Paradise 'but hunt 5/23

nice job out there guys!  great job especially to chucke for his huge hali and craig for making his hali look just as big =)

but my top kudos go to shannon for finally putting some blood on her yak!!

It was great seeing everyone again and meeting new members like Bigwavedave, Surfhunter and his wife Shannon, and many others.  It was also great to see guys like GB2, Ravensblack, Chad, and others hook nice fish.

I thought JTF and I blew it by getting there late.  The lower parking lot was already full, and from the lot we could see the flotilla OTW.  I radioed the the group and heard that there were already some nice fish landed, so we rushed to launch and just hoped for some luck near the top of the tide.  It was near 11am by the time we launched.
 
I was drifting a live smelt near Dustin "Rockhopper" when I felt a tiny tap then another small tap.  I dipped the rod and gave up some slack, and just about then, I saw my line start straightening out.  I reeled in slowly (no setting the hook) until I felt the weight of the fish.  It was heavier than normal, so I thought it might be a batray, but when I felt the tell-tale head shakes I knew it was a hali.  As the fish got closer, I could really feel its weight.  I readied my game clip, club, and landing net.  That's when I got my first look at the big flatty and realized it was a "gaffer" so I put net back.  I reeled down on the fish and slowly lifted the rod to get the fish to glide up to the gaff.  As quick as I could, I buried the gaff, lifted the fish, and slipped the game clip up the gills and closed it.  That's when I went savage with my "JabberWhacker" -- my new homemade steel whacker with a sharpened tip for jabbing as needed.  It quickly did the trick to put the lights out on the 38" hog - my biggest bay halibut to date.

I want to thank Adam and Barbara for hooking-up a great gathering, and everyone for the fantastic potluck spread.  I also want to thank Ben "Guitarzan" for the awesome oil painting.  I swear I've seen that exact landscape image before in real life....or was it just in my dreams.

That Hali said it all man, im surprised one man could club it Congrats to you on that one man. Im sure your "tired" of hearing it. Thanks for denying my helping hand at the end of the day. Im just coming down off of cloud 9. So again thankx to everybody for showing up. Thanx 2 all for your props on my 1st hali. Sail fish to make it official i will be going as the koolaid-kid from here on out. lol. i had a blast guys. I look forward to fishing with all my new friends. Yes there will be kool-aid if Adam doesn't wash his hands with all of it. HeHeHe

I also had a great time It was nice to meet everyone. This being my first NCKA event I look forward to more of them. I definatly didnt go home hungary. I cant wait to go back for another hali attempt. Seeing fish caught has given me the fever. Its always fun going after a new species. Thanks again Adam for putting it all together.

ACoca the FishHunter, you a legend. That's gotta be one of the best non-tourney hook ups of all time. I swear I'm gonna jump on a plane the next time you put one of these together! Looks like everyone else was stoked as well. Way to keep the madness flowing.

ChuckE, geez man, ballistic doesn't even seem to fit how you've been on the fish. Straight up OG.

I really feel far from home when I see all those pics. I hope I can fish with you all this summer some time. Ain't no party like NCKA party and a NCKA party don't stop!!

Z

It was great seeing everyone again and meeting new members like Bigwavedave, Surfhunter and his wife Shannon, and many others.  It was also great to see guys like GB2, Ravensblack, Chad, and others hook nice fish.

I thought JTF and I blew it by getting there late.  The lower parking lot was already full, and from the lot we could see the flotilla OTW.  I radioed the the group and heard that there were already some nice fish landed, so we rushed to launch and just hoped for some luck near the top of the tide.  It was near 11am by the time we launched.
 
I was drifting a live smelt near Dustin "Rockhopper" when I felt a tiny tap then another small tap.  I dipped the rod and gave up some slack, and just about then, I saw my line start straightening out.  I reeled in slowly (no setting the hook) until I felt the weight of the fish.  It was heavier than normal, so I thought it might be a batray, but when I felt the tell-tale head shakes I knew it was a hali.  As the fish got closer, I could really feel its weight.  I readied my game clip, club, and landing net.  That's when I got my first look at the big flatty and realized it was a "gaffer" so I put net back.  I reeled down on the fish and slowly lifted the rod to get the fish to glide up to the gaff.  As quick as I could, I buried the gaff, lifted the fish, and slipped the game clip up the gills and closed it.  That's when I went savage with my "JabberWhacker" -- my new homemade steel whacker with a sharpened tip for jabbing as needed.  It quickly did the trick to put the lights out on the 38" hog - my biggest bay halibut to date.

I want to thank Adam and Barbara for hooking-up a great gathering, and everyone for the fantastic potluck spread.  I also want to thank Ben "Guitarzan" for the awesome oil painting.  I swear I've seen that exact landscape image before in real life....or was it just in my dreams.

It couldnt go to a nicer guy!

Thanks one last time for a great event.  It was nice to meet so many new NCKA folks and re-connect with old friends. I pan seared the halibut for dinner tonight and the cheeks were especially good. So here is the FISHonaDISH pic...

scott

I dig that plate. Jays ceviche was awesome. I got to get that recipe. Thanks for the photo Scott.

The dish looks so good Scott. Thanks for the tease.

Jedmo

Thanks for the info of the tell tale sign of a halibut bite with the head shake.  Never caught one myself so it's something I'll be looking forward to in the coming outing if I ever get out there.
allan

Congrats to all who caught fish out there this weekend. Big WTG to Chucke... again. What can I say... that boy can fish for buts with the best of them. Melissa really really really wanted to get out there but, we were committed to taking the boys camping. Oh well... maybe next time.

Freddie

I really feel far from home when I see all those pics. I hope I can fish with you all this summer some time. Ain't no party like NCKA party and a NCKA party don't stop!!
Z

You would have made the LegendsList Bro!!   and you were missed greatly!

Scott~it's a true honor to have one of your FISHonaDISH entries added

and AGAIN!! 
IF IT WERE NOT FOR ALL OF YOU, IT WOULD HAVE NEVER EVEN HAPPENED!
GLAD WE ALL HAD FUN(some more than others ) and lets do it again next spring!!

Nothing much to add except thanks to FisHunter for originating this event, and it was great to see everyone and meet a bunch of new people, and the picnic was over the top. I was unable to get any shiners so fished with frozen and plastic anchovies, for no bites... maybe next time.

WTGO Everyone!!!!!


 Looks like a Great Hook Up...

 ConGrats ChuckE on that Monster....

  See ya all next time.....

Olive oil, white wine, chives, brown mushrooms, fresh halibut