10 months later...

On my birthday on March 12th I came across a large male Sheephead but was unable to get close enough to shoot him...

I did get him on GoPro though and the image of him swimming away has haunted my dreams since then...

Using aerial maps and visual landmarks I took from that day in March I made a mark on my GPS of where I thought I could find him again...

Yesterday I was finally able to get back to the area to look for him...

I met up with a great bunch of friends at the beach including last years DOTY Nelson Kwok, Adam Sauve, Matt Lopez, Deke Jacobsen and DG.

I knew if we all went to the spot together the chances of me being the first one to find the sheep were slim...so I got suited up quickly and launched out solo through the waves and made a bee-line to where I hoped to find him...

Ten drops later I found a nice big boulder, peeked around the corner and there he was....was prepared with my Pathos Laser 90 (in March I was using a 60 and it didn't have enough range), and popped him right by his left pectoral fin and the shaft went through his right gill plate and after a short tussle I brought him to the surface.

Very beautiful healthy 29.75 inch male and SO STOKED that I was able to find him and take him after almost 10 months of thinking about him!!

Did 110 more dives before I called it quits and managed to get two verms (17 and 19.25 inches), a smaller 22 inch female sheep, a nice cab, a yummy Ling, two olives and a chunky gopher.

Here's a quick vid and a few pics.



 

Sincerely,

Jim

Pure dedication.  Way to go!

Great video. And the story to go with it. A sheepshead is on my list of goals. But being so new I have to start with all the little rockfish first. Thanks fir sharing and the inspiration!

Outstanding catch. Thanks for sharing. Boosted my motivation for a Sheepy even more. Looking forward to getting out there.

Way to stay with it and get him Jim.

You know, this could be considered pre-meditated murder.

You know, this could be considered pre-meditated murder.

LOL!!

Literally just laughed out loud here in the office.

 

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Thanks for the video Jim.  I'm always inspired to become a diver and spear fisherman by your videos!

I think this report marks the delineation between passion and obsession. You're a madman Jim.

I think this report marks the delineation between passion and obsession. You're a madman Jim.

You might be right....

Even more so if you consider that I only slept about 4 hours before leaving the inlaws in Bakersfield to meet the guys at the beach before first light...

Then in my haste to be the first one to the hunting grounds I carried my kayak on my back solo all the way from the car to launch....its not a short walk...and not one where wheel-ez would work...and my kayak is not exactly light...

Feeling it today though...or maybe that's all the Coors Light I drank once I got home while working on the vid at midnight last night before coming into work at 630am.

 

 

Sincerely,

Jim

I was so happy for you Jim.  10 months ago I was just getting into this spearfishing obsession. 

I am so much more appreciative of the easy Mendo launches we have up north.  The walk and carry to the launch and re-entry just whipped me good.  I was only going to shoot a Sheephead and then look for other fish. Never got to the other fish part.  I saw plenty of fish, but only three Sheeps all day.  Two of them stayed just out of range and I wish I had a gun with a longer reach.  I already own three guns and thought I could get by with what I had.  The third one I caught on video.  I tried to get on its level but may still have been a tad higher than I like.  I was convinced I had stoned it, but it turned around and just swam off.  It was a fun learning experience and I am glad others got some great fish.  Nelson felt sorry for me and gifted me a couple sheepheads so I could at least see what they taste like. 

Don't get discouraged Duane....that is a strenuous launch/landing for anybody and even harder if you get tumbled hard in the surf like you did on the way in...

I couldn't really see what was going on in your vid, but I don't think you need a new/bigger gun...I have been able to take a lot of sheep with 75/70/60 cm guns....sure there are some times where a bigger one will give you more range and a shot at one that won't let you get close but the majority of times your 75 should be plenty of gun.

Everybody has off days and maybe Sunday was just one of those for you...

I'll be happy to dive with you again in other areas known for sheep next year and I bet you get one.

It was fun diving with you and glad you made it home safe and sound.

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Sheephead are haunting him in his sleep.
I have all the faith in the world that you will get yours soon Duane

Those Big Sur launches don't sound fun at all. 

Thanks for the vid Jim and congrats on your PB sheep and verm!

Few pics from fileting the sheep last night...in the dark and cold... 

Meat vacuum sealed and frozen right away to take down to Bakersfield on Thursday for sashimi and ceviche for inlaws, and heads and carcasses set aside for fish head soup.

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Looking good.  I just cut up a couple for the first time.  Nice to see yours.  I wasn't sure if I was to cut out the notch like you did where there were extra bones. 

Going to try the ceviche also and not sure what I am going to do with the fillets yet. 

Will the fish hold up in a cioppino?  My wife is making that on New Years and wasn't sure if we should add it to the crab, octopus, mussels, clams, scallops and what ever else she is putting in there.