Distraction is a fair solution to conquering nerves.

[vash]

I got to the boat launch early with my kayak. I looked out on the water and the stiff breeze was hitting me in the face. I'd guess 10mph. I thought about sending out a group text that I was going to bail. but I drove so far!! the waves didnt look that bad. huge tho. and the salty mist was coating my face, and I could taste it on my lips.

that's right! I was going to take my kayak out into the salt for the first time.

I dressed wisely. full dry suit, that I bought and never wore, and my PFD cinched tight. boaters would tell me, "I'm on channel 69, so call if you need me to pluck you out"....

you know what? despite the bronco-bucking ride of the waves, it was okay. my kayak was very sea worthy. I dropped the seat to the lowest setting and only brought some gear to hook a Halibut. I kept the entire package light. my nerves settled simply by bouncing that big weight along the bottom imagining/willing/praying for a BIG halibut to grab it. I even took out a sandwich and ate it. (I should have drank more water, but peeing was a concern)

we fought wind, currents for 7 hours. a harbor-seal damn near gave me a heart attack. they all look like sharks to a desert born dweller.. 7 hours and I got one Halibut to small to legally keep. I didnt get sea sick. I didnt flip..and I figured out how to take a piss while wearing a dry suit in the middle of a stormy salty body of water. hahah. all wins!!

I just got invited to go for Rock Fish. heheheh.. ocean fishing is different. bass fishing is like hunting..takes some skills. ocean..takes kayak skills I suppose, but you dont even need to know how to cast...just let it drop.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by vash

we fought wind, currents for 7 hours. a harbor-seal damn near gave me a heart attack. they all look like sharks to a desert born dweller.. 7 hours and I got one Halibut to small to legally keep. I didnt get sea sick. I didnt flip..and I figured out how to take a piss while wearing a dry suit in the middle of a stormy salty body of water. hahah. all wins!!

Sweet! LOL on pissing in a kayak while wearing a dry suit. I can't even imagine.

Outstanding! That seems like a reel miracle!

While it seems like a less than ideal first time (windy and rough), after this, everything will likely seem easy, so maybe the best case was dealing with more sheiße the first time out. I can't wait to see videos of seals or otters climbing aboard and chillin' with you.

Do you have video from this trip showing the rough seas? (sans urination, hopefully)

[craigster59]

Glad it went smooth. Maybe being low to the water helps with the sea sickness. 7 hours is a long time to be out on the water!

Back in the day I thought halibut size was over 24" but I'm seeing in the regs that after May 1, limit is 1 fish per day, no size limit. Are regs different up north? How big was the fish you caught?

Definitely go out for the Rockfish, and be sure to post pics on the "What's for dinner" thread!

[vash]

wait wut?

I was told the min size is 22"

[vash]

Originally Posted by craigster59

Glad it went smooth. Maybe being low to the water helps with the sea sickness. 7 hours is a long time to be out on the water!

Back in the day I thought halibut size was over 24" but I'm seeing in the regs that after May 1, limit is 1 fish per day, no size limit. Are regs different up north? How big was the fish you caught?

Definitely go out for the Rockfish, and be sure to post pics on the "What's for dinner" thread!

here is what I went with.
The recreational fishery for California halibut(opens in new tab) (Paralichthys californicus) remains open year-round. The daily bag and total possession limit is two fish north of Point Sur, Monterey County. South of Point Sur, Monterey County, the daily bag and total possession limit is five fish. The minimum size limit is 22 inches total length.

I tossed back the 14", and I have a pan that size!!!

[vash]

Originally Posted by masraum

LOL on pissing in a kayak while wearing a dry suit. I can't even imagine.

I did wish my penis was a few inches longer...clearing all the layers, zippers, buttons...it would have helped.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by vash

I did wish my penis was a few inches longer...clearing all the layers, zippers, buttons...it would have helped.

I think what you meant to say was that "it was great that I could just hang it over the side of the boat, but not too low in case a shark thought it was an otter."

[recycled sixtie]

This thread reminds me of Ernest Hemingway and the movie with the old guy catching a big fish. Well done. And you are considerably younger.

[908/930]

Are you sure you want to catch a big Halibut while fishing from a kayak? From what I have been told they can do a lot of damage, but good luck. If the Rockfish there are similar to what is up here do not put your fingers into its gills or mouth, they have sharp inward facing spikes. I watched a friend do that while cleaning the fish, blood everywhere and not from the fish.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by vash

I did wish my penis was a few inches longer...clearing all the layers, zippers, buttons...it would have helped.

So what do the wimmins do?

I reckon it just depends

The only wetsuits I ever wore were rafting years ago ... I don't remember zippers in the crotch ...

Better luck next time vash ... mebbe it'll grow a bit more...

The fish

[vash]

Originally Posted by masraum

I think what you meant to say was that "it was great that I could just hang it over the side of the boat, but not too low in case a shark thought it was an otter."

And it was DEEP too!

[Mahler9th]

"And it was DEEP too!"

1975

[juanbenae]

My buddy keeps a boat at Oyster Point in SSF and we when went out a year or so back he abided by the 2 per fisherman at 23" min size as well. We 3 on the boat caught six fish, but only 3 were keeper sized.

[juanbenae]

Halibut is far and away my favorite fish that can be caught locally to feast on.

[A930Rocket]

Originally Posted by masraum

Sweet! LOL on pissing in a kayak while wearing a dry suit. I can't even imagine.

When we did white water kayakng, it was common to pee in your kayak. Much easier and faster, especially when you came up to big water. We got the kayaks and shorts washed out, as we got out of the water.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

When we did white water kayakng, it was common to pee in your kayak. Much easier and faster, especially when you came up to big water. We got the kayaks and shorts washed out, as we got out of the water.

that makes sense

...unless you're in a dry suit, or is that what you were doing?

[vash]

My friend snuck a pic of me catching my baby halibut. Haha.

The thing was an infant! And I clearly do not hang out with professional photographers.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by vash

My friend snuck a pic of me catching my baby halibut. Haha.

The thing was an infant! And I clearly do not hang out with professional photographers.

Sweet! Love the bridge in the background.

Looks like you're wearing a neck gaiter or balaclava. I assume protection from the sun?

Looks like fun!

[craigster59]

Fish that size it's best you let it live to get to a decent size.

I watch Port Protection Alaska and they bring on some of those 40 lb halibut and they are fighters! I see them leave the hook in, wrap the leader around the tail and clip the swivel back to the hook. Kind of like "hog tying" them.

[A930Rocket]

Originally Posted by masraum

that makes sense

...unless you're in a dry suit, or is that what you were doing?

No dry suit.