My first legal
 

Went out today optimistic about the prospect of landing, filleting and eating my first legal halibut. I am still new to this whole process but today was the day. Showed up at Belmont Pier at around 5ish to make some bait only a couple other guys there, they seemed to be pulling in plenty of small baits and macks. I proceeded to catch one trout sized mack in the hour I fished there. So I took my giant mack and packed up and headed up to Cherry Beach picking up frozen chovies at 7-11 on the way. Weather was great, low wind, overcast and quiet. I started unloading and quickly realized something was not right, my mirage drive was AT HOME, rookie mistake so stupid. Figured I was here what the hell I will paddle,:paddleersmilie: after all the water was great. Got loaded and paddled out towards the island getting drug around by that giant mack, after an hour or so that mack was toast so I switched out for a frozen anchovie. Within a few minutes I heard the sound I have come to anticipate, the one the haunts me when I am just about asleep, the sound that until today has resulted in my second guessing how I have handled each and every pick up. Click...click... click....faster then zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz, waited, forced myself to slow down. Swung and felt:reel: weight. After two missed attempts at the gaff the third try struck pay dirt and the butt was in my boat. As you can see from the pics it is just barely legal. Mouth closed measured 22.5, in the pic mouth open 23. At any rate I am happy to say that the stink is off my new boat and has been replaced with blood.:luxhello:
!
http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/...r/IMG_7563.jpg
Tale of the tape
http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/...r/IMG_7570.jpg
Tail of the tape
http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/...r/IMG_7567.jpg
http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/...r/IMG_7569.jpg
My first Halibut Filet very little waste, belly meat looked a little funny
http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/...r/IMG_7572.jpg

For anyone who would like to endure the 6 min video here is the link, kids got me a gopro for fathers day and I used it for the first time today.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhWCG...&feature=g-upl
http://baytubers.hifisim.com/Themes/...ify_inline.gif

Like how you measured it after the kill:D. Would you have erased the vid if it came up short?;).

That's awesome!

There was a tournament in that area last Saturday, no one could catch a legal even if their life depended on it. Go get his fat ugly cousin now!!

Good job with the first legal!!

Well sir, that is one hell of a nice filet job you did! Well done

Nice start! Why to go!:luxhello:

:luxhello: Awesome Job... To close for comfort :eek:

Well manicured green grass...a very nice filet job... You're not originally from around Victorville, are you?

awesome fillet job, congrats on your first of hopefully many more, :reel:

Congratulations on your Hali!

:cheers1::cheers1::cheers1:






Leave it to dorado50 to be the first reply and piss on another guy's parade.

Yeah I was in that tourny and only got a few shorts...

Moved here for work from Wisconsin in 93 was only gonna stay for a couple years....

I was a little nervous after the gaff:eek:, it has been suggested I invest in a mesh net which I will do today.

haven't seen or heard of enforcement but it is required to carry a net if you target butts...:D

Cool pic, you'll get a chuckle out of it a few years from now. Congrats on your 1 st.

Actually, it is required for fishing in the ocean for anything because bycatch happens.

Legal is legal........ CONGRATULATIONS!
:cheers1:

Only a couple years huh? It's nice when that long ass drive is a successful trip. Nice job on your first legal.

Whats wrong ...someones got to tell the truth and that be me

congrats on your first! :cheers1: