Ventura Pier

 Got to the Ventura Pier and figured I would go ahead and bring my stuff just in case things looked promising (I need the exercise anyway). While walking up the pier I asked about 6 anglers who were leaving if they had any luck – same response from all of them – NOTHING. Ok so I didn’t hold out hope and figured I would see if the baitfish were in the center hole this night.

Got out to the end of the pier and not one regular was there (that I remember anyway as it has been awhile since I have fished the Pier). Well my favorite spot was open so I went ahead and set up shop and proceeded to drown some Anchovies and Squid (even though they were already dead). Got a couple of nibbles but nothing fancy and no hookups. I decided I would leave the 4500 out in the deep water and put a Sabiki on the 3500 for some center hole jigging. Yep, started nailing the Herring and Perch, seemed like one right after the other. Started getting a lot of attention as no one else was catching anything, turns out most were here on vacation and had never fished Salt Water before. Gave out a few Sabikis so they could join in the fun as they were nice folks.

Well on the 4500 I hooked up with three nice sized Spiny Dogfish Sharks (Pin Backs) and I believe a California Skate but not sure, maybe you guys can verify that for me (link to pictures is below). Well it was getting late or early as the case may be 4:30 AM and figured I had better get home. About then I some how tail hooked a Herring, it started to bleed pretty bad so I stuck it on a hook and slide it down my line and waited 5:00AM and NOTHING time to go. Start packing up, get my 3500 in hooks off sinker removed, cart loaded, went and washed down the reel and then came back. Only need to bring in the 4500 and I could go home when ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZING my line I going out like no tomorrow. I pick up the rod and crank the handle to disengage the Bait Runner, WOW the pole about got ripped from my hands, did the line stop going out now that the Bait Runner was off NO WAY, this thing was pulling drag big time. I’m thinking I nailed a huge Pin Back, suddenly it turns right for me, I reel as fast as I can to gain the slack, finally got the line tight again and gave it a little pull to see if I could get this guy to go back out away from the pier. It was to close and had to much fight left in it. Well the tight line jerk worked, that thing turned around about 10 feet from the pier and broke the surface – YEAH BABY A THRESHER – Oh my blood is boiling now. This bad boy take another leap out of the water and that was all she wrote. 15# line isn’t gonna take a Thresher even on one of my good days.

Well you guessed it, I will be out there again for my Thresher. I didn’t know they would hit a Herring… Time for some heavy leaders and the big rods and reels.

Sinker went out and Sinker GOT BENT but also got BROKE OFF, damn Sinker loses again. Isn’t it about time I win one of these battles. I need too and to get tons of pics so you guys will know I’m not pulling your leg. Pierangler – buddy it is time to hook up…

Date: September 4, 2002; To: PFIC Message Board; From: Sinker; Subject: Ventura Pier – My Best Trip Ever & I didn’t Fish

OK so I didn’t make it to the pier to fish. I did however get to go out and check the action. Three people fishing the entire pier is all and no luck. Did not see any Red Tide but the water is very dirty I assume from being churned up by the heavy surf from Tropical Storm Hernan. Did not see any Kelp but the current was swift, heavy and high. Things did not look inviting.

Now there were a fair number of visitors to the pier, most likely from the restaurant from the front of the pier; Eric Erickson’s.

Alright now for the GOOD STUFF: There was this young lady sitting on one of the benches at the end of the pier watching the sunset, nothing unusual here as this is a common sight. I see a jogger coming up the pier (nothing unusual here either as many jog to the end of the pier) but I have seen this guy many times and personally think he is a jerk. Sure enough he follows his routine of showing off for the girls, as he makes the turn around the end of the pier he jumps up and jogs a few steps on the railing—guess he thinks this impresses the girls. What it actually does is upset the fisherman as poles start bouncing around; the women just think he is a joke. Tonight an awful or in my case an awfully beautiful thing happened. Mr. Stud comes jogging up the pier, winks at the young lady and jumps up to jog on the rail OOPPPPPS Superman was jumped a bit to high and went right over the edge and into the ocean. I hate to admit it but I was laughing so damn hard I didn’t even check to see if he was alright or offer to help him in any way, well I did go look over the edge at him as he swam to shore (the guy had to be big time embarrassed), what a wonderful sight. I am sure he did not have an easy time as the swells and currents were high and rough but he did make it to shore. I believe both due to the rip tide and his embarrassment he swam south of the pier and then continued walking down the beach—guess he was out of energy to jog anymore.

Ross I think you and I were fishing one night when this bozo did this before except without falling over the edge and into the ocean. Wish you could have seen it tonight. Well I may not have got to fish but I must say it was one of the best trips to the pier I have had – Lots of Fun…

Date: November 13, 2002; To: PFIC Message Board; From: Sinker; Subject: Toothy Critters at Ventura Pier 11/13/2002

Fishing Report—Date: Wednesday, November 13, 2002; Time: 8:45pm till 4:00am; Location: Ventura Pier; Conditions: Light Fog Calm; Tide: Low Tide 0.6’ at 11:51pm; Set Up: Hi/Lo with #2 Circle Hooks and a Sliding Sinker rig with 3/0 Circle Hook; Bait: Anchovies, Sardines, Squid, Mackerel, Shrimp, Clams, Mussel, Herring and Skip Jack (Cleaned out the Frig and dumped all the old bait); Catch: 1 Spiny Dogfish Shark and 20 Thornback Rays

Comments: Well the water is still very dirty and churned up from last weeks storm. Interesting night none the less. Met up with the jerk who had started all trash cans fire a while back. Lets just say I doubt he will be doing that again and leave it at that (he is very aware of my feelings towards his actions and him). On a brighter note I got to see a very illuminated moon cross the sky and set in an awesome red color, also got to see 3 shooting stars, and an offshore oil rig doing a burn off.

