(FoodPorn Added) Caught him slipping...

A couple years ago I started exploring a new (for me) area that is only diveable on very calm days...

The area is fun to dive with varied depths, cool structure and a good variety of fish and so I try and get out there once or twice a year when the ocean lays down...

My first time there I saw a nice male sheephead but he took off before I could get a shot at him...

I marked his reef on my GPS App, and every time I go there I look for him...

I have seen him 3 or 4 times but have never been able to get close enough to him...

Yesterday I decided to take a break from getting skunked hunting stripers in the surf, and took advantage of the flat seas to paddle out to this area.

First spot was pretty surgy with hazy viz but it produced some yummy kelpies, blues, a small 17 inch cab and a chunky 19.25 inch olive.

http://doty.norcalkayakanglers.com/catches/2678

http://doty.norcalkayakanglers.com/catches/2679

Then moved out to the male sheep's reef...tide was coming in, so viz was clearing up nicely...

Dropped down and before I got to the bottom I saw the male sheep gliding along...

He was pretty far away but wasn't bolting immediately like he had done in the past...I lined up the long shot with my new Pathos Sniper 75, pulled the trigger and nailed him right by his pectoral fin.

Shaft went all the way through and I knew I had him. 

Pulled him in and admired him as I headed toward the surface...they are such badass fish with crazy teeth, and beautiful colors, and super cool features...

I know they are very common in SoCal, but up here in Monterey County I think it is always a treat when I get to take one.

Took a few OTW pics of the sheep and dove for a bit more and took a few more rockies and a small 24 inch Ling for fish tacos before paddling in.

http://doty.norcalkayakanglers.com/catches/2677

Spent some time back at car talking to tourists about the fishies before heading home to clean em all up and had several friends and family over for sheep sashimi and yummy fish tacos.

Fun day and am very grateful to finally bring this guy home...my 4th male sheep so far here in Monterey County.

 

Here's a quick little vid and a bunch of pics.



 

Sincerely,

Jim

Yummy yummy!!

 

Sashimi Sheephead?! That is a treat! Solid catch!

Dang Jim, That's an impressive Sheep!  Woohoo! 

Nice shooting!  Thanks for a great report, pictures, and video Jim.

Nice vid as usual buddy and congrats on another male sheep! 

Thanks guys!

Had friends over last night and we ate the rest of the rockies/Ling in fish tacos, had some more sheep for sashimi, gifted the Cab to my buddy Manuel, and my wife's grandma who is staying with us will make a soup out of the head/carcass.

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Nice shot on the Sheep! Way to use all the good stuff, too. Thanks for the post.

Wow! Amazing! All looks great but sashimi stands out.

That sheep is huge!   

Soup was BOMB!

So much fatty, gelatinous goodness!!

 

Grandma also used some of the meat chunks to make some tasty fish cakes!

Pics attached, and here is a 60 second InstaVid for ADD folks.

https://instagram.com/p/BV3YIcontuJ/

 

Sincerely,

Jim

wow wow wow great job and those look so good...i might go eat some sushi tonight after seeing this

Last pics...

Final slab of fillet eaten raw last night....a monster bowl of soupy goodness...Ol' Snaggletooth jaw pulled from bottom of soup pot.

 

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Yeah buddy! Looks amazing, nice work Jim.

Yeah buddy! Looks amazing, nice work Jim.

Thanks dude!

Hope you and Kathy are enjoying her beast!!!

 

Biggest fish ever for a female in DOTY!!!

http://doty.norcalkayakanglers.com/catches/2680

 

Sincerely,

Jim