Finally - 24" Halibut - A Keeper!

[frankjz]

Hey dudes & dudettes!

I done caught me a bitchen fish a few hours ago! A beautiful 24", 5lbs California halibut! A real event for me...


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7280/7776127702_e9a0cb7dc6_z.jpg


Damn, I've been hunting this sucka for the better part of a year...or years (I've landed 6 short halibuts this year alone!). I caught him on sandy beach break near a rocky jetty. As fate would have it, or the fickle gods above, just as I was about to give up and head home after two hours of nothing but skunk, I decided to move back closer to the jetty where I'd begun my morning.

As all of you know, the surf has been rough and was still showing off as the tide peaked. There was also a fair amount of salad in the water as well, making conditions tough to manage. The soupy, choppy water nearly knocked me off my feet a couple of times. Anyway, I decided to try a few last casts and... BAM!! This guy hit on the second cast and wasn't more than 20 yards off shore. I've got some new 30lb braid on my light 2500 Sahara so the only concern was keeping lines tight and leading him away from the rocks. Mission accomplished as you can see from the photos.


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8308/7776127322_2d5b12c915_z.jpg


Now I just need to find a good video on filleting him for dinner. Anyone hungry for fish?


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7249/7776126870_f5e9fa24d0_z.jpg


Cheers,

fz

[Wingnut]

Congratulations Frank, your persistence and hard work finally paid off, enjoy! :Big Grin:

Here ya go... post some food pics. :Wink:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYgjcID4afI

[reelgurlzfish]

fabulous catch! congrats :-D

[frankjz]

Wow, that's gigantic! Gotta be a Pacific Halibut. I did watch some Tube vids to see the best way to filet. We made the dish tonight with smoked paprika and taragon in the broiler. Too hot to cook outside. Crazy, huh!

[ichthus]

Yeah Baby!That is awesome! What did ya get him on? Got my first from the surf earlier this year on a swim bait. Bon appetite! God bless, Mark

[frankjz]

Thanks! I was using a 110 LC Zebra Sardine on 30lb Suffix lo-res green braid. Also, I recently started using a barrel snap swivel rather than tying the lure on directly. I know there's some differences of opinion on this, but I like being able to change out my LC's quickly when I'm not getting any hits on one. I used three different LC this morning. The swivel seems to be "invisible" to the fish and it helps in line twist since I use a spinning reel.

fz

[fishead]

Nice butt. I remember my first bigg butt
I like bigg butts and I canot lie!!

[iLLest]

Congrats!
Dedication finally paid off, isnt it sweet?
Keep it up!

[frankjz]

Very sweet...

[bachiboy]

Very cool Frank! Your long wait makes that catch a helluva lot sweeter!

Congrats!
Don

[technician]

Nice work man persistence always pays off in the long run..... Just ask my wife

[fishshep]

Reading the story, I can feel your joy !!! :Big Grin:

Congrats. on your pride and joy at "finally "

catchin your Legal !!!

[fishinguy68]

Congrats on your catch Frank. I know the joy you are feeling as I caught my first legal butt this year as well.

[HawgStalker]

Good for you Frank! Way to stick with it.... Dont you love it when you tell yourself one last move or one last cast and BAM, you hang what you were looking for!!! Im sure tasted really good too....

Congrats!

[Which Way Out]

Great story Frank and Congratulations.

I have always heard the first one is the hardest, so continued good luck to you. Don't be like me. The first time I tried to catch a HB from the surf I caught 2 legals from the same spot on the same day. Then NOTHING for almost an entire year. So I can sort of feel your Pain and Joy..

:Thumbs Up: WWO

[frankjz]

Very kind of you, thanks. I'll try not to repeat your "luck."

[Newfishsmell]

Right on frankjz !!

Those legals don't come easy, congrats and enjoy.