Now if Thornback Rays were anything special to catch I would have rocked, but as it is I did just like their nickname and Throw Um Back…. Saw one other Dog Fish Caught and a 7 Gill Shark. The 7 Gill went 10 ponds on my Boga Grip and was about 3 feet long, a nice and rare catch for the pier. In fact the pier has seen unusual catches this past year, not only all the constant baitfish but, Electric Rays, Horn Sharks, Large Leopards, Swell Sharks, a number of Black Sea Bass, unusually high numbers of Thresher Sharks although small, good sized Spot Fins and even a few Salmon. Not sure what in the heck is going on but I am not complaining.

Date: April 7, 2003; To: PFIC Message Board; From: Sinker; Subject: Ventura Pier — Dodged a Bullet — Barely

Headed out to Ventura Pier tonight for another try at my mystery fish. Worked the center hole and got some nice 6 to 9” Mackerel for bait. Put one on the main hook (Carolina Rigged) and put down another on a slide line. Active little suckers but did not bring out any Sharks or Mystery Fish.

After catching the Mackerel I cut a squid in half and put half on each hook of the high/low I was using to get the Mackerel, had #6 Circle hooks on it. Cast out next to the jumping Mackerel pole (don’t know how many passersby told me I was getting a bite, had to let them know it was live bait but I think only about half understood). Poles out and time to talk to the regulars, they had a pretty good day with a 4’ Shovelnose (I saw the head as they were using it for crab bait) and they said they tied into 6 Bat Rays with the biggest going 32 pounds.

Right about them my pole with the high/low screams. It is my Seeker rod with a Shimano BaitRunner 4500B. Darn near got spooled and knew it was a Bat Ray from the get go. Man I sure have missed fighting these wonderful creatures. This bad boy was strong and pretty much had his way with me. Got most of my line back and he figured it was his turn again so I watched helplessly as my line went out nonstop till I could again see spool. My turn again and I got him all the way to the pier when he surfaced.

YEAH – I think he might have been the biggest I have ever caught from a pier (my top two are 92#’s and 107#’s), this thing was a beast and a half – HUGE and Beautiful. Also very strong and not tired out or finished with me yet, we saw him, he saw us and took off straight down bye-bye and broke my leader.

Well I re-rigged with a 30-pound leader this time baited up, leaned over the rail to underhand cast, didn’t have enough line out and my hook caught under the pier and my wonderful Seeker Rod and Shimano BaitRunner reel went in the drink—jumped right out of my hand. I about cried and couldn’t believe I did such a thing. I have never lost a pole like that before. Broke out the pier gaff and started working it to no avail, finally gave up and brought up the gaff; hey, I had caught my line! I pulled and pulled 300 yards of line until I got to the spool. Thank Goodness I tied a good knot onto the spool and pulled my rod and reel up on deck—DODGED A BULLET—got my rod and reel back and was very happy. Washed it off good but had no WD40 to spray on it so will have to tear it down tomorrow and give it a good once over. Crazy night—now I am going to bed…

Date: May 14, 2003; To: PFIC Message Board; From: Sinker; Subject: Ventura Pier – For what its worth

When the sharks start to run at Ventura here is what I like to do. I have a couple of PVC pipes that are caped on one end, the end other screws on and has an eyehook in it for attaching it to a rope. I save whatever bait and stuff I have left over and blend it up (yes I have my own blender for this). I like to go ahead and add some fish paste, oils and scents as well and blend it up pretty well.

The PVC pipes have holes drilled in them so when you pour this stuff in it just comes out the holes, I wrap the pipes in Saran Wrap (you know that clear sticky wrap) and tape over it to keep it from leaking out. I then fill them up, screw the tops on and place them in the freezer (the garage freezer which is for my bait and was more expensive than the blender).

When we go out fishing we bring these PVC pipes along and tie a rope to them (after removing the Saran Wrap) and throw them out, they slowly melt away chumming while they do so (this method gives you extended chum time)…

Now for one last important part, tie the rope off to the pier. We have had sharks grab the PVC pipes and run with them; kind of fun to see. I guess the currents could also wash them away. So when you night is over, pull in the rope and you have your PVC chum pipes ready to be re-filled and used again. Not perfect but it’s what we do and NO I have no idea if it really helps but I will do about anything to increase my odds.

Date: June 14, 2003; To: PFIC Message Board; From: Sinker; Subject: Shark Fest at Ventura Pier — Wild Night

Fishing Report—Date: Friday, June 13, 2003; Time: 7:45pm till 5:30am; Location: Ventura Pier – South East Corner, End of Pier; Conditions: Great night, nice bright moon, large swells but very manageable; Tide: High Tide 6.9’ at 9:04pm, Low Tide -1.7 at 4:31am (6/14/2003)

Set Up: Fenwick Techna AV Rod with Shimano Calcutta 400 TE Reel and Fenwick HMX Rod with Shimano Calcutta 400 CT Reel – Both Rods set up Carolina Rigged with a 3oz egg sinker, Wire leader and 3/0 hooks; Bait: Squid and Mackerel with most every catch on cut Mackerel; Catch: 2 Thorn Back Rays and 23 Pin Back Sharks (Spiny Dogfish) yes 23 of them with the largest going 13 lbs.