WTF! Cycles outside the range of memory

[captjeffjones]

Last year was a weird one, and the year before that too. Looks like this one will be another season that re-writes the log books with things we have not seen before.

I for one, am now convinced of Global Warming. Not so much that its created by mankind, but that things are different (for whatever reason). Obviously these changes are having a major effect on our local fishery, and weather patterns. It may work out to be a good thing, just way different.

One recurring theme I keep hearing is "there is much less kelp than last year." I heard that last year too. While the water on the surface was cold enough to stimulate kelp growth through the winter, obviously the sub surface temps didn't get to where the kelp can thrive.

There is less bait, all bait, everywhere. In years past when this happened, we had albacore within one day range. Any old salt will tell you the same thing. I spoke with Tommy Holland (Captain of the "Eldorado") last night on the phone, and he says the water at San Clemente Island is "blue, like purple blue." Sounds great Tommy, but so far there is nothing in it. He also said that when traveling over to SCI that the thermocline on the meter is down 30 fathoms! Its so pronounced, that his powerful electronics can't see through it, at all. Not good.

What all this means is that we are now in uncharted territory. I have the old logs from past commercial fishermen in my family, all the way back to my great grandfathers logs. I have studied them with a fine tooth comb over the years, and remember nothing about a spring quite like this one or the last. We all know that the cycles of our earth have been drastic back through the ages, but when man began to put charcoal to bark and keep logs about our oceans, it wasn't like this.

[Saltwater Bass]

From stories I have read and history I have heard. Marlin, bluefin, tuna in general was here with numbers. Years later those numbers became rare. You think that we will see much more action with the exotics like years back near future?

[Fresh One]

Captain, question. If Southern California loses its ability to maintain, reproduce kelp. What does that mean to fisherman? Would Southern California turn into the East Coast fishery with deep water fishing methods? Will exotics pass Southern California completely? or could this mean Southern California will be the new Mexico with warm water temps, and Oxnard north will be the new So Cal? And also in regard to the kelp, is that coastal talk or including cat and sci?

[Salty Dog]

What is your definition of "Purple Blue" water capt. ?

[captjeffjones]

Do I think all the kelp will be gone? Nope, just less of it. It could come back too. Unfortunately my crystal ball is broken. Do I think the exotics will come to So. Cal like the days of old? Nope. I think pollution has something to do with that. I just think what we know as "normal" is going to change to a certain degree. 5 years ago I could look through my logs (and the logs of my family) and tell you with some accuracy what type of season we were going to have. Now, things are happening that aren't even in anyones logs. What happens next is the mystery.

Purple Blue: If you saw it, you would know immediately. It's the water you find offshore that (almost) always has what you are looking for. Tuna, marlin, swordfish......purple blue water. Not clean green, or blue even. Its very obviously "purple blue." Long range boat captains seek it out, and epic albacore bites occur in it. There are no color spots of krill, or tiny plankton that you can see clouding the water up. Its almost as if there is nothing for the gamefish to eat in it but whats on your hook. I suspect there is much more to it than that. The fact that I don't really have an educated answer makes it so much more cool to me. The mysteriousness of it. The sun comes up after steaming out all night, and when the sun hits the water you notice its purple blue, and the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, just seconds before you hear guys behind you screaming "HOOOOK UUUUUUPPP!!!!"""

[Mikey]

Capt. your very right.
With the KELP we need Cold water and clean currents to make it grow. then to get paddy's we need violent storms and hot water then we get the fun exotics up here. i know this purple water you speak of, i fish it every year in Hawaii. i have see it a few time off So.Cal. and yes it is awesome when it all is there.

[Saltwater Bass]

. Unfortunately my crystal ball is broken.

Lol I laughed hard at that one

[Fresh One]

Do I think all the kelp will be gone? Nope, just less of it. It could come back too. Unfortunately my crystal ball is broken. Do I think the exotics will come to So. Cal like the days of old? Nope. I think pollution has something to do with that. I just think what we know as "normal" is going to change to a certain degree. 5 years ago I could look through my logs (and the logs of my family) and tell you with some accuracy what type of season we were going to have. Now, things are happening that aren't even in anyones logs. What happens next is the mystery.

Purple Blue: If you saw it, you would know immediately. It's the water you find offshore that (almost) always has what you are looking for. Tuna, marlin, swordfish......purple blue water. Not clean green, or blue even. Its very obviously "purple blue." Long range boat captains seek it out, and epic albacore bites occur in it. There are no color spots of krill, or tiny plankton that you can see clouding the water up. Its almost as if there is nothing for the gamefish to eat in it but whats on your hook. I suspect there is much more to it than that. The fact that I don't really have an educated answer makes it so much more cool to me. The mysteriousness of it. The sun comes up after steaming out all night, and when the sun hits the water you notice its purple blue, and the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, just seconds before you hear guys behind you screaming "HOOOOK UUUUUUPPP!!!!"""

Well lets see what we can right in this years chapter. Sure wish the wind will stop, locally it turned. I would like to see how the islands are holding up..

[Here Fishy Fishy]

always a good read thank you i learn something every day