We Got Em'! We were very lucky. We got very big fish. Jeffery was the lucky angler and he got 2 monster fish! Maybe it’s a payback from over tipping the bait guy.
We left Marina Del Rey harbor at the same time that the New Del Mar was making it out of the Breakwater. Headed south. We metered some good looking marks just north of the fleet of boats off of Redondo Beach. So we set up and fished. It was a while but we all got into the groove. Then Jeff hooked up. He gingerly worked it for a long time. It came up slowly. Then we saw the nice halibut and decided quickly to switch from net to gaff.
Jeffery's morning Halibut
We relaxed a bit. Most of the fleet moved off to fish other areas. We stayed. We relaxed and kept at it. Then moved in tighter to where the fleet had moved from. Carl again picked a spot to anchor next to some good meter marks.
A few other fish came up for us. The Rays teased us with visions of WSB in our heads. Then Jeff got his second one. Jeff was on it. It had hit hard. A major bendo'. He followed the fish forward up the rail. Following the fish Under the anchor rode on the bow. Carl followed behind to hold his belt when transiting the narrow parts and to back him up if the boat rocked. Eventually Carl even gaffed the fish on the bow.
Jeffery's afternoon White Seabass
We kept only these two fish. However these beasts are worth braggin' about.
We got Halibut, White Seabass, Barracuda, and Rays within sight of the blue whale wall in Redondo Beach. The Barracuda and misc fish were released. I missed my chance to get one. It came unbuttoned with a bit of the fishes jaw attached to the hook. It had been in the rod holder and was too tight of a drag while we fooled around with the fresh one on deck.
Jeffery was the definitely the hot stick. All three of us DRYC guys on boat were blanked on the elusive White Seabass. My brother Carl. My dock mate David of the boat Top Dog. Carl, Jeffery and I are active members of Marina Del Rey Anglers. Carl and David are members at the Avalon Tuna club. All of us can and do get fish. It was just Jeffery's big day.
We headed in around 4 pm. It was a fine blue sky day with really nice weather and not any problems with the swell.
At the Marina Del Rey Fuel Dock
Then we used a scale at Del Rey Yacht Club on their hoist. Since Jeffery and I had a bet as to the real size of the Halibut we needed an accurate scale. Carl just happened to have one.
Here are the Proof in the certified scale photos! First the Halibut.
Then the Beast of the White Seabass
Only problematic issue with such big fish is you need a lot of ice and a lot of time to clean and package the meat. We felt like we were butchering a full cow it was so much work. In order to have a nice space to work on the fish we went over to Burton Chase park to the Fish Cleaning station in the park. It was a great space to do the butchering. We saved the WSB head for the research program.
In the end, my Fish Wish was granted… We had some fun!
Sincerely,
Keith
skipper of the Ramblin'
PS Thanks goes to Philip Friedman for his Facebook and Patch.com posts. His reporting helped me get my brother and some fishing buddies out on the water.
PPS WSB Fishing Tips...
Look at the tide charts and fish AM or PM hours during the best tide swing. Use a very light dragg on the pick up. Always have the freshest bait. Try not to ever leave the rail. Once hooked never let your rod lose it's bend. Speak up once hooked, tell your fellow fishermen to move as needed. Over or under as needed to follow your fish around the boat. It will take some time to bring these big fish to the boat! Cooperation is a must.
2 comments:
Nice fish Jeff, congratulations.
What test were you using on the Cbass?
Both fish came on 25 lb floro
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