NorCal Kayak Anglers
Kayak Fishing Zone => Fishing Pics => Topic started by: BigJim on August 04, 2014, 11:46:14 AM
-
As one of the guys responsible for verifying AOTY and DOTY submissions I spend A LOT of time looking at fish pics and AOTY/DOTY entries both past and present.
Some entries and reports have stuck in my head and inspired me...the BIG fish over 40 inches have always haunted my dreams....both for the sheer impressiveness of the fish, and for the fact that I have seen/caught/shot so few fish that big!!!
I have heard mention and talk of the "40 inch club", but thought it would be cool to have a thread (hopefully stickied :smt002) where people can share and post their stories of their entries into "The 40 inch Club".
Seems to me that the species up here that should qualify for entry into this club are Lings, Butts, Salmon and Stripers...WSB seem to be mostly over 40 (only one entered in AOTY under 40), sturgeon are too big :smt002, same with wolf eels and sharks.
Here are some of my ramblings of 40inchers that have inspired me and left a lasting impression on me...
40 inches has always seemed to be the magic number to truly qualify a Ling as a LingZilla (don't know why but that's what my brain told me :smt002), and I still vividly remember when Adam FisHunter caught and released his 41 inch beast back in 2009.
His report and the community response to it was one of the events that really opened my eyes to what a special group NCKA is...
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=19596.0
You can see the 40 inch and over AOTY lings here:
http://aoty.norcalkayakanglers.com/speciesleaders/list_by_species/5
In 2012 I managed to join the "40 inch club" with my still PB ling. This was mostly a wrestling match after I barely pricked him with my spear...
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=37410.0
LingZilla with original audio (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbhvT5b2sI4#ws)
DOTY is still only three years old, but you can see some of the 40 inch and over Lings that have been shot and entered here:
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=37410.0
Later that year SinCoast caught his monster 42.75 inch butt to win the MBK tourney, and I remember thinking how crazy big that was and how I would almost be scared to see a butt that big underwater:
http://aoty.norcalkayakanglers.com/catches/2378
You can see the 40 inch and over AOTY butts here:
http://aoty.norcalkayakanglers.com/speciesleaders/list_by_species/4
This year I was lucky enough to get another entry into the Club with this 41.25 inch butt...once again my spear did not go all the way through and I had to grab the fish and subdue it with brute force...
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=57493.0
http://youtu.be/B3H7sU2ULM4
You can see the DOTY butts over 40 here:
http://doty.norcalkayakanglers.com/speciesleaders/list_by_species/6
In 2012 I remember being amazed at the masssive Salmon that Ruben FishKraft reeled in...what a BEAUTIFUL fish!!
:smt007
http://aoty.norcalkayakanglers.com/catches/2778
You can see the 40 inch and over AOTY Salmon here:
http://aoty.norcalkayakanglers.com/speciesleaders/list_by_species/3
In 2009 Patrick HOLY TOLEDO blew my mind when he caught this 42 inch Striper trolling a rapala in the surf, and now that it is legal to spear ocean stripers I get excited every time I swim through the surf thinking that I might stumble across a similar monster....
http://aoty.norcalkayakanglers.com/catches/763
You can see the 40 inch and over AOTY Stripers here:
http://aoty.norcalkayakanglers.com/speciesleaders/list_by_species/10
So...if you have stories/pics/vids of your own entries into the 40 inch club, or want to share stories of catches that have inspired you as an angler/diver post them up here!
:smt006
Sincerely,
Jim
ps...attached are a few pics of some good examples of my favorite 40+ inch beasts. :smt004
-
you made me cry here at work....thanks Jim! :smt008
and another congrats to those who are in now. :smt007
To those that are still looking to enter the 40 club.......they are out there, keep your chin up and your line/spear in the water, IT WILL HAPPEN! :smt003
-
If you dont mind, I'm adding this 40"+ Pac Hali. :smt002 THANKS
-
ahhh
WOW
seems I'm using too small a hook :smt003
-
ahhh
WOW
seems I'm using too small a hook :smt003
It's not the size of the hook, it's how you dangle it :smt002
-
How about WSB? 43", 45", and 48".
-
All awesome fish! Great thread. The one with HT is, well they all are amazing but HT's salmon just makes me giggle with joy. I was talking to his Dad on the phone when Patrick paddled up to him and I got to hear the first reaction from Allen. Priceless! He said," Holy Shit, it looks like Patrick has a WSB in the back of his kayak." :smt007 :smt006
Then after their infamous day at LM they stopped by and gifted one of those striped fish. These are the kind of friends that make life complete.
-
How about WSB? 43", 45", and 48".
Awesome fish dude!!
I don't know much about WSB but seems to me that most of the ones taken up here are over 40 inches though??
http://aoty.norcalkayakanglers.com/speciesleaders/list_by_species/14
While I would be stoked to get ANY legal sized WSB, not sure if they would better fit in a 50 inch club? :smt002
But...like I said...I don't know nothing about WSB...except that I wanna shoot one. :smt003
:smt006
Sincerely,
Jim
-
Great thread, Jim. I like the way you constructed it and gave links. You're making me feel old though! :smt005
September 11, 2006 - Solo 38 pound Shelter Cove King Salmon that my Dad said was "short for its weight" at just over 40":
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=5461.msg44838#msg44838
November 20, 2005 - 23.5 pound 40" lingcod won AOTY biggest lingcod that year:
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=2303.0
July 12, 2011 - Solo over 40" Shelter Cove Pacific Halibut caught on barbless gear:
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=32278.msg342950#msg342950
Thanks for the forum searching practice. :smt003
-
I don't know much about WSB but seems to me that most of the ones taken up here are over 40 inches though??
