Added a couple of on-the-water pics to the post. This croaker won't qualify for the WCW .... I forgot to get the tape shot! 8)
Thursday, I got off work a bit early, launched at 4:30 ish (?) thinking it might be an afternoon bite with the full moon. Made a bunch of both kinds of macks between the buoys and loaded the baittank.
Headed out to the grounds, saw a crew of kayakers trolling around with not much happening, so I hung a right - toward deeper water. Good current, light wind, warm and beautiful out. Dropped one line in with a fat greenback, slow trolled out for ten minutes. About 50 yards outside the only buoy out there, 100+ feet deep, the clicker started buzzing. Man, that was quick!
Let him eat it, put it in gear and let the big circle hook do it's thing. A very good fight the fish was pulling me around on the new Adventure (hey cool, I can steer now with the rudder!) and making some strong runs. Thought it was a yella' till it came belly up next to me for an easy gaff shot.
This is my first La Jolla White Seabass over 30 inches, and I didn't need to measure this time! :lol:
The trip back to the beach was tough, upwind and upcurrent with 40 pounds of dead weight jacking with my pedal strokes in the Hobie Mirage drive. NorthEast wind was kicking up as I rushed into the the launch for sunset pix with my daughter Leila!
The fish was 40 lbs. on my digital scale, caught on 30 # fluoro and a huge red circle hook and nosehooked big greenie. Pat and Todd may have gotten some good on the water shots ..... hope you guys got bit too!!!