Fish of a lifetime, so far - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

Billyboy · 02-23-2002, 09:39 AM

Went codfishing on the Helen-H on Wednesday. Had a great time and caught a bunch of codfish up to 20 lbs. Seas were flat and weather was warm. In the afternoon while realing my rig up I got slammed by something big. It turned out to be a Halibut a little under 70lbs by the scale on the boat. I don't know how to post pictures, but I can send it to someone(John R) if you want to see it. Or go to the website at www.helen-h.com and check out the reports or pictures. I'm not trying to toot my own horn or anything, but it's not everyday that on of these get caught. The captain was pretty happy b/c it was the first on his boat in 9 years. The bummer was I missed the Mass. Governors Award by 8 days.

Bill

Fish_Eye · 02-23-2002, 09:45 AM

Bill,

WOW!!!!!!!!

That's a fantastic fish...can't wait to see the photo. It must have been a great fight on light tackle.

When do we come over for fish and chips?

Mike

JohnR · 02-23-2002, 09:47 AM

Is this it???

Swede · 02-23-2002, 09:50 AM

Nice Fish!!!!!!

Got Stripers · 02-23-2002, 09:51 AM

That's too cool, must have been one hell of a fight and think of all the yummie fish. Maybe a first annual striped-bass fish fry, I know who's bring the fish

.

GBOUTDOORS · 02-23-2002, 10:55 AM

Great fish congrats

I'm green with envy.

Fisherwoman · 02-23-2002, 11:27 AM

Awesome, totally Awesome!!!! nice job, must have been the balls!!!!

STEVE IN MASS · 02-23-2002, 11:51 AM

Hey, GREAT FISH. That flatty must have put an unbeleivable tug on your line!!!!!!!! Way to go!!!!!

TheSpecialist · 02-23-2002, 11:58 AM

That is awsome, now you don't have to go to Alaska to catch one.

OX · 02-23-2002, 12:01 PM

Now dat be a DOORMAT!

Billyboy · 02-23-2002, 06:07 PM

Thanks guys. Hit the pink teaser I'm holding. The fish never fought the whole time. Felt like a ghost pot or lost gear. Never did a head shake or anything. Could never tell I had a fish on. The fish finally came to life when the mates tossed it on the deck and took the gaff's out. Then it came to LIFE. It's the biggest flattie I ever took a filet knife to. The top side filet was a solid 3 inches and the white side 2 inches. Belly was full of what looked to be herring. An awesome experience that hasn't fully sunk in. I got the fish on 40lb braid on my 320 GTI and 5 ft of 40lb pink ande. Hit the teaser on the dropper loop.

Bill

JohnR · 02-23-2002, 06:28 PM

Excellent!!!

I was trying to look up the Mass Governor's Cup info but the sportfishing section of the website is under construction. You may want to look into it - could be top dog for the year!

redcrbbr · 02-23-2002, 06:50 PM

now that is one awesome flatfish, one of the most tasty too. i'd be bragging bout that one for quite some time..so go ahead

Billyboy · 02-23-2002, 07:45 PM

John, I talked to a few people in the Mass. Marine Fisheries dept. They said the Governors Cup doesn't start until March 1 to Dec. 31 for groundfish. I missed by 8 days. I was gonna drive up the next day to get it weighed in at a mass tackle shop but didn't bother. The captain wanted me to enter also. I was bummed

Bill

Redcrabber, yes it is. I had some last night for the first time, it was killer.

RickBomba · 02-23-2002, 10:54 PM

That's one nice fish. I used to cut them whole @ the restaurant that I worked @ on the Cape. They sure are fun without the right cutting board!!!
The old man and I fished for years to try to catch a halibut in the seventies and eighties, but not a one.
Congrats my man, consider it a blessing...It absolutely is a once in a lifetime fish!!!

chris L · 02-24-2002, 11:43 AM

Nice fish ! when is the feast ?

Never caught one of them there doormats YET !

schoolie monster · 02-25-2002, 02:55 PM

No kidding on the feast. I've never had halibut and wasn't even aware there was an Atlantic version till reading it somewhere last year.

I've had flounder and place-fish(sp?) which I guess is some flounder-like fish... and its pretty good stuff.

I'm gettin' hungry for some seafood. And I skipped lunch today... now I'm starvin'.

Congratulations on such a rare and great catch. That is really cool.

JohnR · 02-25-2002, 02:58 PM

Billyboy - I had to put that up on the front page - well deserved

Billyboy · 02-25-2002, 09:20 PM

John, thanks for the honor. I'm humbled by all the attention. Like I said before it is just starting to hit me. Thanks everyone for the comments. When's the next cod trip??

Bill

squidlips · 02-27-2002, 01:49 AM

very, very cool

Slipknot · 02-28-2002, 01:51 PM

BillyBoy, that's one helluva nice catch you made. Congratulations.

I heard you made the Cover of the Fisherman mag. also. NICE