Fished the harbor this morning starting at about 7:00A.M. First fish of the day was a 22" halibut. This would have been my third of the year but I released it because it was too close. Got over to the pier and it was slow for a while probably 4-5 shorts while I was fishing with Mike. Mike leaves and it picks up everytime I dropped the bait less than a minute and bang. Now the most halibut I have caught in a day was three and my biggest legal was 22". TODAY though about 20 halibut all together including this 26" Best day I've had yet I was so stoked and can't wait to go again on Saturday. Oh yeah I was using my Penn 965 international on a Fendwick stick 12lb line trailer hook and live anchovies the legal was caught on the East side though.
chris

hahaha, excellent use of camera phone and mirror, that's classic. Sounds like a great trip, congrats. :7

Thanks. My regular digital was out of batteries so I had to improvise. The fishing today was great one of those days you dream of you just sit out there and fight fish all day.
chris:-)

Nice flattie...jeez...I didn't even know they have "camera-phones"...gotta get familiar with the new technology!

Nice fish Chris - looks like the Harbor area might be turning on again.

I've only done the bait thing from my tube a few times and didn't really like it too much.

There are many reasons I prefer not to use bait and one of them is because I'm afraid the fish I am going to release are going to swallow the hook and get injured.

I was just wondering if you guys have had any problem with the short fish swallowing the little trap hooks or taking them in too far?

It's happened but, I've been told by some people with a lot of experience even some with the DFG if that means anything that they would be able to digest the hook if it is cut. I'm not a hundred percent sure of this but I do my best to keep them harm free. most of the fish were hooked in the lip though. With the trailer you can set the hook almost instantly especially while they are chewing on the tail. Besides I'm still trying to work on my big hammer technique. Your website has helped a great amount, but you have to explain a little more about the trout
:-)

Halibut are pretty tough so they would probably be okay. It is better to cut the hook out than to damage a bunch of "stuff" trying to get it out. I have caught halibut with hooks in their throats that obviously didn't have any problems attacking my swimbait! Luckily in saltwater the hooks will rust out in time.

I guess if you're using a trailer because you were missing fish it probably means they weren't taking it down very far to begin with.

When you say the "trout" thing about the Hammers do you mean how I trap rig them? If so I don't believe it is necessary at all when fishing for halibut. I rarely have short strikes when fishing in the ocean and I am pretty sure that when I am getting short bit they are small perch (you can usually tell by how the strike feels).

I am planning to troll for trout with the Hammers more this Winter up at Cachuma and "nail down" the technique a bit. After I figure things out a bit more I will probably write an article about it and try to get it published. I want to try using spectra for the trailer hook so that the trout don't snap the trailer off when they jump.

Yeah Pete I'd love to go up to Cachuma with you. I have a connection where I get free boat rentals up there and I would like to catch a lot of trout this winter.
chris

Nice fish Chris! I guess its safe to say you got the whole "Stinger" thing down. Congrats on your day. See you on Saturday morning. I guess Brian is bringing a couple of friends up with him. Maybe we can get Bryan, Pete, and Mike out too and have a little tournie. I'll email em in the morning. Take it easy brotha.

DBLAZE'

A tournie sounds good! Either way, see you all on Sat!

FISH ON!!!

I fished the same day with no luck after trolling a large 8 inch smelt around for about an hour. The sun had set so I called it a day. I was floating along watching my bait swim - the water clarity was excellent - when Zinnnnnng! I counted to 50 or so (was not using a trail hook) and hooked up. The fish swam towards the boat so I couldnt determine how big he was. When he saw the net, he charged off on one of several runs. Five minutes later, I netted a 29 in. halibut.

Congrats on the 29" we need pictures. Were you fishing in the harbor area?
chris