LJ 1/04...I call, and raise an artificial

[madscientist]

Took Nils out for one more go at it before his plane left this afternoon. Launched into medium surf and zoomed out to the yellow can. Immediately start metering tons of bait. Macs on anchovies. Grabbed a few and threw one out on the flyline while trolling a deep swimbait (megabait LA slider I got in a tournament). Birds all over but no clear sign of anything big. Birds form up behind me so I start moving their way, when the bottom rod takes a little zing. Grab it and feel a twitch, so I start reeling. Headshakes and heavy weight...this feels good. At color I see the beautiful brown flatness. Fish drifts under the yak and as I reach the end of the leader I think, where the heck is it? It has to be right under me so I reach the gaff down and take a blind shot. Perfect! Up comes this 19#flattie.

http://www.bloodydecks.com/gallery/files/4/7/3/0/DSC09916.JPG

Perfect hook up right in the lower jaw.

http://www.bloodydecks.com/gallery/files/4/7/3/0/DSC09910.JPG

Proving once again that the best thing I can do is not touch the rod until the fish hooks itself. Fish never really went beserk as I double stringered it for safe keeping. Shortly thereafter the birds disappeared and it got very quiet. Nils had a couple maybe bites but nothing for him but big macs.

The best part is now I don't have to halibut fish any more this month, and can dismiss any crazy notion of going to the bay. Phew. :roll:

Game on! :P

[Chris]

Wow! Can I get a WCW refund? :lol: just kidding, nice fish, can't wait to get out there myself.

Chris

[Iceman]

Excellante!!! Had to get the artificial bonus, did'nt ya :lol:

[twinfin]

Nice work Brad, nice..... 8)

[lamb]

sweet! 8)

[T-Rex]

Very nice flatty.
Amazing...only 4 days into the year and already Andy and Brad have posted pretty impressive fish.
Arne will probably have a toad by the end of the week! I'm thinkin' I better get my arse off the couch and start fishing! :lol:

[katchfish]

LUCKY BASTARD!

I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL I TRIP ON A DOORMAT!!

I did a drive by of the launch this morning and saw the two of you, I was a wishin' I was a fishin'.

Nice catch Brad!

Ken

[potto]

Very nice. All I need to do now is to sell my home and move down to the La Jolla area. You guys have such a great fishing hole.

[steveooo]

U were considering The Bay??? EWWWW GRROSSSS.
Nice Hali...

[steamroll]

Nice halibut Brad. 1 1/2 oz megabait I presume.

[Aaron&Julie]

Congratulations on a nice fish, Mad. One more great start to a top 3 guy from last year. Yuz guys are going to be tough to beat.

[DESTROYER]

WTG Brad! Your luck hasn't stopped...wait! You have to fish to catch fish! :D Lucky MOFO!

TL-Matt