Roman "The Kid" Hipolito

[Romanator]

To keep things short...
I am sure there are many Western Outdoor News readers on this site. On one of the recent issues (April 18) I am viewed on the front page with an epithet "the kid" which I have acquired on the local sport boats, much like the old western figure, notorious for his killing skills similar to how I am with my skills on the water. Just thought i'd share finally, now that the bite is over. Just Kidding. Here she is, all 43 lbs of her fresh at San Clemente Island. 11" Live Mackerel on a dropper loop, 40lb fluorocarbon, and 44" fork length.
.
..
...
....
Now for the long story...
I began the trip on the overnight trip aboard "The Eldorado" with Capt. TJ Schlick and the crew. On previous trips aboard The Eldorado, I claimed many big fish, constantly being in the run for Jack Pot and did once with a 24lb. lingcod. As a result, I had become very well known. On this trip, Captain decided to investigate San Clemente for Seabass and Yellowtail instead of the normal bottom trips we did at San Nicholas. Woke up at 5 AM and began the soak on the dropper loop. Suddenly, a small tap followed by a little weight was felt at the end of my line. I wound down fast and felt a head shake. Set the hook and held on. She whipped my butt after a short battle with the black kind preceding the 30 minute game of tug-of-war after. Hooked her in the morning close to the kelp line. Once hooked, she dove straight into the kelp and into the reef, peeling 100 yards of spectra off. I put the pressure on the fish and began to crank her in, but run after run, I began to think the hole from the hook may have become too large from the fight and could have lost it. As time proceeded, thoughts of loosing the fish increased as every spectra fraying tweak of the line strummed the spectra as the fish became entangled in the kelp. Finally, I got her head turned, and with a sudden stroke of luck, she swam straight to the boat. I wound the line on as fast as I could on my micro AvetSX, and finally knew the fish was close due to the large violent head shakes. Now the fish began to do the famed death circles under the boat. "Deep color," one deckhand yelled as the fish began to come in view. I called out for the gaff and the fish began to circle on the surface splashing about as its massive body frantically spent every last reserve of energy to escape. The deckhand swung with the gaff but missed. My heart sank as my fish turned its head for another run as the gaff had invoked a newly found burst of energy to survive. Once again, I got the fish to circle the boat, but this time it circled further under the boat and I began to feel the rubbing of my spectra against the prop. The fish continued to attempt its death circles, but at this point was rapped around the prop and could hardly manage its head from under the boat in view for the gaff. "Get him" one of the deckhands hollered as three gaffs were hastily sunk into its body and hoisted over the rail, followed by a thunderous melody of beats on the deck from its massive tail. God I love that sound! I shouted out "Woohooo" as I threw my hands in the air in victory. Which proceeded with plenty of hand shakes exchanged with the crew and pictures to be taken. It all felt unreal to finally get a Yellowtail of such size, my new personal best!! Smashing my previous PB of 14 pounds on my Curado 300 off the Horseshoe kelp a few months back. So far, plenty of sashimi, hamachi, and Bernstien's Italian Dressing marinaded chunks.
Enough popcorn material, here it is... now I just need one off the kayak.
As a side note, if that wasn't enough, I fished the surf the next day and landed a 28" Halibut from the secret spot on the LC Flashminnow110sp.