Halibut on the Ruby Sea

[PhoebusGroup]

On 20 May, my nephew and I joined with 5 other fishers and headed off at 3:30AM on the Ruby Sea in search of halibut. Here are a few pix of the high points of the trip.

The Ruby Sea headed out of Warrenton at 3:30AM and travelled mostly west to an undisclosed location. When dawn broke, the Mate, Tony Guijardo, started baiting up. Foot-long mackerel on a 3” razor-sharp hook and nylon rope for leader — the terminal tackle was awesome and purposefully sized to target large halibut.

Here I am winding in what I thought was a halibut, but what turned into a black cod on the way up. Note the conditions 15+ miles off the Columbia. Astonishingly calm day.



Here's my nephew, Don, getting belted by the Mate, Tony Guijardo. Tony was always ready to give the fishers a break. Notice that Tony’s right arm is approximately the size of a grizzly bear’s arm. Wonder why?



This is the 70# halibut that Paul Witschen brought to the side of the boat ...



... here it is in the boat, white-side up ...



... and here's Paul's UglyStik disintegrating as he brings the fish in. It held together barely.



The obligatory boat picture - 6 of the 9 fish caught. What a great day on the Ruby Sea.




PhoebusGroup

[ 05-30-2003, 09:39 AM: Message edited by: Jennie@ifish ]

[Sore Back]

What a day. Why isn't the ocean like that when I put to sea?

Thanks for the great pictures.

[Pilar]

Killer deal! I love the reports, keep them coming. Any chance you shot a GPS waypoint when you stopped to fish?

70 lbs is a big fish for Oregon. Ugly stik will replace that pole for free.

About 100 of your soon to be very best friends really, really want that Columbia river Halibut waypoint. It might even get you a ride on a private boat.

[PhoebusGroup]

Soreback - it was an astonishing day at sea. I am famous for turning my nephews green and emptying them when we fish the ocean, but this trip was one in 100.

Pilar - I don't have that way point, but ... ; ) ... I'll bet Mark Charlton would be delighted to take you to THE SPOT on the Ruby Sea. Some day, when I get a blue water boat, I'll file way points.

Kind regards,

PhoebusGroup

[Birdnest]

Thanks for the post/pic. Looks like a good time with much fish 'n chips.

Birdnest