Sleigh Ride Sunday 11/19/06

[blackcloud9]

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