Big Sur-prize full account

Weather and sea conditions were not quite what we hoped for. The swell was bigger and the forecast wind stronger than earlier projections.  Nevertheless, we loaded the boat and set out around the corner into some uncomfortable slop. I was thinking we might have to fish Garrapata instead of Pt. Sur, but it laid down a bit as we got further south.

Tanni's boat is impeccable, like the man himself.  Full electronic suite, including a dvd player that had Pirates of the Carribean in HD playing as we motored south.  "The penalty for piracy is death!"

We stopped about a mile short of Pt Sur, in a broad area between two pinnacles and fringed with bull kelp at about 95-100 FOW.  It was kind of spooky with low ceiling, 6' NW swell, and grey 49 degree water. Phil Northern Boy launched 1st, then Phil Mr. Mxlplx, Paul (Tall), and finally me.  It was bumpy and cold with a fairly fast drift.  We had whales  on the way down, and a big pod of dolphins around us most of the morning.  big dolphins, maybe Rizzo's?  I tried snapping pics but most of them came out as a closing splash on the water.  One or two came out, included below.
 
Once unloaded, it did not take long to start hooking up.  We saw a lot of small blues mid-water, a few olives, and tried to target the reds and lings on the bottom.  I can't install pics mid-post, but here is Paul sweetly bendo, then posing with Mr. Lingcod.


Paul dialed in the best red depth at 110 feet, so he and I tried to stay around there, with decent success.  Very fun fishing! I had a few fish on the boat, with 2 big reds and a ling on the stringer when I paddled out to 120 to test the fishing at that depth.

I dropped and pumped once when I felt my purple mega-bait hit the bottom.  About halfway up the pump, the rod just stopped and I felt a little fish shake. This is not a snag. Kept my rod tip high and immediately gave 2 or 3 more pumps winding on the downswing. This was a heavy fish but I got her maybe 10 feet from the bottom.  The fish gave a couple BIG grumpy head shakes and took all the line back.  I was surprised, it felt like a halibut, but who would of thought.....120 FOW, 49 degrees, in a total reef area?  Nevertheless, I played it like a flattie, made sure my drag was sorta loose (it was), gently pumped and got maybe a reel or 1/2 a reel down on each dip of the rod tip.  Long, slow process gaining little, but gaining steady, trying to stay patient.  Worked her as gentle as possible and the fish took no more runs beyond that first burst.

Paul saw me bendo, and paddled over just as I was getting the fish to color.  "I think it's a halibut," seeing a flash of white deep below.  "Yeah it's a flattie, but I think it's small," I said, not realizing the fish was still 20 feet below me. The water was so clear my perspective was completely off.  As it got closer, I was looking at it head on. It looked strange, maybe it's a guitar fish or something. I didn't know what to think, the fight was like a halibut, but what is this thing? What else flashes that pure white?  Also, I was so adrenalized at this point, I was babbling. Paul had paddled around alongside of me and had a different angle.  "No, it's a big fish Allen, a big halibut!"

When I got it up to the surface, it was hanging vertical, presenting a very difficult target for gaffing.  I had already cleared my stringer and taken the cover off my gaff tip while the fish was coming up.

At this point, the fish was quiet, and only gaffing and securing remained.  I looked at Paul who said he would help if I wanted, but otherwise was going to "stay clear."  I told him, I was just going to take a minute and get my wits about me before the final critical act.  I have to admit I was nervous about possibly losing this fish.

Got the fish close, swing and a miss.  Heart stops.  Fish does nothing.  Closer again, swing, and grazedthe fish, then did what I always tell people NOT to do, in  one motion I reversed the bat gaff and swung down on the beast, fearing  catastrophic head turn ballistics.  Stuck her, lifted her, brought her upside the boat and slipped in the stringer.  Clipped that stringer and then looked at Paul with I'm sure was the most profound gaze of relief, joy, accomplishment, and fatigue.

Then I started screaming like a little girl.  (No, not really.)

Once I got the fish back to the boat we measured and weighed it.  42", and just shy of 32 pounds.  My biggest halibut from a kayak, so it's my trophy halibut so far.

I'm not sure how many hours we spent on the water, maybe 5 or 6?  It was a long, bumpy,  grueling day, and cleaning the fish and equipment back in Santa Cruz took me till 7:30pm, at which time I got my reward of a hot tub soak and hot food.

Many, many thanks to Alan Tani who is a great skipper and a boon companion.  All aboard were bucaneers that day, sailing into spooky waters for  treasure hiding in the mist.

Below are photos in I hope somewhat chronological order.

 

more shots

...and finally

WOW WOW WOW!  What an AWESOME REPORT!!!  Look at that Hali!!!     Love the story of the landing too!  WOW WOW WOW!!!

Allen -

Guess you don't need to go to Alaska to bag a shooter. Thanks for sharing. I thought ChuckE's hali was going to be the biggest this year but it didn't last even a week.   Well done!!!

scott

No beard for you!  Your zen leader status is secure

That is friggin fantastic Allen!!! Great job!!!

Now that's just sweet.

Congrats on the great catch Allen! When Sackyak and I checked the coast south of pt. Lobos yesterday it looked pretty snotty out there.I was wondering if it was even yakfishable further south...looks like you guys made out like pirates.

that tail is like a foot wide.....NICE!

more shots of the hero!

Magnificent report Allen - very entertaining.  On a megabait, huh?  Who'da thunk'it?

Michael

Awesome! Totally Awesome!

A+ catch, report, grin and overall trip.  WTG.   

GD Allen. That story had me just on an adrenaline rush. Right in your story when you pause to think ,what in hell am I going to do now. I swear I could  feel the excitement. All I can say is OMG. That is just so far off the hook. Its off the charts. A kayak fish of a lifetime.