True enough, just wanted to post these up again!
-
I don't know much about WSB but seems to me that most of the ones taken up here are over 40 inches though??
True enough, just wanted to post these up again!
:smt044 :metal
-
I don't know much about WSB but seems to me that most of the ones taken up here are over 40 inches though??
True enough, just wanted to post these up again!
Guess we need a 50" club then :smt003 :smt004 :smt005
-
Great thread, Jim. I like the way you constructed it and gave links. You're making me feel old though! :smt005
September 11, 2006 - Solo 38 pound Shelter Cove King Salmon that my Dad said was "short for its weight" at just over 40":
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=5461.msg44838#msg44838
Love the pics in this one!!
Crazed salmon fever eyes!!
:smt003
:smt006
Sincerely,
Jim
-
yep! = he's CRAZY! :smt008
-
Hey I caught two 40 inch Cali butts that day! 35lbs and 28lbs...
(http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq217/Sin_Coast/2012%20MBK%20Tourney/P8050200.jpg) (http://s449.photobucket.com/user/Sin_Coast/media/2012%20MBK%20Tourney/P8050200.jpg.html)
And I agree there should probably also be a 50" Club for trophy PacButts & WSB.
And maybe a 100" Club for threshers now too :smt044
-
I'll add my beautiful 40" 32lb salmon from Shelter Cove this summer, I probably won't top this guy for awhile!
-
I'll add my beautiful 40" 32lb salmon from Shelter Cove this summer, I probably won't top this guy for awhile!
:smt007 :smt007 :smt007
Beauty!!!
Congrats again Matt!!!!!
:smt006
Sincerely,
Jim
-
Great Thread
-
Got this 40 incher last weekend up in Trinidad. It was a blast, basically inside the harbor too!(http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/09/04/fc545742085cb37cdeabfeda194d7db3.jpg)
-
Seems to me that the species up here that should qualify for entry into this club are Lings, Butts, Salmon and Stripers...WSB seem to be mostly over 40 (only one entered in AOTY under 40), sturgeon are too big :smt002, same with wolf eels and sharks.
Lot's of YT, tuna and WSB under 40". If your going for big game recognition, include all big game. A 40" YT will out fight a 40" salmon, ling or hali.
-
I think Pat's HUGE halibuts are the most impressive same day catches so far on this thread. I'm a little biased though cause I'd rather eat halibut than ling, salmon, striper, or wsb. :smt005 Hmmmm I do like Pac Hali even better though the limit is only one on those. :smt003
-
I think Pat's HUGE halibuts are the most impressive same day catches so far on this thread.
+1
Last time I had two forties in the same day I woke up in th back seat of my truck :smt044
ruben
-
Seems to me that the species up here that should qualify for entry into this club are Lings, Butts, Salmon and Stripers...WSB seem to be mostly over 40 (only one entered in AOTY under 40), sturgeon are too big :smt002, same with wolf eels and sharks.
Lot's of YT, tuna and WSB under 40". If your going for big game recognition, include all big game. A 40" YT will out fight a 40" salmon, ling or hali.
How many folks are catching YT and Tuna off kayaks in NorCal?
For WSB...like I said before, it seems that there a heck of a lot more WSB over 40 inches caught off kayaks in NorCal than there are 40 inch Salmon, Lings, Butts and Stripers.
But if you want to start another thread for big fish of all species in all waters...that would be great!
:smt006
Sincerely,
Jim
-
I think Pat's HUGE halibuts are the most impressive same day catches so far on this thread.
+1
Last time I had two forties in the same day I woke up in th back seat of my truck :smt044
ruben
If it was legal to take 3 pacific halibut like ca halibut then I could easily catch 3 over 40". Those are impressive cali butts though.
-
[/quote]
If it was legal to take 3 pacific halibut like ca halibut then I could easily catch 3 over 40". Those are impressive cali butts though.
[/quote]
Prove it to me that you can catch three in a day, but make sure I am there to witness it. ;-) Maybe Sunday?
-
Seems to me that the species up here that should qualify for entry into this club are Lings, Butts, Salmon and Stripers...WSB seem to be mostly over 40 (only one entered in AOTY under 40), sturgeon are too big :smt002, same with wolf eels and sharks.
Lot's of YT, tuna and WSB under 40". If your going for big game recognition, include all big game. A 40" YT will out fight a 40" salmon, ling or hali.
How many folks are catching YT and Tuna off kayaks in NorCal?
For WSB...like I said before, it seems that there a heck of a lot more WSB over 40 inches caught off kayaks in NorCal than there are 40 inch Salmon, Lings, Butts and Stripers.
But if you want to start another thread for big fish of all species in all waters...that would be great!
:smt006
Sincerely,
Jim
The average WSB commercially harvested in 2012 was 19# or about 38". The average YT is 14# or about 35".
-
Is there a time expiration on joining this club ? :smt044
-
I love the pic of the hali and the "net". :smt044
-
Huge congrats to kenjan for breaking the 40 inch mark with this speared 42 inch LingZilla!
:smt007
:smt006
Sincerely,
Jim
-
Right around 50" 56#'s I had help landing it though.
-
Right around 50" 56#'s I had help landing it though.
Hell yeah Randall!!!!!
That pic is so cool dude.
:smt007 :smt007
:smt006
Sincerely,
Jim
-
For those that do not know Randall in person, he makes that beast of a flattie look small.
