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If catching bass in bay is so easy, then go prove it
By Ed Zieralski, San Diego UNION-TRIBUNE
December 6, 2002
Phil Gallo obviously has had enough.
He's seen the fish numbers too many times in the paper, and he can't stand it anymore.
Gallo doesn't think anyone, not even Mike Gardner or George Tuthill, two seasoned bay bass fishing guides with portfolios, or their clients, can catch nearly the number of fish they report.
It's nothing new for Gallo. In the past, Gallo has had strong doubts about the number of bass caught in the bay by Gardner, who wrote the widely acclaimed book "Fish Have No Hands."
Gallo's book likely would be "Fishermen Can't Count." He believes some of these prolific bay fishermen are all brag, no fact, and they probably flunked math, to boot.
Gallo's latest missive was a result of Tuthill's report of Seeker pro staffer Ed Surek "boating" 62 bass and one halibut during a guided trip with Tuthill on San Diego Bay.
Jim Sammons of La Jolla Kayak Fishing checked in yesterday with a report that he caught and released 30 spotted bay bass and one "barely legal halibut" in about three hours on the bay.
But Gallo remains a Doubting Thomas. Armed with a creel sheet and a calculator, he's offering this proposition:
In his words: "I will put up $250 prize money to anyone who can prove to me that he or she can catch 50 bass in four hours of afternoon fishing on San Diego Bay. If anyone takes me up on this, they don't risk a penny. This is not a bet."
But there are rules, set by Gallo, the man who has the gold:
1. Gallo must be in the boat to record the catches. He won't fish, handle the boat, help or interfere.
2. The fish must be caught in a four-hour period between noon and 5 p.m.
3. The fish must be spotted bay bass, barred sand bass or calico bass.
4. All bass caught and released count, regardless of size. "Caught" is defined as being brought to the boat.
5. The angler may use no more than two rods at a time.
6. Artificial lures only.
7. All 50 fish must be caught by the same person.
8. All fish caught in the bay must be caught in areas not restricted by the Navy. (This could be a sticky issue because Gallo and the angler must agree ahead of time on which waters will be fished and what is legal).
Gallo said if the angler catches 50 bass, he'll give him or her $250. If they don't, "we shake hands and say goodbye."
"It's one time only," Gallo said. "I have no intention of going broke over this. If someone can do it, I'll have to figure that other people can, and pretty soon, I'll be in the poorhouse. So it's the first one only."
Sounds reasonable. Anyone interested? Leave a message on my voice mail (619) 293-1225. The first five anglers who call will be considered, in the order of response. I purposely didn't tell anyone about this so that only readers of today's column will be eligible. I'll pass the list to Gallo. He said he'll take one trip per week, or until someone wins it.
Remember, though. Your reputation is on the line. Gallo figures you need to catch a fish every 4.8 minutes. If you don't produce, you go to the Gallows of bay fishermen.
Noteworthy
Wohlford: The Tuesday fish report listed next Friday as the season opener at Wohlford. Actually, the opener is Saturday, Dec. 14. The lake will be prestocked with 5,000 pounds of brown, rainbow and steelhead trout.
Bass Tournament: The San Diego Anglers Eighth Annual Bay Bass Tournament is set for Saturday, Jan. 18. Call Dwayne Patenaude at (619) 448-1503 or Mike Kezele at (619) 449-1656. Patenaude's number was reported incorrectly Tuesday because of misinformation from the club.
Jennings Bass: It gets stocked regularly in the fall and winter with trout, but right now, Lake Jennings is the hot spot for big bass in the county. It's turned out some 8-to 12-pound bass in recent weeks. The bass are on the chew there.
By Ed Zieralski, San Diego UNION-TRIBUNE
December 6, 2002
Phil Gallo obviously has had enough.
He's seen the fish numbers too many times in the paper, and he can't stand it anymore.
Gallo doesn't think anyone, not even Mike Gardner or George Tuthill, two seasoned bay bass fishing guides with portfolios, or their clients, can catch nearly the number of fish they report.
It's nothing new for Gallo. In the past, Gallo has had strong doubts about the number of bass caught in the bay by Gardner, who wrote the widely acclaimed book "Fish Have No Hands."
Gallo's book likely would be "Fishermen Can't Count." He believes some of these prolific bay fishermen are all brag, no fact, and they probably flunked math, to boot.
Gallo's latest missive was a result of Tuthill's report of Seeker pro staffer Ed Surek "boating" 62 bass and one halibut during a guided trip with Tuthill on San Diego Bay.
Jim Sammons of La Jolla Kayak Fishing checked in yesterday with a report that he caught and released 30 spotted bay bass and one "barely legal halibut" in about three hours on the bay.
But Gallo remains a Doubting Thomas. Armed with a creel sheet and a calculator, he's offering this proposition:
In his words: "I will put up $250 prize money to anyone who can prove to me that he or she can catch 50 bass in four hours of afternoon fishing on San Diego Bay. If anyone takes me up on this, they don't risk a penny. This is not a bet."
But there are rules, set by Gallo, the man who has the gold:
1. Gallo must be in the boat to record the catches. He won't fish, handle the boat, help or interfere.
2. The fish must be caught in a four-hour period between noon and 5 p.m.
3. The fish must be spotted bay bass, barred sand bass or calico bass.
4. All bass caught and released count, regardless of size. "Caught" is defined as being brought to the boat.
5. The angler may use no more than two rods at a time.
6. Artificial lures only.
7. All 50 fish must be caught by the same person.
8. All fish caught in the bay must be caught in areas not restricted by the Navy. (This could be a sticky issue because Gallo and the angler must agree ahead of time on which waters will be fished and what is legal).
Gallo said if the angler catches 50 bass, he'll give him or her $250. If they don't, "we shake hands and say goodbye."
"It's one time only," Gallo said. "I have no intention of going broke over this. If someone can do it, I'll have to figure that other people can, and pretty soon, I'll be in the poorhouse. So it's the first one only."
Sounds reasonable. Anyone interested? Leave a message on my voice mail (619) 293-1225. The first five anglers who call will be considered, in the order of response. I purposely didn't tell anyone about this so that only readers of today's column will be eligible. I'll pass the list to Gallo. He said he'll take one trip per week, or until someone wins it.
Remember, though. Your reputation is on the line. Gallo figures you need to catch a fish every 4.8 minutes. If you don't produce, you go to the Gallows of bay fishermen.
Noteworthy
Wohlford: The Tuesday fish report listed next Friday as the season opener at Wohlford. Actually, the opener is Saturday, Dec. 14. The lake will be prestocked with 5,000 pounds of brown, rainbow and steelhead trout.
Bass Tournament: The San Diego Anglers Eighth Annual Bay Bass Tournament is set for Saturday, Jan. 18. Call Dwayne Patenaude at (619) 448-1503 or Mike Kezele at (619) 449-1656. Patenaude's number was reported incorrectly Tuesday because of misinformation from the club.
Jennings Bass: It gets stocked regularly in the fall and winter with trout, but right now, Lake Jennings is the hot spot for big bass in the county. It's turned out some 8-to 12-pound bass in recent weeks. The bass are on the chew there.
