Wow, that was some interesting weather last weekend. It felt like we had taken Catalina Island and moved it into the South Pacific. Humidity and heat were up, thunderstorms rolled through and we got rain; beautiful rain.
Wow, that was some interesting weather last weekend. It felt like we had taken Catalina Island and moved it into the South Pacific. Humidity and heat were up, thunderstorms rolled through and we got rain; beautiful rain.
It was fun to watch the folks along Front Street during one of the downpours.
They were excited, animated even.
Visitors were gathered in groups and chatting about the weather.
They were hunkered down anywhere and everywhere there was any cover.
Weather that could have been a bummer, turned into entertainment. Nobody was yelling at kids, I did not see one person stressing to get their group organized for an outing. It was just the most calming and relaxing rain I had ever noticed. Clearly, weather affects us.
We are not the only ones. Dramatic weather systems affect fish in some odd ways.
Fresh water bass fisherman claim that the bass go “on the chew” before a storm.
It seems the fish go on a feeding binge to make sure that they will weather the storm.
I am not sure whether this kind of weather changes the behavior of salt water fish.
However, I can tell you that we all prefer fishing in good weather, so we most likely put in more effort before a storm, knowing that we may not get back on the water for a couple of days.
Afishinados Charters gets a lot of repeat customers, such as the Auerbachs.
They have chartered Afishinados every year for a number of years.
Each year they get all pumped up for big yellowtail, but we have failed to deliver a trophy fish of that species.
We have delivered good fishing on each charter, and they rave about the fresh fish tacos they have made from their various catches.
Still, no big yellows.
It seems something crazy always happens when the Auerbachs show up.
I wrote a story about this family and one of their trips with us.
That story made it in my recent book, “Fish Tales and Long Sails.”
The story is named “Landing a Giant” and it chronicles their capture of “Walter,” a Giant Black Sea Bass and the difficult, but successful, release of the fish.
Picture a 24-year-old stud cradling a 250-pound fish and repeatedly diving it down as deep as possible trying to reverse the effects of embolism on the fish.
After many tries, the fish finally gained its strength and bolted away in a flash.
Quite a story, but we did get pictures to prove it.
When the Auerbachs showed up again this year a monsoonal flow and high pressure system was forecast.
They stopped into Afishinados Gallery Store to confirm their charter with Karen.
“Walter” was in the window.
“Is that Walter?” Bob Auerbach asked.
“Yep. It is an incredible work of art by local artist Mike Beamon.” Karen said.
Bob was quick to respond, “I’ve got to have it!”
And so, “Walter” returned to the Auerbachs.
But that is not the end to this fish story.
The next morning we all went fishing just before that high pressure system hit us.
We hooked and landed a nice 25-pound yellowtail on the very first bait that hit the water. Fishing was great.
We came home with flags flying for calico, barracuda, bonito and nine yellowtail; all “personal bests” for the anglers! Sometimes the magic works.
Capt. John runs Afishinados Charter and Catallac Tours at 888-613-7770.
