S.W.A.T 40+ 2 days in a row! Alabama Halibut, Limits, Go Big Or Go Home

[ToadsToadsOnly]

Day 1: First off I want to thank all of my S.W.A.T brothers for the recon mission and sharing intel on the epic Halibut bite I owe you guys. Since I have not been on the boards much lately I had no clue the S.W.A.T boys have been slaying the butts. I had my kayak loaded and was on the way to Cabrillo to do a yak halibut mission with my buddy Jim when I called Jerry G who told me that SWAT has been killing it lately haven’t you seen the reports? I asked him where he knew it was south but was unsure about the exact location. I sent Commander Wingnut a text and asked if he would kindly share some info on the bite he told me the guys had already landed 6 legals and the location of the A.O. At this point I was torn since Jim already landed a 26’’ I was 15 minutes from Cabrillo when I decided to make a U turn and make a southern trek and do a solo mission.

I roll up to the spot at about 11 am started drifting live bait up and down the coast for the next 5 hours and caught 1 short butt, 1 legal Sandbass, and a ton of huge Jack Smelt. Jerry called me around 3:30 and told me he was on the way and that I was fishing the wrong spot, doh!! As soon as I peddled into the zone I hooked up instantly on a short. I had 1 rod with bait and I was throwing the LC with on my other setup on 6lb line and a Kencore trout rod. It was insane the halibut would hit as soon as my bait hit the water was hooking up left and right, there were another fellow kayaker fishing the area who was hooking up here and there so I reached in my tackle box and pulled out a LC to give to him because I wanted him to slay the fish with me. At that moment my bait rod goes bendo ZZZZZZZZZZZ……..and my drag started ripping I knew instantly it was a good fish. The fish comes up and tapes out at 23 ½, yes!!!!! I have not been targeting halibut much within the last year so this was my first legal in over a year. The bites continue on one particular hookup I casted my LC out when my bait rod goes bendo, I put my LC rod into the rod holder land and release the other fish. When I lifted my LC rod up I was already hooked up I fight this bad boy in on 6lb line and landed my 2nd legal for the day this fish was a little over 24”. I had over 10 double hookups and landed over 40 fish within the 2 hour span. This by far was one of the most epic halibut bites I have ever been in.

While I was loading my kayak in the dark I slipped and scraped the bottom of my foot badly on the launch and cut it up real nice. I was hurting but all I could think about was DANG how am I going to peddle the Hobie with a messed up foot? I wrap it up with gauze told myself to man up loaded all my gear and headed home.

Day 2: Heck with the injured foot I’m going fishing… The night before I get all my stuff ready and saw a Alabama Rig and thought it would be funny to catch some Butts on the A-Rig. I was going through my box thinking what should I put on the Alabama Halibut Slammer (that is what I decided it would be named), 3 LC’s na that wouldn’t work too many hooks they will get all tangled up, white swimbaits I use for stripers na, BAM 3 Blam Swimbaits on a darter head it is! I hit up my cousin Daniel and told him to get out his float tube and get your butt over we are going to go slay some butts. As soon as we roll up to the spot we see Halibut flying out of the water at baitfish within 5 minutes HOOKUP!!!! HOOKUPPP!!!!! HOOKUPP!!!! ………Over and over again, it almost sounded like a broken record. Only today the bigger models moved in about half the fish were between 18-21 ½ inches. I broke the ice and landed the first legal my cousin Daniel have never landed a legal before he said he was just stoked he caught a halibut. I told him Daniel you gotta believe!!!! He said he yelled “I BELIEVE” and within the next 5 min he landed his first legal. These fish were hitting everything I probably could of drop shotted a bubble gum wrapper and hooded up. About 15 fish in I wanted to try some new technique I put a LC on a slider rig similar to a halibut bait rig and dragged it on the bottom and landed 3 fish. Then I told Daniel you know what time it is? The Alabama Halibut Slammer time! First fish was a sandbass then it went stupid I was getting short bit about 5 times per cast on the AHS rig. As soon as I slowed my retrieve I hooked up every cast about 10 minutes in I get slammed hard and landed my first legal on the AHS rig. Three cast later I hook another legal but pulled the hook at the yak. It was completely Pandemonium Daniel and I had double hookups all day long and was giggling like little kids. We continued to plug away at the fish and ended the day with well over 70 halibut between him and I we really have not clue how many we really landed but it was insane. I ended up with 5 legals, 2 on bait, 2 on LC SWAT EDITION, and 1 on the AHS rig and Daniel landed 3 legals. My fish were 23 ½’’-26’’ Daniels were 22 ½-25’’.

7 legals in 2 days what and insane weekend I cannot wait to get back out there this weekend. I shared the good eats with a couple buddies and sent the rest home to my Mom since she has been complaining the I have not brought her any fish in a while.

