S.W.A.T solo attack yeilds BIG results and a new PB

[bones]

Well let me start out by saying that the last 5 days have been exciting .....saddening ..... painfull
and then followed by extreme pride induced happiness!!

Let me take you all on a journey....A mission shall we say to prove that good things come to those
that patiently wait their turn.

On 9/15 it was the anniversary of landing my PB halibut which taped out at 32". The middle area of
Santa Monica Bay has came alive with calm conditions.....clear water...stable water temps and alot
of inshore baitfish present. I've seen many pods of dolphins and alot of commorants and pelicans on
the hunt at greylight which meens.......It's about to get real good !!

Day one 9/15

Clear calm conditions,Fast incomming tide and a ton of birds crashing at greylight.

As I get to my parking spot at my honey hole I was filled with anticipation of what was in store for me
on this beautiful morning. I stepped out onto my favorite rock and begin to fan cast the entire area. I was
throwing my last Metalic Ayu with swapped out heavy duty ST46 owner hooks and was on a mission
to prove that this spot was going to give me another PB.Conditions looked perfect on this morning and
I was determined to catch some halibut. As I was casting... my attention was directed to the spot where
I hung my PB last year at this time ...then I get that first grab. I could tell this was a shortie but they
were definately in the area.After a short fight she comes to color and I swing her into me.

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/9152011PBHalibut/915shortie2.jpg


A little while later I get another grab and it's another shortie but I'm starting to get that feeling that I just
might be in the right place at the right time. This shortie was about the same size and not what I was
looking for.

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/9152011PBHalibut/915shortie1.jpg

Shortly thereafter I got bit again but this fight was definately NOT a halibut. It was digging too hard and I
was thinking YFC but I'll be damned if it wasn't a small calico. I've made thousands of casts in this spot
and have never caught a calico here!

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/9152011PBHalibut/915calico.jpg

You never know what Poseidon is going to hand you and I was pleased that a new species was given to
me in this area. Up until now it was just a relaxed morning but NOW comes the fish story that I've been
wanting to tell.
I usually don't tell stories but this was the day that I was to lose the surf fish of a lifetime. As I was casting
to the sweet spot where I stuck my PB I was concentrating on the slow roll over the very close boilers.
This spot has robbed many LC's from me and I have become quite good at high sticking the bait over the
mine field of enemy structure. It's kinda like tip toeing through a mine field. On this one cast I was looking
at my bait run in the clear water and as I high sticked the bait when it got close I felt a tap......not a grab
but just a slight thunk. I said to my self "Damn...I just hung the boiler" and then as the water drained I felt
a tug. Right then I see a four foot long LOG and it just slurped up my bait. It was a HUGH Black sea bass
and it didn't even know it was hooked. It just swung left and kept moving along the rocks. My heart just
about stopped and to be honest.... I figured I didn't even have a chance of landing this fish in this area.
My thought pattern went to "Save the LC" so when I hopped two rocks to my left and then raised my rod
tip .....I had snagged the top of a rock with my line. The BSB just kept moving like a tank and when I put
some tention on the line it promptly snapped. I just stood there in disbelief of what just happned.
My last metalic ayu was gone and I had no backup baits that I had confidence in so I tucked my tail between
my legs and went home.
I will be haunted by that moment for a long time.
The next day I went to Action Tackle and picked up two ESG MS Anchovy LC's and I was ready for the
hunt once again.
Three days later I saw the conditions were still very calm and I decided to head on down once again.

9/18 .......Conditions were clearer that a few days ago but the tide swing wasn't so extreme.....perfect!

Got on down to the spot and began casting and it was good. Wound up sticking five shorties very early on
and was a little currious what the heck was going on just north of me. There were alot of police cars and
emergency vehicles rolling north of me and all stopped by sunset blvd.
Some of the shorties.....

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/9152011PBHalibut/918shortie2.jpg

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/9152011PBHalibut/918shortie1.jpg

Then a decent YFC comes to color.....

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/9152011PBHalibut/918yfc.jpg

It got a little slow for a while but then on one cast I feel a good grab.She was barely legal but hey....
I'm not complaining!


http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/9152011PBHalibut/918legal1.jpg

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/9152011PBHalibut/918legalhead.jpg

I looked at the time and it was time to go. Morning total.....5 shorties,1 barely legal and a YFC.

