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Tomales Bay
California Fishing
Jul 24, 2023 22:53:16   #
saw1 Loc: nor cal Windsor
 
Hey guys, Brad and I went out Halibut fishin today but didn't catch any Halibut. However, we caught LOTS of bait.
Brad told me to be sure to bring a rod to catch bait with so I brought a rod that has almost an UL reel on it.
I have it loaded with 15# braid but it still only holds bout 25 to 30 yards of line at the most.
ANYWAY, we're using a Sabiki rig and catchin lots of bait. Brad says we have enough so he is putting his rod away and I make 1 more cast. I hook another bait, all Jack Smelt, and right as I stary to reel it in it hits something. I think it's the Eel Grass that we're fishin next to when all the sudden it starts to swim out to sea.
My little reel's drag is tight and it isn't stopping this thing. I tell Brad we're gonna have to chase it so he is tryin to untie us and drop the trollin motor. Well, it hit the end of the line before Brad could chase it. I tried to slow it down with my hand first but the line cut my left hand pointer finger as quick as a flash. So when it hit the end of the line I just pointed the rod at it and snap it was gone. I reeled in and from the first hook down on the Sabiki rig was gone.
I must have hooked a bait on the second hook and while reelin it in SOMETHIN hit the bait and swallowed it and left.
I suppose a big Bat Ray could have swam into the Sabiki rig and it hooked on it but I don't think so.
The Sabiki rig was 25# test line but it broke before my line did.
Brad scolded me for usin such a small rod and reel but the line didn't break. The knot I tied the swivel on with held plus the knot I tied the line onto the reel held. SO the only problem was the size of the reel. I just needed more line so it could have continued to run.
We'll never know what it was but for a couple min. it was a lot of fun.

We had a great day out there but NO Halibut , or any other fish , bites. Maybe next time.
Tomorrow, it's back to the Pet trollin with Ben for Stripers.

Reply
Jul 25, 2023 07:42:08   #
Whitey Loc: Southeast ohio
 
saw1 wrote:
Hey guys, Brad and I went out Halibut fishin today but didn't catch any Halibut. However, we caught LOTS of bait.
Brad told me to be sure to bring a rod to catch bait with so I brought a rod that has almost an UL reel on it.
I have it loaded with 15# braid but it still only holds bout 25 to 30 yards of line at the most.
ANYWAY, we're using a Sabiki rig and catchin lots of bait. Brad says we have enough so he is putting his rod away and I make 1 more cast. I hook another bait, all Jack Smelt, and right as I stary to reel it in it hits something. I think it's the Eel Grass that we're fishin next to when all the sudden it starts to swim out to sea.
My little reel's drag is tight and it isn't stopping this thing. I tell Brad we're gonna have to chase it so he is tryin to untie us and drop the trollin motor. Well, it hit the end of the line before Brad could chase it. I tried to slow it down with my hand first but the line cut my left hand pointer finger as quick as a flash. So when it hit the end of the line I just pointed the rod at it and snap it was gone. I reeled in and from the first hook down on the Sabiki rig was gone.
I must have hooked a bait on the second hook and while reelin it in SOMETHIN hit the bait and swallowed it and left.
I suppose a big Bat Ray could have swam into the Sabiki rig and it hooked on it but I don't think so.
The Sabiki rig was 25# test line but it broke before my line did.
Brad scolded me for usin such a small rod and reel but the line didn't break. The knot I tied the swivel on with held plus the knot I tied the line onto the reel held. SO the only problem was the size of the reel. I just needed more line so it could have continued to run.
We'll never know what it was but for a couple min. it was a lot of fun.

We had a great day out there but NO Halibut , or any other fish , bites. Maybe next time.
Tomorrow, it's back to the Pet trollin with Ben for Stripers.
Hey guys, Brad and I went out Halibut fishin today... (show quote)


Ain't no telling what that might have been Saw. Sounds like you got plenty of bait for next time. good luck today with Ben 👍

Reply
Jul 25, 2023 08:52:16   #
Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.
 
saw1 wrote:
Hey guys, Brad and I went out Halibut fishin today but didn't catch any Halibut. However, we caught LOTS of bait.
Brad told me to be sure to bring a rod to catch bait with so I brought a rod that has almost an UL reel on it.
I have it loaded with 15# braid but it still only holds bout 25 to 30 yards of line at the most.
ANYWAY, we're using a Sabiki rig and catchin lots of bait. Brad says we have enough so he is putting his rod away and I make 1 more cast. I hook another bait, all Jack Smelt, and right as I stary to reel it in it hits something. I think it's the Eel Grass that we're fishin next to when all the sudden it starts to swim out to sea.
My little reel's drag is tight and it isn't stopping this thing. I tell Brad we're gonna have to chase it so he is tryin to untie us and drop the trollin motor. Well, it hit the end of the line before Brad could chase it. I tried to slow it down with my hand first but the line cut my left hand pointer finger as quick as a flash. So when it hit the end of the line I just pointed the rod at it and snap it was gone. I reeled in and from the first hook down on the Sabiki rig was gone.
I must have hooked a bait on the second hook and while reelin it in SOMETHIN hit the bait and swallowed it and left.
I suppose a big Bat Ray could have swam into the Sabiki rig and it hooked on it but I don't think so.
The Sabiki rig was 25# test line but it broke before my line did.
Brad scolded me for usin such a small rod and reel but the line didn't break. The knot I tied the swivel on with held plus the knot I tied the line onto the reel held. SO the only problem was the size of the reel. I just needed more line so it could have continued to run.
We'll never know what it was but for a couple min. it was a lot of fun.

