La Jolla 6-19-19

[FISH11]

After a little thought, I decided to post this because I think that some might benefit and not make the same mistake. Yesterday I found it hard to make bait even though there was lots in areas. Towed a sabiki almost all day and used my other rod to throw lures and troll a rapala greenback. Only caught Calicos, Tree fish and various rock fish, all were released. All I wanted was some macs to flyline for Yellows. I even went south and into the heavy kelp, found some nice large pools without stringers and as I looked for bait. I see a 20-25lb WSB swim by about ten feet down. I had to look and stare because it was unexpected, same thing happen about 4 years ago and just like then I though this fish is just there to tease me. This time though I had a rod with a jig and I dropped it next to him. He didn't even look at it. I reeled it in and cast it ahead and reeled it in and it didn't even care. Frustrated I went back north and finally found some smelt that got on the sabiki hooks. Pinned on the largest about 11" and a short time later it gets hit while going over kelp in 57-65'. It starts the clicker and line going but not as fast as Yellows take off. I engage the drag on the Avet and the fun begins, it starts giving me a sleigh ride and then heads straight down and the drag is not slowing down. I tighten up the drag some more and start gaining line and cutting through kelp stringers. Seemed strange but I wasn't feeling the head shakes, just hard pulls and deep runs. I see a boat coming closer because he saw me getting towed and rod all bendo. They're checking out the action as they go by. As I managed to get it up closer after several hard straight down runs, it got to the leader because it wasn't cutting through the kelp anymore. I kept hard pressure but that was the problem, I should have given it more line again so the braid would be around the kelp and cut through the remaining stringers. The hard pulling and the 7' of 40lb flourocarbon leader was only putting the pressure on the leader and the hook with the fish against the stringers. Finally the line breaks and when I looked at the leader it had broken at the knot at the hook and there was a trace of rust from the ringed circle hook. That is the lesson that I learned a long time ago but had become lazy and the knot had not been re-tied in like 7 trips. I think I had just lost my first large WSB, damnnnnnnnnn..!. So I tell my story in hopes it helps others to always check the line, leader and replace the leader and re-tie the hooks more often. Tight Lines.
https://youtu.be/Mqql1qxgU54