As I was leaving I heard on the radio what all of the emergency vehicles were all about. A 25 year old guy
was speeding at over 100 mph on PCH and lost control of his Ferrari. Promptly cutting the car in half and
killing his passenger.

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/9152011PBHalibut/kv81cg-kv81c3crash.jpg

The day and feeling in my heart took a bitter sweet turn in my head. So tragic to see such a young life
taken so quickly. My heart and prayers go out to his family and friends.

Two days later I was still on a mission in my heart and the conditions were just too favorable to ignor.
As I arrived at my spot I was greeted by awesome conditions. The tide was weird today....slack for most
of the morning but hey. You just have to take what god hands you and make the best of it.
Right out of the gate it was WFO on shorties. I stuck 8 shorts within 15 casts but they were all shakers.
I was perched on two rocks so I just kept turning over the LC with my pliers and shook them off.
Here is one pic of the average size.

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/9152011PBHalibut/920shortie.jpg

I remember saying to myself..."What the hell....Is this place a halibut hatchery?" and then I feel a good grab.
A few moments later a nice 25" legal comes to color.

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/9152011PBHalibut/920legal.jpg

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/9152011PBHalibut/920legalhead.jpg

Now I'm happy but this wasn't the Leviathon I was looking for. I promptly released her and went back to
casting the area. Then a few casts later I hang another shortie and was kind of not paying attention when
I was trying to get the LC unhooked when disaster strikes. My rod was loaded a bit and when the LC
popped loose it promptly burried itself in the top of my right index finger.
NOT GOOD.....Especially when I don't have any dykes to cut the hook!

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/9152011PBHalibut/ouch1.jpg

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/9152011PBHalibut/ouch2.jpg

I tried to tug on the hook but it was past the barb so I cut my line...put the two hook protectors back
on the bait to prevent this situation from getting worse and headed north to the gas station/taco bell
for some help.
Everyone in the place kind of freaked out and there were no dykes available. So I got a cup full of ice
and put some water in it to prepare for the hook extraction.

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/9152011PBHalibut/ouch3.jpg

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/9152011PBHalibut/numbing.jpg

Now...Using dykes is one thing but using the cutting edge on my split ring pliers where the cutter is not
by the tip was tricky. I had to flatten out the bend in the hook before I could cut it and this thing was
starting to throb a bit. I actually asked one guy to help me out and cut the hook because my left hand
was giving me a hard time but he just about ran from me with a freaked out look in his eyes....LOL

So...It was up to me to play doctor and with my left hand....UGGH!

I quickly put the whole mess back in the cup and numbed it real good and then with one big squeeze
I cut the hook at the bend.....kind of!
As luck would have it I almost cut the hook too short leaving only about 1/8 " of the hook exposed.
I tried to turn the hook in my finger to bring the point through but it was too short to do this so it was
time to stick it back in the ice water for the final numbing. Then with one mighty twist and pull the hook
came out. It's incrediable how human skin is like leather.....much tougher than one would think!

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/9152011PBHalibut/hookout.jpg

Hook extraction complete......A little doctor "Bones" ordeal but it's all good.

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/9152011PBHalibut/medicate.jpg

Now.... this is when my story gets real nuts......

I felt like I had an unfinished date with Poseidon. I had one more brand new LC in my car and it was still
early. So I headed back to the spot and tied on another LC with three good hooks. I went down to the
water and began casting but Immediately noticed that something was horribly wrong with my Luna
baitcaster. Something was jamming up inside so I walked back to my car and got out my reel servicing
box. I try to be prepared as much as possible. I broke down my reel and saw the problem. The support
bearing for the worm drive gear fell apart. I tried to assemble it without the bearing but it was a done deal!

Check out the pics of the tiny bearing.....

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/9152011PBHalibut/lunabrokedown.jpg

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/9152011PBHalibut/blownbearing.jpg

So......I have a decision to make. I still have my Spinning setup which is a Sedona 2500 series reel on
a BPS rod. It was spooled up with 10lb P-Line flouroclear which is real sketchy around rocks and I didn't
have confidence in this setup but it was the only backup I had at the moment.
I checked the drag and it was real gummy and not smooth so I quickly took the drag washers out and
cleaned them.

