Working weekends is the norm now, so I get out when I can see an opportunity in the weather. I was thinking of checking out the 9-mile, but heard there was the WON tuna tournament, so didn't want to be outside with a mess of guys tourney fishing.
Plan B was to hit LJ and catch some mack and slow troll. Unlike last week, the macks were hard to find and come bye. I managed 5 and slow trolled around, but there were a butt-load of boats and yakkers all over which made it pretty tough to get a consistent trolling line happening. I needed peace and quiet so ran up to some patch of water that I don't fish as often as I probably should. Great seeing the scenery from the other side.
I was up and tight to the beach in 12 feet of water slow trolling macks. The mackerel were everywhere here and almost a pain in the butt! LOL
I tried different depths and had dolphins literally following me the entire time.
I found a little structure a little deeper and trolled around it. My bottom bouncing rig was good for catching big mackerel. I can't believe they got that big ass hook in their mouths! At least my livewell was filled!
My dropper mack gets slammed near the structure and I missed it, but pulled up this mess!
I lost 4 mackerel before finally getting a lingcod to the surface. As I was uncorking the gaff, he came off and swam back down, but he wasn't the only one here. I'm not sure if they migrate this way, but there were a bunch and they weren't right on the structure. I picked up 4 more and got to use my newly wrapped virgin gaff to lip hook 3 and actually gaff one! Four of them were 23-24.5" and I got one bigger unit at 33.75"! Not bad at all! I kept my first two and released the rest.
I made the run back before the wuind started in and tried drifting for halibut since I had a bunch of live macks left. Only got a few bass hit and not much else to speak of and called it the day. Lot's of stuff to get to at home and it felt good to make a few kills that were actually bigger than a boot. lol
I got some shark bait now!
I also learned a ton from my halibut guru commercial buddy who really enlightened me on bounce balling techniques. I am literally stunned and need to readjust my method now as he catches more big halibut then anyone I know.