It was another summer morning minus tide and I was descending the Opaleye Point trail to once again fish the exposed platform rock at the point. With last week's breakwall bust behind me, I was sure I would encounter angling delights in the form of two more big bass in the early darkness just like the last time I was here.

It was kind of like that scenario. There was a big bass involved, but it wasn't of the paralabrax variety. Casting to the right from the platform and placing the Fish Trap between two submerged boulders in front of me, the second toss produced a sort of weighted feeling on the other end of the line. A swift swing of the rod and nothing. Cast three, and the same eerie sensitivity overcame me. This time whatever it was stuck to the hook when I swung. It fought frantically, so I knew it wasn't a calico, which steadily hold their ground. As it neared the platform, I saw it was a five-pound white seabass, that at 24 inches was four shy of the legal 28. Oh well, back in it went for next time.

Another hour at the platform netted me one other ten-inch calico, so off I went to do some exploring.

From Opaleye Point you can look to the west and see Long Point, a major point of the Palos Verdes peninsula. I've always wanted to fish there, but the bite has been so good right at the bottom of the trail, it seemed pointless to spend the extra time and energy to hoof it over another half mile. That was until today when I didn't catch jack mackerel after six o'clock at my favorite spot.

By the time I arrived at Long Point, there was already a sportfisher dropping anchor about a hundred yards out. They weren't in any way a burden to me. In fact their chum could only help my cause. As soon as I made my first cast, I hooked up. Unfortunately, the fish pulled with enough vigor as to tear the hook out of its lips. Another cast and a ten-inch calico was landed. Five casts later a nine-inch sand bass was thrown back. Watching the crowd on the boat, I saw that they weren't having much success either.

So I worked my way back to the bottom of the trail, casting to every boiler rock I could find. I must've caught another seven shortie sand and calico bass before I bagged a legal 13-inch calico to make two tacos when I got home. The only real battle I fought all day was keeping my jig attached to the line. I seemed I was using too heavy of a lead head, and they kept getting stuck in the rocks. I probably lost over a dozen.

When I reached the Cave Rock, I tied on a one-ounce Krockodile and spoon-plugged the rocks and kelp strands. One more short calico was had before I lost that lure and was on my way back up the trail.

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