831 PM Halibut Skunk

Went out again yesterday for the last 4 hours of daylight...the recent warm temps and reports of tons of bait got me all worked up... 

Water felt warmer than last week, and ton of bait around of all sizes (anchovies, sardines, smelt, mackerel).

Viz was significantly worse though. 

GAZILLION bat rays...don't know if a migration or mating event or what...saw multiple on every single drop...free swimming, on bottom, stacked on top of one another...some monsters as well...

Very cool to swim with and see so many...and glad none poked me with their stinger. 

Will see if footage turned out worth putting together...

Two very short butts spooked in shallow and that was it.

Ok, now I'm done staring at sand for the year. 

 

Sincerely,

Jim

I knew you had one more try in you.  It’s still fun to see the rays. 

On to your next adventure. 


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You're a better man than me to put in the hours over sand!  I had enough of the brain dizzying patterns in the sand years ago. But I wonder if there's a correlation between the rays moving in and the halibut getting scarce? They must compete somewhat even when there seems to be lots of bait.  I've also noticed in New Zealand that rays (eagle rays there,  but quite similar) move in when there's a commotion. sort of like how rockfish or cabs will show up when one gets speared. But the halibut may have an instinct to get out of town when the rays crowd in?

bummer on the skunk,  Jim. That was a good try at 4hrs too!

I was surprised to catch my last couple out so deep in 100FOW. Maybe they are all farther out now?

bummer on the skunk,  Jim. That was a good try at 4hrs too!

I was surprised to catch my last couple out so deep in 100FOW. Maybe they are all farther out now?

Yeah...maybe so...who knows...maybe Dirkbeachman is right and all the bat rays chased em off! 

I'm stoked to have taken 3 and got 5 on film this year at least...really wanted a fatty but you know how the song goes... 

 

Sincerely,

Jim