swimbait.com - Big Hammer Hand-Poured Swimbaits, Premium Soft Plastic Lures and Jig Heads

Qualifier 105 - Big Hammer Skiff/Kayak Trips

What to Expect:

Long range trips such as the Big Hammer sponsored Qualifier 105 Skiff/Kayak trip can provide anglers with some of the best inshore bass fishing within reach of Southern California. These trips can also be an incredible "classroom" for new bass anglers who are eager to learn more about their sport and seasoned bass anglers who want to refine their skills have lots of fun. In addition to bass fishing, the yellowtail fishing on the mother ship and insane light tackle yellowtail on the skiffs will literally leave you breathless.

One of the best things about these trips is the company - the other anglers on board and the incredible crew. The good fishing gives anglers the chance to fish as seriously as they want without it feeling like "work". Whether you are in search of that elusive double digit calico or just want to catch as many quality calicos as possible, you can do so and have lots of fun doing it. There have been many occasions when I have literally laughed myself to tears while, at the same time, catching quality calicos one after the other. No clicks, no inflated egos, no "members only" groups. From those who have never caught a calico bass to those who have been targeting them for years - everyone is on the same team.

Experimentation:

If you are the type of angler who likes to experiment with different types of baits and still catch fish this is the trip for you. We have seen plenty of quality caught on a wide range of lures no one would ever think of throwing to calico bass or yellowtail. These trips are perfect for the freshwater bass angler who is curious about the saltwater bass scene. For example, the picture to the right is of a 34 lb. yellowtail caught using an Owner Tango Dancer topwater largemouth bass lure.

Big Calico Bass:

Big calicos are common and huge calicos make an appearance every now and then. The first really big calico I saw on one of these trips tipped the scales at exactly 9 pounds. I didn't get the pleasure of catching it but I did get the pleasure of watching it being caught and weighing it. When I saw that massive thing surface I would have bet money it was over 10 lbs. I would say the average fish range between 2 and 4 pounds with many 5 and 6 pound fish caught each day.

Kelp Calicos:

One of the most common types of bass fishing on these trips is fishing kelp beds. This is done by either fishing the outside edges of the kelp beds, fishing open areas in between stringers, or flipping/pitching into small holes in thick mats of kelp. It can be extremely productive - especially if there is good current.

When fishing the edges or clear areas in between stringers try casting and reeling, then try casting and counting down and reeling, then try letting the bait sink all the way to the bottom then reeling. You may also try slight pauses during the retrieve or even free-spool the bait back down periodically during the retrieve. Once you find a pattern that is working stick with it. Be alert - a good percentage of strikes will happen while the bait is falling.

When flipping/pitching into small holes in the kelp you can cast to a hole up ahead of the skiff, pitch into a hole just ahead of the skiff, or even just drop down into a hole right at the skiff. Let the swimbait free spool to the bottom with a little pressure (thumb the spool) and be ready for a strike on the fall. A reel that engages back into gear by turning the handle is a must for this type of fishing.

If the bite is slow and there is no current, try dropping down a heavier head (1.5 oz.) and a smaller swimbait 4 or 5 inch and load it up with Pro-Cure or other fish attractant. The smaller bait and heavier head will get the bait to the bottom quicker (which seems to be where the fish are when the bite is slow) and the fish attractant will help trigger strikes.

Reef Calicos:

With good current fishing the shallow reefs along some of the shorelines of Punta Eugenia (Chester's Rocks) and Isla de Cedros can provide some of the fastest wide open action on the trip. Most of the time if the bite is good it is simply a matter of casting and winding. Most of the strikes will be on the retrieve and will feel like the fish is trying to tear the rod out of your hand. These areas can usually be found by light and dark patches in the shallow areas with little or no kelp.

One of the best skiff runs I have had for bass was at Chester's Rocks. We were in about 15 to 20 feet of water a little ways off the coast. There was good current and it was pretty windy. It was as insane as a bite can get as the bait wouldn't be in the water for more than a few seconds before it got slammed. Fish after fish with massive "bait balls" of follower fish trying to rip the swimbait out of the hooked fish's mouth. This went on for a little under an hour before we decided to take turns filming. The bite slowed a bit when we started filming but you wouldn't know it by the footage!

