5ft. Power Plant Shovelnose 7-12-03

**Flipper** · 07-12-2003, 06:30 PM

FISHING REPORT 7-12-03
Location: Mandalay Beach (power plant)
Time: 9am to 3pm
Weather: Overcast, 5mph wind, but warm
Tackle: 15ft Ocuma Tundra Surf Rod w/40lbs test
Bait: Mackerel, Squid, and Anchovy
Catch: 4, thornback ray and 1, 5ft (28lbs)shovelnose shark
Summary: I got to the power plant later than I had wanted (9am), and ran into Marvin aka BlackLion... he had been fishing since daybreak. We both didnt get any hits (no bites at all) untill about noon. I then got a call from Phillip aka Balonie telling me he was on his way down too. Shortly after that call Marvin helped me pull a 5ft. shovelnose guitarfish out of the surf. I ended up finding out I hooked it in the tail. The shark was accually 1in. short of 5ft. At first I thought it only weighed 22lbs, but upon a second weigh in it was accually 28lbs (boy what a fatty!). Good thing I changed out my line from 20lbs test to 40lbs. Balonie ended up showing up just after that and took this picture.

BlackLion was now not ready to catch something and ended up landing a halibit. It was a shorty, but after a day full of slow fishing, it was great! Balonie also took the picture below for us.Marvin ended his day shortly after that, but Balonie and I kept on truckin. After pulling in 4 thornbacks myself, and I think 3 for Balonie, we also called it a day at 3pm sharp.
In all a poor day for fishing the power plant (no bites) but with the biggest shovelnose Ive caught and the first Hali Ive seen in person caught at the power plant... it was a fine day!
I need to go now and prep for tomorrows trip to Anacapa Island. My uncles are taking the boat out again and Balonie and I are tagging along. Hope to post an even bigger shark tomorrow[img]smileys/smiley16.gif[/img].
ps.Great seeing you again Marvin aka BlackLion. I look forward to fishing with you again soon!
Mike "flipper" Thompson

**Flipper** · 07-12-2003, 06:37 PM

Note: I did try to post the hali pic but it wouldnt upload. Dont know why because its a small file 20.5kb... I will try posting it again later or something.....sorry Marvin

Mike "flipper" Thompson.

**Flipper** · 07-12-2003, 07:49 PM

Ha! It works now... [img]smileys/[/img] This is BlackLions Hali Pic...

Mike "flipper" Thompson

fishingbeast · 07-12-2003, 11:49 PM

Thanks guys on report. Hope to fish with you all.

BlackLion · 07-13-2003, 09:09 PM

Hey Flipper/Balonie,

Thanks for the report! Man I was there and still can't believe how big that shovelnose was. Looks like pretty good eating to me. Thanks for the photo. It wasn't much, but better than getting totally skunked. Hope you guys had a great day on the boat at Anacapa and hope to see you out there soon.

BlackLion

**Joey805** · 07-15-2003, 09:05 AM

Very nice shovelnose Mike! You must be having to eat shark every day for as many as you catch huh? That one was bigger than mine!I bet switching to the heavier line helped alot. I landed mine on a lite spinning rod with 6 pound test line. After an hour of playing the fish, I was pretty tired. I just kept wishing I had hooked that fish on the heavier setup. It was definatley a workout and I was by myself.

As soon as I get the armed guard to stand next to my car, I'll be out there..hehe

**Flipper** · 07-15-2003, 09:13 AM

Wow, 6lbs test? I saw that dog you caught and it must have been fun bringing it in on a lite-setup! Sweet. Not having someone to help (or no gaf or net) also had to increase the difficulty level. Nice, I didnt know that. -but no, cant eat shark everyday... Ive got a bunch of frozen steaks in my freezer. My roomate is starting to get pissed...lol. [img]smileys/smiley16.gif[/img]

Get that armed guard man! hahaha...

Mike "flipper" Thompson