If any of you S.W.A.T would like to change up the pace and drag either a yak or a float tube down the weather supposed to be pretty nice this weekend. Feel free to give me a ring I would be more than happy to fish with you guys and do my best to put you guys on the epic bite.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/toadstoadsonly/56eca966-f2a5-4c81-af67-ec015f1466ce.jpg (http://s250.photobucket.com/user/toadstoadsonly/media/56eca966-f2a5-4c81-af67-ec015f1466ce.jpg.html)

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Day 2:

I hope you are not eating dinner..

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Sorry for my lack of posts lately guys life has been keeping me pretty busy. I have been spending most of my spare time fishing and have not been trolling the message boards much. Here is a bonus picture recap of an epic 2013.

I have fished many boats in SD for offshore pelagic s the PRIDE by far is the best boat I have ever fished on Captain Greg and his crew are top notch. I landed 13 40-60lb BFT on this trip on a overnight trip.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/toadstoadsonly/IMG_20130805_233042.jpg (http://s250.photobucket.com/user/toadstoadsonly/media/IMG_20130805_233042.jpg.html)

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/toadstoadsonly/IMG_20130806_003351.jpg (http://s250.photobucket.com/user/toadstoadsonly/media/IMG_20130806_003351.jpg.html)

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I have not been Salmon fishing since they closed the fishing up north, I met up the Okuma Boys and they put me on the spot. Thanks Mike Bennett!

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/toadstoadsonly/20130921_200752.jpg (http://s250.photobucket.com/user/toadstoadsonly/media/20130921_200752.jpg.html)

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This was the load of DREAM GEAR Oliver Ngy of "Big Bass Dreams" donated to our Hunting Giants event.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/toadstoadsonly/20130916_230037.jpg (http://s250.photobucket.com/user/toadstoadsonly/media/20130916_230037.jpg.html)

Not a pug but meet my daughter Pinky but she's pretty funny looking.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/toadstoadsonly/c02e648b-39b0-4354-b482-a99bb0ab34d9.jpg (http://s250.photobucket.com/user/toadstoadsonly/media/c02e648b-39b0-4354-b482-a99bb0ab34d9.jpg.html)

Until Next Time
Go Big Or Go Home
ToadsToadsOnly Style


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Go get em boys!

[sidified]

WTG, Jonathan… While I was catching a very few shorts today, I heard how well you did Sat eve….
and then tonight as well! Kicking into that sundown high tide sure was a producer. Wish I'd taken the hint and floated my boat too! Going to be a lot of easy launching into this full moon.. maybe then..
So how many LCs did you have clipped on to the Abalama Rig?? ha
Cheers,
Sid

[bachiboy]

DUDE! That is sick! What an amazing year!:EyePop: I was wondering if you were gonna make a go at the "honey hole".:Wink: Glad you were able to make it out there and take it to 'em.

Hope this year treats you as well as the last!
Don

[skunked4life]

Yeah TTO!

I was hoping that one of the brothers would yak that place up!!!

Congrats on an epic start to 2014 after an epic 2013!

Skunked4life, aka Corporal Croaker, aka Ken

[ErikAllen17]

WOW! Looks at those monsters... please, call me! I just got my kayak and would LOVE to have someone else to go with. I was lucky enough to go out with Midgettosser1 a couple of weeks ago, but he said hes hanging up his boat until March when Rockfish season starts again. Really... if you want company, send me a PM and we'll connect!

[Which Way Out]

:OMG!::OMG!: X's 10000000000000000000000000000

WWO

[TroutOnly]

great report johnny,,,,,,,i like that a-rig ,put some paddle tails on that thing,,,,,,,,,,,lol,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,T/O,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[troutdog]

Great fish porn, looks like you continue to live up to your screen name...WTG!

Have a TTO 2014!


TD

[murrieta angler]

First off Jonathan,
Don't say your sorry when you have all those pics of the "TOADS" you have slayed recently...:Angry:
That is a sweet assortment, and I'm digging the 40-60# BFT...:Wink:

NEXT, don't try and tell us you got an "Owwwyyy" by slipping on the landing!
If that aint a Halibut bite, I don't know what is....:ROFL:
Good to see a report from you Bro!!
Robert
<><

[noleash]

Ouch!..........

[noleash]

Ouch!..........
Oh Yea! The aged old "Conflict Within" syndrome! Keep banging at it guys and you will in fact "Persists"!:Big Grin:

[DockRat]

Wow,,, thats al lot of halibuts. :Worship:
DR

[bbqsushi]

Jonathan,

Thanks for letting me poach your spot for the short time that I was there. I had worked that spot and took home a couple of keepers the week before, so I was happy just to be back in the spot. The boys mentioned that you might be down there again, since you killed it on Saturday - it was nice meeting you and your cousin on the water. When I showed up and started casting directly in from the beach, you were hooking up on EVERY cast!!! I was like, daaannnnng, this guy is GOOD!!! Thanks for inviting me to walk around so that I could cast on top of you guys. I wish I had more time, and I wish I hooked up with a couple of them so that Lucas (my 6 yr old) had something to reel in, but, hopefully they'll still be biting this weekend. It might be a SWAT zoo out there!!!

