Path of Destruction!!!

[ful-rac]

Well things have been pretty quiet around the sewer lately...the team sewer guys have been on a cold streak...even me it's been pretty rough to be honest...I have a story that I was considering not sharing...but maybe some of you guys can learn, and someday might benefit from my misfortune...or just get a laugh at my expense...

The day starts out like any other day fishn, sleepy, tired, but excited of what the day might bring...Mrgregandrew and myself arrive at an undisclosed topsecret location not having very high hopes of catching anything worth keeping, but we just have to try anyway, good or bad.

After fishing for an hour or two and ending up with nothing but sandbass and sculpin, we decide to fish a different area that has produced fish or two in the past...We start our drift, we work as a team, I fish shallow greg fishes deep...About half way through our drift I get bit...I lift up on the rod...set the hook...heavy, heavy headshakes...ooooh boy now that's the right stuff...! I glance over to my other rod and see that it's already hooked up with my fish...Im think'n....not again...I lost a huge halibut last year that exact same way. I quicky throw the rod into freespool and flip the clicker on...ok now it shouldn't be a problem...It drags me around for a bit but gives up fairly quickly....deeep color....OH- MY- GAWD...!!!it's a friggn monster! The fish comes up completely vertical, not a good situation. I pull on the fish trying to lay it out for the gaff shot, I see my opportunity and I take it...perfect belly shot. I get the game clip on without incident, smoothly 1 try fish secured.

At this point, I have tangled lines everywhere...not good. So I whip out the knife and start cutting, now my lap is filled with hooks treble hooks spectra...not a good situation to be in with a monster fish just waiting to explode next to me...I know something bad is about to happen I could almost sense it...the fish was completely calm at this time. I have to get the rods off my lap and into the holders, as well as clear the line and hooks off my lap. I was reluctant to pull the gaff out...just because once removed...usually all hell breaks loose. So I needed to let the fish go, and get organized...but like I said feeling very nervous...I could almost see it coming....

You still with me...? Good...
I slip the gaff out of the fish and it's calm for just 1 second...and just like I knew was going to happen it went berserk! Almost like the video "grenade fishing" except this fish goes OFF like a bomb next to my kayak! Next thing I know...I see white...that's the fish launching itself...it lands on my rails with a loud whack...whack...whack!!! that just happens to be where I keep my phone on a ram mount...oh shit...I hear a loud crack and the plastic ram mount just comes apart...my phone drops right into the water...it seemed like the fish smashed the right side of my kayak about 10 times in 1 second...I'm going for a ride...somehow or another the fish comes unclipped??? and the next thing you know me and greg see it about 50 feet away...it seems in a blink of an eye...launching itself out of the water several times before finally sinking out to the bottom......Wow...did that just happen?

I'm in complete and utter shock...I look at the tip of one of my rods and in the melee somehow that fucker snapped 4" off my 800xl... What can I say...? Iv'e caught many halibut on my kayak a couple over 30 pounds many over 20...and never seen one go this crazy. This fish was definitely a personal best for me...it was larger than anything I have caught previously by far...I guess we will never really know for sure...

So I ended up losing a phone... whacked off by a halibut...busted rod...lost fish and wounded pride....hope this was an entertaining read for ya...true story! Unforturnately....



Tony.

[StinkyMatt]

At least you did not flip at the landing.


That's why we love you Tony. You provide the entertainment every time..

[Tman]

No pics = BS

gonna catch chit for that one

[bus kid]

Bummer about your phone!

http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/s...FEPROOF&page=3

Originally Posted by bus kid

no leash, or even a float on your phone Tony, your going to Jorge that phone if you keep it up!

[mrJB]

Been FUBAR'd a few times myself... then again I've won a few that I shouldn't have. i guess it all even's out in the end...

[jorluivil]

Originally Posted by StinkyMatt

At least you did not flip at the landing.


That's why we love you Tony. You provide the entertainment every time..

I concur 20 x 50 x infinity

[undrH2Ohntr]

damn....I thought I had a crazy day...I guess not, sorry.

[silentsmell]

that's one bad ass fish. thanks for the good read

[Deamon]

bummer in so many ways...personal best, cell phone...NOT the 800XL!!! Shit!

[DanaPT]

stories like this help balance perspective. Kayak fishing isn't ALL fun and games. I thought this was going to end badly at this point. . .

"now my lap is filled with hooks treble hooks spectra...not a good situation to be in with a monster fish just waiting to explode next to me"


having hooks driven into any body part (let alone the crotch area). .. biggest fear for me.

Glad about you not being hurt. Sorry about the fish. Unfortunately you get to re-live that moment in your head until you match/best the one that got away
(That's what has happened to me!)

[roby]

Originally Posted by Tman

No pics = BS

You own a GoPro, an Iphone, and an Ipad....plus Greg was there too. And no one got a pic or video.

I'm not sure I believe this story bro...haha.

The year is still early. I'm certain you'll get another big one on the end of your line again.

[sdfisher]

When that Hali is on your game clip just relaxing lay the wood to it! Beat it over the head like nobody's business or if you can slash those gills.

Sounds like it was a rough trip, sorry to hear that.

[dorado50]

Take my rods..take my phone....take my credit cards...but please don't take the fish!.

[MrPatrick]

"Whacked off by a Halibut"

["jjcawjj"]

Thought that kind of day only happen to ME, Great read thanks for sharing!!!

[maui jim]

Originally Posted by MrPatrick

"Whacked off by a Halibut"

At least it smelled fishey......

[Iceman]

Ouch Tony, good lesson shared.

[RedSledTeam]

Tony,
Thanks for sharing a great story! All we need now is a little seared ahi, pork chops and a campfire! We can all learn from this, so for the 'after-action-review' the RedSledTeam wants to know what you would do differently next time?

[ful-rac]

Originally Posted by RedSledTeam

Tony,
Thanks for sharing a great story! All we need now is a little seared ahi, pork chops and a campfire! We can all learn from this, so for the 'after-action-review' the RedSledTeam wants to know what you would do differently next time?

There is definitely something I would do differently, simply make it a rule to attach a secondary device to big fish... example...a rope, second game clip something to secure it in the event of gameclip or padeye failure. Big fish in my book are fish approching 30 pound class and above. Devices should be attached to separate points on your kayak in the event of failure of one.

The power of these fish should not be underestimated, even after it's clipped, bled for several hours...and you think it's dead for sure...in all likelyhood it's not.

Large halibut are definitely one of the more dangerous things to catch on a kayak and should be treated as such.

I had been forewarned of such possibilites, of gameclip malfunction/failure...I did not heed that advice, in this case. Just because of my own stubbornness or cockyness...or because it just never happened to me before...until I crossed paths with that one insane fish. Had I been prepared...or listened to the advice of fellow more experienced kayak brothers...I would have brought home my PB halibut...

[Old Man in the Sea]

Thanks Tony for sharing - great info to know....sorry about that!!!