Cabrillo 7/14

[Badtaste2k]

Got to the launch around 5:30am. It was pretty overcast out but mellow. Got some bait and continued my quest for my first Halibut. Let me save you the suspense, it didn't happen...

Anyways, it was still a nice day on the water. Caught and released a couple bass and a lizard fish as well as a legal Leopard Shark on a sardine. When I got the shark to the yak and saw what it was I was unsure of the regulations. I took some pictures with my phone and debated about gaffing it but didn't want to risk it. I have never caught a Leopard shark and wasn't even sure if they were legal to keep. Now that I am home and looked it up I found that I could have pulled her up since I think she was over 36". Anyways, she made the decision easy for me by snapping the line after I got about 5 blurry pics.

Wind started picking up about 12:30pm so I decided to head in instead of getting stuck out there again. Met Packeryakker and his Bro out there. They were still fishing when I left. Hope they had more luck than me!

Didn't bring home any fish, but any day on the water is a good day!

Dan

[jorluivil]

I've caught a few of those, just as I'm about to gaff it the fish decides to do the twist and snaps the line.

[min-va]

U will get yr legal hali soon or later...I got my first legal first time fish cabrillo.
Nice leopard!! I never catch one..

[lowprofile]

i use 100lb mono leader and circle hooks for them. they dont stand a chance. still haven't got one on the yak though. have got smoothies.

[JohnnyCope]

I have been told they taste like crap ! Anyone have first hand on them ?

[Fiskadoro]

Originally Posted by JohnnyCope

I have been told they taste like crap ! Anyone have first hand on them ?

Leopards are good eating. About the same quality as Thresher to my taste. No mako but edible.

I used to fish them in the surf but I've caught bigger ones over 5ft just fishing halibut gear (20lbs) in SMB. The thing to note about Leopards is they are a closed fishery for part of the year.

[lowprofile]

Originally Posted by Fiskadoro

Leopards are good eating. About the same quality as Thresher to my taste. No mako but edible.

I used to fish them in the surf but I've caught bigger ones over 5ft just fishing halibut gear (20lbs) in SMB. The thing to note about Leopards is they are a closed fishery for part of the year.

unless from shore. shore is open all year and we get them big.

wife got this one about a week ago.


heres what the meat looks like. its really good. i keep a couple every year and its usually only in the 4ft range and will last several weeks. make sure you marinade it in a lemony brine solution as it thaws.


in my opinion shovel nose is the best tasting.