Dana Point, Saturday, 02-04

[PapaDCh]

Twenty six miles across the sea, Santa Catalina is waiting for me...

Okay, it was beautiful out there...

Fishing was a on the slow side but more then made up for it in size. One fairly decent halibut and one BSB, my personal best for that species which took about 30 minutes to get it up the 50 feet to the yak. Not sure what the size on that puppy was and if anyone has a good guess it would be appreciated as I don't have the experience to get close. Caught both fish on live sardines.

[Piranha]

  Nice halibut! Did the black sea bass make it back ok? It's difficult to estimate the size without knowing approximately the length. Jerry/Piranha 

[PapaDCh]

The bass did make it back okay, had a lot of trouble getting it down though; and in trying I am now missing some skin on my hands. I ended up poking a small hole in the side to let out the air. Hope that doesn't hurt it but had no other way to get it back down. When it finally got ready it let me know quite definitively by clamping down on my hands nearly taking me with it. The fish was about 3 feet long. I got the length from the leader I was using which was 16" long, the fish was a little over double that length.

So I learned the value of wearing gloves. Is there a better way to release the air in those that's practical? I really don't want the fish to die, they are magnificant creatures and a lot of fun to catch.

[Piranha]

I caught one in shallow water off Malibu about ten years ago. It was about three feet long. I guessed its weight at around 50 lbs. It was still considered a juvenile at that size
Donno if this will help. Hope it does! BTW, they are said to taste like turds! Pass it on! Piranha

www.dfg.ca.gov/ocal/archives/j_f_05_16-19.pdf

Here's what they used to look like!

[PapaDCh]

So I guess poking it in the side isn't good afterall. Hmmm, guess I'll have to figure out a portable device to release them with, maybe something that snaps onto my paddle or something.