FisherJeff Loc: Carlsbad, ca

Here’s my story about the big one that got away, in San Diego Bay.

My goal has been to land a keeper, or bigger, halibut. We typically fish San Diego bay, which is a halibut hot spot, with swim bait on a jig head. This gets us various types of bass, and halibut, but, I’ve yet to get a keeper halibut.

I’ve been studying many halibut fishing YouTubes, where guys are hauling in keepers…but mostly in Northern California. So, I decided to give their techniques, and rigs, with frozen squid, a try in the areas that should be halibut havens. After 4 hours with 3 lines, drifting, and trolling…nothing…nada…zip.,,except for one small crab that let go as soon as I got him out of the water.

Feeling that I didn’t want to be totally skunked. I went back to my standard rig of 30# braided main and 6’ of 15# fluorocarbon leader, with swim bait on a jig head, at our hot spots for bass. First cast and I got a nice spotted bass. I was fishing an area where there is a submerged historic jetty, that Calico bass like. A few casts and I hooked up well on the jetty, I could not get freed of the jetty, so cranked my drag fully tight, and broke it free, losing about 2’ of leader, Which is why we run lighter leader than the main.

Not wanting to catch the jetty again I rigged up another jig head, with a fresh swim bait dunked in squid juice, and moved to another spot that is a mixture of eel grass and small sand patches…the later being what halibut like. A few casts, and I hooked up another spotted bass. He janked up my bait, so I replaced my swim bait, and dunked it in squid juice…and started casting.

After about 6 or so casts, I hooked up with what was definitely a good sized halibut. They have a distinctive behavior, which this guy did.. First they flutter a bit, then as you bring them in they dig in, and it’s like cranking in a bowling ball. Then as you try to bring them aboard you get a lot of vigorous head shaking, and a strong attempt to go deep. This guy did all of that. I was bent over the boat with my rod held up, and it was nearly bent in half, he was near the surface, and I got a glimpse of this beast…and he was definitely a big keeper. As I reached for my gaff, he dove down hard…and “TWANG!” My leader broke!!

Notice when I described fighting this guy, I didn’t say anything about line screaming off the reel? Well, that’s because I forgot to loosen the drag, after tightening it up while fighting the jetty. DUMBASS! Also, I should have changed the leader after fighting the jetty. As that might have weakened or damaged it. DOUBLE DUMBASS!!

Anyone else have those DUMBASS moments?

After about an hour, and a few spottys, the wind started to kick up, and the water was getting rough, so I called it a day.

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

Nice story FJeff,
I have never fished for halibut, but I have lost some big freshwater fish at the side of the boat…some to bad luck, some to poor decision and some to just plain dumbass mistakes. You are not alone, friend!
If it was easy…it would be called catching…not fishing 😂
Good luck next time you go!

ripogenu Loc: norfolk, MA

Had kind of the same thing.fishing for juvenile tarpon off Sombrero beach, saw a couple of rolls so I grabbed a rod,tied on a Cleo and chucked it in front of them.one of them took it jumped twice and ran. I looked at my reel and realized I had grabbed the 2500 instead of the 4500. Thought well this will be interesting.couldn’t slow him down or turn him so I got spooled.should have looked before throwing it out. I guess ya just get excited and react instead of thinking.

HenryG Loc: Falmouth Cape Cod Massachusetts

At least you got to enjoy the fight sounds like a great day to me although I'm kind of confused about calico and spotted bass being in the salt with the halibut🎣😎👍

ripogenu Loc: norfolk, MA

Henry
Technically Calico bass are a salt water species the “calicoes we catch are the same as the crappie in Kentucky

HenryG Loc: Falmouth Cape Cod Massachusetts

Learn something new today thanks rip never knew that🙂👌

Papa Jack Loc: Indianapolis

sorry you were not able to land the fish But yeah we have all had a brain fart at one tome or the other

FisherJeff Loc: Carlsbad, ca

Here’s the saltwater bass, we catch in the SD Bay:
In order of the photos:
Spotted Bass... ready to be filleted
Barred Sand Bass
Calico

They must be 14” to keep.

NJ219bands Loc: New Jersey

Wow 😮

ripogenu Loc: norfolk, MA

Great pics
Thanks FJ

MB Loc: So Cal to Eastern Sierra

Dumbass fishing moments? Too many to count.

When I was 4 or 5 fishing with my grandpa on lake Mead he taught me to be ready for a last desperate run the fish would make when they saw the bottom of the boat. I later learned of a similar ancient Chinese pearl of wisdom that says "A wise horse breaks into a gallop when he sees the shadow of the whip".

Either that bad boy halibut saw the bottom of your boat or maybe it was the shadow of the gaff!

Tight lines (but not too tight).

Tom E Hammer Loc: San Clemente, Ca.

Hey Bro , you had the fight , I say ,”if you see it uou caught it.. “

HenryG Loc: Falmouth Cape Cod Massachusetts

NICE🙂👍

Speck Loc: Colorado Springs, Colorado

Great story, brought back memories of fishing for halibut in San Diego bay back in 1968 when I was going to Naval A school.

One time while fishing there, I saw a ship out on the horizon, never though much about it, kept on fishing. Next thing you know, I looked up and all I could see was SHIP, it was the USS Coral Sea. She was probably within 100 yards of us. Couldn't pull the starter cord fast enough...got out of the way and have a memory I'll never forget.

FisherJeff Loc: Carlsbad, ca

We learned when we used to sail, to never cross in front of a ship that you can see. Learned that in an almost disastrous way outside of Long Beach Harbor. Not only do those container ships go really fast, but they are big enough to totally block the wind…and we were stalled in front of it. Fortunately my brain kicked in and I fired up the motor and we got out of the way.