Finally, a day on the water. Found this guy.

[RobFish]

Hey there. It's been a long time since I've been able to get on the water. Started a new business, and that has been my primary focus, as is to be expected.

I bought a 2017 license, but up until yesterday, it has just sat in my wallet. Finally, a day that I can break away from the shop, and get on the water.
Drove onto the sand, dropped the PA, and parked the rig. Walked back, and met Tony (fishin' fool) prepping his gear.

Launched to minimal waves, but a short interval, and off we went. Water was super nice at 66.5*, and wore just boardshorts.
Made it out, made some bait. Took a second to find some, but then loaded up the tank, and we trolled around here/there, and then we decided to cruise around the corner. Not too far out, and all day I never saw more than 85' on my finder.

I took the biggest greenie from the tank, sent it down on a dropper loop, while I had another greenie on a flyline. Dropper gets hit, soupfin. Ugh. Nice fight for sure, but not the right kind. Sure was nice to pull on a fish, as it had been 6 months since I was on the water.

Tony decided to lean back, and take a little nap on the water, and so I started back in the direction of the launch. One big arc around the kelp line, keeping my flyline mac maybe 40-50 feet behind me.

Then like a freight train, it was on. Fish actually came from below, straight from underneath, and as Marco (another cool younger dude from Dana Point) said, "fish came clear out of the water". I was able to turn around in time to still see catch a good portion of his body out of the water, but thought it was a fur bag, just stealing my mac. Nope. It was the right kind, and the fight started. Thanks to Marco for offering to help, but I had things under control.

Rod is a Seeker Black Steel 665, with an Avet MXJ mounted. 65# braid, a 30# flouro topshot, and a red 4/0 circle hook. Everything was coming together.
Total time before the gaff shot...3-5 minutes. Great gaff shot just towards the back of the head, and it was over. Pulled him into my lap, cut his gills, and started the pedal in. PA12 was listing pretty hard, and it was a slow go back to the launch.

On the way in, I radioed to someone on a green Malibu S14. Turned out to be a guy named Gus. He snapped some OTW shots for me, but his greatest contribution to my day had yet to occur. We cruised back towards the launch, linked up with his buddy Austin, and in we went.

It's been a few years since my last fish this size, and I knew the landing was going to be interesting with the fish weighing down one side so much. Well, you guessed it...flipped upon landing. Rods were all tucked and stowed, fish was game-clipped, but still lost one flip-flop, my hand bilge pump...AND MY MIRAGE DRIVE! Yaks were up on the sand, and Gus and I combed the surfline where I flipped. In a couple minutes, Gus lifted my drive, and I breathed a sigh of relief.
Thanks again Gus. You'll be getting some filets in appreciation for all your efforts today. I can't thank you enough. Oh, and I owe you a towel. Ha.

All in all, what a great day on the water. There is a good chance that this might be my only day on the water this year, as the new business is really cranking. It feels great to meet new people, get out on the water, and bringing home my PB WSB just adds to the awesomeness. Fish went just under 50#, and 50".

Oh, for those that know me and The Guild...hell yes I had a Lollipop!