BH 2007/08/19

Didn't plan to fish today (tired from chasing and pulling mackerel around caaaaaaapitola)
but saw the bouys in the morning. flat and not much wind.

Yak was still on the truck, so headed over there, cause when it's good you got to go.

Got there late like 11-ish. sunny, small swell, little wind! 

Paddled out just in time to see cafecraig pull up a super fat ~34" Halibut.

That was a thick momma. I think the later season ones must be a lot fatter.

He said it had been slow for him otherwise tho.

A DFG (also kayak fisherman) was there and we measured craigs fish on an official measuring tray.

DFG dude was doing some kind of use survey.

I think I heard on the radio that one of the other guys got a smaller halibut, 24"?

for me, a gopher, cabbie 18", cabbie ~20", medium black and some super dink blacks.
released second cabbie and dinks. in general, pretty darn slow for that place, but can't
argue with getting there at 11 and hooking up two cabs.

Best,
J

Good fishing with ya J - glad you made it out today and found the cabbies.

Yeah, fishing was pretty slow, but the water was greasy flat, save the small swells.  Super weather, and amazing vis below surface.  Water was crystal clear.  BTW, I think it was Gary who got the halibut early... Not sure tho.

I started targeting 'buts with 2 rods and frozen sardines hooked head and tail, same as last time.  Got a tail bit off on the 2nd drift - gotta tie the tail hook longer next time on the halibut rig.... 

After 4 drifts and 2 hours, my frozen sardines ran out so I gave up on halibut for the day and switched over to RF. Picked up a decent verm at 60' near the usual NW reef.  Then fishing went dead...  til John came out.  Lost my 2 swimbait/jigheads to snags, tried knife jig, then J convinced me to go with straight iron.... Did a couple deep drifts, and then moved in to 50' and picked up a barely legal cab, near where John got his.  Figured as slow as it was, i was pretty much done catching.   Didn't want to fish-and-run on John, as he had just gotten out, so decided to stay a bit longer.

Little while later I was kinda spacing out, then noticed I was on flat bottom, started to pick up gear to move to structure, but felt a tug as I sarted reeling up.  I was thinkin cabbie, but, but, no, it was a flattie!  It wasn't that long of a fish, but man, as soon as I netted it, it let loose with major force.  That was a Mike Tyson of a halibut, except it didn't bite me anywhere, whew.

After kickin it with J for awhile longer, landed ahead of him to clean up first, met with the usual oohs and ahhs of beachgoers, my hali was in a few bystander pics, then we ran into the DFG guy who yakfishes also, renegade style.  His name is Kirk and he's gonna check out NCKA.    He offered to weigh my halibut - came in at a surprisingly chunky 20 lbs even - heavy for only 33.5".  He was pretty surprised by that.

Looking forward to other reports and photos (slackin here - forgot to pack the digicam, oops)!

Great fishing with everyone, as always!

Speaking for the first shift, Paul (Nomad), Eric (Eyeatbay) and Ron were on the beach and about to launch when Ty, Eric B and myself got there at about 6-ish.  Craig pulled just after us and Steve (SAL-sleepy head) came in later in the morning.

The conditions were awesome, no wind, no breaking waves, slow rolling swells outside the mouth, launched and landed in a BH pond.  Tons of people taking advantage of the clear weather and warm sun when we landed.  Made for a toasty time while loading up but its all good.  Oh yeah, no signs of the land lord.  Since he tried to collect rent last month and got a mouth full of plastic, we figured he wouldn't be back for a while.

We saw someone sprinting to the deep part of the north reef to where Craig late in the day when we were starting to head in.  I guess that was JohnM but I didn't see the DFG kayak.

Yep fishing was slow but it was a steady pick here and there.  I was with a group that headed just north of the launch and we drifted the familiar reef looking for (and catching) an assortment of rockfish.  Cabs, blacks, vermilion, chinas, gophers, butts, olives but no lings...weird huh?

My score: the 24" halibut, 20" cabbie (are you in your corner Adam?), 20" vermilion, a fat black and a china.  Lots of dinks tossed back to grow up.

