NorCal Kayak Anglers

Dive Zone => Kayak Diving and Spearfishing => Topic started by: BigJim on August 30, 2022, 01:54:16 PM

Title: Springtime Double Butt Vid
Post by: BigJim on August 30, 2022, 01:54:16 PM
Way back in April there was a little window between storms up here in the Monterey Bay and the wifey told me I should go dive and try and find a halibut...I didn't really have very high hopes cuz the wind had been howling and I figured the water would be really cold...

When I got in and felt how cold, and looked at my watch and saw it said 50, I really didn't think I would see anything...but, the water was really nice and clear and I had the morning free so figured would at least get a good swim in...

Headed out to the ~20 foot zone and started covering ground...

Was shocked a little bit later to see a solid halibut laying out uncovered on top of the sand.  :smt007

Plugged her right in the pec fin and she took off and I let her go.

She didn't go too far though and I was able to easily dive down, gently pull shaft all the way through, stab her in the head and bring her up.

After I strung her up on my belt I was tempted to head straight in but had only been diving for a little bit so figured would keep going...

Headed out a bit deeper and in a little while found another butt laying out on top of sand...I was behind this one but snuck up close to her, shot her in pec fin and she bolted off pulling out my reel line.

Let her run and headed to surface to breathe.

Another easy retrieval once I tracked her down, and she puked up a bunch of bait fish on way to surface.

Think both fish had been gorging and were just laying out on top of sand digesting?

Back at truck the bigger one was 36 inches and 20 pounds, and the smaller one was ~33 inches and 14 pounds.

Ton of meat on both and all was cooked and shared and eaten fresh.  :smt001

Here's a vid and some pics.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LtpO4a8c1JI&feature=youtu.be

https://youtu.be/LtpO4a8c1JI

 :smt006

Sincerely,

Jim
Title: Re: Springtime Double Butt Vid
Post by: AlsHobieOutback on August 30, 2022, 02:26:05 PM
Still amazing to see you shoot sand and then see sand start swimming away  :smt044  Sea lions having fun with ya down there?
Title: Re: Springtime Double Butt Vid
Post by: BigJim on August 30, 2022, 02:29:18 PM
Sea lions having fun with ya down there?

Fuggers bout gave me a heart attack.  :smt005 :smt044  :smt013   :smt005

Title: Re: Springtime Double Butt Vid
Post by: NowhereMan on August 30, 2022, 05:57:00 PM
Still amazing to see you shoot sand and then see sand start swimming away…

For a change, I could actually see the first one before he shot, but the second one, not…
Title: Re: Springtime Double Butt Vid
Post by: Sailfish on August 30, 2022, 07:53:01 PM
Nice Butts  :smt007. Thanks for the report, pictures,  and video Jim.
Title: Re: Springtime Double Butt Vid
Post by: DrDave on August 31, 2022, 06:25:44 AM
Always have loved watching your videos over the years! You are the master of diving.
Title: Re: Springtime Double Butt Vid
Post by: LoletaEric on August 31, 2022, 10:36:49 AM
Outstanding, as always.   :smt001
Title: Re: Springtime Double Butt Vid
Post by: BigJim on August 31, 2022, 01:25:59 PM
Thanks guys.

I think this was some of the best halibut footage I've been able to get so far (great viz, nice fish, didn't mess up camera angle etc) so pretty stoked on it (in addition to the solid fish).  :smt004

 :smt006

Sincerely,

Jim
Title: Re: Springtime Double Butt Vid
Post by: simplycook on September 01, 2022, 10:19:55 AM
Always enjoy your videos Jim.  Thanks.
Title: Re: Springtime Double Butt Vid
Post by: Eddie on September 01, 2022, 01:22:46 PM
Super cool flatty school, knifed that one like boss...thanks for the tune as well... :smt006
Title: Re: Springtime Double Butt Vid
Post by: jp52 on September 01, 2022, 01:32:53 PM
Awesome as usual. Thanks for taking us along with you.
Title: Re: Springtime Double Butt Vid
Post by: li-orca on September 01, 2022, 09:27:07 PM
Love your vids & posts. Wish I could do that too! Thanks for sharing!
Title: Re: Springtime Double Butt Vid
Post by: murky waters on January 15, 2023, 06:39:53 PM
I need to learn the way! Iv tried out of Santa Cruz( unsuccessfully). Though its pretty difficult to find them when you practically need to be eye to eye with how bad viz normally is.
Title: Re: Springtime Double Butt Vid
Post by: ezra on February 06, 2023, 08:52:42 PM
Awesome vid! Added the song to my library too. Can't wait to spear my first halibut!