Other People's Butts

I lost a big butt the other day. True, I got one, but it's the one the got away that has kept me up two nights in a row. So, off I go to find it. Dana was cold and foggy. Paddling out around the Headlands was cool since the tide was so low. I like finding new structure poking its head over the water line. Other people use gps's, but I use pictures: Just beyond these "gate keepers" are fields and fields of kelp. Three years ago, the red tide choked out the sun, and killed the kelp. And just like La Jolla, Dana's kelp is back, and more. Single strands and huge clusters. Take your pick. All potential zones for fish. I headed towards South Laguna from here. Two days ago I lost a big butt wrapping itself in the kelp. I broke my 30lb spectra trying to yank it out. Today, I brought 50lb spectra and a wire leader. I've got chovies and dino's. Both seem to work. By my third stop, I start pulling up a couple shorts. Just then, in this extremely quiet environment, I hear, "How's the Calico fishing?" A couple of guys in a small Whaler pull up and are wondering if I'll talk. I was rerigging when I told them to forget about the bass, there are big butts to be had. I turned around and go about my business. Drop back down, only to be slammed. The butt doesn't want to come up and starts pulling me into the kelp. This is how I lost the last big one a couple of days ago. NOT AGAIN. But wait, I've got 50lb spectra and a wire leader. So I start yanking to turn its head. Snap goes my new 50lb spectra! A drunk Greek Salior would have closed his ears upon hearing the words coming out of my mouth. The boys in the whaler never left. Now, they rig the same way I did, and start calling me "Bro." All this way to get broke off on new 50lb spectra, I'm gonna kill the manufacturer. And, that's not the worst of it. Here, meet Steve and Peter and their new 15lb halibut. I never been called "Bro" so many times in my life. Steve and Peter towed my back to the marina. Now I have new friends. But, they have my halibut. What kinda deal is that?

[tackle dummy]

Dont tase me bro!!!

lol

[TheSherThang]

Broooooooo! Totally bummed on the epic loss. lol

[tptrench]

What # test were you using for a topshot and what kind of knot for the connection?

[quietman]

no topshot.

spectra all the way, or in yani's case, all the way to wire...

JR

[frugalfisher]

That sucks! I just was broke off using 65 lb powerpro twice in La Jolla, thought it was my knot, tested using my truck as a fish and found the spectra breaks 3 ft up from the knot with only ~ 20lb of force, either that or I'm stronger than I think!! The line has been on there for ~ 1 year. I saw little puffs of white when it was going to break so maybe there was degradation over time??

[Billy V]

What brand 50 lb. Spectra was it that snapped ?

I recently bought some 65 power pro and have been testing knots. I have broken the line above the knots a few times now. I'm wondering if I got some of the older stuff.

------------------
Nice pics of the area.

[radastaff]

cool story

i feel ure frustration

everyone within 10 mi
knows when i loose a fish too

i bet all of santa monica
herd my yell
when i lost what i believe was a wsb
from the surf last night


heh heh


p

TP, it's spectra to a swivel, to a short wire, to a J hook, to a fat halibut. I use Palomar and Uni knots. The spectra I purchased from Hogan's in DP is called Isoriee Line (sp?), anyway it's white, supposed to be good and has never given me problems before. I have to admit, I really yank on these fish. I feel compelled to horse them up quick. There's so much kelp, even a rope couldn't pull a tangled up halibut out of a dense kelp forest. Or, so it seems. By the way, I may have been frustrated out on the water, but these days, a birthday hooker couldn't make me happier! Happy Hooker Mother's Day

[bajadog]

Dude

[GBF]

Nice fish Bro!!

GBF

bbb

Originally Posted by yani

[vincentek9]

ouch. sucks to hear your loss. but i must ask how you snapped the line. was it a stale-mate battle that broke it? were you cranking in lots of line? was he still peeling drag?

maybe a tip for next time: loosen the drag. yeah the halibut will run through the kelp like tarzan swings through a jungle.. but the spectra will cut through it. dont freak out and button down on the drag unless you can see the bottom of your spool.

[ful-rac]

Yeah dont freak out bro!

We just lost a chance to see you cook up something awsome!

[alanw]

dudes this is like a 5 year old post..

[YakDout]

Sometimes those halibut don't even know they're hooked if you reel em up slow. I've had halibut swim straight up at me on the end of my hook, without even knowing I got bit.

[easyday]

Yea this is back from 2008?

[JarrodMc]

That sucks bro