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/9152011PBHalibut/sedona.jpg

Re-greased......set the drag and retied. I havn't fished a Lucky Craft on a spinning setup
for many years but sometimes you have to go with the flow.
I was amazed how far you can cast an LC on a spinning setup.......WOW. What the hell am I going to
do if I stick a large fish on this setup?

As I walked back down to the SPOT I asked poseidon to PLEASE be kind and I promissed to let any fish
I was rewarded with a prompt release.I made about 10 casts and right in the same spot where I hooked
the BSB I felt a BIG GRAB. My heart just about stopped as I looked out into the clear water and saw a
big white flash ....... I was thinking big WSB but it wasn't fighting like a WSB. No run for catalina or the
top but rather it was tanking it like a flattie. As the fish neared she spooked three times and my drag
was set pretty loose. I had to keep palming the spool to slow her down but when she neared I almost
fainted when I saw the biggest flattie I've even seen. Definately a PB and I have her on a spinning setup.

The moon,stars,sun and swells all worked in my favor. I was able to slide her up into a hole.
What's crazy is that when the water receeded she went nuts and with one headshake she snapped my
10lb flouro-crap! I Immediatly jumped into the water between her and the open water and scooped her
into my arms in a bear hug....I said "No WAY are you getting away!!"
I was even able to prop my camera up on the rocks to take a photo with me holding her.
Sorry about the first fuzzy pic though. My camera was still set on macro from the finger photos and I was
shaking like a leaf but if you look at the 28 to 29 inch mark you can see how it lines up with her gill plate.

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/9152011PBHalibut/PBfull-1.jpg

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/9152011PBHalibut/PBheadshot.jpg

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/9152011PBHalibut/PBandMe2-2.jpg

YEAH.....A solid 36 inches baby!!!

Keeping with the SWAT code....Always release your PB and thank Poseidon for the gift!

She was out of the water for a very short time and when I let her go she swam off very strong.

On the way home I decided to treat myself to one of my favorite Italian meals.....

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/9152011PBHalibut/tpizza.jpg

Italian linguini with marinara sauce and an extra meatball with garlic rolls------YUMMY!

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/9152011PBHalibut/victorymeal.jpg

Funny how I never knew what ESG meens.....Even funnier how I never read this....LOL

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/9152011PBHalibut/lcpkg.jpg

How's this for water clarity!

http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp185/lukesdad2008/9152011PBHalibut/cc2.jpg

Well....There you have it folks....Three days in the life of Bones on the water. A quick shout out to all
of my SWAT brothers who all called me and gave me props for the catch.

YOU GUYS ROCK!!

SWAT LT.BONES.....Debriefing complete!

[Wingnut]

"You will face many defeats in your life, but never let yourself be defeated."

Mike, you my friend, exemplifies the quote above... :Big Grin:
No matter what life throws at you buddy, you always take it on the chin and push ahead. :Cool:

For the past couple of weeks, you've endured a series set-backs that Poseidon has thrown your way. With each blow, you took the hit, fall down... only to get back up and stood toe to toe with him again and again... I think you've earned his respect. The BIG Hali was a token of his admiration for your resiliency towards his challenges. :Big Grin:

Congratulations on the PB Halibut, well deserved! :Applause:
You put yourself on top of the S.W.A.T. Halibut Leaderboard with an exclamation point! :Envious: I was telling a couple of the guys... just watch, Mike is going to make his move on the leaderboard very soon. :Wink:


After I was done with my surf session yesterday morning with Jerry, I got back to the car and saw that I had 4 missed calls, a series of voice mails and a text message from you, I knew that something significant has happened. I listened to the series of voice mails that you left detailing the morning and what happened to your finger all the way to nailing the PB Hali. I shook my head in amazement and then busrt out with the biggest smile while thinking to myself... "Damn, he did it..." :Big Grin:


Enjoy the moment, you've earned it! Now you can join me in the chase for that 40"+... :Twisted:

[Which Way Out]

John Wayne aka Mike the Man Bone's :Shocked: Wow !

You know I think the story really begins back in Arthur's Thread where he says " Mike... "Why so serious...?" above the photo. Somehow I could see a destiny was about to be thrust upon you.
No idea it would encompass the trials and tribulations you obviously endured. Sorry to see it had to be that way. But I bet the pain was not even a concern 1 second after you knew what you had.

