My first legal - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

packeryakker · 06-19-2012, 07:40 PM

Went out today optimistic about the prospect of landing, filleting and eating my first legal halibut. I am still new to this whole process but today was the day. Showed up at Belmont Pier at around 5ish to make some bait only a couple other guys there, they seemed to be pulling in plenty of small baits and macks. I proceeded to catch one trout sized mack in the hour I fished there. So I took my giant mack and packed up and headed up to Cherry Beach picking up frozen chovies at 7-11 on the way. Weather was great, low wind, overcast and quiet. I started unloading and quickly realized something was not right, my mirage drive was AT HOME, rookie mistake so stupid. Figured I was here what the hell I will paddle,

after all the water was great. Got loaded and paddled out towards the island getting drug around by that giant mack, after an hour or so that mack was toast so I switched out for a frozen anchovie. Within a few minutes I heard the sound I have come to anticipate, the one the haunts me when I am just about asleep, the sound that until today has resulted in my second guessing how I have handled each and every pick up. Click...click... click....faster then zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz, waited, forced myself to slow down. Swung and felt

weight. After two missed attempts at the gaff the third try struck pay dirt and the butt was in my boat. As you can see from the pics it is just barely legal. Mouth closed measured 22.5, in the pic mouth open 23. At any rate I am happy to say that the stink is off my new boat and has been replaced with blood.

!

Tale of the tape

Tail of the tape

My first Halibut Filet very little waste, belly meat looked a little funny

For anyone who would like to endure the 6 min video here is the link, kids got me a gopro for fathers day and I used it for the first time today.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhWCG...&feature=g-upl

dorado50 · 06-19-2012, 09:11 PM

Like how you measured it after the kill

. Would you have erased the vid if it came up short?

.

packeryakker · 06-20-2012, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dorado50

Like how you measured it after the kill

. Would you have erased the vid if it came up short?

.

I was a little nervous after the gaff

, it has been suggested I invest in a mesh net which I will do today.

mtnbykr2 · 06-20-2012, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by packeryakker

I was a little nervous after the gaff

, it has been suggested I invest in a mesh net which I will do today.

haven't seen or heard of enforcement but it is required to carry a net if you target butts...

Gigafish · 06-20-2012, 10:47 AM

Cool pic, you'll get a chuckle out of it a few years from now. Congrats on your 1 st.

GregAndrew · 06-20-2012, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtnbykr2

haven't seen or heard of enforcement but it is required to carry a net if you target butts...

Actually, it is required for fishing in the ocean for anything because bycatch happens.

Cbad Mike · 06-20-2012, 11:15 AM

Legal is legal........ CONGRATULATIONS!

Aaron&Julie · 06-21-2012, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by packeryakker

I was a little nervous after the gaff

, it has been suggested I invest in a mesh net which I will do today.

Judging by your tape measure it barely made 22 inches, as I believe the mouth is supposed to be closed when measuring them. By law, I also believe a net is required on all fishing crafts, but not too many people off of La Jolla bring them, since most of the fish caught there don't usually require measurements

When they're that close and you don't have a net it's better to take the risk of bouncing them on deck and losing them, vice sticking the gaff in them when they could be a 1/2 inch short.
He looks like he just made it, so congrats on your first legal

dorado50 · 06-21-2012, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron&Julie

Judging by your tape measure it barely made 22 inches, as I believe the mouth is supposed to be closed when measuring them. By law, I also believe a net is required on all fishing crafts, but not too many people off of La Jolla bring them, since most of the fish caught there don't usually require measurements

When they're that close and you don't have a net it's better to take the risk of bouncing them on deck and losing them, vice sticking the gaff in them when they could be a 1/2 inch short.
He looks like he just made it, so congrats on your first legal

You prefaced with a negative! The "lil stinker" is going to be all over your ass

. Don't rain on someones blind luck...you'll get a pm from the internet cop!

Yakin · 06-21-2012, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dorado50

You prefaced with a negative! The "lil stinker" is going to be all over your ass

. Don't rain on someones blind luck...you'll get a pm from the internet cop!

Doesn't really matter it measures safely, and is a hali in the bag, dfg didn't catch him, so I say props on the hali!

Aaron&Julie · 06-21-2012, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dorado50

You prefaced with a negative! The "lil stinker" is going to be all over your ass

. Don't rain on someones blind luck...you'll get a pm from the internet cop!

I'm not going to worry about the "Proper English Police" or the "Internet Cop", since I ain't in English class no more

And I'm not trying to rain on anyone's parade. I'm assuming much sarcasm in your response, but if that's not the case, no worries.

Just trying to give him a heads up, and maybe save him a ticket in the future.

