I was supposed to be Bluefin fishing this day with my buddy, but the planets suddenly didn't align at the last second. Stress levels were increasing, and I made a last second decision to go big halibut or bust for a few hours. I was hoping to end the year at least on a high note, or just let it play out with what 2022 dealt me for the year.
I decided I was going to buy bait, since I haven't really fished or let alone done anything for a while. $40 a half scoop is a little painful still, but whatever.
I stopped at an old spot that I haven't fished in a few years and dropped some live bait down. Boom, BASSARAMA!
After the third fish, I got called by the Hein Plumbing guys who spied me on the reef. After a few pleasantries, I continued to spank some nice bass. Nothing big, but they were all 13"-16".
I caught 15 assorted bass here and then something slammed my big dine. As I was trying to get it off the bottom, I realized it was probably a halibut... and I was right! I slid a 15# class halibut next to the boat, but as I was grabbing the gaff, it took a run down. I got it back about 4 feet under the boat again, and it dove back under the boat. I had the heavier rod out, but switched to my lighter gear to have more fun with the bass. I was taking my time and probably felt a little too confident. Well, I was slowly working it back up and everything was ready.... and then nothing.... Not a *pop... Not a dive.... just not there. I reeled up the rig and it was all there clean as a whistle. Ugh.....
I did get a few more bass though which brought me up to 17 bass and not a single other critter besides bass.
I moved from spot to spot trying not to use any squid, and just live bait since I had it. I picked up a couple of bass, but otherwise, not a single rockfish. Water was cold at 57.2 and all of a sudden some mackerel ran through. I caught 3 before they were gone and probably 1-1.5 pounders.
Time was just burning away, so on my bass gear, i pinned on one of the big macks instead of a sardine. I felt a bump, them another BIG Bump... I set the hook and WOW! It was something I haven't felt today.
I tried under heavy drag to get it up, but I would get it up 20' and it would dive back down 20'. All it was doing is fighting vertically. Never once made a side run. I got a couple of nice sheepsheads last week and this felt like a supersized one, but to suck down a 1.5# mack? Maybe a big Lingcod? I honestly don't think it was because it just felt like it had a ton of mass and I could feel the headshakes.
I totally felt like I might finally be getting the advantage and about 15 minutes into this tug of war and then all of a sudden, it was gone.... I reeled up to see this crap! 50# quick snap that snapped!
I only had about 15# of drag on the bass gear, maybe a little more, so it was definitely a QC issue. After a few days thinking of all of the possibilities, I'm pretty certain it was probably a BSB. It's been a while since I last caught one, so I'm a little rusty on remembering the fight, but after soaking it all in, I'm pretty sure that's what it was. I would have loved to say it was a WSB, or YT, but I know it most likely wasn't.
Oh well, my 2022 hand that was delt is still holding true. It was a great mental relief for a little while before heading home and getting dinner ready for my parents and family.
2022 is coming to a close and this was a pretty fun trip minus going 0-2 on the things I was hoping to catch!
