basshole1
07-16-2014, 11:50 PM
Greetings FNN, my quest for the legal hali continues. For the past month, I've researched, fished new AO's, been determined, went hard and put in work!!! Many shorts and a few 21 inchers later, she escapes me still, will we ever cross paths?!?! :???: One day I'm sure....
Today, I decided to try once again to land a 22+ inch butt. I'm like a man obsessed, but it's good to have goals right??
Destination: SAMO
Target Species: California Halibut
Conditions: Low tide, slightly stained, salad, salad, and more salad
I arrived at my destination at around 6:00 pm. Wind was fair, the water was getting low and conditions seemed right. However, first cast of the LC and I knew it was going to be a long session. Second cast, third cast, fourth cast....nothing but salad. As soon as my lure hit the water, a couple of cranks and I could feel the gunk in the water suppressing the action of my flash minnow. I made my way up the beach and continued to look for a fishy spot with less obstructions but the promised land was nowhere to be found. Every toss of the lure resulted in a mess. The relentless attack of seaweed kept entangling my hooks causing further dismay. Annoying. :Evil: Finding myself near a small rock jetty, I switched out to a swimbait and began to cast. As I was reeling, what I believed to be more salad suddenly darted towards the rock. I know this feeling, fish on. Turned out to be a small sand bass.
Small fella, but beat the skunk.
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e269/hojinlim/SAMO2_zpsac03d26b.jpg (http://s41.photobucket.com/user/hojinlim/media/SAMO2_zpsac03d26b.jpg.html)
Despite the small size, this little sandie got my juices flowing. Where there is one, there had to be more. I fished this little pocket hard. I ended up with 2 sandies and 2 short butts.
Here is a pic of one of the butts. Right around 17-18 inches, not a bad fish.
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e269/hojinlim/SAMO3_zps72566420.jpg (http://s41.photobucket.com/user/hojinlim/media/SAMO3_zps72566420.jpg.html)
The plastic I was throwing was a Bass Assassin's Sea Shad on a 1/4 oz ball-headed jig. The original color was glow w/ chartreuse tail but during one of my previous sessions, one of my black and red sea shads bled all over this color resulting in the strange, pinkish tone. I believed them to be ruined but to my surprise, they became a hit. Who would have thought.
Seven fifteen ish rolls around and its time to head back. As I'm walking the beach, the tide was near its lowest point. I've never fished this area with the water being so low. The decision was made to walk out a little further towards the water, throw a jerkbait, and see what bites. I casted quite a bit. Over and over, when finally, BAM!!! I got hit and I got hit HARD!!! I felt the hairs on my neck stand up and said to myself, "oh baby, this is the one." Now I've landed quite a few angry, 20+ inchers before but none of them felt like this. It made some violent runs, taking line and peeling drag. Could this be a 30+ incher? Some wishful thinking, a man can dream right?? I fought it and fought it, bringing it closer to shore. When the fish got near, to my surprise...I see fins. FINS?? WTH?? Keeping my line tight, I walked towards it...shovel nose. But a dandy shovel nose it was...it entertained me with a great fight and is definitely my personal best. What an adrenaline rush.
Here is a pic, didn't get a chance to measure but I've never caught a SNGF this size.
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e269/hojinlim/SAMOSNGF_zps6a93f4e0.jpg (http://s41.photobucket.com/user/hojinlim/media/SAMOSNGF_zps6a93f4e0.jpg.html)
Optimism was running high so I continued to cast. Sadly, no takers except for this lil' ole perch.
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e269/hojinlim/SAMOPerch_zps591d4297.jpg (http://s41.photobucket.com/user/hojinlim/media/SAMOPerch_zps591d4297.jpg.html)
Final fish count:
(2) Sand Bass
(2) Halibut (shorts: roughly 17" and 12")
(1) BSP
(1) SNGF, PB
All in all, no legal butt BUT it was an action packed, super fun session. After days like this, I truly feel blessed that we have access to such a fantastic and diversified fishery. I know this was long, hope you enjoyed it. The hunt for the legal continues.........
