Santa Cruz Sunday with 40" Hali

There were a lot of kayakers on Sunday at Santa Cruz. 
The weather was great and sea was calm.
I started with 4 rock fishes but no Hali, therefore I moved to little deeper.

When I was trolling around 55~60FOW, My rod suddenly bended over while reel screaming with drag sound.
After several seconds, it seems stuck on the bottom. When I tried pull it, it didn't move at all.

I thought fish was gone and the hook stuck on the bottom.
I tried to pull the line by hand to cut it and also avoid the rod damage.

When I tried to pull it up by hand, I was able to pull it up slowly!!  but still no movement. It was very heavy though.
I thought that it was abandoned crap net or something.

When I pull it up about half, I tried to reeling again.
and Boom!!!! I could see doormat under water.

Very carefully gaff it & clip it, fortunately she was calm until I remove gaff.
As soon as I took gaff away she started bounce and it almost could have flipped the kayak.   
I had to hold the clip since the clip was not connected with line yet.

It was exact 40"
It's shame that my Gopro was out on that exact moment 

By the way how to join to 40" club? haha.

 
 

Very good stuff!

Wowzer!  I think you've got the hardest part of the 40" club initiation done!

Nice halibut Jimmy.

Now that's a BIG butt!

Nice job . Thanks for the report.

Alex

Congrats beautiful fish

That looks very capable of flipping a kayak. Congratulations on the catch and staying upright!

My rod suddenly bended over while reel screaming with drag sound.
After several seconds, it seems stuck on the bottom. When I tried pull it, it didn't move at all.

I thought fish was gone and the hook stuck on the bottom.

I was able to pull it up slowly!!  but still no movement. It was very heavy though.
I thought that it was abandoned crap net or something.

When I pull it up about

I experienced similar while kayak hali fishing but was unable to land it as boobrookiness. Mine ran somewhat good distance and deep. Halibut sensations.. left me crying out and shaking fist. I was able to land 2 nice flatties that day tho.

Congratulations to you! Impressive flatfish catching!

Wow, nice fish. Congrats and thanks for the report

Dude that's a huge halibut congratulations

Amazing fish and great story. Must have been some ride hanging on to that game clip. I'll bet you'll always tie it down before putting fish on from now on.

Nice fish Jimmy so jelly 

Gratz bruv! Beautiful catch

Awesome!  Congrats on the beautiful fish.