We had a great day out there but NO Halibut , or any other fish , bites. Maybe next time.
Tomorrow, it's back to the Pet trollin with Ben for Stripers.
Hey guys, Brad and I went out Halibut fishin today... (show quote)


Sorry about no 'Butts Steve. Interesting story with the breakoff. I would have to guess, something with sharp teeth, if it broke the heavier leader and not the line.
Good luck with Ben.

Reply
 
 
Jul 25, 2023 15:02:34   #
Pete the welder Loc: Guerneville ,ca
 
Hey saw do you use the Jack smelt for crab pot bait ? I caught a bunch in bodega a couple years ago am we just thru them back. But I hear they make excellent crab bait ..

Reply
Jul 25, 2023 15:20:23   #
FishermanLeeSonoma
 
Well, we got them today!!! That was a nice 28 incher!!! Striped Bass!!!

Reply
Jul 25, 2023 16:51:06   #
ranger632 Loc: Near Yosemite Park Ca.
 
saw1 wrote:
Hey guys, Brad and I went out Halibut fishin today but didn't catch any Halibut. However, we caught LOTS of bait.
Brad told me to be sure to bring a rod to catch bait with so I brought a rod that has almost an UL reel on it.
I have it loaded with 15# braid but it still only holds bout 25 to 30 yards of line at the most.
ANYWAY, we're using a Sabiki rig and catchin lots of bait. Brad says we have enough so he is putting his rod away and I make 1 more cast. I hook another bait, all Jack Smelt, and right as I stary to reel it in it hits something. I think it's the Eel Grass that we're fishin next to when all the sudden it starts to swim out to sea.
My little reel's drag is tight and it isn't stopping this thing. I tell Brad we're gonna have to chase it so he is tryin to untie us and drop the trollin motor. Well, it hit the end of the line before Brad could chase it. I tried to slow it down with my hand first but the line cut my left hand pointer finger as quick as a flash. So when it hit the end of the line I just pointed the rod at it and snap it was gone. I reeled in and from the first hook down on the Sabiki rig was gone.
I must have hooked a bait on the second hook and while reelin it in SOMETHIN hit the bait and swallowed it and left.
I suppose a big Bat Ray could have swam into the Sabiki rig and it hooked on it but I don't think so.
The Sabiki rig was 25# test line but it broke before my line did.
Brad scolded me for usin such a small rod and reel but the line didn't break. The knot I tied the swivel on with held plus the knot I tied the line onto the reel held. SO the only problem was the size of the reel. I just needed more line so it could have continued to run.
We'll never know what it was but for a couple min. it was a lot of fun.

We had a great day out there but NO Halibut , or any other fish , bites. Maybe next time.
Tomorrow, it's back to the Pet trollin with Ben for Stripers.
Hey guys, Brad and I went out Halibut fishin today... (show quote)



Thats what's great about fishing, never know what is going to happen next

Reply
Jul 25, 2023 19:08:38   #
Got fish Loc: Petaluma
 
saw1 wrote:
Hey guys, Brad and I went out Halibut fishin today but didn't catch any Halibut. However, we caught LOTS of bait.
Brad told me to be sure to bring a rod to catch bait with so I brought a rod that has almost an UL reel on it.
I have it loaded with 15# braid but it still only holds bout 25 to 30 yards of line at the most.
ANYWAY, we're using a Sabiki rig and catchin lots of bait. Brad says we have enough so he is putting his rod away and I make 1 more cast. I hook another bait, all Jack Smelt, and right as I stary to reel it in it hits something. I think it's the Eel Grass that we're fishin next to when all the sudden it starts to swim out to sea.
My little reel's drag is tight and it isn't stopping this thing. I tell Brad we're gonna have to chase it so he is tryin to untie us and drop the trollin motor. Well, it hit the end of the line before Brad could chase it. I tried to slow it down with my hand first but the line cut my left hand pointer finger as quick as a flash. So when it hit the end of the line I just pointed the rod at it and snap it was gone. I reeled in and from the first hook down on the Sabiki rig was gone.
I must have hooked a bait on the second hook and while reelin it in SOMETHIN hit the bait and swallowed it and left.
I suppose a big Bat Ray could have swam into the Sabiki rig and it hooked on it but I don't think so.
The Sabiki rig was 25# test line but it broke before my line did.
Brad scolded me for usin such a small rod and reel but the line didn't break. The knot I tied the swivel on with held plus the knot I tied the line onto the reel held. SO the only problem was the size of the reel. I just needed more line so it could have continued to run.
We'll never know what it was but for a couple min. it was a lot of fun.

We had a great day out there but NO Halibut , or any other fish , bites. Maybe next time.
Tomorrow, it's back to the Pet trollin with Ben for Stripers.
Hey guys, Brad and I went out Halibut fishin today... (show quote)


Wow definitely exciting!! I’m guessing either a good size striper or White Sea bass. Maybe bat ray if you were stationary and not moving much. How far up the bay were you fishing?

Reply
 
 
Jul 25, 2023 19:32:24   #
Shelfish Loc: Sonoma, CA
 
My guess would be that it was a ray or an Angel Shark, Tomalas is loaded with them. You never know?

Reply
Jul 25, 2023 21:30:25   #
saw1 Loc: nor cal Windsor
 
Got fish wrote:
Wow definitely exciting!! I’m guessing either a good size striper or White Sea bass. Maybe bat ray if you were stationary and not moving much. How far up the bay were you fishing?


We were out around channel marker 6.

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