Christmas Day Halibut for Mom. S.W.A.T. Solo Mission 12/25/10. Bonus 1/16/11 Report!

[bones]

Wonderfull howd everyone like it? Nicely done Arthur!! What would you have done if you caught your pb halibut and it being your only one release or take to your mom?

Hope Everyone Had a great Christmas!

If I know Arthur........He quite simply would have kept his promiss to poseidon and released the PB and then told himself...."They are here" and then promptly stuck the 28 for mom! Arthur is definately a man of his word and ALWAYS keeps his promisses.
It's called "Karma" Brandon.......Those who have walked miles in the sand with Wingnut have seen the Karma shine.

[Wingnut]

What would you have done if you caught your pb halibut and it being your only one release or take to your mom?

Hope Everyone Had a great Christmas!

excellent question!!!

That is an excellent question. My answer will neither be elaborate or clever... but rather, honest.

The perfect scenario would be that I catch a decent size legal Halibut early. Bag & tag it for Mom and my mission is complete. Continue fishing and get my personal best Halibut later and release it, in keeping with the S.W.A.T. Creed of always releasing your PB fish.

But if I were to catch the PB Halibut first, the decision for me would be an easy one. Mom would have her Christmas Halibut. My promise to Mom would supercede "any" S.W.A.T. Code.

The "Code" was never meant to be enforce with fire & brimstone, but rather a personal challenge for us to always chase the bigger and better prize. It is left up to each S.W.A.T. member's discretion to do whatever he or she feel is right. Robert, when you caught your PB Halibut a few weeks ago with Bones and I, did we pressure you in any way to release the fish? I knew that it was your personal best Halibut, but I said if you want to keep it, go ahead and do it. It would not change my opinion of you in any way. You decided to release it and I commended you for it.

So there's your answer... I would have brought that PB fish home if it was the only legal Halibut I caught that day. Breaking the "Code" is a small price to pay to see that beautiful smile from Mom. Afterall, that PB fish may not hold up for too long anyway...

[Wingnut]

If I know Arthur........He quite simply would have kept his promiss to poseidon and released the PB and then told himself...."They are here" and then promptly stuck the 28 for mom! Arthur is definately a man of his word and ALWAYS keeps his promisses.
It's called "Karma" Brandon.......Those who have walked miles in the sand with Wingnut have seen the Karma shine.

Mike, if I had to make the choice of breaking a promise to Poseidon, or break a promise to Mom... the Ruler of the Sea would be dissapointed.

[flyngby]

Wonderfull howd everyone like it? Nicely done Arthur!! What would you have done if you caught your pb halibut and it being your only one release or take to your mom?

excellent question!!!

I have no doubt that Arthur would have released a PB and been rewarded with "Moms X'mas Gift" later even if he had to continue his travels from the San Diego / Orange County line all the way well into Santa Barbara County. Dinner might have turned into breakfast but he would have "Got-r-Done"

Persistence and determination is rewarded. Arthur sets his own tough goals, and as he usually puts it "I am one Lucky Man" I say those that "Pay it Forward" as Arthur does so often are rewarded well!

I had the opportunity to spend some time with Arthur post X'MAS day after we both slept in late, met him at about 11am and went for a little journey back down into the OC!

During the 45 min drive I barley was able to get a word in as he talked about what a wonderful day he had, from the midnight mass with family, the trip in search of the Mom's Gift, to the wonderful meal and family time.

Does he look tired? He can hardly wait to see what is over the horizon!

Some very different structure than we normally see!


Some very clear water conditions considering what he encountered yesterday but a little unsettled.

Always smiling!

What is this? Hey be careful when the boats pass as the wake can sometimes get you off guard!

How is my K-Mart gear working for you?


There were no magic wands yesterday but we enjoyed some "Family Talk, Great Friendship, Some Fishing & Fun"

I was finally able coerce him into letting my buy him lunch and he chose a " Happy Meal " from Micky D's!

[Hometown]

I hear you WINGNUT I can never disapoint my mom with out her there would be no HOMETOWN

Mike, if I had to make the choice of breaking a promise to Poseidon, or break a promise to Mom... the Ruler of the Sea would be dissapointed.

[Wingnut]

Steve, it was great hanging out with you yesterday and fishing the harbor for the first time on foot. I think you could tell that I felt a little out of my element. Can't believe that I missed that fish THREE times! Thanks again for letting me borrow your drop shot rig. Too bad the weather prevented us from heading North to fish with Mikey.
Super flat conditions projected for this weekend... get ready S.W.A.T.