-
Wow... :smt007 :smt007 Nicely done !!!
-
Great post Jim and thanks for putting all of the work into it. Does this count for the club :smt002
Ling was caught off Bean Hollow and was definitely 40", picture taken by Adam/FishHunter.
Edited, WSB pics removed-sorry I will move them to the appropriate location. Cheers
-
This thread makes me want to get on the water. Lol
-
Can I be in the club?
Didn't measure this but I bet it ranks.
bushy
-
Can I be in the club?
Didn't measure this but I bet it ranks.
bushy
You can always in in any club you want Bushy.
:smt008
Nice fish!!!!
:smt007
:smt006
Sincerely,
Jim
-
Well I know where I'm fishing tomorrow :smt003 Helluva hali Bushy :smt007
-
Since there is no 50"+ club, and since WSB is such a shameful, trash fish common to NorCal waters, I included a 40" ling from last year, a more respectable, worthy NorCal fish. :smt003
-
Since there is no 50"+ club, and since WSB is such a shameful, trash fish common to NorCal waters, I included a 40" ling from last year, a more respectable, worthy NorCal fish. :smt003
LOL!!
I love that pic of you laying with the WSB dude....congrats again!!
:smt007 :smt007
:smt006
Sincerely,
Jim
-
Can I be in the club?
Didn't measure this but I bet it ranks.
bushy
You can always in in any club you want Bushy.
The real question is, Would he want to be in any club that would have him as a member? :smt044
Luv ya Bushy, helluva flatty!
ruben
:smt008
Nice fish!!!!
:smt007
:smt006
Sincerely,
Jim
-
How bout the 100-inch club?
-
How many years ago was that?
-
How many years ago was that?
2007.
-Allen
-
Rockroach and his Zilla!!!
:smt007 :smt007 :smt007
Congrats again Marcos!!!
http://aoty.norcalkayakanglers.com/catches/4121
:smt006
Sincerely,
Jim
-
Okay, so my WSB weren't accepted, and understandably so, but now I'm in! 41" 27lb ling taken yesterday.
-
Congrats dude!! Nice one!!!!
:smt006
Sincerely,
Jim
-
Thanks Jim! Oh, and it was speared, not H&L.
-
Nice!
-
I'll have to find a better picture, but I've been part of this elite club since 2012 :smt003
(http://aoty.norcalkayakanglers.com/catch/image/2442/SC_9-19-12_026-medium.jpg?1348107236)
-
WELCOME.........back dated from 2012!
-
08.02.15
41.25" California Halibut - 27 pounds
-
Welcome...grab a seat, relax, vap a nugget and enjoy the place....we've been waiting for you! BWAAAAAHAAAAHAAA
-
08.09.15
40" California Halibut - 26 pounds
-
ohhhh!!!! TWICE!!!!!! Nice! :smt007
-
ohhhh!!!! TWICE!!!!!! Nice! :smt007
I quit fishing for halibut. Too much work! :smt044 :smt044 :smt044
-
Sometimes I get even more excited about other people's fish than my own...especially BIG butts!
Ken scxfactor with a 47" butt! (sackyak with the assist)
And then a 45" butt the next trip...
-
SurfingDude with a 40 inch SC Butt from his SC kayak.
:smt003
:smt006
Sincerely,
Jim
-
Finally made the club!!! 42 inches 30.5 lbs
-
Finally made the club!!! 42 inches 30.5 lbs
BOOM!!!!
What a beast!! :smt007 :smt007
Congrats Matt!!
:smt006
Sincerely,
Jim
-
Finally made the club!!! 42 inches 30.5 lbs
Welcome........we've been watching you........you have the force behind you now :smt007
-
As a brand new member of this board, this thread is inspiring. While I doubt any fish like this is in my near future...you never know. Always prepared and hopeful. Do any of you pack heat? Is that even legal on a kayak in Cali? Shit those halibut over 40 on the deck have to be a couple of armfuls...even with a bat/gaff/net.
Thanks for sharing.
Fish_ON
-
We do not pack heat. A firearm should not be used on our waters to subdue monster gamefish!
As a brand new member of this board, this thread is inspiring. While I doubt any fish like this is in my near future...you never know. Always prepared and hopeful. Do any of you pack heat? Is that even legal on a kayak in Cali? Shit those halibut over 40 on the deck have to be a couple of armfuls...even with a bat/gaff/net.
Thanks for sharing.
Fish_ON
-
As a brand new member of this board, this thread is inspiring. While I doubt any fish like this is in my near future...you never know. Always prepared and hopeful. Do any of you pack heat? Is that even legal on a kayak in Cali? Shit those halibut over 40 on the deck have to be a couple of armfuls...even with a bat/gaff/net.
Thanks for sharing.
Fish_ON
dude, no. :smt012
-
Sorry guys, I am new and just asked a question. I don't even own a gun. Just thought a huge fish on a kayak might be more than a little difficult to handle. I have also seen shows of BC/Alaskan fisherman using this practice....yes, I know that the fish get much bigger and they do it on motorboats. Which is why I asked the question. Certainly would have appreciate some tips on how you might handle such a situation instead of the tone that I got. Again, my apologies...I didn't mean to ruffle feathers in any way. Cheers.
Fish_ON
-
No worries Ty.
The firearms on a kayak issue is one that had had a lot of heated discussions in the past...
Gaffs or VERY BIG nets seem to work fine for the fish we get out here, without having to add the extra danger of a loaded firearm on a kayak.
