MBK Report - July 15th

So for those who may be interested, I figured I would post a quick report on my trip out from MBK today. Here it goes....

Got there around 6 and spoke to a guy that was full of good tips, and then on the water by 6:30. The last few weeks have produced a lot of bait near the surf in about 15-20 feet of water and because the wind was pretty much non existent I decided to make the trek out to the Hotel since what I really wanted was a fat butt. On the way out I simply left my sabiki hang out the side as I paddled. By 8:00 or so I had finally made it to the hotel and had picked up about a dozen sardines and a few jack smelt. I decided to try and target the 30-40 foot depth range for a few solid hits and really mangled bait. But unfortunately could not get anything to stick.

Around 11 I decided to make my way out to the yellow can to try to pick up some lings so that I would at least come home with something. It did not take long to pick up my first ling. It was nothing special and just barely legal but at least it was something.

Then I again decided to head in shallower and try a bit closer to shore, again in that 30-40 range. Same story as earlier, solid hits and more mangled bait. I did end landing one more ling and then called it a day around 3:30pm

All and all it was a really great day on the water but still yet to catch an elusive butt. I am starting to wonder if they are simply a myth to drive me cray. Just kidding of course. Some day will be my turn.

Anyway, there you have it. 

... All and all it was a really great day on the water but still yet to catch an elusive butt. I am starting to wonder if they are simply a myth to drive me cray....

I used to think the same thing.

Thanks for the report.

maybe you need to fed the fish longer.

maybe you need to fed the fish longer.

As in letting it free spool so they'll take it and keep munching?

Nice seeing you out there today Dweller.
I tried the same in your shadow today.

We launched behind you at about 715 from Breakwater and headed out towards the hotel in about 40-50 feet,
trolling for bait.  The Blues were hitting hard, saved a few for Ling bait, but couldn't hit any sardine or mackerel.

I rigged up a frozen sardine with a smaller rig for some Butt and pent some good time in about 30-40ft with no luck at all
not even a bite. 

partner didn't have much of anything, a few tugs, but no bite marks.
so we headed to the yellow Buoy to rig up for some lings.

Was still rough goings, and as we decided to head back, I rigged up a lively little Blue close to the tin shack and hooked up a real nice ling.  was 6.85#s by the time i weighed it a few hours later when i got home, SO i call it a 7# due to water and weight loss!!
Put up a great fight on the way up too!!!  Had it in my net on my lap, and it was really calm once in my lap.  so i took the hook out as fast as i could and it EXPLODED while in the net in my lap!  I scrambled best I could, and grabbed the handle, lifting up as fast as i could and if i hadn't of done that it wold have seen freedom.  It got about half ways out the rim headfirst, but i managed!!   Ill have to make sure i give it the wooden ling be good stick before i take the hook out in future trips!

Sounds like fun in spite of the slow bite.

Does anybody have any insight on how the halibut fishing has been in that area so far this year?

I spoke to two different kayak fisherman one last Sat. who was a spear fisherman and one this week who was rod and reel and both had managed to bag one. One was caught by the hotel and the other a bit closer.  I did not  see the fish myself so all I know is what they told me.

maybe you need to fed the fish longer.

As in letting it free spool so they'll take it and keep munching?

Yup.

I fish for halibut with really light drag, so as soon as I see my rod tip do something "unnatural"  I just start feeding line directly off my reel with my hand.

Thanks for the tips guys. I had been using really light drag but perhaps it was not light enough. I will try the free spool idea next time.

Thanks for the reports guys.

So for those who may be interested, I figured I would post a quick report on my trip out from MBK today. Here it goes....

Got there around 6 and spoke to a guy that was full of good tips, and then on the water by 6:30. The last few weeks have produced a lot of bait near the surf in about 15-20 feet of water and because the wind was pretty much non existent I decided to make the trek out to the Hotel since what I really wanted was a fat butt. On the way out I simply left my sabiki hang out the side as I paddled. By 8:00 or so I had finally made it to the hotel and had picked up about a dozen sardines and a few jack smelt. I decided to try and target the 30-40 foot depth range for a few solid hits and really mangled bait. But unfortunately could not get anything to stick.

Around 11 I decided to make my way out to the yellow can to try to pick up some lings so that I would at least come home with something. It did not take long to pick up my first ling. It was nothing special and just barely legal but at least it was something.

Then I again decided to head in shallower and try a bit closer to shore, again in that 30-40 range. Same story as earlier, solid hits and more mangled bait. I did end landing one more ling and then called it a day around 3:30pm

All and all it was a really great day on the water but still yet to catch an elusive butt. I am starting to wonder if they are simply a myth to drive me cray. Just kidding of course. Some day will be my turn.

Anyway, there you have it. 

It is getting a bit late in the year for that prime halibut bite but you never know if you don't try,tight lines.

Sent from my SM-G920T1 using Tapatalk

Tim wrote:

It is getting a bit late in the year for that prime halibut bite but you never know if you don't try,tight lines

scallen (Bushy) wrote:

In my home fishing grounds around Santa Cruz, the halibut season stretches from April through October, with the best months being June, July, and August for the warmer waters within the Bay, and September for the HOGS off our North Coast

I say don't quit! Hogs are gonna happen!!

I will definitely keep at it.

I say don't quit! Hogs are gonna happen!!

This!

I say don't quit! Hogs are gonna happen!!

This!

+1.

I can feel my butt fever coming on...

FWIW, I've heard more reports of butts taken/seen recently from down this way than I have in awhile...

There are some in super shallow right now as well so if I was a hook and line guy I wouldn't be afraid to try the shallows if out deeper wasn't producing...

https://instagram.com/p/BWlPWzlHdL-/

https://instagram.com/p/BWfVuSInKNQ/

 

Sincerely,

Jim