We have great nets for when we drive all the way up to Dana Point for fish of that size, and we'll net and keep them. If they're obviously legal, the gaff is used.

Again, congrats on your 1st, it's good to break the ice.

jorluivil · 06-19-2012, 09:15 PM

That's awesome!

There was a tournament in that area last Saturday, no one could catch a legal even if their life depended on it. Go get his fat ugly cousin now!!

min-va · 06-19-2012, 11:42 PM

Good job with the first legal!!

06-20-2012, 12:00 AM

Well sir, that is one hell of a nice filet job you did! Well done

Divad · 06-20-2012, 06:38 AM

Nice start! Why to go!

packeryakker · 06-20-2012, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jorluivil

That's awesome!

There was a tournament in that area last Saturday, no one could catch a legal even if their life depended on it. Go get his fat ugly cousin now!!

Yeah I was in that tourny and only got a few shorts...

Rotten Chum · 06-20-2012, 06:54 AM

Awesome Job... To close for comfort

Deamon · 06-20-2012, 07:28 AM

Well manicured green grass...a very nice filet job... You're not originally from around Victorville, are you?

packeryakker · 06-20-2012, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deamon

Well manicured green grass...a very nice filet job... You're not originally from around Victorville, are you?

Moved here for work from Wisconsin in 93 was only gonna stay for a couple years....

YakMedic · 06-20-2012, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by packeryakker

Moved here for work from Wisconsin in 93 was only gonna stay for a couple years....

Only a couple years huh? It's nice when that long ass drive is a successful trip. Nice job on your first legal.

06-19-2012, 07:40 PM	#1
packeryakker Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Victorville Posts: 61	My first legal Went out today optimistic about the prospect of landing, filleting and eating my first legal halibut. I am still new to this whole process but today was the day. Showed up at Belmont Pier at around 5ish to make some bait only a couple other guys there, they seemed to be pulling in plenty of small baits and macks. I proceeded to catch one trout sized mack in the hour I fished there. So I took my giant mack and packed up and headed up to Cherry Beach picking up frozen chovies at 7-11 on the way. Weather was great, low wind, overcast and quiet. I started unloading and quickly realized something was not right, my mirage drive was AT HOME, rookie mistake so stupid. Figured I was here what the hell I will paddle, after all the water was great. Got loaded and paddled out towards the island getting drug around by that giant mack, after an hour or so that mack was toast so I switched out for a frozen anchovie. Within a few minutes I heard the sound I have come to anticipate, the one the haunts me when I am just about asleep, the sound that until today has resulted in my second guessing how I have handled each and every pick up. Click...click... click....faster then zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz, waited, forced myself to slow down. Swung and felt weight. After two missed attempts at the gaff the third try struck pay dirt and the butt was in my boat. As you can see from the pics it is just barely legal. Mouth closed measured 22.5, in the pic mouth open 23. At any rate I am happy to say that the stink is off my new boat and has been replaced with blood. ! Tale of the tape Tail of the tape My first Halibut Filet very little waste, belly meat looked a little funny For anyone who would like to endure the 6 min video here is the link, kids got me a gopro for fathers day and I used it for the first time today. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhWCG...&feature=g-upl

06-19-2012, 09:11 PM	#2
dorado50 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: La Jolla Shores Posts: 1,626	Like how you measured it after the kill. Would you have erased the vid if it came up short?.

06-19-2012, 09:15 PM	#12
jorluivil Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 6,856	That's awesome! There was a tournament in that area last Saturday, no one could catch a legal even if their life depended on it. Go get his fat ugly cousin now!! __________________ www.facebook.com/Teamsewer

06-19-2012, 11:42 PM	#13
min-va Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Hacienda Heights Posts: 216	Good job with the first legal!! __________________ www.vapercompany.com

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06-20-2012, 10:47 AM	#5
Gigafish Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 309	Cool pic, you'll get a chuckle out of it a few years from now. Congrats on your 1 st.

06-20-2012, 11:15 AM	#7
Cbad Mike Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Carlsbad Ca. Posts: 1,206	Legal is legal........ CONGRATULATIONS!

06-20-2012, 12:00 AM	#14
Drake Guest Posts: n/a	Well sir, that is one hell of a nice filet job you did! Well done

06-20-2012, 06:38 AM	#15
Divad Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Oceanside Posts: 112	Nice start! Why to go!

06-20-2012, 06:54 AM	#17
Rotten Chum Does it Really Matter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Santee Posts: 25	Awesome Job... To close for comfort

06-20-2012, 07:28 AM	#18
Deamon Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 1,972	Well manicured green grass...a very nice filet job... You're not originally from around Victorville, are you?