First Halibut Experience

RaiderRon · 05-13-2003, 08:27 AM

This is my introductory post and I wanted to thank all of you for your great information over the past few months. I went out on the TackleBuster from Depoe Bay on Saturday and had a great time. Captain TJ and crew worked very hard to get limits all around. I caught the biggest fish of my life at 44.5 inches. I never imagined that reeling up from 600 feet would be so much work but I absolutely loved every minute of it. The ride in was was worth the price of admission. Just wanted to give a word of thanks to TackleBuster and crew and all the fine folks that frequent this board.

corrirod · 05-13-2003, 09:09 AM

Congrats! Look forward to seeing you out there in the future!

Pilar · 05-13-2003, 09:41 AM

Another soul lost to the dark side .... sigh.

RaiderRon .. I take it that you would care to repeat the experience?

You sound vulnerable at this point. I would recommend avoiding the small boat trip with friends or you will find yourself at the boat dealership buying your own boat. If you think the charter boat deal is fun, try it in your buddies boat with just a few guys.

Nah you better avoid it ..

Thanks for the report and congrats on the biggggg feeeessshhh!

RaiderRon · 05-13-2003, 09:51 AM

You are right on, Pilar! I would love the opportunity to go out on a smaller boat with just a few guys. I am seriously hooked on the Big Blue. Work is just filler in between fishing trips!

fish assassin · 05-13-2003, 10:19 AM

Tackle Buster was so sucessful on Thursday & Friday that even the crew got fish!
When I hit the dock Friday afternoon to do some prep work for a Saturday morning
trip Carl (the deck hand) was cleaning the boat and getting ready for Saturday, also.
He told me that he'd taken home a nice 'butt on Thursday and really didn't have need
for all those fresh fillets he had stashed on the boat! Asked me if I wanted a half
a fish! OF COURSE!!! Wow, fresh halibut and I didn't even go out on the trip!

Thanks Carl!! That was some really FINE eats!!

-assAssin-

Pilar · 05-13-2003, 10:45 AM

Welcome home RaiderRon, you are among friends here. We all hope to see you fishing and catching on the big blue lake again soon.

Tell us more about your charter trip before these guys start buggin you about the newbie story.

fish assassin · 05-13-2003, 12:27 PM

RaiderRon,

Good story!! Only one small thing ... you should probably edit it in case the
Captain of the Tackle Buster reads your post. His name is Jurgen Turner, or "JT",
not TJ. :grin: :grin: :grin: :blush: :blush:

Good fishing!!

-assAssin-

Slow Roll · 05-13-2003, 03:27 PM

I would tell you to run and run fast but alas, you have been snared in the clutches of the dastardly (depending on who you ask) Salty Dogs (and pups too).
Its all a downward spiral from here. Waking up in the middle of the night dreaming of tying the perfect knot and not remembering where to insert the hook. (I'll not forgive you for that any time soon Pilar, I had to get up and go grab some 80# from my stash and figure it out before I could get back to sleep). Spending the days staring out the window thinking it would be a good day to be on the ocean and not at work.

All kidding aside, welcome to the group. Hopefully we will be having a TA meeting some time soon so we can all get togethor and spend the evening lying...uh...I mean... telling stories to each other again.

These guys are great and are more than willing to show a green horn what a tuna clone is and how to rig one (usually in less than 30 seconds)

Paul B.

Fishplay · 05-13-2003, 09:31 PM

Call for [img]graemlins/1zhelp.gif[/img] And do it Now! :shocked:

Glad you had a good trip and didn't get sick. The real test will come when you can stand next to someone who is getting sick and not feel like you have to join him.

Hey FA isn't Carl the deckhand a Vertner? I beleive I've fished with and worked with his Pa. Both are darn good fisherman.

Mr. Fisherman · 05-13-2003, 11:07 PM

Raider Ron, it's too late to turn back. You are ruined for life. Pilar got his hooks into me years ago and this last weekend I captained my own boat out to the Ranch for the first time. It was one of the best experiences of my life. I am certain more will follow. I can hardley wait for Tuna. Can you believe I had to buy my own boat to get a ride out for Tuna?!!
Hey Johnboy, you gonna go on my first Tuna trip on Sea Lion to show me the ropes?

Anyway Ron, you found a gathering of like souls. Tell us a story, we love stories...

There I was.....

[ 05-13-2003, 12:08 PM: Message edited by: Mr. Fisherman ]

RaiderRon · 05-13-2003, 11:59 PM

OK, here is my story about my first Halibut trip. For weeks leading up to the trip I studied old posts, checked the weather, and freaked myself out about getting sick that far out on the ocean. The morning of the trip, I was popping dramamine like candy. Got aboard the TackleBuster and Carl (the deckhand) explained everything about what we were be going to be doing. We then set out for the two hour ride to the ranch. When we arrived, I could not believe the number of boats. As soon as we dropped our lines, the big Coast Guard vessel was right next to us watching. Carl had told us that this was going to be hard work but I really didn't know what to expect. We got two legals on our first drop before moving. The fishing was kind of slow but someone always seemed to have a hook-up. When my 44.5 incher hooked up I was already tired from checking my bait a few times and it seemed like it took me a good 15 minutes to reel it in. When Carl netted the fish and then wrestled it to the box, I let out a big "yeah" and then proceeded to take an extended break from fishing. We were out on the water until about 3:00pm before heading in. All of the 11 passengers got their fish thanks to Captain JT and Carl. We must have had at least 10 shakers for the day and also got an undersized Ling and a Black Cod, which JT informed us about before we decided to keep it. Also got one Chili Pepper before heading in and enjoying a spectacular ride complete with water coming all over the back of the boat. One of the funniest moments came when a passenger on another charter boat lost his wallet in the drink and the captain and deck hand worked together to grab the guys wallet with the net. Great trip and I will definitely be back. If I continue to spend most of my work day on ifish, I may be back sooner than later. Nobody, including me, had to chum for our fish!

Good fishing to all and thanks for the warm welcome!

[ 05-13-2003, 01:30 PM: Message edited by: RaiderRon ]