You can also now, legally, harpoon halibut instead of gaffing them. But gaffing and then getting on game clip and then beating over the head seem to be the most common and preferred methods.
For diving I'm a fan of underwater wrestling and then ripping gills out until fishy calms down.
:smt001
:smt006
Sincerely,
Jim
-
Gaff or Net & a gentle wooden shampoo will subdue most any fish we see in these waters. You are always the best judge of what you feel your fish will do based on how it is fishing & how tired you feel it has become during the landing process. Always expect the unexpected.
-
No worries Ty! That just happens to be one of those complex emotional discussions that pops up a couple times per year...so people probably don't want to rehash it again :-)
This thread is basically just for pics and WTG's. Specific questions like how to handle a large halibut from a kayak can definitely be asked--but preferably on a different board, like General Fishing Tips etc.
And yes I know I'm being a hypocritical threadjacker right now haha...so I'll just say Nice Butt Matt!! (that can be your new screen name too hahahaha).
-
You are always the best judge of what you feel your fish will do based on how it is fishing & how tired you feel it has become during the landing process. Always expect the unexpected.
The butt at the end of this vid was 2.5 inches inches short of 40 inches, but even after I ripped all her gills out and thought she was calm she went apesh*t when I threw her in the tank well.
:smt005 :smt044
Luckliy I had secured her on the stringer already otherwise it would have been heartbreaking.
http://youtu.be/Nsid0a00urw
:smt006
Sincerely,
Jim
-
Thanks guys! I guess part of the adventure of wrestling a big fish from a kayak, if I am ever that fortunate, will be to figure it out...or not LOL.
Fish_ON
-
Thanks guys! I guess part of the adventure of wrestling a big fish from a kayak, if I am ever that fortunate, will be to figure it out...or not LOL.
Fish_ON
if you cant figure it out , just shoot the sum bitch
-
Thanks guys! I guess part of the adventure of wrestling a big fish from a kayak, if I am ever that fortunate, will be to figure it out...or not LOL.
Fish_ON
if you cant figure it out , just shoot the sum bitch
NCKA humor at its best...
-
I finally made it!
Up till now my biggest fish have included a 38" salmon, 38" lingcod & 38" California Halibut. None surpassing the 40" mark.
Last Saturday I went out searching for salmon in Monterey and after several hours of trolling called it quits. On the way in I decided to try for a halibut at the same area I caught one last year. I dropped down my 8oz iron and started pounding the bottom. It wasn't 10 minutes and something slammed my jig. A couple big head shakes and I new what I had and it felt heavy! Took a deep breath, reeled up a bit putting tension on the line, grabbed my gaff getting it in position, opened my big game clip and started reeling it in.
I was only in 60 feet of water so it came to color pretty quick. Big Cali Butt!!! I brought it up to just below the surface. As it circled next to my kayak I grabbed my gaff and stuck it right through it's guts. It didn't move at all. I set down my rod, put it on the clip, grabbed my bait knife and went Kiet on it's gills. As soon as I pulled the gaff out it went nuts so I dropped it off the side tethered to my kayak on the game clip and let it thrash around, pumping out its blood as the water turned red. It quickly calmed down (died) and I slid it on the back of my boat.
Pat (SinCoast) was supposed to fish with me but sent me a message on the water flaking out so I was quick to send him a text and picture bragging about the 25 lb halibut I had just caught. At the time I didn't realize how big it was. As soon as I got home I weighed and measured it and holy shit! 40 1/2" long and 32 lbs!!! New personal best halibut and new personal best fish! Take that Pat!
Here are the pics,
Josh
-
Congrats !!!
-
AWESOME JOSH!!!!! great fish, congrats, cameron
-
Beautiful fish Josh! Congrats bro. :beer2
-
Sweet! Nice consolation fish. AOTY look out!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
-
Great catch. Only 60' now divers are going to try deeper.
-
Jealous! That's an awesome marker to set for yourself!
-
MONTEREY BUTT!! Wwwaaaaa!
-
A beast of a fish!
-
Monster Butt!!! WTG Bro!
-Kiel
-
:smt007 :smt007
That's got my blood pumpin.... I'm loading up my gear now!
-
HELL YEAH!!!!!
:smt007 :smt007 :smt007
Amazing fish and SUPER well deserved!!
All that good karma you got helping sell raffle tix for PIF and HOW at GSX coming back at you!!
:smt008
:smt006
Sincerely,
Jim
-
Hell yeah! :smt007
-
nice butt Josh!!!
-
See, it's good luck when I flake out!
-
See, it's good luck when I flake out!
It's true.
I have been the recipient of PK's flake luck.
:smt005
-
didn't know this was here :) can I join the club :smt006
First one was 43.5 inch (12.12.15) and the 2nd was close at 39.5 (01.30.16)
-
You're IN!
-
I've never joined, either. Didn't really get tape on this one, but I think it's somewhere north of 40"
Bushy
ps: the skipper on deck was 6'5"
-
I've never joined, either. Didn't really get tape on this one, but I think it's somewhere north of 40"
Bushy
ps: the skipper on deck was 6'5"
what is that Bushy? thats in a different club in itself, godzilla club perhaps :D
-
Is that a salmon shark? Are they edible? Do they taste like salmon?
-
You guys and your monster sharks and WSB and YT!
:smt007 :smt002
Below is why I chose Lings, Butts, Salmon and Stripers for this NorCal "club" rather than any fish over 40 inches.