The others did well and I'll let them tell their stories.  Paul (Nomad) made the long haul from Seaside and he's happy.  Eric (eyeatbay) he's the BH halibut king.  Eric B, monster fish, dude.  Ron, good job for your first time at the Bean.  Ty, get your FF hooked up and you'll see what you're missing out on.  Steve, good job but we'll have to go south on our next trip out.

Ron, forgive me for looking at your expression when I told you that the shark attack was right where we were fishing.  

We had someone take a carnage picture so if whoever has the shot please post it.

Great day, good company, awesome conditions, good fishing, no visit from the land lord...what more can you ask for.

Gary

A few pictures (perfect condition, new yak and Hali)

excellent condition (no wind, no swell)

Thats a pond right there, Ive never seen it that flat, and omg you guys were on the flatties! Way to go, Mendo was a blast but I still havnt landed a ayak hali. Congrats, and Craig Im starting to not like you, you land too many halibut...

eric, looks like that halibut was made for your tankwell! what did you catch that one one?

J

Saturday I talked Nomad into fishing at BH. But, he wanted a Halibut Guaranteed if he went. Well, I told him that he had a good chance of catching it, but, nothing is guaranteed in this world, including fishing. My newly purchased P15 was just rigged. I was eager to try its maiden voyage at BH.

We went anyway. The condition was perfect - no wind, no swell and sunny (see pics). Launching and landing were cake. We were first on the water. Later a half dozen of kayaks joined.

Fishing was slow in the beginning. Bites picked up after 9AM. I had a Halibut hooked around that time. Nomad assisted me to land the monster. At the 3rd attempt, Halibut came off and disappeared in water. 

We picked a few reds in next few hours. Around 10:30, Nomad had a Halibut on and screamed for assistance. I paddled in no time. With one scoop, the Halibut was in net and pulled up. I quickly sent it to sleep and tied it down to my yak. We really did not want to lose this one, since this was what Nomad came here for at the 1st place.

Around 11:10AM, I had another hookup while drifting on sandy area. The fish took line immediately. Yes, it was Halibut. Wow … 2 Halibuts in one day for me! It must be my new P15 that brought in Mojo in the opening day!  I was nervous during the 2nd battle. At the end, Nomad helped landing the fish. Thank Nomad for assistance. It was a great day for me: 40” Halibut (23.5#), 3 Vermilions with two 21”. Let Nomad and others chime in their catches.

It was good to meet other fellows. Thanks for company.

Eric

eric, looks like that halibut was made for your tankwell! what did you catch that one one?

Jig head with 7" scampi + squid tip. I was drifting on sandy area and getting Hali hooked up.

Eric is being kind...I totally botched the net job on his first halibut and almost lost his second for him as well.  Those 'buts were just too big for our nets!  Neither one of us had a gaff, which I will try correct the next time I hit the Bean.  I used my net for the first attempt at his halibut and it snapped right in half as I tried to lift it aboard.  I felt like such a heel, thinking that was going to be the only chance for the day.  Luckily Eric got to fight and keep another, and I got my first halibut from a kayak! 

The fishing started off so slow for Eric and I that I thought the day was gonna be a big bust.  Luckily things turned around as the tide changed.  I caught the biggest grass (I think) rockfish I have ever seen.  I've caught coppers and vermillion that big (22" 5.5lb), but no other types of rockfish. 

As it were, it was my best day of California fishing, I think.  My 'but went 38" and 20.5 lbs.  Craig's musta been a fatty!  Did you tape yours once you had it on level ground Eric?  I bet yours was 40+".  I had two other families over for dinner and I still have 1/4 of the halibut left.  Not to mention the rockfish.  I kept a 18" cabbie as well. 

Here are some pics.  The group shot that the lady took for me didn't exsist in my camera when I got home.  I hope one of those pics came out....it should be a great shot.

more pics

Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet! great report

I am  stupid?  but halibut don't fight until you get get out of the water....?  If you baby them until they hit the surface...it like a bucket of water that you have too drag to the surface.  They. don't fight. Had more problems with them being on the deck and being  in the water.

Ken kickfish

Nice going guys! Good clean butt action.

I like "Big Butts and I can not Lie".......   Somebody send me a "Milkshake" now.

Ken kickfish