Good start to the season

[lokidog]

Yesterday, my first drop of the day yielded up a nice 28 1/2" Lingcod.  I went to a spot where I have gotten some Cabezon before and landed another legal sized Ling that was sent back in as well as one rockfish. Unfortunately, my rockfish tagging tool was not working. I did catch a 13" Staghorn Sculpin that was added to the deep fryer.

Today, between ferrying people back and forth from Lopez, I fished a bit.  My first drop I caught another legal sized, but just barely, Lingcod.  He was pretty scrawny so I tossed him back.  I caught two more small ones, one was a nice greeny, and then moved to another spot where I have caught some in the past.  My second drift through there I hooked up and landed a monster Cabezon, 30 1/2" and 18 pounds.  Apparently the WA record is only 23 pounds. I only caught one rockfish also.  It is quite the nice ratio, five lings and a cabezon to two rockfish.

After school, my wife and I went out and caught only rockfish, four of them, before the rain and thunderstorm sent us packing.

[carpsniperg2]

Awesome My dad still raves over that ling I brought back home. Best cod we have ever ate!!!

[lokidog]

Awesome My dad still raves over that ling I brought back home. Best cod we have ever ate!!!

Always tastes better when you catch it yourself.   

[RB]

Wow nice fish! 

[carpsniperg2]

Awesome My dad still raves over that ling I brought back home. Best cod we have ever ate!!!

Always tastes better when you catch it yourself.   

I call him a cod snob now. Every time I cook cod now its like a tape recorder. "not half as good as the cod you caught with the huntwa guy"

[notellumcreek]

Nice work  That cabezon is a tank!

[jkthomps]

Sweet!

[lokidog]

Here is partly why she weighed so much.... It is surprising she bit my lure, I probably bonked her on the nose.

[bobcat]

Wow.... amazing!

[Ellensburg]

You are an inspiration to us all.

[Elk hunter4ever]

Every year I always look forward to seeing your pics of all the lingcod,cabezon,shrimp, etc... you and your son catch. I don't get out nearly as much as you do. Do you add any scent to that plastic scampi? Good luck to you this year and keep posting those pics! 

[lokidog]

Every year I always look forward to seeing your pics of all the lingcod,cabezon,shrimp, etc... you and your son catch. I don't get out nearly as much as you do. Do you add any scent to that plastic scampi? Good luck to you this year and keep posting those pics! 

No scents.  These fish are pretty much ambush predators, especially the lings. I've always had good luck with the rubber tails and it is better to lose a $3 lure than a $10 one.  Also, I can change the weight of the lure more easily for conditions.

[Hilltop123]

Nice haul, your 13" staghorn is what looks like an Irish Lord, did it have 4 rows of scales running the length of it's back? Nice Cabezon, good eats right there! I believe a Cabezon's natural prey are crabs, but like all predatory fish, they are opportunist at heart. Keep up the great work, I miss the saltwater and envious. 

[Cap.Silver]

Way to go Ed . All you need now is one nice hali.

[lokidog]

Went out yesterday for shrimp, only got 3/4 of a two person limit.  First pot had 101 spot shrimp in it so I tossed one small spot and a bunch of big coonstripes back.  The next three pots had all moved about a quarter mile and had a total of 24 shrimp including coonstripes.  Still can't figure out why these three would have moved with the little current out there. Each pot had 12-15 pounds of weight in it.

We landed 9 Rockfish and one short ling.

The sea conditions were not the most fun, my passenger was definitely glad to get back to shore.    

Still might try for the halibut on Thursday.