1/13 first good fish for 2015

[Iceman]

Fished La Jolla solo yesterday, launched at first light and headed north to load up on bait. Easy pickings dropping on marks in 80 feet out in front of the pier. small to medium greenbacks, tossed back a couple spanish and had one nice medium sardine. My plan was to soak a bait and yoyo my arms off for YT fished 160 to 175 feet, next to no current all morning made for no action almost all morning long. Lots of whales, light winds and fry and birds all over, 62 degree water seemed almost like a Spring morning out there.

http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwegallery/data/500/sunriselj.jpg

I moved into 110 feet and looking over the side saw lots of red crab suspended. drifted and yoyoed por nada. Finally thinking it is time to go, decided to try one last drift for halibut in tight to the kelp. Remembering that sardine I pinned it on and sent it down drifting into 92 feet with the rod in hand I hooked up............talk about a Hail Mary play. Stoked to start the new year with fresh tasty fish. Stoked!

http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwegallery/data/500/halibut2.jpg

I am going to let King Anthony sweat on the weight :D

http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwegallery/data/500/IMG_15321.JPG

[blitzburgh]

Nice slab Ice! :cheers1:

[YakDout]

Nice fish! And thanks for the report!

[erinoo]

Nice slab Andy..The ole hali Mary play..

[kayakfisherman]

Sometimes going solo makes all the difference!!

[Bert Vega]

Nice Andy. Its a beast!

[cell128]

Way to go!!!

[HELLSTER INC.]

Nice fish Andy, can't beat the weather and end the day on a high!

[Deamon]

You are a beast!

[steveooo]

Your batting average is off the charts right now. I'm going to come by soon to rub your belly for good luck. :the_finger:

[kauaiboy04]

nice hali! i've got the bay dialed in, but no flatties for me in ocean yet.

[alanhighhand]

WTG Andy 2015 very nice.:luxhello:

[jorluivil]

lets get some bets going on the weight.

I'll call 28.5lbs

[FISH11]

Really nice Hali Andy. I was out there and tried all also but did not find any love. The wind picked up after lunch and kept drifting further south. I later though I should have gone north that way I could have used the wind to drift back toward the launch after getting a little tired from trolling and yo yoing a lot after a month of not doing anything to work and weather. At times it was a beautiful day out there yesterday, whales cruising by catching some sun and drinking beers. Lost some bait to critters on the bottom but no hook ups and only lost 2 to seals.

[yemff]

hopefully ill have similar luck tomorrow, still havent caught anything decent.

[Zfish03]

Nice toad Andy:cheers1:

[Lit-up1]

I call it 32#

[Caseym]

Curious how you rigged it?
Carolina
Dropper loop
3-way swivel
Im experimenting with these, but havent decided which i really like, although the 3-way swivel seems to always get twisted.
Thanks

[RobFish]

Nice fishy Andy.

[mrJB]

Nicely done Andy, kinda' makes the long drive and long day all worthwhile... :notworthy:

[Iceman]

Curious how you rigged it?
Carolina
Dropper loop
3-way swivel
Im experimenting with these, but havent decided which i really like, although the 3-way swivel seems to always get twisted.
ThanksI was rigged up for YT and love the 3 way swivel over the dropper loop. I use Carolina rigs trolling for WSB and fishing for halibut in shallower water like under 30 feet. I was dropping mackerel to the bottom in 170 feet so I had a 12 oz torpedo, I had some 5 oz I should have switched out when I fished under 100 feet, but was lazy and it was my last drift, I figured rod in hand would work to just dip the tip and swing when I got bit. Fish was hooked decent in the bottom jaw and came up vertical. Then laying it out pedaling it was white side up, tricky getting it where I wanted it to gaff. As far as twisting when you can get away with it 50# mono is nice and stiff.

[roby]

Curious how you rigged it?
Carolina
Dropper loop
3-way swivel
Im experimenting with these, but havent decided which i really like, although the 3-way swivel seems to always get twisted.
Thanks

Do a search. The Iceman has written a few articles on how to catch trophy fish.

Another nice one....some guys are just fish magnets.

:luxhello:

[Irishman]

Fishing machine, amazing photos and score on a very nice specimen halibut

[Smthtnnr]

Ice ice baby! Cool story and fish Andy

[beardedguy]

Hi Andy,

I wanted to fish with you like I said at the HOW event,
but I forgot that I had promised the wife a trip
to Vegas for three days starting Monday. Maybe next time.

[TJones]

the Lord has blessed you again . :D. Congrats .

[TJones]

lets get some bets going on the weight.

I'll call 28.5lbs

:confused:. Lol .

[Iceman]

Anthony you are safe from elimination as far as my fish goes :D 24 pounder, lifeguard who took the photo said "don't worry I know how to make them look huge"

[Nic D]

Nice one stud!

[captnblood34]

HA score! No need for a solo next time, I'm there! Good job man

J

[JeffB]

Very good looking fish! I've been wanting to get out for a big butt

[Iceman]

sabiki is what you will use in the ocean as well. Few things to look for on the surface is birds, seals, feeding bait and current breaks. Dropping on clouds and scattered marks on your meter, usually you get hit on the sink, if it does not stick I will lift and drop the tip or free spool a little further down the water column. If bait is puddling and feeding on the surface I like to cast out and reel in with a lift and drop of the rod. If it is super sparce, I will troll the sabiki, sometimes just finding that one bait can be a game changer.
https://scontent-b-lax.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/1622762_1045583908800970_6883344743080453325_n.jpg ?oh=c3f47cfef127f68ef486a7d8868bf532&oe=55659B89

[Lipripper92592]

That's one HUGE sand dab you got there;)
Nice one....late in the game...and you pull it off.