Hit up the jewel with high hopes and low expectations.
Arrived just after high tide and put out two Xrap 40’s as soon as I crossed the MLPA line. Lots of surface activity and about 10 mins in a troller went off! Fought a kelp stringer to the boat and safely released it… did some circling around and realized the kelp in 90ft is pretty thick and not trollable.
Got outside the kelp and put the diver back out and cruised around from bait puddle to bird pile and made my way over to a small floatilla of boats. Lots of bait going off in and around them so I pushed to the outside. Found a nice gap and cut between them towards some birds nobody was working and when I got about 50 yards from it the yellows started blowing up around me. I stopped the boat and tossed the surface iron, about 4 casts in I got a short strike but it was enough force to spin the boat a little and I noticed my troll lines going across the back. Figured I need to pull those before it makes a mess. Got the first one half way in and snagged some kelp… then the kelp started peeling line. Fish on! Cleared the other line while holding the hooked up rod between my legs and it pulling me sideways.
Stuck the gaff near the throat and it ripped off, lots of blood everywhere. Another 90 seconds of it fighting for its life left it pretty much bled out and second gaff put it in the boat. As I was getting that fish in the bag they started puddling around me again. Grabbed the surface iron rod and chucked it past two boilers and fish on! Short 5-7 minute fight and got a good gaff shot. Bled it out and had two in the bag.
Had one more opportunity to cast on them after that but the other skiffs were on thier toes and everyone was now racing towards fish and pushing each other out.
Got another boat to snap a couple pics for me and then went home. Good 3 hour session. I wish every day could be this good.
I guessed 25 and 28lbs but they went 29 and 31 to my delight.
