Fishy New Year! S.W.A.T.(ted) Out the First Legal of the Year!

[skunked4life]

Prologue:
Our Christmas vacation started and ended with disheartening obstacles. Nonetheless, my family had a good time overall despite many family issues and health issues. I am thankful that we made it to the end of 2013 with all of the pitfalls and blessings (especially my children). On the fishing front, the year ended with 2 legal halibuts (however barely legal) and I was looking forward to a new start!

AO: Both A.O.'s classified
Gear: The Usual Suspects, MS Anchovy LC and MS Ghost Jack Smelt (my new favorite!)
Conditions: As perfect as it gets!

Got up New Year's morning and could not wait to hit up the surf. I assumed that all of my S.W.A.T. family would be sleeping in from ringing in the new year's, so I went solo. Drove to the A.O. at grey light and I had a feeling. After casting for about an hour with no love, I move to a more rocky area. I cast out and the curse of the bird's nest came to haunt me. After that, I got nothing but bird's nests for the next 10 casts. The sleight off shore wind was affecting my casting taking into consideration that it was cold and I could not thumb the reel very effectively. That is a long way of saying that I suck at using baitcasters.

At around 7:45ish, I bird's nest again and start peeling off line on the rocks. BIG MISTAKE. About 1/3 of my line cuts off on the rocks and I lose a brand new LC from the wife. I quickly tie on another (same color - MS Anchovy) and without checking the knot strength and the condition of my line, cast out successfully. I snag a HUGE....BENDO....kelp stringer and the line snaps again. Another lost LC and about 1/3 more line. Now it looks like I have about 50 to 60 yards of braid backing and a 20 to 30 yard mono topshot. I give up. What a rotten way to start 2014!!!!

On my way home, a motorcycle police officer turns on his siren and lights behind me. Oh shucks, what else could go wrong??? I pull over on the next exit and the officer simply passes me by. Ok, at this point, I need to STOP feeling sorry for myself and turn things around! To credit the Commander (wingnut), he provided me with intel on this spot a few weeks earlier and I have actually thought about hitting up the spot eventually. Glad the cards laid out the way that they did.

I continue on the exit and make it to an A.O. I have long abandoned. This must have been the Hand of God that directed me to the A.O.

I get out to the sand at about 9:00. I have one hour so I must make this count! The first 30 minutes, nothing. I see a short halibut jump and target that area for another 5 minutes for no love. I make a drastic move to the other side of the beach. I cast out and hook up immediately. A short butt!
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/6FBC16BB-3FEC-45EC-8C3F-7A22E58B5FAD_zpsux49q0vk.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/6FBC16BB-3FEC-45EC-8C3F-7A22E58B5FAD_zpsux49q0vk.jpg.html)

I continue to cast and BAM, another one!
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/EDF0D0D0-33E4-47D4-979D-43723875F4D1_zpsacdenqj8.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/EDF0D0D0-33E4-47D4-979D-43723875F4D1_zpsacdenqj8.jpg.html)

Ok, two shorts kind of made up for the two lost LC's, kind of...I cast out and SERIOUSLY???? Another hit! Now I'm getting bored and decide on some glamour shots...
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/D65E7BA5-F986-4CD1-9044-F11B8C595A3B_zpsei4lq0nw.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/D65E7BA5-F986-4CD1-9044-F11B8C595A3B_zpsei4lq0nw.jpg.html)

And another....
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/090C1B82-47F2-40CB-9E94-0B81454FEF89_zpstbsfof2p.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/090C1B82-47F2-40CB-9E94-0B81454FEF89_zpstbsfof2p.jpg.html)

I continue to cast for 1 more short and....
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/68A4D27F-72EF-409A-8336-32F08C6A9FBE_zpskfhffwxy.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/68A4D27F-72EF-409A-8336-32F08C6A9FBE_zpskfhffwxy.jpg.html)

My first legal of the year! I taped it out at exactly 22.5 inches. Hey, legal is legal and barely shorts go back. Off you go little buddy! My New Year Resolution is to only take home 23 to 24 inchers.
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/6669CD63-95E8-4714-A568-F23528C48044_zpsk6a3u2q3.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/6669CD63-95E8-4714-A568-F23528C48044_zpsk6a3u2q3.jpg.html)
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/benjilovers/A0A05182-0118-43F8-A2F4-A0F3EF17ED25_zpsjbt2fxos.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/benjilovers/media/A0A05182-0118-43F8-A2F4-A0F3EF17ED25_zpsjbt2fxos.jpg.html)

So I end the day with 2 lost LC's, 6 shorts ranging from about 16 to 20 inches and the first Legal Butt of the year for me! Special thanks to the Sensei (Mr. Miyagi) for touching up my photos during his hectic schedule AND for always giving me tough love in regards to fishing and life. Truly I tell you, Domo Arigato Mr. Miyagi!

Epilogue:
Yeah, it is cliche but...when life hands you lemons, make lemonade...or a nice lemon curd, or maybe some lemon orzo soup... I was so shortsided that morning that I forgot the tenets of S.W.A.T.: "Family, Friends, Fun and Fishing." I had fun and it turns out that I had the chance to share my intel and get some good friends onto some fish, like about 36 halibut kind of day....but that's another story to be told by BBQSushi - just giving those of you who read this to the end a little preview of what happened next.

To be continued....

