There are still Wahoo , Tuna and Dodo being caught locally, but I needed a local trip to get my fix.
Steve and I planned to hit the local scene and see what's up.
We usually head north, but saw a ton of birds working the south, so we shot over to see what was up! It was wide open on mackerel as well as the 3 B's! It's been many moons since we saw the local 3-B's!
Bonito
(http://i1356.photobucket.com/albums/q733/Latimeria3/P1120037%202_zpsyx8a1aio.jpg) (http://s1356.photobucket.com/user/Latimeria3/media/P1120037%202_zpsyx8a1aio.jpg.html)
Bass
(http://i1356.photobucket.com/albums/q733/Latimeria3/P1120039_zps6tzcfxnr.jpg) (http://s1356.photobucket.com/user/Latimeria3/media/P1120039_zps6tzcfxnr.jpg.html)
Barracuda (Snotsticks)
(http://i1356.photobucket.com/albums/q733/Latimeria3/P1120042_zpsmundcb1b.jpg) (http://s1356.photobucket.com/user/Latimeria3/media/P1120042_zpsmundcb1b.jpg.html)
We caught a few dozen assorted macks and ran up to the Ling Grounds to see what we could come up with. Steve got nailed on the first drop and I had a few observations on the entire fight.
First of all, I know Steve likes to keep a tight drag and I'm right there with him. He got a hit and almost ripped the rod out of his hands.
(http://i1356.photobucket.com/albums/q733/Latimeria3/P1120043_zpswecoizpm.jpg) (http://s1356.photobucket.com/user/Latimeria3/media/P1120043_zpswecoizpm.jpg.html)
I have never seen him lay into a fish like this before and was certain he had it in the open zone. The Beetch did not want to come up even with Steve's buttoned down 80 pound and I have never seen Steve put his back into a fight like this especially on the BIG gear! He would gain 20 yards and lose it with the slightest slip.
(http://i1356.photobucket.com/albums/q733/Latimeria3/P1120045_zpstv2jy036.jpg) (http://s1356.photobucket.com/user/Latimeria3/media/P1120045_zpstv2jy036.jpg.html)
It finally bested him and his first drop proved deadly... I was just as bummed as I saw it fighting and knew it was something huge.
Well, after a few drops and a few destroyed baits, we went out looking for Yellows or Blues really deep.
Fishing was really slow and we lost a few nice fish, but I finally hooked up with a legit Blue Ling! I've caught Blue Ling before, but this sucker was beyond anything I've ever caught or seen!
(http://i1356.photobucket.com/albums/q733/Latimeria3/P1120046_zpsmta5i5in.jpg) (http://s1356.photobucket.com/user/Latimeria3/media/P1120046_zpsmta5i5in.jpg.html)
(http://i1356.photobucket.com/albums/q733/Latimeria3/P1120049_zpsjdfhckdp.jpg) (http://s1356.photobucket.com/user/Latimeria3/media/P1120049_zpsjdfhckdp.jpg.html)
We caught a few barely legal ling we immediately released and even got some fish we were trying to avoid. Squatch was the Boccaccio King!
Grouper #1
(http://i1356.photobucket.com/albums/q733/Latimeria3/P1120053_zpsp522qxzq.jpg) (http://s1356.photobucket.com/user/Latimeria3/media/P1120053_zpsp522qxzq.jpg.html)
Bait Waster #2
(http://i1356.photobucket.com/albums/q733/Latimeria3/P1120059_zpsw8vu1tz6.jpg) (http://s1356.photobucket.com/user/Latimeria3/media/P1120059_zpsw8vu1tz6.jpg.html)
(http://i1356.photobucket.com/albums/q733/Latimeria3/P1120061_zpsyhwtpvyk.jpg) (http://s1356.photobucket.com/user/Latimeria3/media/P1120061_zpsyhwtpvyk.jpg.html)
Rockfish were hard to come by, but I at least managed something decent!