Lets talk about that.
Your last few trips were my entire season this year. Yea I had a good early start but just can't seem to find the fish the past few trips.
I would have to go back with a calculator to count all the fish you put on the beach in your last few post. :LOL:
The BSB.... Been there. Not a black but a fish with a moratorium, a Big Fish. It haunts me still 20+ years later.

Well you bounced right back, and were rewarded in spades. With that halibut you get acclaim and praise. But with the BSB, it seems that they always draw ire when photographed out of water. Not to say you would of taken it out of water. You deserve better and you got it.

Now all that said, don't get to comfy with your lead. Some of us have a target on you now:Wink:

Congrats again and I hope the finger is healing well.
Bill

[bsp]

Mike,
Truly an amazing day out there in the surf! I remember on Saturday how you were itching to go back there after loosing that BSB, and you were dead on about the conditions. You definitely went through a crucible to catch that fish with all the gear failure and injury, but it was worth it for a new PB! You've got a large lead on the rest of the field for the SWAT contest, but I've got a feeling at least a few more runs at the title will be made. Great job out there man, and look forward to more reports in the future!
Marc

[iLLest]

:OMG!:



If thats not a report, I dont know what is...

Mike, what can I say bro? Outstanding frikin job. Multiple legals, a BLACK SEA BASS!! and ofcourse, how can we forget about the beast? 36"!!!!!!!!!!!!!! who the hell needs a boat bro? LOL I'm jealous man :Envious: Sucks about the hook through the finger, that made me cringe for a bit. And that guy running away from you with a funky look in his face = hilarious. I cracked up just picturing you asking him for help and him taking off. :LOL: My GF looked at me and said "Whats wrong with you?" hahaha.

Once I got your text earlier this morning, I was in total awe during in class. I kept thinking that my 30" looked huge and was pretty heavy. I could only imagine how big yours was going to be. All day I was in suspense until finally I saw the report right now. I have a huge smile bro, I'm extremely glad for what you accomplished, its very well deserved. Karma is good eh my friend? :Cool:

Forgot to mention, congrats on winning the S.W.A.T LC challenge! lol The chance that someone can surpass that is very doubtful. You earned it brotha!

See you soon Brotha!
-Frank

[MikesOcean]

All I have to say is.....

THAT WAS ONE HELL OF A REPORT!!!!!!!!!

Congrats bro!!! Very nice job. Your reward makes the hook in your finger all the more worth it!
If someone ask you if you would do it all over again with a hook in your finger for another GOLIATH HALIBUT would your answer no???????? I DOUBT IT!

It is all your fault if I wake up late for work!! I got totally into your awesome fish report! Enjoy this moment cuz these are memories we like to preserve for a lifetime.

Oh.... and I'm not gonna fall for feeling sorry for you with that hook in your finger. (Yuuck..been there)

Everyone here would take that situation for a nice FAT PB like that!

Great job!
MikesOcean

[DockRat]

What report. That accident is knarley .
Sucks about the finger, I dig the LC on the spinner.
Great pics and congrats on the PB.
DR

[bam bam]

BUDDY! You were out of breath when you called me, I knew it was something big. Congrats on your new PB. That thing is a tank. You deserve
it brother. Hope the conditions stay good, I want to get out this weekend. Congrats again buddy.

[farmacist]

Primo report bonesy & awesome fish! Congrats again bro, you definitely deserve it.

[5150fishn]

Wow, now that's a report! Trials, tribulations, lost BSB, injuries, and a PB flattie. What a great report and pics! I felt like I was right there with you. All of your time on the water and presistance paid off. Congrats!!!

[murrieta angler]

Mike, Mike, Mike,
Again I have to say sorry!
When I got the text, I thought you and Arthur were playing a joke on me. I called BS and then when I talked with Arthur he said you were fishing by yourself...:Embarrassed:
You have been on a tear lately and it couldn't happen to a nicer guy...:Smile:
Sucks about the finger but, " Dammit Jim, I'm An Angler, Not A Doctor"! ( My James T. Kirk Impression )
I guess I will have to keep trying for that elusive corvina down here if I want to win one of the challenges...:Rolls Eyes:
I'll see you on Saturday,
Robert
<><

[midgettosser1]

Amazing. A well deserved PB. Congrats Mike.

