Sombrio Beach Part II -- VP version

Ok, so the very last day, I wanted to squeeze in my last fishing.  After Snag left Port Renfrew for his soccer match, I set my SP out on the water.  As soon as I troll my herring beyond the kelp beds I started getting hits one right after another.  Those darn bass ripping away my herring.

Switch lure -- my Green Hootchies - the "Tank".  Holy cow, as soon as I put that bugger in the water, a ling cod grabbed onto it and I pulled it to the surface more large bass followed it and one grabbed onto my swivel mistaken it for a lure.  Unbelievable, too many fishes going after the same lure.  I suspect that anything you throw into that bay, you'll get a fish!

Cast the Tank hootchies again and this time, something big hit, I set the hook and it just ripped my line like it was some toy.  My line was 25lbs. I usually use a 40lb Spider line and it looks like I'll have to bring it next time.
I then put a large 4" minnow metal jig with a large razor sharp trebble hook, dropped it to the bottom and as soon as it landed something big, grab onto it and then that monster kept me busy for the next 3hrs! 

I paddle out at 12:30pm, whatever this fish was doing, it was pulling my line down hard, at least a 4-6 hard tugs.  It felt very heavy.  I try to pull it up, no such luck.  This thing pulled me towards the rocks slowly and I let my line run.  Each time I reel it closer to the surface, it fought back and trying to pull downward.  I never got to see what it looks like which drove me crazy but each time I recoup my line, just beyond my bow about 3-4ft, I see the water thrashing with huge ripple effects.  I'd imagine it was a salmon but it didn't feel that way. 

Did I mention a friend of mine and his little 13yr. old was in a 16ft. canoe tried to help and I tied the rope to my kayak but was still unable to pull this monster to shore?  After an hour of that, they gave up and left me to battle for the next hour.  My hands were raw, "moby dick" was getting tire as each time it tries to run, the line didn't get very far.  I decided to try and paddle for shore as the wind started picking up.  Moby fought back and my rod went all bent, the handle broke off, the waves were getting higher, this monster wasn't going to let me drag it to shore, it started towing me out to sea!   

Well, I figure better for me to stay alive and fish another day.  Besides, my kayak was now moving farther, and farther away from the beach....and you'd think Snag would come out and help me bring this thing in....nope, he was on the beach watching me fight to the end.  Out came my tweezer and I cut the line.  It was a hard battle, the breakers was coming in, I timed it so each time my paddling would coincide making my work easier.  By the time I hit the beach, everybody wanted to know if I caught the darn thing...nope, I had to let it go.  Maybe next time I'll be ready.  I'm going to try and get the best reel I can buy and then we'll go from there....

Ok, that's it...gotta git to bed,...very late.

VP

Oh my.   

Big halibut maybe?

-Allen

I don't know if it's a halibut either as I've never caught one.  Maybe I should talk to Fishin-T when he gets back!

VP

  Dang, that's some story. Pulling towards the rocks makes me think "Lingzilla".  They can get real big, and I bet a 50-60 lb'er would put up a heck of a fight on a kayak.

Re Fishin' T: When I hooked a halibut this spring, he backed way off. When the 'but broke through my net, his first comment was "I sure am glad I had nothing to do with THAT !" His second comment was about how I had just lost a very expensive fish. Our Tom is a very funny guy! 

Hi Pisco, it could have easily been a large ling.  I spoke to my co-worker and she and her husband fish for salmon and halibut.  Base on what I've told her, she thinks that it was a "baby Halibut" maybe between 40-50lbs and she thought I was crazy trying to pull this thing up by myself.  She says it usu. requires two people to handle as these beast can grow to massive weights and the sheer force it can generate can be dangerous.

There were times when I was right above it trying to pull up but it kept pulling downward or just hangs there.  I remember it nearly tip me over 4 times.  I try to maneuver the line to my right side as the waves/swells were on my left side and that seems to balance out.

I do hope Tom will come back with that hali/Ling I lost whatever that was and share his story with the rest of us.  I'm glad I walked away unscratched, still in good spirit and fish another day, minus the rod handle.  But that can be replace easily.

sorry to hear about your loss.  I'd be screaming mad too if I had netted the thang and it broke.  I guess we all can learn a thing or two.  Never underestimate the power of these fishes and buy the best rod, net, accessories we can afford. 

VP