Ghost Fever...

[driftwood]

So that's what i missed out on. I should of just dealt with the wind and gone for it and met you at the spot. WOW! catch and release - the fish Gods are smiling. Thanks for helping me hook up my first 50 lb WSB last Wednesday. Did you like the way i realeased it? im sure it survived to live another day. Your fishing techniques are very methodical and definetly not main stream. Which for me now makes the WSB, and in the words of Hemingway, "elusive but quite attainable"!

ps - My wife says that I need to keep the next one I catch because she loves WSB.

[bellcon]

way to go Josh... you should think about starting a guide service...i am just saying


and the video was cool
thanks blackcloud9 i could not get the first link to work

[Vikingj]

Magnificent! Thanks for taking time to present such a thoughtful post with video & photos.

[yakrider]

what a day ...I hope to get to come down and play again soon...
the fish will just have to wait for the work to get done...

great story and awesome release...
two years ago...
the fish in my avatar was a result of an epic two week bite...
I had the good fortune to experience some C&R on some nice WSB..
what a great feeling...thank you for reminding me of my experience...
can't wait for the day I get to release a 40lb yellow...
'cause if I do, it'll mean the freezer's full....

[roosta]

Great post Josh,

The feeling of releasing a beautiful large fish like that one is definitely a good one. I think that you bring up a very good point on the catch and release front. The MLPA's are looking to close La Jolla and much more of our local coastline (No fishing what so ever!), but I wish our representatives who are arguing for us would bring up a catch and release proposal. I would release every fish that I caught in the future if I could still fish La Jolla instead of having it shut down. As long as you handle the fish like you described in your post I am sure that they survive. Another option would be slot limits like they have on the east coast... Don't shut us down, there are other options.

Anyways man, good job on bringing that to light and congrats on those awesome fish.

[Geoffkoop]

Originally Posted by roosta

I wish our representatives who are arguing for us would bring up a catch and release proposal. I would release every fish that I caught in the future if I could still fish La Jolla instead of having it shut down. As long as you handle the fish like you described in your post I am sure that they survive. Another option would be slot limits like they have on the east coast... Don't shut us down, there are other options.

My thoughts exactly.

[DESTROYER]

Josh- The funny thing about fishing. In this last weeks WON there is an article by Bradon Hayward about WSB and I quote Allyn Watson owner and operator pf the six pack Dreamer "Watson likes to use 40 or 50# mono or spectra to a piece of heavy mono or floro; actually, Watson thinks Flirocarbon is a waste of money. He thinks that seabass are so stupid that it doesn't matter.

This just shows you that every angler has there own opinion! My opinion is: Whatever helps you catch fish. I for one think like Josh. I believe that WSB are intelligent and are very sensitive to noise and vibrations. Therefore, I never run my bait tank or my depth finder while fishing for these ghost. Take what you need and throw the rest back

TL-Matt

[ezcompany]

what a great read Josh. Very well deserved catch, even better of you to release such a handsome fish! Thank you for the awesome read and video

[Rhyno1]

Very cool video, and great C&R.

Hey Yak Rider you forgot one other way you will be releasing a 40lb yellow, cause you already had your limit (5) would be the other reason to let em go! Besides you could always get a bigger freezer!

[redyak07]

Josh,

Congrats on the fish! I don't post to many comments on here. I myself have pulled many seabass both whites and blacks. All released. I have 5 kids from 1yrs. to 13yrs. I would like for them and there kids to be able to catch fish like I have. The stories we all heard about when our dads and grandfathers of how good it was. We all can make a difference. I don't want anyone to be able to tell me that I can't fish here, because this place has been over fished. Thanks for the video Josh, its a great start!




Its even more rewarding to see them swim away.

[Tman]

Originally Posted by Iceman

Josh I think somebody may need to poke a pin in your head

Only Andy can get away with that one....

[Billy V]

Good show of Sportsmanship Josh.

Watching her swim away in that Vid was awesome.

[THE DARKHORSE]

Originally Posted by Iceman

Josh I think somebody may need to poke a pin in your head

Quote:

Here's a fish of a lifetime that even though they're in great numbers most will never see one attached to their hook.

The point in this sentence is that there are tons of these larger models around even though very few are caught (smart fish), as in the stock is doing well. I would gladly trade my next opportunity at one of these magnificent fish to someone who has been eluded for years.

On a side note, the video has been edited to make your coffee taste that much better, enjoy!

[Tman]

Originally Posted by THE DARKHORSE

I would gladly trade my next opportunity at one of these magnificent fish to someone who has been eluded for years.

Will have to take you up on that one...

I have been trying to put the Fishcatcher on one for years...

I do agree with you though about the return of these fish. Many, many years ago, I was out fishing with a neighbor on my favorite spot (on a PB), using visual guides as to where my spot was.
His boat had a GPS, and he kept asking me the coordinates. I lined up my view points at the spot where the best I had ever caught was a short WSB.

He's working an iron, and hooks up with a 42 lb'er. Posts it on the radio, and people met us at Dana Landing to see the fish. Unheard of at that time.

Hubbs is doing a very good job, I personally (not this year) have seen schools swim through the kelp...big 'uns. I have toured the facility, and through a biz contact, got to see what they are doing behind the scenes. Remarkable. I remember looking at the breeding tank with a 100 lb female, and then realized I was drooling.

I personally think the limit should be 1 per day, period.

Great write up. That is all.

[blackcloud9]

I was going to do a special video edit for showing at the Fred Hall show,
but goofed around on the PC last night and remixed it already.

WSB Release Remix - http://larryl.com/images/WhiteSeabas...Spring2009.wmv

Its better quality now because it's not compressed onto PhotoBucket.
This was shot on an older, $120 Canon digital camera, still best viewed
in a small window.

It's 17 MB, so it takes a couple of minutes to download.

[tthor]

Well said and well done Josh. Hubbs has done a wonderful thing for the WSB fishery. I too believe the numbers of WSB in La Jolla and all along the SoCal coast continue to rise based on the reports over the years. My brother while free diving on Saturday said he saw the largest school of WSB he has ever seen, 20+ fish all over 30lbs. I am still looking for my "fish of a lifetime" since releasing my last WSB, a ~35-40lb fish some ten years ago. After missing some epic bites while being involved with my daughters sports the last few years, I am in pursuit mode now for that true trophy.

Tom

[Pescavore1]

That's amazing work with precision of a surgeon. Awesome!!

Originally Posted by driftwood

So that's what i missed out on. I should of just dealt with the wind and gone for it and met you at the spot..

Too bad you did not meet up with Josh. That fish could have been yours. Come to think of it, Josh's last 2 WSB could have been yours.Stop putting off your trophy hunt and get out there!!!