As one of the guys responsible for verifying AOTY and DOTY submissions I spend A LOT of time looking at fish pics and AOTY/DOTY entries both past and present.
Some entries and reports have stuck in my head and inspired me...the BIG fish over 40 inches have always haunted my dreams....both for the sheer impressiveness of the fish, and for the fact that I have seen/caught/shot so few fish that big!!!
I have heard mention and talk of the "40 inch club", but thought it would be cool to have a thread (hopefully stickied :smt002) where people can share and post their stories of their entries into "The 40 inch Club".
Seems to me that the species up here that should qualify for entry into this club are Lings, Butts, Salmon and Stripers...WSB seem to be mostly over 40 (only one entered in AOTY under 40), sturgeon are too big :smt002, same with wolf eels and sharks.
Anyway, stoked to see such big, beautiful fish getting posted on here!!
The 43 inch Striper I got over the weekend is my third entry into the club...
https://youtu.be/YZgZalXiuL0
Now I have a 40 inch Ling (2012), 41.25 inch Butt (2014) and 43 inch Striper (2016).
http://doty.norcalkayakanglers.com/catches/133
http://doty.norcalkayakanglers.com/catches/1168
http://doty.norcalkayakanglers.com/catches/2310
:smt004
:smt006
Sincerely,
Jim
-
Something to aspire to!
-
Something to aspire to!
+1
-
My second entry in the 40+ inch Striper category!!
This one was 42.75 inches and 31 pounds.
Got this one and a 33.5 incher in less than an hour of diving in the surf.
So stoked!!! Can't believe I was lucky enough to get two 40+ inch fish within one week (7/3 and 7/10)!
https://youtu.be/phs5o3l370I
:smt006
Sincerely,
Jim
-
Is that a salmon shark? Are they edible? Do they taste like salmon?
yes, sorta, no
Bushy
-
It's been awhile since I could renew my membership in the 40" club. 43 inches, 29lbs, horsed it in because I thought it was a shark, whoops!
-
That's amazing!
-
What a beast Matt!!
:smt007 :smt007
And tie for biggest CaliHali ever entered in AOTY!!
http://aoty.norcalkayakanglers.com/speciesleaders/list_by_species/4
Congrats dude!!!
:smt006
Sincerely,
Jim
-
Congratulations again Matt!
-
Nice butt Matt!!!
I'd also like to renew my membership for 2016. New PB CALIBUT. 31 lbs., 42.5 inches
http://youtu.be/oUEMURoCbwQ
-
What a beauty Jason!!
:smt007 :smt007
Congrats dude!!
Great video too!!!
:smt006
Sincerely,
Jim
-
I posted a report and video already last week, but I thought I'd add a few more details in case anybody is interested...
Launched early and had a lot of trouble finding any desirable baitfish. In particular, I was hoping to get some sardines as I’ve had the best luck with those. After about 90 minutes, I'd gotten to my “secret” spot, but bait-wise, all I had was 6 spanish mackerel, and those were mostly small. Regardless, it was time to start fishing, so I got 2 baited lines in the water, along with the sabiki. Nothing happened for the next hour, then the sabiki went crazy and I pulled in 4 sardines. Game on!
I immediately reeled up and traded the spanish mackerel for sardines. One of the 'dines looked particularly bad---small, bleeding, one eye missing. That one obviously wasn't going to last long, so I put it on and gently lowered it to the bottom. I also put a nice big lively sardine on the other line. Just as I got everything setup and settled in for the long haul, I noticed that the cap had fallen off my bait tube, and all my remaining bait had escaped. Bummer. Now it was just me and my 2 sardines, one of which was probably long dead already (the scrawny sardine, that is, not me).
After about another 30 minutes, I was getting perilously close to the lingcod zone, and figured that my bait would get mauled by one of those guys any minute. Just then, the rod with the sickly sardine went bendo in a big way. It was definitely something heavy but it wasn’t really fighting much, just sort of stuck to the bottom. So I was thinking it might be a ray. Eventually there were a couple of head shakes which gave me some hope. Then it settled into a long, slow tug-of-war---it was 30 minutes before I got a glimpse. Yes, it was definitely a halibut, white side up, about 8’ below the kayak. The fish then powered its way back to the bottom and it was like starting over from scratch. My arms and back were getting tired, so I put the rod in a holder and pedaled to keep the pressure on and hopefully wear out the beast. About 55 minutes after hookup, it surfaced again (still upside down). I tried to get it into position for a decent gaff shot, but it wouldn’t cooperate. After what seemed like forever, it was finally close, although still not in ideal position, so I gave it a shot. I missed pretty badly and the gaff ending up hooked thru the side of it’s jaw. Fortunately, the fish was tired and I was able to subdue it. It was far from a textbook landing.
I’m thinking the reason it took so long to get it to the surface was because it was swimming upside down. It makes sense to me that a halibut would be more powerful when swimming up (in it’s usual orientation) rather than down. So, if the fish stays right-side-up, it’s going to be fairly easy to bring it to the surface, but if it decides to go upside-down, then it’s going to be a lot more work. The advantage to the upside-down fish is that it’ll be way more tired and easier to land once it’s at the surface.
Anyways, I stopped by Bayside Marine to get it weighed---the scale showed 37.55 pounds. And I measured it at 44.5 inches.
The wife seemed to think that we had enough halibut in the freezer, so she gave most of it away to her friends. They all now think that I catch fish like this all the time. If only...
-
Hell yeah Mark!!!!!!!!
:smt007 :smt007 :smt007 :smt007
Congrats again on an amazing catch!!
