Accidental Halibut

I don't know about the rest of you but I'm on this site cause I like to show off my catches, (there are a lot of side benefits) and I enjoy seeing yours and hearing your hard to believe fish stories so in case you missed it here is my most recent fish story.

It was probably the worst weather I've fished from the yak today but it was looking to be payday.  I'd decided to try to mooch which was a dicey prospect, due to the Washing machine like motion of the ocean.  Had to keep the rod in the holder and paddle into the wind to keep the line down where it was supposed to be, I guessed I was near the bottom after 10 or 15 minutes of this it looked like something was taking some interest, left it in the holder and a minute or 2 later down went the Rod tip and I was into a feisty King, after a few minutes of compliance it decided to go the other way and my fricken drag was too tight, managed to get it loosened and away she went, this was a winner or at least a placer and it hadn't shaken the hook yet.  After 6 or 8 minutes of battling the beast it was getting close and I was waiting for it to do that Salmon thing and break the surface and take off in another direction but no show, what's up?  Maybe it's not a Salmon , Big Ling?  No Way it's a Halibut, never thought I'd be disappointed to see one of those on the end of my line.  So no payday for me, I do have the photos.

That's an awesome accident!  I've been trying to get one for years and you're getting them as incidental by-catch...  I must be fishing the wrong places.   

-Spot-

Well Spot, come on up but our fishing window is slim, as you know.

Those who know FWB, MA6 already know this, but that is one stormy day in some exposed area. 

This was done by a trained professional - don't try this at home!

Those who know FWB, MA6 already know this, but that is one stormy day in some exposed area. 

This was done by a trained professional - don't try this at home!

I wouldn't say that for sure, but I have spent a LOT hours on the water there and all over the strait but I've spent even more hours in the water, surfing, diving etc., so I was not passed my comfort zone, I will admit I was on the edge, landing a big fish in that mess was getting to be questionable when I finally bagged it, getting in was never an issue since the wind was at my back, and I know every nook and cranny where I can get to shore in an emergency.

My advice, never go past your comfort zone.

But Thanks.

dern shame there's only a few days a season you can keep those!  Fun to catch regardless.  And they are tough as nails, so no rockfish-like worries about releasing.  Caught a couple out in MA4A when fishing for lings (from PBs).  You hook into one and you're like "this ain't no ling!"  Saw zee hook into one in MA4B on his kayak and I waved goodbye as it took him on a sleigh ride.  Unfortunately that one came unbuttoned.  At the pace he was being pulled it was likely a monster. 

May can't get here soon enough!

great pictures and story, thanks for sharing...

May can't get here soon enough!

I'm feelin it to Rory!  Hadn't heard that Zee story, what a bummer.  Sure would like to hook a huge one.

The rumour here is a March 15th opening. The first decent tide after that is from the 19th on for about a week. Hopefully the weather will cooperate enough to give the yak a workout.
T2

Uh, March for the Halibut opener?  I really hope you meant May.  March would be ugly and really screw us and small craft folks over. 

Uh, March for the Halibut opener?  I really hope you meant May.  March would be ugly and really screw us and small craft folks over. 

No--March it is although fisheries hasn't announced the exact date yet--but remember this is in BC.

It opened mid March last year.
T2

Ooh! And I have my halibut stamp or whatever it's called! Maybe I should come up yer way t2.

You'd be welcome Rory. Lee is right in that the weather will be dicey in March, so it's hard to plan a trip, catch the ferry and then the weather turns to crap--but I'm always glad to wet a line with people if you want to take a chance. March 19 is when the good tides start for several days, if you are interested. I am not an experienced hali fisherman by any stretch but I'm deterrmined to catch a couple this year out of the yak. I have a couple of local spots in mind around my place and later in the year---July August maybe, Jordan River might be worth it. DFO usually runs the season from mid March to early September, so there is some choice in times to go.
T2