10/31 Treat! Took Dad out for his first LJ trip. On the way out we had reports of cold water, not much fish, and lots of seals. Launch was a breeze. Took about an hour making bait but we found nice mid size macks. Plenty of bait schools running around but took me forever... I set dad up and then set my bait out in about 90feet. I dont think I was in the water for 10 mins when the clicker went off. I told dad not to yell out (and attract seals) if he hooked up, but I didn't want to lose dad the second we got out there, so here I go.."I'm on I'm on!" The fish headed to open water so I just let him run himself out. Lots of line lost with 3 good runs. I had him under the boat and dad was behind me and yelled "The seals right behind you!" I dropped the pole to the water and tried to play dead but he wasn't falling for it. I even tried to throw out some bait to distract him but he was on the fish. Next thing I know he pops up next to the boat with a large yellow but my line is still straight down in the water. It turned out my line was around kelp deep and he had pulled it up from the other side. The kelp eventually popped and I figured out the deal. It was a smaller seal and he was having a hard time getting a hold of the fish. He had taken a large bite of a cheek and the collar. Since it was a smaller seal I didn't give up, tugged it out, and sunk the gaff. My fish! 41" at the fork. 45" total. Skinny. Didn't have a scale. Guessing around 30+lbs. My first LJ yellowtail. I cut way around the seal bit stuff near the collar and the rest is in the freezer.
Great trip Dad! (Even though we fought seals the whole rest of the trip.) THX BWE!
