Tag: Stearns Wharf

• Pacific Update

  Even during the current pandemic, fishing in the Pacific goes on. With the ocean water warming up over the past few weeks, the fishing has improved as well. The temperature today is a toasty 64 degrees. As you can see in the pictures above, the fish have been plentiful and varied no matter what pier […]

  John Darling – Author

  August 6, 2020

  Calico Bass, Goleta Pier, Mackerel, Pacific Ocean, Santa Barbara, CA, Skate Ray, smelt, sportfishing, Stearns Wharf, Ventura Pier

  Calico Bass, Goleta Pier, Mackerel, Skate, smelt, Stearns Wharf, Ventura Pier

• The Pacific and the Pandemic

  I haven’t been out to the Ventura Pier since all hell broke loose because of the current worldwide pandemic even though I know fishing out there is not prohibited under California’s Marshall Law. The fishing has been way off due to the cold Pacific water anyway, but I had been checking in now and again. […]

  John Darling – Author

  March 30, 2020

  Uncategorized

  Egret, fishing, Goleta Pier, Pacific Ocean, sportfishing, Stearns Wharf, Ventura Pier

• The Return of the King

  In an unusual occurrence, my part of SoCal experienced King Tides in back-to-back months. Last month I went out to the Ventura Pier to see if the fishing picked up despite the cold Pacific Ocean water and for the most part the catch was better although still below what it is like when the water […]

  John Darling – Author

  February 10, 2020

  Uncategorized

  fishing, King Tides, Pacific Ocean, Santa Barbara, smelt, sportfishing, Stearns Wharf, Ventura Pier

• The ultra ultra-lite

  First, I have stated many times in my blog that I like to give the fish I catch a fighting chance and if I lose one then the fish wins. This doesn’t bother me unless it is due to faulty or worn out equipment because that is on me, not the fish. Second, when I […]

  John Darling – Author

  December 3, 2019

  Abu Garcia Silver Max 10, Shakespeare Contender, Shakespeare Durango Rod, Shimano Saguaro rod

  Abu Garcia Silver Max 10, Quantum Lite Graphite rod, Quantum Lite Long Stroke reel, Shakespeare Contender, Shakespeare Durango Rod, Shimano Saguaro rod, smelt, Stearns Wharf

• “Are you a professional fisherman?”

  Even before I started wearing my shirt, hat, and hoodie which advertise my blog, I have been asked this question. In response I always say, “More or less, I guess.” This non-response usually ends the inquiry, but if someone asks me to explain, I tell them that after 52 years of working, I have managed […]

  John Darling – Author

  November 21, 2019

  fishing pole, Pacific Ocean, Professional Fisherman, Santa Barbara, CA, sportfishing, Stearns Wharf

  fishing, Pacific Ocean, Professional, Santa Barbara, sportfishing, Stearns Wharf

• Neither wind, dense fog, churning seas, or screaming maniacs…

  …will stay this fisherman from making his rounds. And that is what I was up against yesterday when I paid a visit to Stearns Wharf. I didn’t think I’d be able to get out to the ocean this week because of prior commitments but when a full day suddenly opened up yesterday, I decided to […]

  John Darling – Author

  September 26, 2019

  fishing, fishing pole, fog, Mackerel, Pacific Ocean, Skate Ray, smelt, sportfishing, Stearns Wharf

  #wind, fishing, fishing pole, fog, Mackerel, Skate, smelt, sportfishing, Stearns Wharf