So here's how the day started. Half woke up to the sound of rain, and fell back asleep. Went out to the car and I wasn't dreaming. No wind was a good thing though. Headed to the beach and when I got there I was completely blown away. I couldn't hear the waves, no wind. I kept saying to myself, Wow! This is what we all wait for. These times are rare and special. Water is pretty warm. I just couldn't believe there was barely any waves. It was like a pond at times.
Started chucking the LC and the water was crystal clear, the moon was out shining brightly. I just wanted to savior the moment, I didn't want it to end to be honest. First 30 minutes of casting in all directions I didn't get a bite. I went back in to retie and had a few sips of coffee. But kept my confidence high. Getting close to first light I go back to casting and on my second cast. I feel a nice thump on the line. Set the hook and I knew I had a decent fighter on the line. It was far out though and knew I had a long way back in.
Kept the line tight, she starts swimming in as I'm walking backwards. Then she realizes the waters getting shallower and makes a run for it. zzzzzzzzzzzzzz goes the line. I always check the drag before fishing, learned that lesson many times too. Lines still tight, getting closer, slipping and sliding a little. another zzzzzzzzzzzz goes the line. Finally get close to beaching her and see one treble in her mouth, she starts flapping crazy and I'm still good. Adrenaline pumping A little further more to go and she can't escape. Finally as I beached her and gave just a tiny bit of slack the treble pops out like nothing. WOW! That feeling is intense.
I forgot to mention all the stingrays I saw, and really didn't care to see. The water was just so clear. One Frisbee sized Round Ray swam by and grazed my right calf with his wing. I looked down and saw it keep it going. Phew!!!
Was happy though to get my First legal Halibut for 2016. Here are some pictures.
(https://c5.staticflickr.com/8/7680/26644728044_19049e3a8d_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/GAvcmQ)
(https://c3.staticflickr.com/8/7419/26644732994_29b3544134_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/GAvdQb)
Taped shots
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7416/27154416672_6e5d8c9450_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Hnxu2N)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7475/27217657336_6d31cc13a5_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Ht8Bh5)
Close up
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7438/26976081560_d3a91a8946_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/H6Mtdu)
Still saw a lot of baitfish out there. Thanks for reading and good luck out there! Until next tide.
Joel
That LC is a great mimic of the grunion that we saw the other night. Should be prime Hali bite right now. Congrats on the first of 2016 ;)
Congrats on the first of '16, one of many to follow I'm sure 8)
Congrats on the legal, Joel! Well deserved.
I bumped into a guy last night that on his surf fishing first trip ever in cali gets a 24" butt and a calico. Funny how that goes sometime.
Killing it Joel ;D 8)......