Rookie Debut

Unless my car breaks down on the way, I’ll be launching from Mother’s Beach (LAB) at dawn tomorrow (5-31-19). If I catch anything I’ll (try to) snap some pics.  Anyone interested in joining me just show up. I’ll be the 61 year old white guy with a gray mustache wearing a baseball cap, waders, and nervous expression on my face.

Good luck buddy be safe and let us know how it goes.

Good luck out there tomorrow MarkG.

I think you just described about half of my friends.

You're going to launch at mothers beach MarkG? I was planning to hit LAB tomorrow morning. I'll head over that way to launch. I'll be the skinny white dude with a tube.

Okay Bob, sounds good. I set my alarm for 5, and I live in Cerritos. I drive a black Tundra truck. Will be parking on the street...
Hope to see you...

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Well, it was a great experience——and I didn’t drown!  Arrived at LAB around 5:45.  Had a little trouble with my “backpack straps” (once I had the boat on my back I had a helluva time getting out of the makeshift straps).  Launch was smooth. I copied what Ornery Bob’s video told me to do.  I got the hang of “correct” kicking after about 10 minutes.  I explored the docks for the first 3 hours with zero action.  Yes, I tried most of the popular baits everyone uses except HookUp (I have some on order). I was getting slightly bummed because I thought I was going to get skunked—-and the tide was turning so I was concerned about being able to kick back to the beach.  So——I tied on a 3” brown/gold flake BH and let out about 15 yards on line.  I put the rod in the holder so I guess you could say the bait was being trolled. I was in semi-open water running parallel to a long mooring dock. I know this was an eel grass area because the lure was gettting small snags at times.  After about 5 minutes the rod goes bendo.  A nice 12 or 13” spotties!  Fought like a healthy one.  Then, about 15 minutes later, the same thing happened.  Now, THIS is why I wanted to get a tube!  Let’s see if can post these pics...

Congtratz on a successful outing and catching a few spotties.


Thanks for sharing.

Alright MarkG I think we hooked another tuber everyone. Hook line and sinker just like that. Thanks for sharing and Congradulations on your first saltwater outting.

Great first day MarkG. Sorry, I didnt get to the beach till just after 6 (live in Eastvale and traffic was heavier than usual) and missed you. I launched and went left toward the bridge since I only had about 2.5 hrs to play with before work. The bite was slow for me too, it took me awhile to realize they wanted it slow. I ended up with a short spotty and a white seabass. I'll send my number next time to coordinate a better linkup.

Thanks to all—-and no problem Bob...

WTG MarkG.........welcome to the dark side...........GT

GT:  Thanks for your welcome.  Are my thigh muscles going to ache like this forever?

MarkG they'll get use to it. First time I float tubed my legs were smoked and hurt for 2 days and I run about 10-20 miles a week. A different type of workout. Now I can tube all day and I'm tired but not sore. I still need to learn how to tube smarter not harder ( use the current and wind to my advantage), but I'm also stubborn.

well until you get into tubing more..........also type of fins your using and try to not fight the tides, let the tides work to your advantage.......GT

I knew you'd figure it out Mark. Welcome to another fishing addiction. These bay fish can pull hard and surprise you!

Great report MarkG!
Thank you for sharing your session w/ pic's!

SP Dan      <"))><