Wingnut Pug's cousins.


Amen...

[fish_sauce]

...The "Code" was never meant to be enforce with fire & brimstone, but rather a personal challenge for us to always chase the bigger and better prize...

Very well said Arthur!

Andrew

[Wingnut]

What a great way to start Christmas day Arthur, multi-species day with the target accquired at the end! A fine job indeed!! Merry Christmas!!!

Andrew

Turned out great Andrew. Conditions looks good for the weekend, hope you can make some time to hit the surf with us.

Happy holidays! It always feels good to do something for the moms ,feels different when you really have to catch fish ,anyway I went out fri north pch till it was closed same chocolate and salad skunked wil try after church Tom
I might even be brave enough to try my ayu anyway cya

Making Mom happy is always a good thing. It wasn't a do or die situation, but I was totally happy with how things turned out. Go ahead and throw that LC, no guts... no glory!

Multi Species...
Beautiful Pics....
A legal Halibut....
You are truely blessed......Karma has once again reared it's head!
Done in TRUE Wingnut Class my friend.........What an awesome way to represent everything the holiday season is about.From beginning to end this is an awesome report and you truely represent what Team57.....The FNN.....and the SWAT brotherhood is all about. Your kindness towards so many others is very admirable and I think I can speak for all of the SWAT team when I tell you........Thanks for being "You". We all have so much to "Pay Forward" Arthur. It's mind staggering sometimes to be honest. The world would be a much better place with more people like you!
Dana is smiling my friend......Merry XMAS


---------<><

I know you've had a lot on your plate lately Mike and you've dealt with adversity with class and dignity. May the New Year be a much better one for all of us. No worries on whatever comes from me... continue to "Pay it Forward." Eventually, it will find its way back to me... in this lifetime, or the next.

Very nice! Great pics and great post! That's what i call a Merry Christmas.

Thank you... and a Merry Christmas it was!

I guess you will sleep when your dead........major christmas hours spent being the one and only Arthur! Not surprised that you got bit on that lure, looks sexy if you ask me. Those are clumps of squid eggs Arthur. When you hook about 30 pounds of them making squid, it really sucks. Probably why those fish are there too. And, you fished that barometer change today, and guess what? Glad you fulfilled your promise to mom, and yourself.

48 hours with no sleep is a piece of cake Mikey. I was ready to head out again with you on Sunday if the weather cooperated. Thanks for the ID, Squid eggs... wow, never saw that before. There must have been hundreds of those clumps washed up on the shore that day.
Thank you for educating me on the barometric science of fishing. It does make a difference once you pay closer attention to it. Looking forward to fishing with you again... maybe this weekend.

Nice job on getting your mom the christmas flatty Arthur. Man your mom can cook, i think she could be an Iron Chef or something. We all know about those world fanous eggrolls. Anyways, sorry you didn't make it to the christmas party, but i know that family comes first. You've always been one with your priorities straight. May the new year brings you many more legal flatties.

Take care bro,
Vincent

Yeah, Mom can stir a mean wok... lol
Sorry I missed the party, but I'll make up for it on New Year's Eve. See ya soon buddy.

Merry Christmas to you Mr. Wingnut! Hope you and your family had a wonderful day. I'm sure your Mom was proud of her boy for bringing home xmas dinner. What a perfect way to start the holiday. I'm sure Mr. 57 enjoyed being there with you. He was on my mind and with me all day long. Santa brought me waders ......my first halibut is coming soon!

I told Santa that you've been surf fishing in your jeans and he wouldn't have none of that.
Hurry up and get that first Halibut, I already have your S.W.A.T. gear all ready to go.
I know that 57 was right there with you this Holiday season Donna. A part of him will never leave us...

wow thanks for shearing you day with us it was a great read and had some sweet pics.

Thank you, good times!

Hi Wingnut,

Very nice all around,

JapanRon

Thanks Ron... it was a perfect day.

Thanks for the great report and nice that you got your mom her fish I had little doubt you wouldnt come through like Bones said your nothing but class and X is right on squid eggs.

Thank you sir, I appreciate that. Yeah, Squid eggs... I never would have guessed. I actually thought it was some kind of Jellyfish eggs.

awesome report. Nice pics!! That looked like a really cool mission. Nice job on the halibut. I would of liked to see a pic of how that halibut looked after your moms cooked it. lol

FISH ON!!!

