Pacific City 6/4 Report

Man.. Jeff, you really need one of those $150 clipping gaffs.

I guess so! 

Actually, I think if you held the gaff with the hook up instead of down you probably would have been okay.   Thanks for sharing.
Brian

Yeah, you're absolutely right. But I'll never do it again that's for sure. It's just the fact that it's a large, sharp hook, and you're in a small confined area with a strong, unpredictable fish. I guess the moral of the story is that if you are going to use a gaff hook, pull the fish on board with it, secure the fish with something else, like a game hook or even a rope through the gills, and remove the gaff from the equation as quickly as possible.

I too learned a valuable lesson. Thankfully, it was not recorded for posterity.  After retaining my limit of lings I continued to C&R and caught several keeper lings.  One of which, a ~30 inch brute,  taught me a valuable lesson.  Don't ask how I know this.... But, If one was to drop an angry ling, tail first into your lap, you have the potential to receive several painful smacks to lets just say, a sensitive southerly region again.. don't ask how I know....

I too learned a valuable lesson. Thankfully, it was not recorded for posterity.  After retaining my limit of lings I continued to C&R and caught several keeper lings.  One of which, a ~30 inch brute,  taught me a valuable lesson.  Don't ask how I know this.... But, If one was to drop an angry ling, tail first into your lap, you have the potential to receive several painful smacks to lets just say, a sensitive southerly region again.. don't ask how I know....

Time to add a hard Bro Bra to your ocean apparel.   

Awesome that he was still hooked.  Thanks for posting the great pics and video.  Nice fish.

Think Lip Gripper ($15 at Cabelas) and no sharp points.. 
Awesome fish and great pics!
Rob.

Excellent work guys. Excellent scenery. Y that ling is a chunky monkey! Way to rep for the OR crew.

Z

Think Lip Gripper ($15 at Cabelas) and no sharp points.. 
Awesome fish and great pics!
Rob.

Yeah, I have a Berkely one of those and I absolutely love it. I usually use that for everything. I just felt like I needed something a little longer to get a good grip and pull him in with. Plus, that thing had a nasty looking grill and I wanted to keep my hands as far away as possible. Sure is funny though how I was worried about his teeth getting my hand when it was my gaff that got me instead!

Awesome report.

I'm looking forward to taking part in that kind of fun.  Still counting pennies.

awesome fish 

Way to keep it clean for the camera when I do stuff like that it usually gets a little more R rated due to language.