Other People's Butts

I lost a big butt the other day. True, I got one, but it's the one the got away that has kept me up two nights in a row. So, off I go to find it. Dana was cold and foggy. Paddling out around the Headlands was cool since the tide was so low. I like finding new structure poking its head over the water line. Other people use gps's, but I use pictures: Just beyond these "gate keepers" are fields and fields of kelp. Three years ago, the red tide choked out the sun, and killed the kelp. And just like La Jolla, Dana's kelp is back, and more. Single strands and huge clusters. Take your pick. All potential zones for fish. I headed towards South Laguna from here. Two days ago I lost a big butt wrapping itself in the kelp. I broke my 30lb spectra trying to yank it out. Today, I brought 50lb spectra and a wire leader. I've got chovies and dino's. Both seem to work. By my third stop, I start pulling up a couple shorts. Just then, in this extremely quiet environment, I hear, "How's the Calico fishing?" A couple of guys in a small Whaler pull up and are wondering if I'll talk. I was rerigging when I told them to forget about the bass, there are big butts to be had. I turned around and go about my business. Drop back down, only to be slammed. The butt doesn't want to come up and starts pulling me into the kelp. This is how I lost the last big one a couple of days ago. NOT AGAIN. But wait, I've got 50lb spectra and a wire leader. So I start yanking to turn its head. Snap goes my new 50lb spectra! A drunk Greek Salior would have closed his ears upon hearing the words coming out of my mouth. The boys in the whaler never left. Now, they rig the same way I did, and start calling me "Bro." All this way to get broke off on new 50lb spectra, I'm gonna kill the manufacturer. And, that's not the worst of it. Here, meet Steve and Peter and their new 15lb halibut. I never been called "Bro" so many times in my life. Steve and Peter towed my back to the marina. Now I have new friends. But, they have my halibut. What kinda deal is that?