[anchor3n1]

Hi Ken

I always get a kick out your posts. They're usually have some humor mixed in with the story and this one is no exception. But when you share your mishaps and fishing disasters then how you overcame them, I get really encouraged. I seem to have them too often so your sharing makes a difference for me and I am sure for all who read your stories from the surf.

Congrats on your New Years halie!

Take care and I hope you have a blessed 2014,

nick

[DockRat]

I always get a kick out your posts.



X2

Should of ate it...
DR

[bachiboy]

Way to bounce back and score some payback for the lost LCs. Your intel helped get some people on some great fishing, me included.:Wink: Karma points grasshopper...probably contributed to the LC recovery this morning!:LOL: Pretty amazing that you got that back. Looking forward to fishing with you again!

Don

[murrieta angler]

Great way to keep at it Ken...:Big Grin:
With the right attitude, all else is secondary..:Wink:
Your year is starting off extremely well, reminds me of Peters hot streak, from last year...:Envious:
Keep up the positive attitude Bro!!
Robert
<><

[skunked4life]

Hi Ken

I always get a kick out your posts. They're usually have some humor mixed in with the story and this one is no exception. But when you share your mishaps and fishing disasters then how you overcame them, I get really encouraged. I seem to have them too often so your sharing makes a difference for me and I am sure for all who read your stories from the surf.

Congrats on your New Years halie!

Take care and I hope you have a blessed 2014,

nick

Thanks Nick. I too quite enjoy reading your posts. I really appreciate those who take the time to continue to post and reply to posts. It tells me that there is still a fellowship on the saltwater boards! We need more posters like you and Erik!



X2

Should of ate it...
DR

Ate the fish? Nah...I am waiting on the next big one!


Way to bounce back and score some payback for the lost LCs. Your intel helped get some people on some great fishing, me included.:Wink: Karma points grasshopper...probably contributed to the LC recovery this morning!:LOL: Pretty amazing that you got that back. Looking forward to fishing with you again!

Don

Hahaha! It was amazing getting the LC back. It barely had a scratch on it! I have to give you credit for teaching me the right way to pry loose from the kelp. I really tried taking my time and letting what little tidal movement there was to help. Thanks Do and congrats on your epic solo missions this week!


Great way to keep at it Ken...:Big Grin:
With the right attitude, all else is secondary..:Wink:
Your year is starting off extremely well, reminds me of Peters hot streak, from last year...:Envious:
Keep up the positive attitude Bro!!
Robert
<><

Thanks Robert! Peter's hot streak was a little hotter than mine this year. The thing is, I am glad that my brothers are all getting out there and catching their fair share as well. Now get out there Robert!

[SP Dan]

Hey there my Brotha Ken,

"Congratulations" on beaching "your 1st legal Hali" on the 1st day of the New 2014 Season! :UDaMan:

Thanx :Big Grin: once again for the invite to join you down south!
I really had a blast :Explode: :ROFL:getting teased by you again and catching :Fishing Catch: fish together once again .... and I had also caught my first 2 legals of the 2014 season at your AO! I owe my first two legals to you brotha ... :Thumbs Up: thanks!

I sincerely hope that many more legals will find their way to your hook this season! :Cool:

SP Dan <"))>< "The Danimal"!

[skunked4life]

Hey there my Brotha Ken,

"Congratulations" on beaching "your 1st legal Hali" on the 1st day of the New 2014 Season! :UDaMan:

Thanx :Big Grin: once again for the invite to join you down south!
I really had a blast :Explode: :ROFL:getting teased by you again and catching :Fishing Catch: fish together once again .... and I had also caught my first 2 legals of the 2014 season at your AO! I owe my first two legals to you brotha ... :Thumbs Up: thanks!

I sincerely hope that many more legals will find their way to your hook this season! :Cool:

SP Dan <"))>< "The Danimal"!

You owe me nothing. First, the intel was from the Commander (even though 4 weeks earlier). Second, you found those fish and pulled them in yourself while I was having a blast with the shorts. I am happy that we got to spend some time together my brother. Again, congrats and let's do it again soon!

Ken

[PTN]

Great report Ken. That AO sure has changed from the pictures:LOL:. I hope to see you in the surf again. Planning to get my license soon and get back into fishing mode :Fishing Hole::Fishing Catch::Cold Fishing:. I'm glad you are enjoying all the time on the sand with the brothers. The plan this year is dethrone the Commander and you look like you got this :Twisted:.

-Peter

[skunked4life]

Great report Ken. That AO sure has changed from the pictures:LOL:. I hope to see you in the surf again. Planning to get my license soon and get back into fishing mode :Fishing Hole::Fishing Catch::Cold Fishing:. I'm glad you are enjoying all the time on the sand with the brothers. The plan this year is dethrone the Commander and you look like you got this :Twisted:.

-Peter

Thanks Peter. Sorry about the late reply and sorry about not coming over to say hi last Saturday. "Dethrone" the Commander? Ha! Unlikely my friend. I am just feeling blessed that my 2014 started out with a bang and trying really (REALLY) hard not to let the pressure of keeping this pace up get to me. :Explode: I needed a reminder that these things don't last and a further reminder that I need to breathe and enjoy, which I got today with my first skunk of the year!

[Wingnut]

So, this is where it all began... :Razz:
Sorry about the late reply, but you know I've been crazy busy the last couple of weeks. :Neutral:
It was tough seeing all the intel come in on the hot bite and not able to partake in the Hali slayage... :Envious:
Like I said, just giving you guys a head start on the legal Halibut count. :LOL:
Great job catching and sharing Brother Ken. :Thumbs Up: