6/12 1st ever SC Hali &...

Monday three of us hit HMB and dropped traps and fished.  It was 93 degrees on the water around noon  .  Ended the day with 2 lings, 1 cabby, handful of black rockfish, and 16 dungeness between us.  Water was flat as could be... just got too hot to continue fishing.

Wednesday I hit Santa Cruz by myself, buddy canceled last minute and since I was already packed... why not right?  I figured I would not venture out too far and give it a shot.....

OTW by 7am and out to my numbers.  Caught a few small rockfish and 2 small lings off the swimbait.  Wind wasn't too strong, but it was enough to move me from my desired location.  Tied on a 2oz swimbait with a teaser above on my small pole and got back to my numbers...

Finally hooked into what I thought was a big keeper ling, got the gaff ready since whatever this was had some weight...  Fishing over structure, 30lb braid, 20lb leader... I soon realized I had a rather large halibut!!!?! 

Muscled him to the side of the yak and thank God I sharpened my gaff the night before!    He shook off the first gaff shot and began stripping line again.  Worried I'd lose him since I saw my tiny swimbait on the side of his mouth.  Slowly worked him up to the side again and got him with the 2nd gaff shot.  Muscled him into the yak and soon realized the trip was over.  Too much blood, gear in the yak, and lack of space to continue fishing.  Headed in and called it a day.

My first and hopefully not last halibut  -  36", 19lbs...

Wow epic trip good show


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Nice fish! Was it pretty miserable under the sun?

Today was more than tolerable, but Monday was murder.    Way too hot...

Well done Aaron. Congrats on the hog!

Nice!

I wasn't fishing today but saw this guy on the Capitola Wharf with 2 salmon and 2 halibut. I'd guess that big butt he's holding was almost 45". There are some monsters out there...

http://capitolaboatandbait.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/RIMG1711.jpg

No doubt!!!

Nice halibut !!! Thanks for sharing.

Congrats on the first Butt  .  Thanks for the report and pictures Aaron.

No butt is better than the first one. Especially a big one like that👍🎣💪

congrats on the first hali! A very nice one