This time I was originally suppose to attend the FLW Tour Finals, but unfortunately it was cancelled. And due to the cancellation, Brent got a day off so the 3 of us (Brent, Mr. M, and I) decided to go saltwater boat fishing.

We departed from Newport Landing where I’ve been departing from often lately, and went on a local passenger boat from there. The target fish last month was Scorpaenopsis, but this time according to the fishing report from the day before, it is the Rockfish. We started at a position 1.5hrs offshore and it was right in the middle between Newport and Catalina Island. At a fishing point 430ft in water depth, I attached an 8oz weight and dropped it all the way to the bottom!! I’ve never experienced such water depth and as I reeled, I realized the line wasn’t enough!! And while experiencing such accidents, Bass Pro Angler, Brent would continue catching nice size fishes. Pro Anglers are amazing!! He showed me at what range the fishes were at and to reel 30times from the bottom! I did exactly as told and I kept getting bites!! And from there, it is up to your very own skills on how to catch it! Brent also advised me, unlike fishing Rockfish and/or Flounders (Hirame) where you immediately make a move after a bite, first have it swallow its bait (Sardines and/or squid) and when you feel the pull, then start pulling it up! Also, when fishing in deep areas the timing of adjustment is a little different where you don’t pull with your rod. Instead, you use your reel and spin it about 4 times and then pull at once. Finally, you need to use the bent of the rod to catch it well. I again did exactly what Brent taught me and waited a little after a hit… I had a big hit!! My rod was bent like I’ve never seen before! It was really tough to reel it from 450ft below… but I was able to catch my very first big Rockfish!! It won’t compare to a real BIG fish, but I did catch a lot! In result Brent caught about 20 fishes and I caught about 7 including the ones I released. Pro Anglers definitely have something different!!! Can they talk to fishes or something!? It is strange… but extremely amazing.

Sandy
The Daily Flash Minnow

P.S. I was taught how to tie a loop for the first time!!

Took Gracelyn out after that noisy old gobbler this morning. We called in that big old bird and had him strutting and gobbling inside 20 yards for over 15 minutes, but she could never get a clear shot. It brought back great memories of hunting with my older kids at that age.
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Today we finally saw some sunshine at my home in southern Ohio and we took full advantage of it. I spent much of the morning at my house with my producer, Jim, and editor, Larry, along with some of the folks from American Modern Insurance shooting a new commercial for them. It went very well.
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Kelly Jordon talks about the Lucky Craft Crank Bait Flat D-20.

Rick Clunn speaks to The Bassholes at the 2009 Bassmaster Classic.

One question that I get a lot from our Ultimate Match Fishing fans is “Isn’t it hard to just stand there and watch (I feel like I do a little more than just watch) while the anglers catch all those fish in UMF?” Well, the answer to that question is pretty simple: heck yeah, it’s tough! I love to fish, so when they are whacking them I can hardly stand it!
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Spotted bass dominated again on Lake Lanier in our UMF Match between 19 year old Elite Series Rookie of the Year Bradley Roy and Elite Series seven year veteran Russ Lane. I could nor have been happier with this week’s matches and how Lake Lanier fished. It will make some great TV!
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Match 5 of Ultimate Match Fishing on Lake Lanier is now in the history books! Elite Series Anglers David Walker and Tim Horton put on quite a show. The water temps on Lanier continue to rise and the bass are quickly vacating the spawning beds, but fishing is still very good. One more match tomorrow and then I get to head home!
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Going south from our office (for my search for new fishing locations), I have a mission to use the Flash Minnow in different areas to find out what type of fishes can be fished! I am very excited for this new project! To start off, I first decided to go to the “Anglers’ Center” to get some information on recommended fishing spots. From the information I received, I immediately headed first to Laguna Beach. Then for some reason, there were a lot of people just swimming at the beach and I saw no other fisherman there. With my rod in one hand I was walking along the beach and a life guard noticed me and informed me that fishing is not allowed here. I was surprised to hear that and immediately headed back to my car. And on my way back I noticed a sign that said “Marine Protected Area”, basically means fishing is limited. It was completely my lack of research…

I left Laguna Beach and headed down south on PCH for about 15 minutes and arrived in Salt Creek Beach Park. Here they didn’t have any “Protected Area” restrictions so I started fishing. I then realized it is one of the shallowest beaches I’ve ever fished in. Even when I make a full cast, it won’t exceed the wave, but I continued to cast while walking along the coast. I didn’t get any response so I decided to change locations. I went even more down south to Dana Point and fished at the pier side right in front of the tram station. I aimed for some fishes near the buildings but again no fish. It was in the afternoon already and I went back towards Newport and started fishing again in Corona Del Mar which is on the other side of Newport. At this place there were a lot of rocky areas and kept beds and seemed to be difficult aiming in the mid-area. I imagined some Calico Bass arriving in the surface, so I continued to cast in between kept beds, but got nothing. Pelicans continued to dive into the water for some baits and seals kept popping their heads out from the ocean. When the evening bites were approaching, my expectations were getting high. But before it even became high tide the waves were splashing intensely and became dangerous to fish by the rocky area so I ended my fishing there.

Sandy
The Daily Flash Minnow

P.S. Please be aware that it becomes possible to fish from around Dana Point in the southern area.