(http://i1356.photobucket.com/albums/q733/Latimeria3/P1120062_zpsr1iain60.jpg) (http://s1356.photobucket.com/user/Latimeria3/media/P1120062_zpsr1iain60.jpg.html)
We decided to run back to the spot we saw all the life and found it became a dead zone. Steve was the Smelt King though!
(http://i1356.photobucket.com/albums/q733/Latimeria3/P1120065_zps2sluh1v3.jpg) (http://s1356.photobucket.com/user/Latimeria3/media/P1120065_zps2sluh1v3.jpg.html)
The fish were all throwing up micro sardines!
(http://i1356.photobucket.com/albums/q733/Latimeria3/P1120068_zpse59pdngp.jpg) (http://s1356.photobucket.com/user/Latimeria3/media/P1120068_zpse59pdngp.jpg.html)
Big Blue Versus the Bait....
(http://i1356.photobucket.com/albums/q733/Latimeria3/P1120076_zpsqgszujkt.jpg) (http://s1356.photobucket.com/user/Latimeria3/media/P1120076_zpsqgszujkt.jpg.html)
This was one of the bluest lings that I have ever caught. The meat told the story.
(http://i1356.photobucket.com/albums/q733/Latimeria3/P1120086_zps9gm4qj7r.jpg) (http://s1356.photobucket.com/user/Latimeria3/media/P1120086_zps9gm4qj7r.jpg.html)
(http://i1356.photobucket.com/albums/q733/Latimeria3/P1120092_zpsweklsoc7.jpg) (http://s1356.photobucket.com/user/Latimeria3/media/P1120092_zpsweklsoc7.jpg.html)
Normal Versus Blue
(http://i1356.photobucket.com/albums/q733/Latimeria3/P1120095_zpsbe9w4npi.jpg) (http://s1356.photobucket.com/user/Latimeria3/media/P1120095_zpsbe9w4npi.jpg.html)
It was a great trip even though we didn't get the color we were looking for, but a great day on the water especially since the big winds are on the way!
Time to get the big surf sharks! I got plenty of great baits and ready to put the hurt on them!
Until Next Tide!
Looks delicious!
Wonder what kinda grouper Steve hooked into.
Bummer on losing that beast, but that is cool a$$ blue ling! Always though those were some of the baddest looking fish in the sea..
: Chris November 14, 2015, 08:58:50 p
Looks delicious!
Wonder what kinda grouper Steve hooked into.
I kept telling Tom it was a broomtail. Whatever it was earned its freedom.
Great day as always Tom. That ling is something else. I can just imagine the phone call from Vee when she cut into that martian meat.
Bling cod!
I found out what happens when you eat blue meat...
(http://i1356.photobucket.com/albums/q733/Latimeria3/HandBlue2_zpswwizrbw6.jpg) (http://s1356.photobucket.com/user/Latimeria3/media/HandBlue2_zpswwizrbw6.jpg.html)
Smurf :o ;D
Steve looks hooked on the bottom ... ;) ;)
: WheresMyBeer November 17, 2015, 03:22:07 p
Steve looks hooked on the bottom ... ;) ;)
Well that bottom fought back pretty good then, lol
: sasquatch November 15, 2015, 04:49:00 p
: Chris November 14, 2015, 08:58:50 p
Looks delicious!
Wonder what kinda grouper Steve hooked into.
I kept telling Tom it was a broomtail. Whatever it was earned its freedom.
As I started reading the report and getting to your pic of you laying into the fish, that was the 1st thing I thought of, broomtail!! There's some big ones out there and they fight way better than a BSB. At least that's what my buddies tell me who get into them in Baja.
: Latimeria November 18, 2015, 04:37:15 p
: WheresMyBeer November 17, 2015, 03:22:07 p
Steve looks hooked on the bottom ... ;) ;)
Well that bottom fought back pretty good then, lol
Well ... the plates are moving. Maybe it's a sign the "big one" is coming ... :D :D :D
Been too long, I wanna fish with you old guys.