See you on the water, and congrats on an EPIC weekend!!!

Nate

[Wingnut]

You da Man Jonathan! :Big Grin:
I think S.W.A.T. had a few kayaks on the water for this hot bite and everybody did pretty well.
Too bad our plans to hit the water this weekend fell through bro... I still can't pry myself away right now. :Neutral:
maybe the bite will pick back up another time. :Wink:
Great job out there and hope to fish with you soon my friend... :Cool:


2013 - S.W.A.T. Leader Board Final Standings!

1st Place - Biggest Halibut = 36.5" - Jaysuuun

1st Place - Most Legal Halibut = 22 - Wingnut

1st Place - Biggest White Sea Bass = 38.5" - Tesserz

1st Place - Most Legal White Sea Bass = 2 - Wingnut

1st Place - Biggest Calico Bass = 23.0" - Wingnut

1st Place - Biggest Barred Surf Perch = 17.0" - Bones

1st Place - Biggest Yellow Fin Croaker = 20.0" - Bones

1st Place - Biggest Corbina = 21.0" - Bones

Exotic "Rare" Catch Award = Corvina - Murrieta Angler

Oddest "Weird" Catch Award = Double Top-Sided Halibut - PTN

Outstanding Angler Sportsmanship Award = SP Dan

Most Lost LC Lures Award = 19 - Bachiboy

Misc. Categories:
Biggest Walleye Perch = 9.5" - Saltman
Biggest Shovelnose = 50.0" - Wingnut
Biggest Spotted Bass = 15.0" - Murrieta Angler
Biggest Sand Bass = 16.0" - Bones
Biggest Cabezon = 17.0" - Bones
Biggest Stripped Bass = 34.0" (3-way tie) Murrieta Angler, Bachiboy & SP Dan

[remington]

Great to meet & fish with you Jonathan! I got a little lucky after you left....:Big Grin:

Hope to fish with you again in the near future brother!

Kelly

[SP Dan]

Hi ya Jonnathan,

They never knew what hit them! :Fishing Catch: WTG!

Dan

[TUNAVIC]

That was a great read,great pictures,great results,those were truly two amazing days. WTG!

Cya TUNAVIC

[bassjedi]

That is a really epic halibut bite; nice job and thanks for sharing.

[ToadsToadsOnly]

Thanks guys for all of the kind words guys. Here is an update on the bite went out on Sunday 1/12 the bite slowed down quite a bit but still managed 20 shorts 1 Leo and 1 Shovelnose Shark, I had to check out early about 3pm due to the family obligations.

I really wanted to hit the spot this past Saturday but with the high surf advisory in affect opt to go to Cabrillo instead, ended up 10 shorts, 2 skulpin, hooped for a bit at dark caught1 nice bug, and two octopus.

I knew they were still biting at the original AO and had the itch so I said screw the high surf advisory so I did and evening yak session yesterday 1/26 I got to the spot at 3:15 pm started paddling back in at 5:48pm. I definitely had to watch my back because the swells but the fishing was still pretty epic I ended up with 2 legals and over 20 shorts.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/toadstoadsonly/20140126_194636.jpg (http://s250.photobucket.com/user/toadstoadsonly/media/20140126_194636.jpg.html)

They are still pretty thick out there just wait to the swells lie down with some Santa Ana Wind conditions and I am pretty darn sure they will bite on the surf again.

If you guys do hit that spot try drop shotting with a 1-2 oz weight with either Gulp Sand Shrimp or flukes and just launch it out there you have to get past the kelp line. Or just rent or drag out a Kayak that works also.

Good Luck.

[Wingnut]

Thanks for the update Jonathan. The word is that the bite at that A.O. have back off quite a bit with the fish moving into deeper water.
I'm still bummed that i couldn't join you guys on the yak attack a couple of weeks ago.
Haven't been able to get myself free to get out there on the water or in the surf. :Neutral:

Chúc mừng năm mới bro!

[ToadsToadsOnly]

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/toadstoadsonly/20140201_213233.jpg

Went out to the A.O for a morning kayak session with with a couple buddies. Ended being a all day session, we had a slow pick short Butt's all day. When the tide almost bottomed out in the afternoon it went Butt wild Jim and I started throwing the LC and annihilated them on every cast. We caught a ton of shorts and about 3-4 legals each most were taped out bearly 22 so we sent all of them home except 1 each. Mine went just shy of 23 an Jims right about 26". On the bottom of the tide until dark you could wade out to the spots we fished on the yak I am 100% sure they will bite in the afternoon today from the surf 3pm-dark. I am debating on bailing on my own Super Bowl event to go out the halibut were chewing the paint off my lures.

[Which Way Out]

Hey Johnathan I heard the Betty Ford Center is going to open a wing up in your honor.:LOL: I have one to recover when I get hooked on the You Tube...:ROFL:

The Super Bowl might be a bust, you never know, but I am not going to miss it. Got to go with Old age and Experience. Broncos!!!!!!

WWO