SD Bay...plastics - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Irishman · 08-03-2014, 03:21 PM

Had plans to paddle to the bait barge but my charger crapped out on me last night. It was nearly to hot to hold so scratch that plan. This worked in my favor this morning though....after launching at shelter island and paddling out the line of sport boats and private boats at the receiver was nuts.
I fished a large swim bait on the bottom, similar set up as if fishing live bait and it did the trick. Three halibut, all about 18 - 20 inches, but still a result. I was bummed on having to release one of the fish in a condition that I knew it was not going to make it. It inhaled the bait and had lodged in its gut, while bringing to the side of the yak to measure it was bleeding badly. Did my best to release it with minimal harm but no good. What's the story with releasing a fish that is under size but obviously not going to make it? I was tempted to keep it but DFG have been at the launch, saw the guy today is his truck scanning the boats with his binocs.
Had a great time and also nabbed a nice sandy on my 10lb set up, was a good fight. No pics as all fish were C&R
On the water at 5:45 and off at 1pm. Distance was from shelter island to half way on Zuniga jetty and back in.
Cheers

Widgeon · 08-03-2014, 05:10 PM

As far as I know, you have to release undersized fish, even if they are doomed.

Ricsen · 08-03-2014, 09:01 PM

Good report and lots of fish on the plastics. Way to go.

Ricsen · 08-03-2014, 09:04 PM

......and although tough, the release on the injured undersized halibut was the right thing to do....

alanw · 08-03-2014, 10:05 PM

Release of an injured undersize fish is the ONLY thing to do.

08-03-2014, 03:21 PM	#1
Irishman Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 306	SD Bay...plastics Had plans to paddle to the bait barge but my charger crapped out on me last night. It was nearly to hot to hold so scratch that plan. This worked in my favor this morning though....after launching at shelter island and paddling out the line of sport boats and private boats at the receiver was nuts. I fished a large swim bait on the bottom, similar set up as if fishing live bait and it did the trick. Three halibut, all about 18 - 20 inches, but still a result. I was bummed on having to release one of the fish in a condition that I knew it was not going to make it. It inhaled the bait and had lodged in its gut, while bringing to the side of the yak to measure it was bleeding badly. Did my best to release it with minimal harm but no good. What's the story with releasing a fish that is under size but obviously not going to make it? I was tempted to keep it but DFG have been at the launch, saw the guy today is his truck scanning the boats with his binocs. Had a great time and also nabbed a nice sandy on my 10lb set up, was a good fight. No pics as all fish were C&R On the water at 5:45 and off at 1pm. Distance was from shelter island to half way on Zuniga jetty and back in. Cheers

08-03-2014, 10:05 PM	#5
alanw Made in U.S.A. Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Dana Point Posts: 1,625	Release of an injured undersize fish is the ONLY thing to do. __________________ Hobie PA 14 ¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Jackson Kraken ¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Malibu X-Factor ¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Malibu Stealth-12 ¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Its not a spelling B its a fishing B ~yakjoe

08-03-2014, 05:10 PM	#2
Widgeon Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Clairemont Posts: 175	As far as I know, you have to release undersized fish, even if they are doomed.

08-03-2014, 09:01 PM	#3
Ricsen Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 65	Good report and lots of fish on the plastics. Way to go.

08-03-2014, 09:04 PM	#4
Ricsen Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 65	......and although tough, the release on the injured undersized halibut was the right thing to do....