Boiler Calicos:

Boiler fishing for calicos is one of the most exciting way to target these strong fish. Calicos that live near the rocks in the extreme inshore environment are the toughest and hardest fighting of the species. Strikes are usually fast and strong followed by a literal tug-o-war as the brute calico tries desperately to get back to the rock it came out of.

Surge on the rocks is what gets these fish in the mood. While you can get boiler bass to strike in little or even no surge, the thrashing white water around the rocks is the thing to look for - and the more the better. Because of this boilers can also usually provide some action even if a lack of current is causing other areas to not bite. When there is no current, finding a good rock with even a little bit of surge on it can turn a dead bite into good bite.

For more information about boiler fishing read David Fong's article "Calico Combat".

Mother Ship Yellowtail:

Mother ship yellowtail are typically caught using jigs (surface or yo-yo), swimbaits, or live bait. Be prepared to experiment and don't be afraid to throw the swimbait. When the yellowtail are going crazy they can be caught on almost anything but there have been many times when one lure is definitely outfishing another. Give each, along with any other lure you want to try, some good time and you will discover what they want and have a great time doing so.

Skiff Yellowtail:

Most of the time skiff yellowtail are caught by surprise while targeting bass or chasing birds. There is nothing like fishing a nice patch of boilers in tight and having a yellowtail rock your world. In the past most of these fish would never be landed but ever since we started using braided line straight tied that has changed.

When purposely targeting yellowtail from the skiffs the best way to locate them, as boring as it may be, is to troll for them. Rapalas and large swimbaits seem to be the best lures to use. While Rapalas do seem to catch the larger yellowtail when trolling, swimbaits seem to get bit more frequently. For me, trolling is a way to locate them so I prefer trolling a swimbait.

Once yellowtail are found, either by trolling, locating them using birds, or getting called in from another skiff or the mother ship, throwing swimbaits or jigs is the best way to get them. The skiff is the place to try the light tackle (bass gear) if you want a fun challenge.

Other Species & Surprises:

Even though they aren't too common, surprises such as large halibut or white seabass can be a pleasant surprise. Seabass are usually caught by accident while targeting bass or yellowtail. Halibut are sometimes targeted but are also caught when targeting other species.

What I Bring - Rods & Reels:

My basic gear consists of four rod and reel combinations. These are the "bare minimum" setups I use the most on the trip. I will also bring one extra bass rod and an extra bass reel as a backup just in case one of my other setups gets destroyed.

Bass Rod: Shimano Calcutta XFA815/Shimano Curado 300E/50 lb. P-Line Spectrex
Bass Rod: Shimano Calcutta XFA820/Shimano Curado 300D/50 lb. P-Line Spectrex
Bass Jig Stick: G. Loomis MU946/Shimano Trinidad 16/30 lb. P-Line CXX
Surface Iron Jig Stick: Shimano Teramar TMC-90H/Shimano Trinidad 30/50 lb. P-Line CXX

I will also typically bring a light setup just for the fun of it.

Light Bass Rod: Shimano Crucial CRC-C711ML/Shimano Calcutta 50 or Chronarch 50mg/10 lb. P-Line CXX

I have always been a fan of using light tackle and it doesn't end when I am on the skiff trip. There have been times when the fishing is a bit slow due to lack of current, lack of surge on the rocks, or some other factor. Instead of laying down the gear and waiting for the bite to pick up I have had many fabulous runs heading in tight and using 3 or 4 inch swimbaits on this light setup. Most of the fish are in the 1 to 2 lb. range but when you tie into a good 4 or 5 pounder it can really take you for a ride. Not to mention the very good chance of hooking into a small (5 to 10 lb.) white seabass or halibut.

