Birthday Presents ----- Fort Ross and Tomales

     Put my birthday mojo (the big three-oh) to the test this weekend for a doubleheader with Dad...

     Saturday morning we arrived at the fort under the cover of darkness.  As we were driving down the gravel road to the launch a skunk ran out in front of the truck, then we saw another, and then at least three more!  The things were everywhere, seeming to be an omen. 
     Dad and I each had our own plan of attack, he went to the depths looking for some big reds while I headed south to some shallow pinnacles for lings and cabs.  Within an hour I get a hail on the radio from a very excited Dad...
    Fishing for me was slow in the morning, I was only bouncing the big stuff and other than the occasional gopher impaling himself on my jighead no real takedowns.  I was working the kelp edges inside the reef and with the lack of action I thought I would head to the depths to change it up.  On the way out I noticed some really nice isolated structure in a place I normally don't fish and decided to stop.  First drop and bang... up to the boat comes the biggest ling I have caught in a long time. The fight was epic and the whole time I was waiting for the oh so depressing moment when a big ling just seems to decide to let go.


     Today we hit the ever tempermental bay that is Tomales.  When we saw yet another skunk this morning running down our street, rather than the concerned glances of yesterday it was greeted by a high five. We trudged against the tide to make bait towards the mouth and then set a drift back towards the Island.  We jigged up some quality jackies and without them we have been having crab trouble, I still managed to get a double on dungies and one rock crab. 

    About where Jonesz hooked one the other day the kunz stick stops bouncing and loads, and it wasn't grass this time.  I don't think I believed what I saw because all I said to dad was "halibut" in a confused and surprised sorta way as the fish did fly by.  It was not a monster but definitely a much needed upgrade.

And I even got a cake...

-Patrick

There really are halibut in Tomales!

Nice work Patrick...3-0 is a biggie.

Holy Crap, thats one nice fish. You and your Dad are some dedicated fishermen. Will either one of you consider selling me your old hobie when you get the new one?We did not fish today because of a time constraint but DAMN I sure wish we did now. So did you get your halibut? Thanks for the post ,Craig BTW HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Now I see the halibut. SWEET!

Great pics and report! That ling is a monster.

Happy freakin b-day.  what a way to start a new decade.

J

Happy B-Day! Way to celebrate it with Dad doing what you love to do most.

Happy Birthday Patrick and congrats to the monster ling. What a treat for the 30th
Bday.

Jed

Happy Birthday, Patrick.

you just set the bar real high for your 40th

 happy birthday bruthaman. looks like the universe recognized as well and it just keeps getting better!

Great report, Patrick, and happy birthday!  Nice work on the upgrades.   

Freakin Patrick!?!?
The Eric's rod working good for you, huh!?
Happy Birthday!!!

Happy birthday braddah. Good work takin' it to da fish. That's a beaut of a ling.

Z