LJ Today
 

Launched at 6:00 AM to ankle-high wavettes. Water temp 72. No wind. Greenbacks easy to make. Looked quite fishy in early AM but no takers until around 10 - this on outskirts of outer bull kelp. 25 lb yt whipped my butt, coming nearly to color then screaming down time after time after time. Gaffed after 3 embarrassing tries, and once on the clip I tossed her overboard so I could stow the hook and rod and get stuff back in order. Thought things were done but fish thought otherwise - she thrashed just the right way and, yep, managed to unbuckle the clip. Just as she was sliding off the open end of the clip and about to swim away, I made a mad grab and got her by her tail with my left hand. It was a slippery, insecure grip that surely wasn't going to hold - especially if her strength came back. I was in a bind as I had a bunch of tackle in my lap making movement difficult. Nonetheless, I somehow managed to grab her head with my right hand, found an eye socket with my thumb and pulled her back on board with both hands. Put her back on the clip, pulled a gill and .... game over - phew. Always nice to land with a fish, but fish or no fish, drama or no drama, conditions today were truly epic.

I saw the web cam this morning and it looked like a lake. Super small breakers right at the waters edge. Great story, good to hear you won the battle. It not too often that landing a fish becomes "mano a mano" battle. Thanks for sharing.

Next time cut the membrane inside the gill plate. Easier than pulling the gills and they bleed out very fast.

Great save!

Sweet! :luxhello: