July 12 Halibut Trip- "Sharks Everywhere"

Today was our first straight halibut trip in a while so we were excited to soak some big baits.  The previous night we loaded up on salmon carcasses and prepared for a full day of halibut fishing.  The first spot we tried was giant rock pile off shore that we usually have good luck at.  As we came up on the spot the sounder had fish all over it.  The black bass in this area can get really thick on a slack tide making it impossible for the halibut to get to the bait.  We sat for a bit catching black bass and a few Yellow Eye rock fish, hoping that when the tide picked up it would wash the school of bass out in the current.  We decided that it wasn't going to happen so we picked up anchor and tried a spot in a little deeper water just a few miles away.  As soon as we hit bottom we hooked up with 75lb halibut on the jig but as the fish came up, he made one last attempt to run and rubbed on the swim step snapping off.  Shortly after, the dogfish (sand shark) moved in one by one tangling us up and stealing our bait.  I know there was some nice halibut down there but competition between the dogfish and the halibut was one sided.  We were not ready to give up yet so we traveled seven more miles hoping to steer clear of the savage dogfish bite.  As soon as the lines got down we were swarmed again, but did manage to land two nice halibut.  A tough day so far for the Sea Quest, but we powered through it pulled anchor again and moved to another spot, "they say 4th times a charm".  We managed to catch a limit of halibut within 1 1/2 hours.  I looked over to Howard's rod and it looked like it was about to snap in half.  He battled his halibut for about ten minutes in 240' of water.  When the fish came up I was surprised to see a 75lb halibut just sitting on the surface.  This particular spot has been known to have a few big ones roll through every once in a while.  We pulled it off with a limit of butts and a box full of Black Bass. 

It turned out to be a great day and everyone was thrilled once we started catching halibut.  The weather was a bit windy throughout the day, blowing a steady 10-15kt out of the SW.  4' ground swell with a little chop made for an uncomfortable sit; but by the end of the day the wind layed down and it was flat again. 

WE HAVE A FULL DAY COMBO TOMORROW WITH SEATS THAT NEED FILLING.  COME ON DOWN TO SEWARD WHILE THE WEATHERS NICE AND THE FISH ARE BITING. 

FISH ON!!!