Ling cat and mouse

Went out of Noyo in the zodiac. Good vis 25' at spots. A little rougher than it was supposed to be but still nice.

Pretty quickly took a god awful shot at a cab and missed. I don't know why I even pulled the trigger. Later on I came across a decent ling. I put the gun right on it and pulled the trigger. Missed. I have no clue how I missed a point blank shot like that...

Right after I miss he turns and swims right at my face unfazed with a slow leisurely swim like he's the boss taunting me. I swear I even saw him wink and smile at me before slowly turning away presenting a great broad side would be shot. I watch what direction he goes in and come up for air.

I do another drop and spook him off a rock. Same thing. Lazy slow swim off. Did this at least to 3 different spots before he holed up. Came back down and could see his back half but his head was too far back and I still have no light. Aimed for where I guessed his head should be and sunk it in. Persistence paid off.

Lots of 9's, pulled on for dinner. Erik pulled one just a hair shy of 10". After all the searching i've been doing in shallows like everyone says here I am back to the big ones in 20-35' of water... Passed on a couple of small scallops.


Here's the video. Oh wait, screw Youtube. Instant audio mute. DONE. Here it is on Vimeo.

Hey, we've all missed "point blank" - I did twice yesterday! That's when the old tech pole spear isn't too bad, quick second chance. Nice vis! We dove south of you yesterday but only about 15 ft. Thanks for the cool post!

Thanks for posting, great vid.  That Ling was too cool but at least you got em.  Worst shot I ever took was on my first and last ever seen vermillion.   I watched the spear bounce right off its side and the fish swam away

I was completely unaware that a ling could give the middle finger.
Thanks for sharing.