Dang, I shoulda taken a picture of it when it first came out of the oven. It looked great, but the aroma was oh so good!

Oh man Arthur, when I got your text I told my family that you had taken your Mom surf fishing and she got the legal halibut. Everyone was excited to hear this.
I'll have to clarify the story but I'm still excited that you were able to come through for your Mom.

By the way, I'd like to try your Moms crispy baked fish on some of my catfish.......Is it a family secret?

Anyway Arthur, once again, way to go My Friend!

Lol Terry, sorry I wasn't more clear. But if my Mom did join me in the surf, she would have nailed a legal Flattie for sure!
The recipe is a popular one Terry and you HAVE to try it!
Here's the recipe on-line provided by IN2DEEP. Please let me know how it turned out.
http://ravenouscouple.blogspot.com/2...d-catfish.html

Nice job on Moms Christmas Halibut.

DR

So the Squid lay their eggs on the bottom? Or does it just settles there? I thought that they attach their eggs to the kelp... fascinating.

AWSOME!!!!!!!!,,,,,,,,,,,,,,WTG W,NUT on a mission accomplished,,,,,,,,,,,well done!.

Nothing like hooking mom up with something special for christmas,,,,,,,,,

God bless

TRAIL BLAZER

Thanks TB, how about a guided trip to the Duct one of these days?

Now that's the way to spend Christmas morning Arthur!!
I wanted to head out real bad the night before, but just couldn't get out of bed, with my wife next to me, in the morning...
You are truly blessed,
Robert
<><



p.s. isn't tomorrow the 27th?!?....hehe

I actually thought that I was going to run into you out there Robert... kept looking down the shoreline expecting to see you in the distance...
Blessed...? You're the one that is blessed my friend. Loving wife, beautiful kids... someday, I hope to be so lucky. Let's see if we can hit the surf this weekend.

Congrats Arthur,

Once again Poseidon gave you and the family a nice Christmas Gift! You are truly blessed my friend.

See you on the waters soon.

It was fun hitting the harbor on foot with you yesterday Steve. Gives me a different perspective on your playground. Let's see if we can plan something this weekend, conditions looks good!

Squid eggs huh !?!? I wonder how they are over easy??? Anyway that was a good Xmas ,tell me ,how does the Luna compare to the pluton? You seem to like the pluton better,it felt great in my hand ,you've battle tested it ,

Luna $229.99, Pluton $399.99. What do you get for the difference in price...? A little more line capacity and a better drag. The Pluton also feels and casts a little smoother and you can get one in high speed ratio. Both are work horses and extremely reliable. Yes, you're right, I've put them both thru some pretty severe conditions and they both passed with high marks. If you don't care about the "bling" factor, go with the Luna, it won't disappoint you. Remember, real men use round reels...

That was a fantastic dinner bro, better than that Vietnamese restaurant that we go to. I keep telling mom to open a restaurant. She was sure that you were bringing a fish home, she didn't even prepare the usual main dish. I was teasing her that we might have to eat Top Ramen for dinner. Thanks for the presents and don't forget to come over after New Year to help take down the Christmas lights.

Mom will never open a restaurant bro. It would take all the fun out of cooking for her. She enjoys doing for us, the family. Plus, we want her to relax and be stress free, not to have another thing to worry about... lol
Christmas decorations and lights... Now why is it that it's so much fun putting them up, and such a drag taking them down...?

What a good son your are. Your mom called my mom this morning and now my mom want a Halibut for New Year's day dinner, thanks alot buddy! Now where did you say that fish market was??? You are the luckiest guy I know and your timing is impecable as always. Way to call the shots as you were telling me a few days ago that you were going to get that Halibut for your mom and you did just that. I didn't make it to Binh's Christmas party either but I heard from Vince that it was phenomenal. Still planning to go to Vegas for New Years buddy? Make sure that you leave me the keys to that CL before you leave because our bet expires on midnight 12/31.

By the way, thank you for all the Christmas presents, Maddie adores her gift from Uncle Arthur. She won't put that thing down and carrying it all over the house. And Lauren just loves her EVO, I can't get her to stop playing with that damn phone. You sure have a way with the ladies. As for me and the SWAT Crew, I got the box from Fed Ex on Christmas Eve. Just perfect Arthur, Bones is right, we all have alot to "pay forward" as you refuse to receive anything in return. But good things happens to good people and the MAN upstairs have treated you well in life for your kindness. We are all grateful for your friendship.

