Bonito Hunt (12/26)

[Latimeria]

I heard the bonito were biting and packed up the boat.  I would love to catch some big winter bonito, but always make an appearance when I can't get out.  There doesn't look to be too many easy boat days this week as the swell is set to be huge, so I packed accordingly.  I almost brought the electric gear to hunt for swords, but decided to just old school it instead.



No signs of birds or bait, but the sonar showed a lot of it.  Water was dirty from the big King Tides and I went looking for gamefish.  As usual, I didn't hook any nor could find the bastards.

I had to resort to plan B if I was going to do any catching, and my numbers on this 360' spot just keep producing! 

I have no room in the freezer after this trip...



Assorted cod on every drop...



The reds were all quality and I only got two nicer ones.



I caught what i thought was a Boccaccio at first, but not sure.  Body seemed wrong and it had colors of a Mexican Rockfish.





I haven't seen one of these in a while.



The entire time I'm using the 300 gram bucktail with a 7" strip of tune belly.  I get slammed a few times, but never got it to stay on for long, then I hooked it..  WTF!?!?!

The way it was fighting my mind went from a Broomtail Grouper to a shark, then settled with a yellowtail.  I was pretty certain at this point since it kept stripping drag the entire time from 360'... 
When I saw it, I still didn't register since I was expecting to see a yellowtail and this thing was BIG, FAT, and PINK!  Holy sh!t!

A new PB for me!



With quick limits, I decided to continue looking for bonito, but the NW wind kicked up making it pretty wet out there, so I headed back to the barn early.



I get back to the ramp and think I see Kogahead's calling card.  I'm really not sure what it was, but I left it alone.  I really didn't want to know.





Anyway, It was a great last harvest trip of 2023 and I'm good with Rock Cod meat for a while.  lol

[sasquatch]

Good thing I couldn't make it. There wouldn't have been room in your freezer.

[jrodda]

Another great bottomfish trip!

I would be willing to agree with you about that being a Mexican.

Really nice sheephead, congrats on the PB. I'd love to see more big goats.

That toy is NASTY jesus hahahahahahahahahahaha

[vdisney]

Dang, that goat is a toad.  Congrats on your PB, Happy New Year

[Latimeria]

Yep, happy new year Verne!

[Tim524]

 Nice 2023 cleanup, that is an awesome Goat for sure. I hope the Fish Gods are good to you in 2024

[KogaHead]

Surprised you do not recognize your own anal plug