So two weeks in the past, we talked in regards to the magic of the final solid. Effectively, it was on show once more throughout a latest solo session. It had been some time since I used to be in a position to get out for a morning session so when the chance arose, I jumped on it. I deliberate to begin at a well-recognized zone and play it by ear from there.
The Story of the Session
I arrived and hit the sand by 5:15 am. It was a fantastic, overcast morning. Weeds weren’t unhealthy on the first zone and wind was very mellow. The surf was stunning and calm and the tides have been proper for this primary spot. Inside a couple of minutes, I noticed a authorized halibut swimming just some ft to my proper. I solid over the place I noticed it swim by and nothing.
I attempted this for an additional 2 or 3 minutes with no luck earlier than getting again to the fundamentals and fishing to the construction I noticed. Perhaps quarter-hour in to casting and I felt it. The basic “thump!”… and I set the hook. I had my drag set pretty tight so there wasn’t a lot working, however after maneuvering round just a few obstacles, I landed her. A authorized halibut to begin the day was signal that it my be a productive day for halibut fishing. Nothing loopy however upon a fast rod measurement, it seemed to be between proper across the 24-inch mark.
I stored casting and perhaps 20 minutes later, I landed one other! This one was a lot shorter at round 19-inches or so, however nonetheless begin to the day. I had yet one more chew in that zone earlier than the motion appeared to close off. The tide was falling and there have been a pair areas alongside the seaside that I wished to attempt on the decrease tide so I moved. should you’re curious in regards to the finest tides for surf fishing, try the linked article.
Onto The Subsequent Zone
After no motion at a pair extra zones, I made a decision to fish a stretch that was comparatively new to me. I began north, labored my method south and located a channel that seemed fishy. So I began casting… and casting, and casting. Nothing. A lot for the fast begin.
It seemed so good, however the place have been the fish? In my head, I used to be going over my choices. The place can I hit subsequent? After analyzing all my choices, I couldn’t give you something higher, so I stored casting. There was a deep channel to my left and a deep channel to my proper. I had already labored the heck out of either side, however the best seemed higher to me so I made a decision to provide that facet a bit of extra time.
My First “Final Solid”
After greater than a good variety of casts, I instructed myself, “that is my final solid earlier than attempting the left facet as soon as extra after which shifting to a brand new zone.” So I solid out and commenced retrieving. I felt a fast and decisive “tick”, set the hook, and felt a pair headshakes instantly observe. It was heavy no matter it was, however I’ll admit it, my first thought was a bass – both a calico or a sand bass.
In an effort to land the fish, I needed to work it by a deep channel after which over a ledge onto the reef that I used to be standing on (which was all submerged on the time). So, as you’ll be able to think about, I set my drag pretty tight to assist muscle it in and dictate the course the fish would go.
I didn’t permit it any large runs. I did this partially due to the construction I used to be fishing and partially as a result of at this level, I used to be pretty sure it was a bass. With bass, it’s necessary to maintain that rod tip excessive and to not allow them to dart into construction as a result of they’ll snag you and pressure a snapped line.
So, when it got here to the purpose that I needed to haul it onto the submerged shelf, I failed on the primary try and had a minor scare as my chief made contact with the reef’s edge. That is why we use the heavy monofilament chief line.
My Gear and Sort out
See my gear and deal with under. Identical as final time, I used to be utilizing the Keitech Fats Swing Affect (4.8″) Texas rigged with the Mustad KVD Grip Pin Swimbait Hook (5/0 | 1/8oz) and a 1/2 oz bullet weight.
A Sketchy Touchdown
After the primary failed try, I attempted as soon as extra and succeeded, however the struggle wasn’t over. And on high of that, I caught a glimpse of the fish. It wasn’t a bass of any kind. It was a halibut! And a sizeable one at that.
I had waded out fairly a bit and now I needed to try to wade again to shore whereas retaining the fish buttoned on. This was a STRUGGLE. The fish darted again towards the ledge a number of occasions inflicting me to lose my footing and practically fall a pair occasions.
