Santa Cruz Halibut 6/6/09

Had a few hours to get out this morning before I attack the weekend chores list.   Headed over the hill to Santa Cruz for a 6AM launch.  Paddled through the jaws to be met by glassy conditions.   

Headed out to 45' of water and dropped 'em in.  Dropped a squid down while I worked the sabiki.  Bait was plentiful with smelt and candy sized 4" squid coming on the sabiki.  My bait tank pump is busted so I had to make due.  Tossed the bait in the footwells where there was just enough water to keep them alive.  Every time I dropped a squid down it would get chewed by brown rockies.  Not what I was looking for.  Tried the smelt for a couple brownies as well.  About this time the current changed.  I headed way uphill and set up for a long drift back to the harbor.  My drift was nearing the end and I had one last smelt.  Dropped it down on one rod while working a swimbait on the other rod which was a lighter 10# spinning outfit I was working the sabiki on.  Yes, we can use multiple rods when fishing butts in CA.  Got a hit on swimbait.  It didn't feel too big as it came in easy, but it didn't feel like another brownie either.  Got it almost reeled in then it decided to head back down.  Woohoo ... this must be a butt!!!  Where's my net?  Oops, still collapse and tangled as well.  Oh shoot ... I see color.  Hmmm, looks small, I wonder if it's legal.  Once the firedrill was over I slid a 24" butt into the net.  Not much, it'll do nicely for dinner!!!  First CA butt of the year for me.  Called it a morning and headed in.

Pics later ...

-Allen