First legal butt!! @ Los Almitos Bay
 

Just got of school and had an itching to fish. Launched out of marine bay around 1500. Spent some time with my daughter and then I went off to fish.

Headed to the break walls with Nada to show for it. I started to head back to my launch at about 1830. I think this is when the tide started to move back in. I was starting to get little nibbles and felt a little hope. I was throwing a 3" big hammer at the docks and was not producing squat. At this point, I was about ready to call it a day and start peddling back. I decided to cast one more time between two docks. I felt a little bite and reeled it in a little more and felt a feint tug and then I set the hook. I immediately felt a head shake!! After a great fight, I get him in the yak and measured him at about 26"-28". I didn't have a tape measure, but on my outback it has pre marked measurements at 15", 22", 28", and 30". And from a closed mouth to tail it sat between the closer to 28 than 22. At home, it measured 26" and weighed in at 5.6 lbs.

Here are some pics because a report without it is is just another fish tale!!







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Oops! I forgot the pictures! Lol

It was caught on my fresh water tackle. 7' 13 omen Medium rod and a Lews speed spool.

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The measurements!

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A close up of the exact length at 26".

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Fish tacos a plenty.

Side note: as I was filleting the fish, I noticed some worms in the meat. Is this common? I made sure to cook it all the way through to kill any lingering parasite or parasite eggs.


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Congrats on popping your butt cherry! Worms are completely normal. Cut out the ones you see and completely cook the meat to kill the rest. I prefer freezing my halibut filet before I cook it to kill the parasites because I don't like over cooking fish.

Yes, worms in bottom dwelling fish like halibut and sandbass are very normal. As stated, freeze the meat and it should kill all them buggers.

Thanks, Will! Ill definitely freeze the meat next time. It was pretty disgusting seeing the worms move around in the meat.

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I didn't realize sand bass had worms also. I thought it was really because it was caught inside the bay where the water is usually a little warmer.

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Nice job! Worms are very common in most fish. Cook thoroughly and no worries :cheers1:

congrats on your first legal butt!!!

Nice fish!!

the first one is always the hardest.

Congrats on your first time.

Second time around is not as painfull.:eek:




:cheers1:

Thanks everyone. Having my cherry popped on a legal butt was exciting. I hear it goes all down hill from hear. Lol

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I have nothing but hate for you ... :cheers1:

Haha thanks, john.

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Nice job.... Hopefully the kayak is treating you well :cheers1:

Fred, I do believe that yaks has good mojo!! Now I just need to get a YT!

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Congrats on your #1

Sweeeeet! I'm still patiently awaiting my first...

How was it gaffing and boost? I'm still not sure how that's going to work out when I get the chance...

Nice fish, looks like your reel is done for the day...:D.

Nice one, congrats on a legal hali

I didnt gaff it. I kind of just swung him over on to the yak and then used my fish grip so I could take the hook out. I'm really surprised the line didn't break. It was more awkward than graceful. Lol

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