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19 minute read
FLATFISH IN THE FAR EAST
Author Lance Sawa learned a lot about halibut fishing in California from his friend Jimmy (right), but he never managed to score a legal-sized one off the Southland coast. He gave it another try in his new home, Japan. (LANCE SAWA)
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FLATTIE AFTER BEING LEFT COLD BY CALIFORNIA HALIBUT, AN ANGLER TRIES AGAIN IN JAPAN FULFILLMENT
By Lance Sawa
Marina Del Rey, a coastal community not far from LAX, has a small halibut derby that my family and family friends would participate in when I was younger.
The organizers were a small, tightknit group and seemed to know all the anglers. This derby was the only time each year that I would see certain fishermen, people who I knew and who knew my family. Even though it was a tournament and a competition, I remember very few of us took it seriously, though whenever we all put out rods, we’d still check them regularly.
We’d move the boat and reset lines as the day drifted slowly by, and over the years our group would grow and shrink. Some of us moved far away, some married and started families,
Sawa booked a spot on a charter boat in the coastal city of Niigata, on the Sea of Japan side of the island nation. At the dock was a message about social distancing, advising people to stay one bluefin tuna length away from others. (LANCE SAWA)
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some stopped fishing for personal reasons, some are no longer with us.
Over a weekend, a year’s worth of stories would come out. Funny stories. Sad stories. Long stories that were hours-long epics. Short and sweet stories. No matter the story, I was there to hear them as I watched the rod tips. If anyone got a bite, I told the person quickly. The fish would come here and there, some thrown back in and others taken into port to be weighed.
Jimmy, a great family friend, was relaxing with us when I noticed his rod had a slight nibble. I pointed at his rod and he just nodded. Many times I went to Jimmy’s house in Ventura, where instead of a backyard he had his own dock and moored to it was his own boat that he would use in the local waters. It seemed like he would only go fishing for salmon, though – for reasons unknown to me.
“Aren’t you going to get it?” I asked, nervously watching the fish bite.
“Not just yet.” Jimmy seemed to not even care about it at all.
After about five minutes that felt like five hours to an energetic kid, Jimmy slowly got up and picked up the rod. Setting the hook and winding a few times, the fight was on. The tip was bouncing in that flat halibut way. Everyone was watching as he carefully and expertly brought the fish in.
I was the closest person to Jimmy and so was tasked with netting his fish. Being so young at the time, I really did not want to do it. What if I missed or knocked it off the line – or maybe even broke the line all together?
He advised me that even if that did happen, it wouldn’t matter. Jimmy also said that all I had to do was put the net into the water; he would guide the fish into the net and then tell me when to pull it out.
Just as I calmed down with his words, we saw deep color. This made me slightly nervous, but I waited and remembered what he said. The fish was almost to the surface and I put the net into the water. Jimmy perfectly guided what we could now all see as a halibut into the net. I gently pulled up the net and we had our first fish of the weekend. In remembering it now, I kept thinking about this factoid: I never did catch a legal halibut in all my years of fishing in California.
FAST FORWARD AND AFTER one long Japanese winter finally ended, I was ready to go fishing once again. I had
wanted to go on the ocean again and decided that Niigata, on the western coast of the main island of Honshu and about a four-hour drive northwest of Tokyo, was the best place.
But I had a few things holding me back. I had no tackle and no idea where to fish. I began to look around and found a few nice places to go, and some even had a calendar of what fish could be caught during certain times of the year.
The calendar was a true blessing and curse, though. It seemed that every time I wanted to go fishing, the fish I wanted to try for was out of season. I always missed the yellowtail season by a week or so. Sea bass season is so short that you can blink and miss it; plus the boats are full months in advance.
But I was just in time for halibut season. A charter sold tackle and rented rods, and I asked for both from the helpful woman on the phone.
The boat left at two different times – either at 5 p.m. or at 11 p.m., with both trips lasting five-and-a-half hours. I was not looking forward to a twilight trip, but I decided on the 5 p.m. option. When I arrived, the woman on the phone was also doing all the paperwork in their office, and I loved the sign about social distancing, which to them was the length of a bluefin tuna.
The crew was great and explained everything to me because I had rented a rod. The captain was helpful and said that if I had any problems, I should ask him. The deckhand showed me where and how the boat systems worked, including the 12-volt electric motor for the automatic reel. That was a joy to use, but I couldn’t get used to it and ended up hand-cranking it in and it was at only about 70 fathoms, which isn’t much anyway.
Speaking of electronics, I was amazed at the amount of technology some people brought for fishing. One guy had a personal fish finder that told him depth, what kind of fish were below and where his bait was. Some had LED lights above their hooks and baits. Most had two rods and one even had three, with one just for catching Spanish mackerel. The
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rod knew when a fish was hooked and reeled up automatically for it to then be used for bait. I was happy with one rod with a depth clicker.