Today, I decided to try once again to land a 22+ inch butt. I'm like a man obsessed, but it's good to have goals right??
Destination: SAMO
Target Species: California Halibut
Conditions: Low tide, slightly stained, salad, salad, and more salad
I arrived at my destination at around 6:00 pm. Wind was fair, the water was getting low and conditions seemed right. However, first cast of the LC and I knew it was going to be a long session. Second cast, third cast, fourth cast....nothing but salad. As soon as my lure hit the water, a couple of cranks and I could feel the gunk in the water suppressing the action of my flash minnow. I made my way up the beach and continued to look for a fishy spot with less obstructions but the promised land was nowhere to be found. Every toss of the lure resulted in a mess. The relentless attack of seaweed kept entangling my hooks causing further dismay. Annoying. :Evil: Finding myself near a small rock jetty, I switched out to a swimbait and began to cast. As I was reeling, what I believed to be more salad suddenly darted towards the rock. I know this feeling, fish on. Turned out to be a small sand bass.
Small fella, but beat the skunk.
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e269/hojinlim/SAMO2_zpsac03d26b.jpg (http://s41.photobucket.com/user/hojinlim/media/SAMO2_zpsac03d26b.jpg.html)
Despite the small size, this little sandie got my juices flowing. Where there is one, there had to be more. I fished this little pocket hard. I ended up with 2 sandies and 2 short butts.
Here is a pic of one of the butts. Right around 17-18 inches, not a bad fish.
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e269/hojinlim/SAMO3_zps72566420.jpg (http://s41.photobucket.com/user/hojinlim/media/SAMO3_zps72566420.jpg.html)
The plastic I was throwing was a Bass Assassin's Sea Shad on a 1/4 oz ball-headed jig. The original color was glow w/ chartreuse tail but during one of my previous sessions, one of my black and red sea shads bled all over this color resulting in the strange, pinkish tone. I believed them to be ruined but to my surprise, they became a hit. Who would have thought.
Seven fifteen ish rolls around and its time to head back. As I'm walking the beach, the tide was near its lowest point. I've never fished this area with the water being so low. The decision was made to walk out a little further towards the water, throw a jerkbait, and see what bites. I casted quite a bit. Over and over, when finally, BAM!!! I got hit and I got hit HARD!!! I felt the hairs on my neck stand up and said to myself, "oh baby, this is the one." Now I've landed quite a few angry, 20+ inchers before but none of them felt like this. It made some violent runs, taking line and peeling drag. Could this be a 30+ incher? Some wishful thinking, a man can dream right?? I fought it and fought it, bringing it closer to shore. When the fish got near, to my surprise...I see fins. FINS?? WTH?? Keeping my line tight, I walked towards it...shovel nose. But a dandy shovel nose it was...it entertained me with a great fight and is definitely my personal best. What an adrenaline rush.
Here is a pic, didn't get a chance to measure but I've never caught a SNGF this size.
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e269/hojinlim/SAMOSNGF_zps6a93f4e0.jpg (http://s41.photobucket.com/user/hojinlim/media/SAMOSNGF_zps6a93f4e0.jpg.html)
Optimism was running high so I continued to cast. Sadly, no takers except for this lil' ole perch.
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e269/hojinlim/SAMOPerch_zps591d4297.jpg (http://s41.photobucket.com/user/hojinlim/media/SAMOPerch_zps591d4297.jpg.html)
Final fish count:
(2) Sand Bass
(2) Halibut (shorts: roughly 17" and 12")
(1) BSP
(1) SNGF, PB
All in all, no legal butt BUT it was an action packed, super fun session. After days like this, I truly feel blessed that we have access to such a fantastic and diversified fishery. I know this was long, hope you enjoyed it. The hunt for the legal continues.........