FIRST BSB!
 

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Im always afraid to hook up with one of those here in the states. The catching part would definitely be all fun, however it's the safe release that worries me.

Some guys will jump right in and swim it down if needed, thats the part that would be hard for me.

Anyhow, congrats. Thats a big fish!

Story for BSB pic above
 

Launched at Dana Landing at first light cause I thought LJ would be too rough for a novice like me. Went out looking for kelp but it was scarce. Set up around some lobster traps in 110', caught a nice calico, then a big spanish mack on dropper with squid strip. I decided to rehook the mack on my dropper. I wasn't too hopeful so I set it in the holder and went back to fishing plastics. Next thing I know, my dropper was bent double! I thought I hooked bottom, but it started peeling line so I threw the other rod to the side to get that one. I had to wait for it to slack up befoer I could get it out of the holder, and then the fight was on! The way it fought I figured it was a hali or BSB, but I knew one thing...it was BIG. I tried to set the drag tighter, but then I couldn' keep the rod tip out of the water, so I loosened it back a tad and settled in for the fight. I put the rod butt under my butt, and whenever i had a chance I would reel in a bit, then a bit more, a bit more, then he would rip it all back plus some. Got burned by the line a couple of times, we went back and forth for 20-30 minutes, and I noticed we were getting too close to a lobster bouy, so I tried to pedal away from it, but too late. I was hoping I could work him up the rope enough to gaff, but suddenly he untangled himself and we drifted away from the bouy. By then we were both getting tuckered out, but I finally got it to the surface to see my prize. It was my first BSB, and definitely the biggest fish I have ever caught. It was an Epic battle! I took a couple pics, then when I tried to get it closer to either cut the lin or get the hook out, it went nutso and dove back down. I had the rod across my lap, and I clamped down, so I didn't lose the pole, but it broke!. I had to reel iy back up with a short pole, finally got it back up and cut the line as short as I could. I thought it was going to die, but I messed with it until it finally dove again.
I ended up with 3 nice calicos, some macks for lobster bait, and the memory of a great battle with a Big fish!

Great catch and even better story! :luxhello:

Great catch! Thanks for sharing!!!

Cool story and fishing trip. It probably didn't take too long to realize it wasn't a big halibut. At that point you might have thought big ass shark, but no way halibut.

I dismissed Halibut pretty quick, but I never thought it was a shark. It never took me for a ride, it just kept trying to anchor me to the bottom.

Thanks Kirk. Great story and great inspiration for this time of year.

Bravo!

Congrats, both on your big catch and a successful release.

Great story! That is a catch to remember forever.

I'm having a hard time referencing the size. Whats the estimate?

- KT

I estimate 40-50 pounds and about 4 ft long. That's my story and I'm sticking to it!