7/31 Butt

[Billy V]

Launched @ gray light and headed to the kelp for bait. Made 3 macs and headed out to 100 ft.

Trolled through the middle of the fleet and stopped to soak the bait, 10 seconds later my reel sounded a few short bursts, and a long scream.

At first I thought it was a Calico that lost its way from the kelp because of how easy it came up, but that changed after a dozen cranks. Barn door on the hook, and I knew it was a Hali.

This fish went Nuts yak side, after I stuck him he shook so violently he broke my new promar gaff.
My friend Jason quickly handed me a second gaff and I stuck him again, and beat him with what was left of the first gaff.
-That really pissed him off, but I kept at it until he was seeing stars.

I game clipped him and tore out his gills, then bagged him up in an industrial drum liner bag float and hide him from the circling dogs.
It was a tight fit in the Adventure's hatch, but we stuffed him in there. Thats where a couple of friends come in handy.
It weighed in @ 28.4 lbs.

Thanks Elbie and Jason