[Rooster]

Amazing Fish and Report... Major props

[vanillagurilla]

damn swat guys, wish i had more time to fish and report, been trying to figure out where u guys have been fishing and i think i got it pretty close but i wont mension it here. Hopefully you'll here a report from "SoCal HOOKers" this weekend ;).

[Indo-angler]

Wow that was an amazing report holding a lot of different stories featuring all kinds of emotions!

Huge Black sea bass in the surf,halis, pb hali and hook in finger!(I had LC hook in the thumb last week)

Congrats on the hali and thanks for the report!

[PONTOON]

Mike,

Your last five days have been nothing but eventful! I'm going to tell you right now I don't think your "Leaderboard Halibut" could have gone to a more deserving person.:Cool:

I knew something had to be up when I saw that I had missed a phone call and then it was confirmed that you had accomplished a goal you had set for yourself. You worked hard for it and those efforts paid off big time!.........Congratulations My Friend!:Thumbs Up:

You are truly a shining example of what SWAT stands for and I must say thank you for all the help and encouragement you gave me the past several weeks........You are definitely one of the "Good Guys":Cool:

Congratulations Mike!

[SP Dan]

Hey Mike!
First of all....let me say...CONGRATULATIONS!!
I'm a bit embarrassed here, I read your report yesterday and I had to wait....just.... let it all soak in a bit before saying anything. I've never, ever imagined... that I could ever have as good a secession as yours! I will set my goals higher!
Thank you for including us in your report!

WOW!!....I am still stunned by your outstanding secession!

:Not Worthy:

:My Two Cents: A hook stuck in any part of the body can really mess up ones' Ora for a bit, but just temporarily of course!

The thing is Mike, you didn't become distracted but kept your focused sites on your target (s) ahead!

I'm really happy that it happened for you Mike! You deserved this!! What a great bunch memories to have and what a great adventure to tell!

Your catch is the one that all of us have to match or.....!
You've set the bar pretty darned high for all of us! But for right now...I'm really happy for you! Way to slay them!

Thank you for the great report on your fantastic secession! :Cool:

SP Dan <"))><

[Wingnut]

damn swat guys, wish i had more time to fish and report, been trying to figure out where u guys have been fishing and i think i got it pretty close but i wont mension it here. Hopefully you'll here a report from "SoCal HOOKers" this weekend ;).

Gee thanks, we appreciate that! :Big Smile:

Good luck this weekend, hopefully, we won't see a BC or LB report, lol :Wink:

[Sharkbait]

This is one of the best reports that I have ever read. You had so much more then just how the fishing was like. You didnt give up and landed your PB halibut. Did you weight it? gotta be close to 20lbs. This is the 3rd 30''+ Halibut I've seen in the past week and a half and all of them were caught in completly different areas. Awsome catch Bones!!!

Anthony

[lngbchfnhnter]

Superb report as always bones!!
Thanks for the read!! I gotta get out there again...

[saltman]

Bones,
I have to say that is the biggest halibut I have see's in a long time coming out of the surf my friend. Well done Bones!!!
Saltman..

[flyngby]

Mike,

Great chatting and hearing the post first hand last night! Also thanks for the invite that I was unable to meet due to ongoing work schedules! I knew you were onto something good when I received your Voicemail that you sent Saturday and was unable to retrieve until Monday Morning.

Awesome Fish with all the adversity with personnel medical issues and the equipment failures prior to you determined success!

Steve

[troutdog]

EXCELLENT report Bones, nice job on the extraction....no fun with that one. Congrats on your PB, whata beauty, may a 40" be only a few trips away! :Thumbs Up:


TD

[jerryG]

Congratulations Mike!!!!! Awesome report thanks for sharing your adventures my friend. You have been on a relentless attack lately Mike but you have paid your dues many times over this catch was not easily earned but it was certainly well deserved. Well the bar has been raised guys. There are some big fish out there right now. I anticipate there will be more big fish to come in the days/ weeks ahead.

JerryG

[klocked]

Thats a great fish Mike!!!!! Wish I could of been there to watch you jump up and down and scream like the experienced fisherman you really are!!! I would of helped remove that hook too! Great job brotha!
I cant wait to get completely over this cold!