Hahahaha, she told me that she was going to call your Mom... I was like uh oh, Phuong's in trouble now. Hit the surf with us this weekend bro... I'll give you a legal Halibut and we can call the bet all square! Deal?!? If not, don't worry, like I said before, the Prius will be waxed and ready for you to take.
As for the gifts... enjoy. You've done just as much for me and my family and it's the least that I can do. Happy New Year my friend.

Awsome job Arthur real nice halibut.I hit the surf and could'nt catch a thing...

Thanks Tony... keep at it buddy, I'm going to see you post up a legal halibut report here very soon. Shoot me a PM if you have any questions about anything.

Nice fish! Good Job Arthur on another quality fish.
And bringing it home to your Mom for Christmas is a plus
way to clutch it out and bring it home (and on the funky looking shrimp LC)
good job

Merry Christmas to all, hope everyone had a good one.

Thanks Frank, like I said, we'll keep in touch and hit the surf sometime soon.

Another nice Christmas fish!! Very nice Arthur! I bet your mom was happy! I loved that "picture is the reciept" deal lol!

Mom was ecstatic when I walked into the kitchen with that Halibut John... priceless.

Mission accomplished!
Nice story telling too
High bacteria levels in the water after the rains wasn't a concern?

You have a few of us curious about the crispy skin baked fish.
I did some web searching
How does this recipe compare to your moms?
http://ravenouscouple.blogspot.com/2...d-catfish.html

Scott

If you're talking about the catch, short term bacteria level exposure doesn't affect the fish.
If you're talking about human contact with the water, I'm in waders. As long as I don't get rolled by a wave and swallow some water, it's all good.
As for the recipe, you nailed it Scott. Gotta give it a try, it will knock your socks off, it's that good.
Just looking at this pic makes me hungry! Some prefer to eat it wrapped up in rice paper. I prefer it with steamed rice... yummy!

Nice going on the Hali . Cool that you did that for your Mom . Hope the New Year brings many more fish . Thanks for the report

Patrick, thank you... and the same to you buddy.

Ca nuong - Hey Scott, that's the exact recipe. Ca nuong translate to baked fish in English. It's one of the most popular Vietnamese dish and are available at most Vietnamese restaurants. Probably only second to Pho in popularity. But I'm sure that it doesn't compare to Wingnut mom's home recipe. If you guys haven't tried this dish, you're missing out big time.

Arthur, very well done my friend. While your were out on your Halibut mission for your mom, I was nursing a major hangover from the Christmas party. Everybody was asking about you bro, but we always have the New Year to party it up together.
Thanks for everything you've done for us and especially for your unconditional friendship. Most of all, thank you for being YOU.

Btw, I dig that headstone plaque for Dana, so perfect, great job Donna!

Isn't that fish dish da bomb Binh? I remember a little while back, a bunch of us made reservations at Favori Restaurant in Westminster and ordered like six of these fish along with some Escargot and had an absolute feast! Let's do it again soon!
Sorry I couldn't come to the Christmas party my friend, but New Year will be epic. Party all night and fish all day... LOL

Always great reading your reports... WingNut

Thank you sir... fun writing them.

GREAT JOB ARTHUR,YOU GOT THAT HALIBUT FOR MOM'S X-MAS DINNER,,,,,,,I LIKE THAT LURE ,,,,,,,,,,,t/o,,,,,,,,,,

I'll give you one the next time I hop on your boat Uncle Bob. Phuong is finally gonna win a bet. No worries, gotta throw him some scraps now and then... See ya soon my friend, it;s going to be a great New Year!

I hear you WINGNUT I can never disapoint my mom with out her there would be no HOMETOWN

Right on brotha... we are who we are, because of Mom.

Very well said Arthur!

Andrew

Thanks Andrew... Let's kick some major butts in the New Year!

[keepemlo]

Trust me guys,I would do anything to see my mothers smile again ,wing nut I can't believe I actually picked that lc up and put it down thinking ,man that doesn't look anything like a shrimp!I guess ya gotta be smarter than the fish !moms and angels who can tell the difference?

[Señor.Chilax]

Thanks for sharing Wingnut! Always enjoy your reports, especially the pictures of your dog, he's too cool!