New guy here.

**Carnivore** · 10-08-2003, 10:34 PM

First off I wanted to say hi to all here. I have been lurking for a week trying to get registered but something went wrong so here I am new handle and all.
First question (of course I am new) It looks as though most here are surf and pier fisherman? Long story short I got married 5 years ago and had wrist surgery 4 years ago which the first killed my will to live. The second killed my ability to cast. Now the wife is gone but the wrist lingers on. Ok my life story is over now so the second question is I went lobster fishing last week just after opening and got a few small ones but nothing to write home (or here) about. I am using a 14 foot alumacraft that my grandfather left me when he passed. It is great for lakes but not for the ocean or at least to far. I did get up to the power plant but got skunked. Anyway I was wondering how far out you got to go to get a good chance at legal size spinys? I was around the jetty in Ventura harbor and this Friday I was planning on hitting the jetty wall there at port Hueneme but donâ€™t want to waist my time if I need to get out further. Ok last one for now is it better at night or does it matter. Again the boat doesnâ€™t have lights and I donâ€™t want to go and put them on if it isnâ€™t nessary. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated. Other thing if anyone is looking to go out I can handle some company. Remember it is a small boat and if the waves are to big then the trip is going to be short.

**Flipper** · 10-08-2003, 11:03 PM

Welcome Carnivore-You've come accross a smoke'n site!

Joey805 and I just started hoop'n for bugs. We had two shorts our first time, and our second produced 10 legals.

From what Ive learned... lights are very helpfull for setting and pulling your hoop nets. Mack seems to be the best bait, and be sure to get a bait cage or hoop with a bait net... seals love mack too[img]smileys/[/img]. More hoops the better (5 max per person), but a buddy to help is almost a must. Ventura harbor stinks (literally) right now. Hueneme should produce spinys for ya, and you should be fine within or close to the harbor.

I see you've had a chance to hit the power plant (my default spot). How did you do? See any red tide?

Also, since your a free man again... maybe you could join in a fish fest with the rest of us here at GentBent. We are hoping to get together soon and fish, learn, bull sh*t, and show off[img]smileys/[/img]...oh and hopefully GET BENT

I look forward to seeing some posts (good or bad) and maybe pics of your catch's!

Welcome![img]smileys/smiley16.gif[/img]

**Joey805** · 10-08-2003, 11:20 PM

Hello Carnivore and welcome to Get Bent! I'm not sure if you saw me and Flipper's post last week about our hooping adventure but if not, I'd be glad to give you some tips. First of all, its a known fact that lobsters are generally are alot more active at night vs the day. The ocean is loaded with them. Anyplace that is rocky is bound to have them. This includes, reefs, wrecks, jetty's and breakwalls. I can tell you that it's not as easy as it looks. I personally wouln't do it alone and luckily I'm able to have Mike as a co-pilot in our little operation. We went out for the opener and between me and you, we got skunked. Nothing but a few rock crabs and some spider crabs. We managed two small lobsters but we hooped from 12:01 am to 6:00am. Considering how long we were out, thats pretty bad. We only saw a few legals pulled up. Last weekend we headed to the same area and made a killing. 10 legals and a handfuls of shorts. Some of the legals were well over 2 pounds. Also a handful of rock crabs were brought up. Sometimes the bugs just dont want to crawl. There were alot of different factors that I believe made them come out to play this time and not last time. They are as follows:

1. We started hooping right before the sun went down, last time we started at midnight

2. The red tide was gone this time. Last time the water looked like rootbeer.

3. The water was rough this time. Lots of wind and swells. Last time it was dead calm. Lobsters like lots of water movement.

I'm new to the hooping scene myself but apparently we did something right last time.

Good luck and welcome aboard. Stick around and you'll meet alot of really cool people.

Joey

**Joey805** · 10-08-2003, 11:21 PM

Wow, we must have been responding at the same exact time..hehe

crawford23 · 10-08-2003, 11:34 PM

Welcome to the board

**Sinker** · 10-09-2003, 08:46 AM

Welcome, shoot me an e-mail or PM with you original handle request (was it "twowheelsdown") as we can get that working for you. Last name looks familiar - do have any family members who know my sister Monica Durham?

1. A bad one can definitely cause that feeling [img]smileys/smiley11.gif[/img]

2. With a lot of practice you can learn to cast with the other hand (not that I would know as I can't)

Bugging is best at dusk or night - REMEMBER if you take your boat out on the water you MUST have appropriate and approved running lights (Green/Red front and White rear) plus additional lighting will help for the actual process of working your hoops - Joey what did you do as I am trying to figure out how I want my lights mounted.

OK, Latest Hot Spot - Channel Islands Harbor - Inside of Breakwall / kelp pattie there holds many species of fish and lobster as well. This harbor was constructed very well and the breakwall does a great job, unless we are having a storm, the harbor is smooth and calm - anyone who has left out of Ventura knows that you can get beat up just making your way out of the harbor.

halibut · 10-09-2003, 09:44 AM

Welcome to the board... when I hurt my thumb on my casting hand, I learned to cast with the other hand. Now I can switch back and forth. Maybe give it that a go. As for Lobsterin' the resident Flipper and Joey805 are the expert at it (and cleaning up da boat!!). Hey Sinker, with all your trips, I have not had a chance to fish with you (its been a while). When you have time (after your upcoming trips) maybe we can get together with some friends and fish. I might even bring a bbq along or something.
Halibut

**Sinker** · 10-09-2003, 09:50 AM

Halibut sounds good. Do have have any news about the action at the Chart House or any other spots along PCH?

halibut · 10-09-2003, 10:02 AM

I have been so busy that I am lucky to get out once a week to fish. I have hoops that have not seen the water. No spiny shrimp for Minh. I will make sometime to fish. I have almost a month of vacation that I need to use before the year is out. I should be able to fit in some day fishing. Lets keep in communication and I am sure a common fishing day will pop up. Got a new rod for you to try out. If you like it, I can try and get a hold of one for you.
See ya soon bud.

**Carnivore** · 10-09-2003, 06:48 PM

Well thanks all. I knew you guys were a great group just by the way you talk. Flipper I did see that post about the Lobsters and as I was having problems with the register I didnâ€™t get a chance to tell you that it was illegal to keep them. I am glad you didnâ€™t get caught as I did. I had BM bass in an aquarium but luckily the guy was really cool and let me let them go.

When I was 15 my grandfather and I used to crab for Dungeness up in <st1:State><st1

lace>Oregon</st1

lace></st1:State> every summer when the family went Salmon fishing. I know Salmon like the back of my hand but alas he fell ill for a long time and I never had a chance to learn more about trout and bass fishing from him. My Dad just fallowed Gpaws lead so he says he doesnâ€™t know much about it either. Anyway I know bugging is hard work but well worth it if it is done right.

One thing I didnâ€™t think of as in crab do you only keep the males? I would assume so but wasnâ€™t sure. I looked around for a site about it but they didnâ€™t go in to detail about it. If anyone knows a site please forward it.

FISHING yes I will join any one and every one in any adventure. I am game for anything and weather or not there are fish caught or not. I wanted to join in the Rincon trip but as my wrist is out of action I would just be a conscientious observer. If anyone needs a extra hand (so to speak) or if you just want to shot the &$^% then that is great too. If Joey805 canâ€™t make it let me know I have a weak mind and a strong back. I will pay half the gas and do MOST of the work.[img]smileys/

[/img]

Sinker: it was the twowheelsdown but to be honest I like this handle better. I will PM you with what changes I would like to do if it isnâ€™t a pain as I plane on being here for awhile. Again Thanks to all of you.