Outdoor Line Halibut Quest, “Victory at Sea!” Leave a reply
A big thanks to the Outdoor Line listeners that joined us in Westport on May 12th for the 2009 Halibut Quest aboard the "Rampage". The day started with 25 to 30 knot winds, a max ebb bar crossing with the Rampage taking greeners, and a 3 hour run to the grounds in a serious ocean lump. The men and women that joined us yesterday gutted it out (literally), fishing in 700 to 800 feet of water to limit out the boat on halibut from 15 to 65 pounds.
A bunch of the Piscatorial Pursuits salty dawgs were on the Hula Girl and can attest to the morning bar crossing. All I can say was that it was "interesting"! The ocean was also lumped up good and it took us 3 plus hours to beat our way to the grounds. While we did have some folks get sick on our boat everyone, and I mean everyone, worked their butt's off to limit out the boat.
Canyon Man battled thru a morning blow out session to bag this 40 plus pound halibut, taking home a new Lamiglas halibut rod, a Daiwa Sealine halibut reel donated by Outdoor Emporium, a $100 4 Wheel Parts gift card, and a Grunden's Windjammer jacket.
Our own Nelly bagged the biggest butt with this 62 pounder, but since we were sponsoring the derby he didn't get jack and we're going to feed him a bunch of crap on the radio Saturday for not buying his derby ticket!
If you hold it waaaaaaaay out in front of you it makes it look bigger! Robbie Tobeck with a 100 pound halibut
This is one tough hombre! Gabe from Outdoor Emporium battled sea sickness all morning but never left the rail.
Dropping to 800 feet can make for some interesting tangles. Steve and Lance, the deck hands aboard the Rampage, never stopped baiting hooks or helping our listeners keep their gear in the water.
Steve loads the box after sorting all the halibut on deck.
In addition to our listeners we also have to thank the Islander Resort, Outdoor Emporium, 4 Wheel Parts, Grundens, Mustad Hooks, and Berkley Fishing for helping make this trip extra special. Everyone on the trip walked away with schwag from these fine companies and we look forward to seeing you all on future Outdoor Line adventures! Thank you!