Finally, I used to be in a position to pull the fish onto land and get a measurement and a photograph. It taped in at 26 inches and it made my day to know there have been large fish holding on this zone I had neglected for greater than a 12 months since first attempting it!
And So I Saved Fishing
Alright, so what sometimes occurs once you make your “final solid” and also you get hit… you normally solid many times and so forth. So, after releasing my second authorized on the day, I attempted some extra however that was it. It appeared as if the zone had gone quiet once more.
I made a decision to again monitor and take a look at just a few of the zones I began the day at and one in all them produced a pleasant little sand bass.
After about one other hour and a half of fishing, the tide had bottomed out and for the reason that chew was lifeless in all places (or so it appeared), I known as it. However, with the bottomed out tide, I made a decision to go again to the seaside I landed the 26 inch halibut at simply so I may make word of the construction at low tide. It’s at all times useful to get a take a look at a zone at a really low tide because it’ll verify/deny concepts you had/have and it’ll typically provide you with new concepts on little areas to work.
Final Solid Quantity 2
Because the theme goes, after I obtained out of my automobile and caught a glimpse of the construction at this zone with the low tide… I simply needed to give it just a few casts. I felt assured with how the day had gone to date and I couldn’t simply move this up.
So, I labored my method again to the precise space I landed the 26er and seemed round. There have been many extra folks on the seaside by now, however no person fishing. Simply after I solid into the minimize, I noticed an absolute unit of a halibut. It’s tail broke the water’s floor because it’s large physique glided from about 15 ft in entrance of me outwards with the present. The most effective half about all of this… it seemed prefer it was headed proper for my lure!
A pair seconds later, “tick-tick… BOOM!” I’m on! And this felt each little bit of what it seemed like. The primary run was unbelievable. My drag was nonetheless fairly tight, but this factor didn’t appear to be bothered. It clearly had the energy to muscle by my present setting. After a few minute, I had labored him to the identical ledge that gave me bother the primary time… the second of fact.
My Worst Nightmare
Simply as I used to be getting ready to haul him over the ledge with the subsequent swell, my line wrapped round a chunk of kelp that was rising from the purpose of the ledge. “What do I do!?” I believed to myself.
As talked about earlier, there have been extra folks on the seaside this time. I used to be standing on what had been a submerged shelf final time. However this time, it was not submerged. So, what gave the impression to be vacationers have been out taking footage and so forth. on the reef and a bunch occurred to be in my method now. In some way, not a single individual appeared to comprehend I used to be preventing a halibut that was simply over 30 inches. I made the prudent resolution to chop by a bunch of vacationers attempting to get a household photograph because it was the one solution to get to the ledge that I used to be now tangled on. Nonetheless, it appeared these folks had no concept I used to be preventing a fish. It was bizarre, I’ve to say.
Now, I confronted one other dilemma. The reef that I used to be standing on had a spot of about 3 or 4 ft that I’d must stroll/soar over so as to attain the ledge my fish was tangled on. It seemed fairly slippery on the opposite facet and I wasn’t positive if I used to be prepared to take the chance. I had no concept how deep the water was in between and I actually didn’t need to slip and fall. I made a name and determined it wasn’t price it. At that second, I lifted my rod and felt the fish thrashing. Would it not come untangled? Or wouldn’t it break off… I then felt slack and watched the fish make yet one more splash earlier than disappearing.
Capping Off A Memorable Session
My head falls to my arms in disbelief and I flip round to comprehend that also, out of a minimum of 15 folks close by, not one realized I used to be preventing a fish. Not that I care… however it was simply bizarre lol. I tied one other lure on and continued fishing for a bit longer. A pair bites that wouldn’t stick and I known as it for good.
It’s at all times powerful to lose such an enormous fish, however I’ve mentioned it earlier than and I’ll say it once more – It’s those we lose that maintain us coming again. So, I’ll be again.
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