This spectacular view of the Sea of Japan and the mountains on the west coast of Japan reminded author Lance Sawa of fishing trips off the Ventura coast with his dad. Catching a cooler full of yellowtail only enhanced the memory. (LANCE SAWA)
TALES AND ’TAILS FROM TWILIGHT ZONE THE
YEARS AFTER A MEMORABLE EVENING FISHING TRIP OFF VENTURA WITH HIS DAD, AN ANGLER ENJOYS HOT AFTER-DARK BITE ON THE SEA OF JAPAN By Lance Sawa
I
t’s a little bit before 5 p.m. and I am on a boat about to leave the dock for some twilight fishing on the California coast. My dad and I have been invited aboard, and the nighttime bite has been going strong. The last week has seen limits of sand bass every night, with a few calico bass and barracuda being caught as well. We also fill a
couple of empty spots and increase the fish count for the boat. On the way out we rig the rods. We both have one rod with a slider and a hook for live bait. I opt to fish a leadhead jig with a plastic tail for some of the large sand bass. Dad decides to throw a top lure for a chance at a barracuda or two. Within 30 minutes the boat arrives at the spot, an oil rig off the Ventura coast. Everyone is ready in a flash to fish. calsportsmanmag.com | OCTOBER 2021 California Sportsman
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