FOR BAIT WE ALL had Spanish mackerel bought back at the dock. That helpful woman was once again to the rescue; she had it all ready to go, for the original price she quoted me. On the boat, the deckhand showed me where to put the bait into my own personal livewell, with fresh water pumped in to keep the fish alive and healthy.
On the way out, I rigged up with a double-hook setup but with a huge sinker for the depth. I was surprised that the anchor was dropped and we did not drift. We also did not fish the bottom. The captain informed us that the fish were from about 3 to 6 feet off the bottom. My rod tip was very flexible and looked like I could tie it into a bow – another variable I was
Live Spanish mackerel made for good halibut bait for the anglers aboard the vessel. (LANCE SAWA)
Lights on the water drew “random fish” to the boat as the anglers fished. (LANCE SAWA)
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not used to. I followed the crew’s instructions and began waiting.
The man next to me with a personal fish finder was the first to hook up. It took about an hour for him to get it. I took the time to check my bait and reset it in the 3- to 6-foot zone.
Some people started fishing for more bait as the sun slowly set. A light was put into the water for safety so other boats could see us. Another huge light above the deck was turned on for the same reason.
Almost two hours in, I noticed my rod acting strangely. I watched it closely because I was not sure what to make of it. There was a slight tap but maybe it was just the Spanish
As the evening twilight flickered, Sawa had his first-ever keeper halibut to take home. (LANCE SAWA)
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mackerel. Another tap. Then the tip bent even more than before; I grabbed it from the rod holder and set the hook. Instantly that flat feeling was there. I set my drag a little too loose and in the first run, the halibut took about 10 feet of line.
I tightened the drag just the tiniest amount and reeled down into it. I got those 10 feet back quickly – plus another 20 feet. The deckhand was next to me with a net watching.
The electric reel beeped to tell me I was just 15 feet from the surface; and then the fish took another run. Another beep signified that it was 3 feet from the surface. The braided line ended and I could see the leader coming out of the water.
In one fell swoop, the deckhand netted the halibut into the boat. And that flat sound on the deck brought back so many memories of those days in Southern California.
The trailer treble hook had gotten the halibut cleanly in the side of the mouth. The fish was taken to be stored in cold water to stay cool and fresh.
After the excitement died down, I went back to waiting for another bite. I noticed random fish swimming
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On this night for Sawa it was all about the halibut – two of them – and memories of fishing for the species with family and friends in California ... (LANCE SAWA)
around the boat – most likely attracted to the lights.
I threw a jig to try to catch something, as I kept one eye on the rod tip. A needlefish was tempted into a strike and it was put into the icebox to show my son Nico. Another hour went by and the random fish disappeared, leaving me to go back to watching my rod tip again.
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AT ABOUT 8 P.M. I got another weird tap on my line. Again, I watched it – unsure if it was my bait or another larger diner. Once again, a second tap and then a third tap. The taps stopped, but just when I reached for the rod to check the bait, it bent hard.
I pulled the rod out of its holder and set the hook. This time the drag was correct and it only moved 5 feet, but it was a smaller fish. Then came the now-familiar 15-foot beep, the 3-foot beep and out came the net again.
Before I realized it, another halibut was thumping on the deck at my feet. I had to cross an ocean to get a halibut, and while one fish would have made me happy, with two in the box – plus that bonus needlefish – I was over the moon. CS
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BIG LAKE, BIG FISH CLEAR LAKE’S NATIONALLY KNOWN BASS FISHERY MAKES IT A PRIME DESTINATION
Editor’s note: Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Clear Lake was closed to out-of-area anglers throughout the spring and while open at press time, contact Lake County officials (800- 525-3743; lakecounty.com) for updated information before heading there.
By Jim Dickson
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Clear Lake’s place as bass capital of the West comes with plenty of evidence to support the moniker.
California’s largest natural lake – fully within the state’s borders – covers 68 square miles and was recently ranked by Bassmaster as the number one bass lake of the last decade. Since the magazine began ranking bass waters in 2012, Clear has consistently appeared high in national rankings and most years was best in the West.
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BIG BASS ABOUND The largest bass caught there so far weighed in at a whopping 17.52 pounds. That was back in 1990, but a 16.07-pounder was landed in April 2019. While Clear is most famous for largemouth, it hosts a variety of other species, including bluegill, crappie, catfish and carp. The state-record white crappie was caught there back in 1971 and scaled 4 pounds, 8 ounces. Now that’s a big crappie!
Fishing is so famous at Clear that before the coronavirus hit, 113 tournaments were scheduled to be held there this year, the majority for bass. After all, two-thirds of the fish caught in this lake are bass. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife aims to keep it that way and they regularly stock Clear with fish. So this lake definitely stacks the odds in favor of bass fishermen.
After all, bass fishing is now a multibillion-dollar industry and they are the most sought-after fish in the country. Talk about popularity!