:smt006
Sincerely,
Jim
-
nice fish!!!!
-
@ PG just over 40
-
Is that off of Coral st. ? I am going as soon as the wind calms down. And I need a Halibut this season.
-
Great picture---that thing is a beast!
-
Great fish! It may be the ave timing, but it looks like it seriously decreased your freeboard.
-
What MONSTERS! Wow!
-
Finally got myself the Ling I've been looking for! 41.50", 30lbs. With Matanaska and Live2Fish on the Lost Coast.
-
Yow, great catch! I look forward to the story, congrats!
-
That's huge!
-
Congrats!!!
Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
-
Finally got myself the Ling I've been looking for! 41.50", 30lbs. With Matanaska and Live2Fish on the Lost Coast.
Such a beast!!
:smt007 :smt007
Congrats again Matt!!
:smt006
Sincerely,
Jim
-
New personal best Halibut. 44 inches 37lbs.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
-
That is a breast big time. Was it a battle big time. !!!!!
-
That is a breast big time. Was it a battle big time. !!!!!
Def was a battle, broke open the stringer twice thrashing around and ended up with a birdnested reel in the process.
-
My largest halibut to date #115
-
That kind of looks like a picture of a screen behind an open casket taken at a funeral. Is there an awesome backstory behind it involving a departed loved one?
-
Yea, my grandfather who raised me was retired highway patrol. We would spend 3 months every summer fishing on the tip of Vancouver island in a little town called port hardy. That was the biggest fish I'd ever caught. The year before my grandfather caught a 125# halibut he recently passed away and I totally forgot about the thousands of photo albums he left behind. I'm yet to get the actual photo back from my aunt. But in today's day and age I feel like the fishing back in the 90's was so drastically better it feels like a fairytale. Back then I kid you not 30# butts were considered chickens. We'd throw them back for 40+. I've got a plethora of photos I tried posting to the photos forum but it crashed. I'm waiting to hook into one again even half this size would tickle me pink
-
How about WSB? 43", 45", and 48".
Awesome fish dude!!
I don't know much about WSB but seems to me that most of the ones taken up here are over 40 inches though??
http://aoty.norcalkayakanglers.com/speciesleaders/list_by_species/14
While I would be stoked to get ANY legal sized WSB, not sure if they would better fit in a 50 inch club? :smt002
But...like I said...I don't know nothing about WSB...except that I wanna shoot one. :smt003
:smt006
Sincerely,
Jim
I'll see your 50" club and add another 4.5" for a 54.5"/54# North county 2012
Here's a big butt out of MBK, it was 40"/28#
-
I'm Jonesin bad! My work day is shot!
-
40.5" & 39"
-
Whoa!
-
Hell yeah Rob!!
:smt007
:smt006
Sincerely,
Jim
-
Finally got my first 40”er fishing at Cape Mendocino
-
Finally got my first 40”er fishing at Cape Mendocino
Awesome catch and Congrats Ryan!!!
-
Damn couple a real nice fish coming in from up north!!! Congrats fellas!!!
-
Nice fish! Hoping to join the club soon!
-
Lengthwise, this is my biggest Cali-butt to date, and second biggest by weight. I caught this one from my AI a couple of weeks ago, and it taped out to 46" (officially, only 45.5" for AOTY purposes, due to a lousy picture). It weighed 36.5 pounds, according to Bayside.
I'm hoping there is 50 inch butt out there with my name on it...
-
Longest calibutt in AOTY history!
-
DAYUM! (drops mic) :smt007
-
Wow, now that's a fish!
-
😱😱😱😱😱
-
Amazing fish NWM!!!
Longest calibutt in AOTY history!
And, he has 2nd longest as well!!!
http://aoty.norcalkayakanglers.com/species_leaders/4/list_by_species
Only fuzz has ever entered one bigger on the spearo side...and would be tie if had taken better pic. :smt002 :smt005
http://doty.norcalkayakanglers.com/leader_board/1096/show
Congrats again!!!!!
:smt006
Sincerely,
Jim
-
Thats a nice fish! Congrats Nowhereman!
-
If you dont mind, I'm adding this 40"+ Pac Hali. :smt002 THANKS
Where is the pic of the 40 inch ling you caught at Bean Hollow about three summers ago?
-
im in... not into measuring or weighing as much as catching and eating..but it'll make the cut...
-
Nice! That beach looks vaguely familiar...
-
nice
-
I got lucky again , and fooled another Ugly/Beauty, a little over 40" ,with a long ,thin body .
I thought maybe it was around 36"- 38" when i got it in the boat and got busy and it stayed in ice.
Then last night we cut the tail off to close the ice chest - put big rocks on as the local Racoon knows I fish.
It is not any regulations picture.
I took the pics to share is all.
Today the fish had to warm some to lay flatt--er .
Hard to see in the pictures the bones are together even though the skin pulled back some
In an effort to avoid being sharpshooter feed, I burned an inch-roughly- in all photos to try and be fair.. it weighed 23lbs .
Was a great day with afew missed bites to boot---I even fought a long drag 300' out 8" rosey in 160' fow -that 5 basketball sized egg jelly fish had wrapped on as it fly lined...I figured MOLA :smt003
-
That's your third monster this year!!!!
:smt007 :smt007 :smt007
Slayer!!!
Great job Craig!!
:smt006
Sincerely,
Jim
-
Great fish, and that cooler picture is awesome!
-
Frickin killing it on the hali's Craig !
-
Great fish, and that cooler picture is awesome!
