Biting / October 6, 2016

Rodge Garage Baits x Radio Silence Fishing x Warbaits

I recently traveled from Washington State to southern California to meet up with my friends Justin Reynolds, from Radio Silence Fishing, and Afran Abutin, from Warbaits. The goal was to fish San Clemente Island, Santa Barbara Island, and Catalina Island over the course of three dark-to-dark days. Unfortunately the wind and ocean had a different plan, so we ended up fishing Catalina, Malibu, PV, and some coastline south of Huntington Beach. The following images tell a better story than I can write.

Justin holds a fish that fell for a Pearl Swimbait on a 2oz. Warbaits head.
Justin holds a large bass that fell for a Pearl Swimbait on a 2oz. Warbaits head.
Just 30 something miles away from millions of humans, yet not a single human in sight, just views fit for a king.
Just 30 something miles away from millions of humans, yet not a single human in sight, just views fit for a king.
Dealing with calicos with trebles hooks is risky business. Justin reaches for pliers to reduce chances of injury.
Dealing with agro calicos with trebles in their face is risky business. Justin reaches for pliers to reduce chance of injury.
Harsh for humans, yet sea life flourishes here.
Harsh for humans, yet sea life flourishes here.
Two friends exchange words while sharing adventure that nourishes the soul.
Two friends exchange words while sharing adventure that nourishes the soul.
Myself and Afran with a double while throwing Kicker 25 Light surface irons.
Afran (right) and I with a double while throwing Kicker 25 Light surface irons. Photo: Justin Reynolds
Earthly words cannot describe this place or the feelings it evokes.
Earthly words cannot describe this place or the feelings it evokes.

On our way home we fished for spotties and any other creatures willing to bite in the harbor.

Afran holding a large spotty fooled by the cranko baito.
Afran holding a large spotty fooled by the cranko baito.
Spotted Bay Bass wearing full make-up and excited to be caught by Afran.
Spotted bay bass in full makeup and excited to be caught by Afran.
Justin watches my rod bend and says "It's probably a halibut." It goes fully airborne and I say "It's a halibut!".
Justin watched my rod bend and said “It’s probably a halibut.” Two seconds later it goes fully airborne and I shout “It’s a halibut!”. Photo: Justin Reynolds

The second day Justin and I headed up to Malibu to fish coastline I had never seen or even fished. The coastline had biters and we were happy we went.

Kelp bass are insanely gorgeous life forms created to be voracious killers.
Kelp bass are insanely gorgeous life forms created to be voracious killers.
Fully conned by a Rodge Garage swimbait.
One of many bass fully conned by a Rodge Garage swimbait. Photo: Justin Reynolds

We clicked a bunch of calicos on the fish counter and made our way back to PV to finish the day.

A micro yellow fell for a Kicker 25L.
A micro yellow fell for a Kicker 25L.

Justin and I began throwing weedless swimbaits hoping that big fish would become activated so that the “Full Body Experience” would go into full effect.

Bass call kelp home and science calls them kelp bass.
Bass call kelp home and science calls them kelp bass.
My PB calico on my own weedless swimbait!
8 is Great! My PB calico on my own Rodge Garage 8″ weedless swimbait. Photo: Justin Reynolds
Another angle of a fish that was almost as old as me. This is why we release these fish. Photo: Justin Reynolds
Another angle of a fish that was almost as old as me; that is why we release these fish. Photo: Justin Reynolds
A shot for science, and to remember her large eyes staring at me.
A shot for science, and to remember those massive gorgeous eyes.
Catching an eight pound calico bass has been a goal of my since 2014. I wouldn't have wanted anyone else, but Justin there to share the experience with me and capture the event.
Catching an eight pound calico bass had been a goal of mine since 2014. I was glad Justin was there to share the experience.

By the third day of fishing, the pressure was off, in a way, since I had caught my 8 pounder, but we still wanted to sling baits and catch angry fish. We focused on trying to catch big jacks, but they were unwilling, so we fished for bass the remainder of the day, telling jokes and laughing mostly.

The cycle of life.
The cycle of life. Justin digitally captures a dead whale as I capture them both with a single click.
Justin: "Cast there Jeff". Me: "Ok". Bass: "Splash".
Justin: “Cast there Jeff”. Me: “Ok”. Bass: “Splash”. Photo: Justin Reynolds
Witnessing beautiful creations while on the water will never get old.
Witnessing beautiful creations while on the water will never get old.
Some say bad luck; I say alien. A mola mola catches sun rays before fleeing the scene.
Some say bad luck; I say alien. A mola mola catches sun rays before fleeing the scene.
Justin sends a hard bait into a lane fully knowing they will devour it.
Justin sends a hard bait into a lane fully knowing they will devour it.

On the way back to Justin’s place, we tossed baits for spotties and both caught fish over the 2 pound mark. We smiled and laughed as we tossed the bass back into the salty water.

Justin holds up a fine specimen. Don't let their size fool you; they are strong fighters.
Justin holds up a fine specimen. Don’t let their size fool you; they are some of the meanest fish on the coast.

In the end, I was sad to leave, but excited knowing there would be a next time. Fishing with two of the fishiest calico hunters on the California coast was definitely an intense experience. Thank you Justin and Afran for sharing an adventure that will never be forgotten. I look forward to future adventures with both of you. I want to give a special thank you to Justin for being an amazing human, and always showing me a great time on the ocean.

For anyone wanting a rad experience calico fishing, I recommend you reach out to Capt. Justin Reynolds on his website radiosilencefishing.com. You will not regret it.

This is Jeff Rodgers,

OVER & OUT

 

 

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