Humboldt halibut

Been skunked and blown off the water almost every trip south, so I headed north, my favorite direction, for another try at a hali.
I put in at a free public ramp near Englund marine. Right there at the ramp were the anchovies, little guys about 4 or 5 inches long, delicate. I fill the bucket and away I go. I fished almost 2 entire days with good weather and tides. The bullheads in certain spots were relentless, every drop down at times! When the desired fish hit I thought it was just another bullhead. I guess it works out to something like 100 bullheads for every hali. Sounds easy, huh? That also means 100 anchovies jigged up for the bullhead contingent.
I also caught some sharks, saw many different birds, literally bumped into Hawk, and generally had an awesome time. I also like the radio station KSLUG, which kept me rockin' on the water.
At the ramp I met anglers going out for the Pacific halibut. The were doing fairly well, small 30 pounders! They were 8 miles out or so, a little too far for my liking.

More pics. Also, what do you guys think on the measurement? Do I give it 26"? For the time being I play it safe and give it 25.75". Do I measure the center, or the sides?

More pics.

Juan with the mouth closed and the tail squeezed method it looks like 26.25"... you definitely put the effort in.

What's a bullhead? Sounds like a catfish.

nice job Juan! those bullhead can be desensitizing, way to stick it out and get that quality fish... 26.25" For sure.

I think you're good for 26, and I wouldn't argue with Mark's analysis of it either.  25.75" - not. 

Fantastic pics, Juan.  I love the shark eye.   

Hawk called me up yesterday and gave the word of the Mako sighting on Humboldt Bay.  Glad you had a good trip.

Eric

bullhead (n): a pain in the arse sculpin that tends to eat bait bigger than themselves.

(I'm sure there's a better technical definition out there)

What a great time on the water, and you have much more patience than I.  Take your 26.25 and run with it.

Bullheads are mindless eaters, ( like mini lings) years ago I was on a live bait pot luck trip in SF bay with some kids on board, (my son and nephew) someone caught a bullhead on a live anchovie, they threw it in a 5 gallon bucket with about 6in of water, of course one of the kids wanted to feed it so they threw in a couple of anchovies. A few minutes later I look into the bucket and the bullhead has an anchovie (bigger then he was) sticking out of it's mouth.  Even in a bucket, in 6 inches of water the bullhead eats.  A few minutes later I look in again and the anchovie and bullhead have separated and both were doing well....

dale

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What's a bullhead? Sounds like a catfish.

I believe what we call a"Bullhead" is in the Sculpin family like the Scorpionfish. When I was a kid we used to catch them for Striper bait.

Sculpin might be a better term for what I refered to as a bullhead.
I've never heard of them as the bait for a hali. Who knows?
I'm going with an even 26 and be happy.

Nice job Juan and COOL pics of the shark!!!!!!!!

Great pics Juan. Too bad you cant use bullhads for halibut bait.

Nice pics as always, and solid butt.

Congrats on the halibut Juan!  Nice peregrine too!