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CHANCE TO CATCH A LUNKER The aforementioned lake record bass is close enough to the joint world record 22.25-pounders, caught in Georgia in 1932 and Japan in 2009, to give many Western anglers hope
Bass boats can crowd even the massive waters of Clear Lake, which produces some of the country’s best fishing for largemouth and hosts a multitude of tournaments. There are nearly a dozen launch ramps. (PETER TIRA)
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that Clear may eventually produce an even bigger fish.
There are also tournaments for crappie and catfish. And no matter what type of fish you are after, this lake offers them in abundance. Some anglers who aren’t targeting the popular black bass prefer just to catch a stringer full of bluegills on a cane pole. It’s hard to beat that for fun; plus bluegills are very tasty.
The late Jack Rowe, who represented the United States at the International Carp Fishing Championships in Europe a few years back, said he preferred carp fishing because he caught a big fish every time he went out. There is a lot to be said for that.
Carp may be too bony to be good eating, but so are tarpon, which are considered a prime ocean game fish. And while carp may not leap about when hooked like a tarpon, they and catfish pull like a bulldozer on the line.
They take second place to no fish when it comes to putting up a fight and no one ever doubted the table fare popularity of a channel cat, which the lake produces plenty of, particularly in the hot Lake County summer.
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Most anglers head to Clear Lake for a chance at a big bass, like these lucky anglers did fishing with local guide Don Paganelli. (DON’S BASS FISHING EXPERIENCE)
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Deo Tira caught this nice largemouth last summer along the shoreline at Lakeside County Park near Kelseyville. (PETER TIRA)
CONDUCIVE TO GREAT FISHING Conditions are very good at Clear Lake from a fish’s point of view, including plenty of warm and shallow water. The average depth is 27 feet, with a maximum depth of 60 feet. Water temperature averages 40 degrees in the winter and a warm 76 degrees in the summer.
The lake does not fill up with silt because it sits on a massive stone block that tilts north at the same rate sediment fills in the lake; thus it keeps a relatively constant depth.
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A YEAR-ROUND FISHERY February is prespawn time for Clear Lake bass. Big swimbaits, Alabama rigs, and slow moving crankbaits work well. The bass are feeding on Clear Lake hitch, a fish native to these
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waters. As these forage fish move up to the creeks to spawn, they provide a great food source for the bass.
By the beginning of March, some of the largemouth have moved up to beds and are starting to spawn. Flipping plastic worms along the edges and docks works well, with a slow-moving crankbait working even better. As you get into spring and postspawn, the reaction bite can be fantastic. Topwater cranks, plastic worms and spinnerbaits will catch fish for you all summer long.
Summer is also an opportunity to catch lots of fish. While catfishing is popular this time of year, in mid-July the Lake County Record-Bee reported that the bass fishing was at a “torrid pace” and many anglers were landing up to 20 fish per outing.
Clear Lake has plenty of lakeshore access at public parks and resorts. There are 11 free boat ramps for whatever boat you bring along (check with local authorities for launch ramp availability due to the COVID-19 pandemic).
Bait shops are plentiful and these can usually give you the most updated information about what the fish are biting on at that given time.
There are also plenty of fishing guides who will take you to the best spots on their boat and help you get a good catch. A good example is Don Paganelli of Don’s Bass Fishing Experience (916-502-3474; guidebass.net). CS
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THE ALL-NEW F200 IN-LINE FOUR. FORWARD THINKIN THE ALL-NEW F200 IN-LINE FOUR. FORWARD THINKIN G. G. Show the water who’s boss with the new F200 In-Line Four. Incredibly light, responsive and fuel efficient, it serves up plenty of muscle to handily propel a variety of boats. On top of that, its 50-amp alternator offers the power to add a range of electronics, and its 26-inch mounting centers and compatibility with either mechanical or digital controls give you the flexibility to easily upgrade your outboard or rigging. Experience legendary Yamaha reliability and the freedom of forward thinking, with the all-new F200 In-Line Four. Show the water who’s boss with the new F200 In-Line Four. Incredibly light, responsive and fuel efficient, it serves up plenty of muscle to handily propel a variety of boats. On top of that, its 50-amp alternator offers the power to add a range of electronics, and its 26-inch mounting centers and compatibility with either mechanical or digital controls give you the flexibility to easily upgrade your outboard or rigging. Experience legendary Yamaha reliability and the freedom of forward thinking, with the all-new F200 In-Line Four.
CALIFORNIA
AVILA BEACH Port San Luis Boatyard (805) 595-7895 www.portsanluisboatyard.com
OREGON
EUGENE Maxxum Marine (541) 686-3572 www.maxxummarine.com
YamahaOutboards.com/F200InLine YamahaOutboards.com/F200InLine Follow Yamaha on Facebook ® and Follow Yamaha on Facebook ® and Twitter ™ Twitter ™
REMEMBER to always observe all applicable boating laws. Never drink and drive. Dress properly with a USCG-approved personal REMEMBER to always observe all applicable boating laws. Never drink and drive. Dress properly with a USCG-approved personal
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