^^this :smt007
-
damn craig, you b killin it. grats on the nice flatties and sharing
-
Nice fishies bro!!!
-
cool colors..last share..one on boat is 46 ish one in cooler is 40-41 ish..... the bigger one was a female the smaller a male
-
I got lucky again , and fooled another Ugly/Beauty, a little over 40" ,with a long ,thin body .
I thought maybe it was around 36"- 38" when i got it in the boat and got busy and it stayed in ice.
Then last night we cut the tail off to close the ice chest - put big rocks on as the local Racoon knows I fish.
It is not any regulations picture.
I took the pics to share is all.
Today the fish had to warm some to lay flatt--er .
Hard to see in the pictures the bones are together even though the skin pulled back some
In an effort to avoid being sharpshooter feed, I burned an inch-roughly- in all photos to try and be fair.. it weighed 23lbs .
Was a great day with afew missed bites to boot---I even fought a long drag 300' out 8" rosey in 160' fow -that 5 basketball sized egg jelly fish had wrapped on as it fly lined...I figured MOLA :smt003
Awesome!!!!
-
41.5" lingcod
-
hell yes...look at the gator fins on that things back
-
finally made it with a 40.5" squeaker!
-
finally made it with a 40.5" squeaker!
NICEEEEEE!!!
-
That's a big Butt! Right on bro
-
Welcome to the club...bub! :smt008 we've been waiting for you :smt003
-
Grats :smt007 :smt007 :smt007 So Jelly :smt044
-
That s a nice halibut! Congrats!
-
I don't know if this counts. Taken on scuba at Santa Cruz Island. The weight is in question, but it measured just over 54"
-
That’s some nice fish!!
-
nose is past the wood board/welcome sign..forgot about this thread --it was right at /on 40" but i couldnt hold the tape-- my dog ate my home work ...it was cold water..
wat say --40" if had it straight or shortty :smt003
-
nose is past the wood board/welcome sign..forgot about this thread --it was right at /on 40" but i couldnt hold the tape-- my dog ate my home work ...it was cold water..
wat say --40" if had it straight or shortty :smt003
DENIED! mouth is open and it aint even at the forty" mark. You can pretend, but........ :smt002
-
Craig needs a hawg trough extender!
nice fish dude! :smt006
-
mouth open makes more sense now-- never really tried a comp measure of any fish...next one ..mouth closed :smt003
-
i have a few ncka trough in the garage -and a few vintage yard sticks..this might work
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=38703.0
-
j/k and an LOL!! congrats on that helluva hali, Craig.
-
Beast of a fish buddy!!
:smt007
i have a few ncka trough in the garage -and a few vintage yard sticks..this might work
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=38703.0
I keep this big metal one in the box in the back of my truck...I like having it for when I get lucky enough to take fish over 31 inches...
It's bulky but maybe worth it to keep in garage or in backyard for future beasts. :smt001
http://www.xtackle.com/Danielson-Aluminum-Anodized-Ruler-48.aspx
http://doty.norcalkayakanglers.com/leader_board/1793/show
http://doty.norcalkayakanglers.com/leader_board/3236/show
http://doty.norcalkayakanglers.com/leader_board/2316/show
http://doty.norcalkayakanglers.com/leader_board/2310/show
http://doty.norcalkayakanglers.com/leader_board/2883/show
http://doty.norcalkayakanglers.com/leader_board/1394/show
:smt006
Sincerely,
Jim
-
Another easy option if you have 2 hawg troughs at home is to put em back to back...
http://doty.norcalkayakanglers.com/leader_board/1632/show
:smt006
Sincerely,
Jim
-
Big butt!
-
Admins, please remove these pictures of fish under 40 inches immediately!
-
Admins, please remove these pictures of fish under 40 inches immediately!
:smt005 :smt044 :smt005 :smt044 :smt044 :smt044
-
Hard as it is to do, I believe the big lings should be released back. The big females are the breeeders.
-
Another easy option if you have 2 hawg troughs at home is to put em back to back...
dass 2 much math. n I'm asian! :smt011
-
I’m still using and loving my extra length hawg trough.
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=75360.msg859082#msg859082
-
41.25. Ocean cove today. Hitchhiked on a second ling that was in the 28 inch range....
-
41.25. Ocean cove today. Hitchhiked on a second ling that was in the 28 inch range....
great catch, John. I presume you have the 28 inch ling too.
-
nice ling
-
41.25. Ocean cove today. Hitchhiked on a second ling that was in the 28 inch range....
John! You are strain smiling happy face...what a big fish! Good stuff! :smt006
-
41"
-
You are a man of few words, or numbers in this case :smt002
Nice fish!
-
First entry! 45" lazy butt. Was not bothered by being shot and let me grab her without any fuss.
-
congrats!
-
DUDE!!! NIC!!! CONGRATS BRO!!!! WHOLLY COW ITS A MONSTER BUTT!
-
:smt007 :smt007 :smt007 :smt007 :smt007 :smt007 :smt007 :smt007
Hell Yeah!!!
Stoked for you dude!!
Great job!!!
:smt006
Sincerely,
Jim
-
DUDE!!! NIC!!! CONGRATS BRO!!!! WHOLLY COW ITS A MONSTER BUTT!
:smt007 :smt007 :smt007 :smt007 :smt007 :smt007 :smt007 :smt007
Hell Yeah!!!
Stoked for you dude!!
Great job!!!
:smt006
Sincerely,
Jim
Thanks!! It still hasn't really set in yet... I'm so stoked!
