Chuck and I don’t get to fish as much as I would like. I really mean that too. This day, however, was playtime for Chuck and me. Fishing San Diego Bay on the outside was our plan. If you have ever been in the doors of Anglers Arsenal, and had the great opportunity to talk to Chuck, you would know his heart is deep within the waters where the big ones live. This year in San Diego bass fishing, his team tournament partner (Cameron) and himself have taken home several plaques and checks, and are currently team of the year. “We are simply clicking,” Chuck says.

We both were away from our usual grind. Myself; I’m usually so busy making sure my clients have fun and catch fish that I don’t do much fishing myself. Chuck; he’s usually busy working one of his three jobs, or fishing a tournament and dealing with the pressures to perform. This left Chuck and I a great opportunity to try new things – to explore strange new waters – to go where no bait caster had gone before. Well, maybe not that dramatic. But, we did fish some new stuff, and new areas, and it paid off in ways I can’t explain without showing you my GPS. I can tell you that Chuck hooked up on two sand bass that were at least three pounds, and I think the second one was very close to four. Nice Fish! He made it look easy with his lead head and Western Plastics Shrimp Tail. Me, I worked the Skinny Bear football laced with a Kalin’s Mogambo Grub. I did have one really nice pull on that bait that I could not turn the head on. With my drag wrenched down, that fish still managed to get me on some bull kelp. A few minutes after hovering over the snag, and up comes my lure with nothing attached. Argh! After poking around a few other spots with very minimal results, we went down to a go-to spot for me. Once I found the desired depth -37’ with my drop shot and Gulp, it was on. Chuck switched to a Western Plastics Swim Tail, and did pretty fair with some Bass. I caught a few Bass, but I mostly mastered the underling Halibut. I must have caught a dozen of them 12-20 inches.

Unfortunately, we couldn’t stay too long. We actually left at the best time to be there. Go figure. That’s what happens when you schedule bay fishing around the day planner, and not the tide chart. Oh well.

It was a great time with a wonderful person, fisherman, and brother. This trip also set up some information that I have been able to rely on ever since. Next time Chuck, we’re getting you a Bonefish.