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11-19-2006, 10:17 PM | #1 |
Kayaker
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Big Rock, WindanSea, La Jolla
Posts: 413
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Sleigh Ride Sunday 11/19/06
Launched the Adventure from Big Rock around 11
AM after taking a morning beach walk with the kids, goofing around with gear, and some honeydoos. Yawn. Beautiful sunny day, glassy and pretty flat. Current was strong from the north, decided to get some excercise - check my rockfish areas. Headed out to where there were some boats, and metered deep bait spots over 2 miles out at 283 degrees around the lobster traps in 130'. Fishing this white plastic, I caught 2 reds and 2 just short lings in 20 minutes. Fun stuff on the little Calcutta 250 and bass rod. While drifting south, I rigged a 4 oz bucktail on the AVET SX (pretty light gear) and dropped that down for the drift, hoping to get a rockfish or ling as I fished the leadhead on the bass rod. Suddenly, I found myself on the mother of all sleigh rides, wondering if I was going to wake up from a dream. The 8 foot rod was full-bendo for a good 40 minutes as I was towed all over and around a few lobster ropes as the fog moved in. Realizing this was a huge fish that needed extra pullin' and my 20# topshot was still holding well, I put the lever drag up to FULL and got every inch of line I could get, when I could. It was an incredible battle that I thought may never end. After over an hour, the fish finally came up to color. I got a glimpse of the big Black Seabass underwater, just before it popped belly up for pictures. It was like 5 feet long, I won't even guess at the weight. Huge. My foot, size 11 After much care, I was able to deflate the swim bladder, and the monster swam back to the depths. Biggest thing I've caught from the kayak besides that big Thresher in spring. What a ride! And tacos too.
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Larry. Hobie Revolution 13. 25 years of kayak fishing La Jolla. https://larryl.com/photos |
11-20-2006, 09:48 AM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,568
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Awesome!!!! 8)
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[------------------------ <)))< ....b-a-a-a-a |
11-20-2006, 11:08 AM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,053
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HUGE is right. fun stuff.
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11-20-2006, 11:35 AM | #4 |
Crusty Member
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How do you deflate the swim bladder? Make a small cut? Where?
I would hate to kill one and if I ever hook into a BSB I should know. Sounds like a good day. ~B
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pastor maximus felis domestica Bobby |
11-20-2006, 07:28 PM | #5 |
Kayaker
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Big Rock, WindanSea, La Jolla
Posts: 413
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So here's what happened with the release. This fish was huge and when initially surfaced, had air blowing out the anal "vent" :shock: as bubbles,
which quickly subsided as I gasped at the size of the fish. Even with that, the amount of air remaining inside this fish was enormous, like a big beach ball. Swimming forward deliberately at all times, he was alert with lightning reactions and feeling fine I promise you, besides being upside-down and full of air.... Any touching of the mouth area elicited instant reaction. Anyway, I spent over 30-minutes with the fish on the surface, following, hoping that the air would escape somehow on its own. I tried pushing him underwater with the paddle, the gaff handle etc, and would pop up like a giant cork after half a tailbeat. So I put three 8oz weights (all I had) together on a line with a small hook, lightly in the lip. You guessed it - didn't budge. I would have needed 10 lbs of lead, and I don't carry an anchor. With no other options, no boats around and 20 ft visibility with fog, I had to go for a deflation attempt or tow him 2 miles to shore for help, which I would have gladly done if I thought it would help. On a clearer day, towing Mr BSB to the nearest sportboat would be a good call too. I carefully put my gaff under a scale way back near the anal fin (less organs way back there), and pulled it as gently as possible into the tight- stretched skin. Air came rushing out of the spot for a few minutes, and, he deflated - seemed strong as he gave me one last splash and headed down with strong tailbeats. I was expecting to see a trail of bubbles, but there were none. I hope that he made it. I did the best I could, and I know there is always a risk of infection and complications from any release, complicated by my 3 oz bucktail inside the mouth or stomach somewhere(inhaled the thing), I couldn't even see the jig, and, cetainly couldn't boga grip that beast. This was my first black seabass, and I'll try not to hook anymore! Here's some video of Giants of La Jolla http://youtube.com/watch?v=v7ag2mQehGc
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Larry. Hobie Revolution 13. 25 years of kayak fishing La Jolla. https://larryl.com/photos |
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