-
Wow monster butt! Congrats!
-
May I present my 2nd entry into the club. Caught today. 40.25 (barely big enough!! :smt044) and 28lbs on the boga grip.
It kicked my ass for a solid 15 minutes. 20lb line. Gain a little, lose a lot. Gain some back. Lose it again. Round and round me went but ultimately I was able to land her!!
-
beastly!!
-
Awesome fish!
-
Right on John!!!
That is a beauty!
Congrats
-
Mighty John!
-
:jawdrop :jawdrop :jawdrop :jawdrop :jawdrop :jawdrop :jawdrop
I can’t even imagine the chaos after the net job! Congrats on an amazing catch!
-
:jawdrop :jawdrop :jawdrop :jawdrop :jawdrop :jawdrop :jawdrop
I can’t even imagine the chaos after the net job! Congrats on an amazing catch!
Tail looks intact, gaff job?
-
Wow, that's a nice fish! Congrats!
-
:jawdrop :jawdrop :jawdrop :jawdrop :jawdrop :jawdrop :jawdrop
I can’t even imagine the chaos after the net job! Congrats on an amazing catch!
Tail looks intact, gaff job?
The trick to keeping the tail intact is making sure you can’t actually fit it all the way into the net :smt003
You can see the net in the pictures. It was worn out after the fight and the actual landing wasn’t too difficult.
-
howzit everyone, it's been awhile since I posted here. Got lucky last weekend.
Didn't measure the ling but came in at 23lbs.
-
howzit everyone, it's been awhile since I posted here. Got lucky last weekend.
Didn't measure the ling but came in at 23lbs.
Nice! You need to post more often...
-
41"
:smt044 :smt044 :smt044 WTFGS
-
41” 28lbs off the paddle kayak
-
NICE!
-
Wow!
-
:smt007 :smt007 :smt007 :smt007
Beautiful!!!
Congrats!!!
:smt006
Sincerely,
Jim
-
Damn dude, that is awesome. What a beast.
-
Very Nice,that is a monster!
-
That thing is a Hogg! Can’t wait for April!😁
-
Not from California but another one over 50 pounds. This one was 55 and 5 pounds under my best
-
I finally got the 40" salmon monkey off my back. When I picked up the rod and felt the tug I knew right away "this is the one".
40.5" 33lbs bled 30lbs gilled and gutted
-
Slayage. Running au natural w/ the fish! :smt003
-
Got a good one today on the lost coast! 31.5lbs 41.5”
STOKED
-
Good stuff!
-
Got a good one today on the lost coast! 31.5lbs 41.5”
STOKED
Wow!
-
Got a good one today on the lost coast! 31.5lbs 41.5”
STOKED
:smt007 :smt007 Grats!
-
"I remember that beast i caught back in 2021 . It was a misty morning at the Cove............. "
Definitely Memorable.
-
:jawdrop :jawdrop :jawdrop :jawdrop :jawdrop
-
Beautiful fish! Congrats!!
-
Finally caught this 41 inches Halibut at the 2022 MBK Derby last week. The previous Halibut that I caught last month was almost make it at 39.25".
-
Finally caught this 41 inches Halibut at the 2022 MBK Derby last week. The previous Halibut that I caught last month was almost make it at 39.25".
Great job.
That is a doormat/ barn door size halibut.
Paul
-
41 and 39! I'm following you around next time :smt002
-
Wow!! Congrats!
-
Thanks guys.
-
Wow talk about some quality fish!!! WTG :smt006
-
Wow! Some of those fish need a kayak of their own to carry them to the shore in.
-
This is from late July last year at Shelter Cove.
We had gone out the day before with Eric Stockwell, and loaded up on rockfish. So today we would slow troll swim baits for halibut on the way to the reef. No bites by the time we arrived.
Once at the reef we started drifting large swim baits on the hopes of catching some lings. After about 15min we were drifting more toward shore so we went back out a couple hundred yards.
I dropped down and got hammered hard by something big. Felt like a monster ling, and I couldn’t get it up more than 10’ and it would dive back down. I worried that it might snag in the rocks so I added a little more drag. Now I could got it up to 30’ before it would dive down over and over.
I had the rod braced under my arm, and resting on my knee. I was getting beat pretty bad, and decided it was time to have confidence in my leader, and knot tying. I tightened the drag to max which I think is about 22lbs on the Takota 500A.
Now I was starting to make some headway but it would still pull line like there was no drag. Finally it starts to tire out just before I do. I see my leader come into view. I peek over the side and Holy Shit it’s a Pacific Halibut.
Now what? Gaff, or net? Eric always warns people to have a big net when fishing at Shelter Cove, and my son had given me one for birthday. It is embarrassingly big at 36”x36” semi square, and 36” deep with a flat bottom.
I decided to go for it with the net, and from experience with CA halibut I knew it had to go in head first or it would escape for sure. I placed the net in the water, and it took off on another run. Trying to hold the net under my arm while I reeled it in. As it came up I put the net in position and glided it in head first.
Total mayhem as it takes a run while in the net, and I try to hold on, and lift as much as I can. After a while it calmed down. I had it securely wedged in the net so it couldn’t escape. Out of safety concerns I had my son hold the other side of the net while I bleed it, stabbed it in the brain about twenty times, and put it on the clip.
Quite an experience I will remember forever. 44” 38lbs
-
Congrats on the Cove halibut, Mark. A memory for sure
-
Whew! good read. nice fish
-
Nice fish Mark, well done!
-
Holy cow! Awesome write up and helluva fish!!