, and kids wanting to check out the catch.