Need HELP rookie hooper here

lsdunique · 02-22-2008, 10:51 AM

I just went hooping with a friend on thursday night at Dana point Harbor, we couldnt get out into the water until 6:45pm.

We used day old mackerel with 10 hoops. We set along the inside of the break wall and were completely skunked, nothing!! not even shorts.

Can someone give me some advice possible? Should I be on the outside of the break wall? The depths seemed to be approx 12-22ft deep.

Do I need to get out earlier? There were ZERO people hooping out there so that caught my attention that maybe we werent in the right area/spot

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks,
Bobby

capt lew · 02-22-2008, 11:25 AM

Hey Bobby, how long were you soaking em for, and how late did you guys stay?
Some times they crawl later than others. I have hooped there a few times, usually outside or on the corner.

tykim717 · 02-22-2008, 11:57 AM

watch the moon...it was full couple days ago and is still pretty bright. i've found more skunk days around the full moon. darker the better for hoopin. at least that's what i've learned.

lsdunique · 02-22-2008, 12:18 PM

We let them soak for about 30 min each, maybe a bit more on some.

Is it important to get to the outside of the breakwall?

I was hoping at least to get some shorts to get the blood pumping.

Any other spots outside the harbor that might be worth checking out? We are in a little boat so we might be able to travel a bit if the fishing is worth it.

Is it normal to be the only hoop netter out there? From all the reading I have been doing I thought I was going to be navigating through peoples buoys!

skipjack · 02-22-2008, 12:40 PM

you should have had the nets in the water before sundown

fisha · 03-02-2008, 12:41 AM

dana can be tough..........i have had better luck on the outside of the breakall. only hooped once there this year in our small boat and we got skunked........only a few shorts. sometimes this late in the season you dont see that many, or any people out there. next time try some fresh macks or bonito and cut em in chunks, seems to work. try diffrent depths and spots too if you arent getting anything. any other questions, feel free to PM me! usually hoop at catalina on our bigger boat, but have hooped dana quite a few times

luckycatch · 03-07-2008, 12:48 PM

I've never hooped Dana but outside is always better than inside. The bugs may not even be there yet, they go to deeper water for the winter. Monday night I did get 3 legals and about 20 shorts outside another harbor.

**Joey805** · 03-07-2008, 02:11 PM

It's the end of the season and the bugs are going out to deep water to make babies.

Tough hooping right now overall

spartan44 · 03-07-2008, 02:50 PM

I agree with Joey it is tough right now and probably through out the remainder of season
be paitient and it will happen!!!!!!!!!
Good luck

lsdunique · 03-12-2008, 11:37 AM

Thanks everyone,

We are going out one more time tomorrow night and will try the outside at some various depths.

Just need to see something to get excited for next season!

When you say cut into chunks, do you put them in panty hose then attach the bottom hoop? I have been using zip ties to attach to the bottom hoop, with whole fish.