What I Bring - Fishing Tackle:

One main tackle box/bag and a tackle bag (backpack) for the skiff runs is what I bring. The main question everyone always asks is, "How many swimbaits and jig heads should I bring?" Even when I have tried to keep track it is difficult to come up with an exact number. Since I've started gluing the swimbaits to the jig heads the amount needed has gone down significantly. I'd say 100 swimbaits and 30 or so jig heads would be adequate but you'll probably only go through half that amount - especially if you use glue. On the Big Hammer sponsored trip you will receive a variety of about 40 swimbaits the first day.

Another thing to keep in mind is the size of the swimbait. The smaller baits (4 and 5 inch) will catch just as many if not more fish than the larger ones. They will also have a much less likely chance of getting torn up by follower fish and you will probably go through fewer swimbaits over the course of the trip. Of course, if you are someone who believes in the "big baits = big fish" theory and you are looking for that double digit fish you will want to stick to the 5� and 6� inch baits. I am not sure how much of a difference the big baits really make but I do know that they get torn up quicker. Mostly because the tail gets ripped off by the follower fish. They are, of course, fun to fish with which is why I tend to use them for a majority of the trip.

When it comes to color selection specific colors aren't too important. I view my color selection by "categories". Most of the swimbaits I bring on these skiff trips fall into two categories. "Brown & Red" - Red Calico Hunter (#52), FishChick (#42), Redrum (#100), etc. and "Silvery Baitfish" - Mackerel (#72), Keylime (#4), Rainbow Trout (#9), etc.

I probably fish jigs a little less than the average person on board. I enjoy catching fish on jigs but I am more confident in swimbaits (for both bass and yellowtail). I bring about a dozen surface irons and four yo-yo irons.

My skiff bag usually contains two trays. One large (3700 size) tray filled with 5� and 6� swimbaits and jig heads and a smaller (3600 size) filled with 3 & 4 inch swimbaits, matching jig heads, and a couple of surface irons. Other items in my skiff bag include a pair of Bluefever shortpump gloves which are great for lip landing the larger bass, a Boga Grip which is ideal for landing the smaller fish and weighing all of the fish, a small bottle of Pro-Cure Super Gel, pliers, Super Glue, and clippers for cutting line (especially important if you are using braided line).

Other tackle: Fighting belt, rod wraps for transporting rods, colored plastic tape for marking rods, and extra fishing line.

What I Bring - Clothing and Personal Items:

Coming prepared can make or break a long range trip. The skiffs can get wet at times and the weather is not always sunny. The following is what I bring on the trip - hopefully it will help you pack for yours.

Item	Qty.
Shorts	4
Pants	2
Waterproof "Offshore" Pants	1 or 2
Short Sleeve T-shirts	6
Long Sleeve T-shirts	2
Underwear	8
Socks	8
Hats	2
Jacket	1
Water/windproof Jacket	1
Sweatshirts	4
Shoes	2
Deck Boots	1
Towels	2
Bathroom Supplies (shampoo, soap, deodorant, etc.)
U.V. Lip Balm	2
Sunscreen	1
Advil, Dramamine, Antacid, etc.
Camera	1
Sunglasses	2
Earplugs

Conclusion:

If you are interested in going on this trip we would love you have you join us. If you are interested in going please contact the Qualifier 105. If you can't make it out with us next year we hope to see you on one of the Big Hammer sponsored trips in the future.

Questions - Click here.

Click here to return to the main Skiff/Kayak Trip page.

Click here for information or problems. Click here for dealer inquiries.

Big Hammer�, Square Tail�, Rectangular Tail�, Square Tail Design�, Rectangular Tail Design� and the rectangular shaped swimbait tail design are all trademarks owned by Sunrize Tackle, Inc. (parent company of Big Hammer Lures). Use of these terms without written permission by Sunrize Tackle, Inc. is prohibited by law.

The photos, images, text and content of the Big Hammer� website are copyrighted. These items and information are provided for your convenience and are only intended to be used in the positive promotion and sale of Big Hammer� products. All other use is prohibited by law.