[efishent]

What a great read and a rollercoaster week to remember! Thank you for sharing an exciting segment of life with such a great detail. The PB hali was the most fitting ending to that, Congratulations! You donated some blood to the Ocean and it paid back

[TUNAVIC]

Wow what a read! That was great it had it all.Drama, excitement,ups,downs,excellent pictures,great writing,I was totally captured and couldn't quit reading,sorry about the BSB,but at least you got to see what it was,man you got that area wired! I'm not much of a surf fisherman,I've done in the past,but after reading your post I'm definitely thinking of trying my hand at it again.
Tuna Vic

[Badbeat]

One word Mike, OUTRAGEOUS! :EyePop:
You definately deserve that big fish after all the crap you went thru bro. Arthur was telling me about it today and my jaw just dropped. Much props on releasing it too, she woulda been dinner if i got her, hahaha :LOL:
Man, swat truly rule the surf fishing scene. Great job and congrats on the pb. :Big Grin:

[CaliButts]

CONTRATULATIONS!! Now that's a PB Halibut!! :Cool::Cool: Great report and read. Way to stick with it and get back out there. Thanks for sharing your epic weekend!!:Worship:

[TroutOnly]

GREAT FISH MIKE,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,s/o,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[BIGRED KILLA]

Wow Mikey, You landed the big girl you have always been after, You really deserve it bro you put in lots of hard work and long hours on the sand and to get this toad is the pay off!! I think after reading this post and looking at the pics makes me wanna go out and get my feet wet again!! I cant believe you landed that toad against all odds but hey Gingers do get lucky once in a while lol. Thanks for the Epic report!!


Bigred

[Troutman65]

Wow Bones , that was one of the best reports I have read in a long time . It had a little bit of everything in it. :Cool: Congrats on your Whopper Halibut ! Thanks for sharing :Cool:

[trollmiester]

Iam lost for words.Voting this the best report of the year.Man cant wait to congragulate you on saturday in person. Weigh to gobuddy.

[247fisher]

Reading this report bones... and i must say it puts the "A" in AWESOME.......
congratz on your PB flattie...i really have to make time to make a trip up there one of these days....
i enjoy every min of ur post....almost felt like i was rite there...

[Nessie Hunter]

What an outstanding adventure week for you Mike...... KEWL!!!
Big Congrats on the New P/B buddy!!!!
Would have loved to just watch the BSB tug O war... lol
Your my new Hero for the week!!!!

Get rid of the Felt drags ~ only Carbontex & Cals my friend!!!
I know it was an emergency, but when the Cage pops out, the bearing is normally TOAST..



.

[Karyn]

You have had one heck of a week! Good for you! Way to get out there and enjoy life! :)

[Nipple Twister]

Mike, I just don't what to say. My command of the english language and ability to fully express myself in the written word is not enough to say what needs to be said about this report, I did get to read it right after you posted it and all I could do at the time was to sit back in my chair with my jaw hangin open :OMG!:
I tried many times to type something up worthy of your accomplishment but could not get it right. So, with that in mind outstanding job my friend :EyePop::UDaMan::Applause::Beer Toast::Dancing Banana::Worship:

Absolutly incredible on sooo many levels it boggles the mind, way to go!

Thanks for sharing my friend, thanks for sharing........ :Wink:

[blackwater]

Oh my goodness! :Shocked: I'm pretty sure that's the biggest Hlaibut to come out of the surf so far this year. Congrats on taking the lead on the SWAT Halibut leaderboard Mike, that's going to be really tough to beat, Art, hand over those LC's. :Envious:
Art was telling me how tough it was for you to land that thing on the rocks, much props bro. :Cool:

[Jaysuuun]

And just like that you're on top of the SWAT leaderboard. :Applause: Wow what an awesome read. I could just imagine your heartache when the BSB broke you off and your joy in the end when you landed your PB butt. Congrats buddy. Wish I could have been there to see you bear hug that flattie. :LOL:

[man0fsteel]

There are fishin reports, then there are GOOD fishin reports...then there are CLASSICS like this one! This should be required reading, a veritable piscatorial Shakespearean tale of epic drama, woe, and ultimate redemption!

I'm most impressed with your camera skills whilst impaled.:Bug Eyes:

You SWAT boys give me stuff to dream about.