Target Halibut: April 27-28

While I have never hooked a serious monster I have caught halibut up to 50 pounds and gotten snagged in heavy current, which is almost as scary! My advice is try not to let the rod get behind you. Hold your rod forward regardless of which direction the fish is going. Use your core to twist the boat and make the fish pull you around. This is the exact opposite of PB fishing where you follow the fish. A stiff enough rod and holding firm will eventually turn your boat.
Good luck on landing the monster next time!

Another week or two and it should be a real possibility to hook and catch one......I'm ready for some more excitement on the water.

I'll try and post the video this week.  I'm still without Internet at the new casa, so I guess I'll have to go to macdonalds and use the wifi.' just been using the phone.

More excitement is good, Kenai_Guy. I'm right behind you. But there's some additional gear I want to add to my set up before getting too much farther along. I think I'll need to add at least one rod holder. Then, of course, I've got to straighten that bent fin... And I wouldn't mind lifting some weights to improve my upper body strength.  I can't believe how much I'm bruised from bracing the rod butt on that single fish. 

Lots to think about and do. Sure was fun. The first 6 hours I'm holding onto, the last half is starting to fade from view. You sure are quiet when you swear.  Didn't hear a peep. No need to be gentlemanly around me, y'know.  Thanks so much for your hospitality!

While I have never hooked a serious monster I have caught halibut up to 50 pounds and gotten snagged in heavy current, which is almost as scary! My advice is try not to let the rod get behind you. Hold your rod forward regardless of which direction the fish is going. Use your core to twist the boat and make the fish pull you around. This is the exact opposite of PB fishing where you follow the fish. A stiff enough rod and holding firm will eventually turn your boat.
Good luck on landing the monster next time!

+1

Sounds exciting though.  Can't wait for the vid.

-Allen

My advice is try not to let the rod get behind you. Hold your rod forward regardless of which direction the fish is going. Use your core to twist the boat and make the fish pull you around. This is the exact opposite of PB fishing where you follow the fish. A stiff enough rod and holding firm will eventually turn your boat.

I'm learning all the time. This is a lesson I hope I have reason to test soon. (Actually would be happy to take on the next big fish in the conventional direction.) I can see using core to twist the boat. Pilates helps me there. While doing that, would you be bracing your feet against the indents next to the Mirage drive scupper -- or would you keep applying opposite pressure by peddling?

Thanks for any advice -- and particularly after that vid is posted, as I'm sure you'll see me doing all sorts of questionable things.

Great reports, keep em coming!

I look forward to seeing lots of awesome fish pics from the AK folks

Bill pointed out a great fundamental of kayak fishing. Specifically for Hobies I suggest pulling the rudder up soon after getting a big fish on. It helps to let the yak swing around when you're pulling the fish towards the bow. I try not to pedal with a fish on since it adds too many things going on at once and really our reaction time is incredibly slow compared to the fish's.

Well.........Here it is (hopefully).  The video is a little shaky, but I was using my new Kodak Playsport (handheld), while peddling like crazy to keep up.



Hopefully this works... If not let me know, along with how to fix it.

HOLY COW! I wanna fish really really bad now. Im still saying awesome job to both you two even though the fish was not boated. That takes some serious brass to want to hang on to a fish that size in the inlet!

Wow, that was quite an adventure all around. Thanks for sharing, you two, and more tight lines in the near future!

I could watch this a hundred times and not get tired of it.  Let's do it again!

Wow!  A reverse slayride!!!

-Allen

That was pretty sweet!

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Wow! Maybe they have submarines out there;)....wonder just how big it was.

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What a ride.  That had to be one big hali'.  Looks like you guy's were having fun.