The cons of fishing solo

[Gronk]

It was a spur of the moment decision to head out Tuesday night to Seabeam for quick trip. I often head out on my own and have had my fair share of gong shows trying to land big fish or double headers on my own. Wednesday morning found me at 7 mile. two rods down one shallow and one deep. 10 minutes into the day the deep line popped and slowly started giving up line. I took the boat out of gear and grabbed the rod, nothing just a big dead weight. Crap, must be a snag or something I thought as I tried to haul the line free then I was rewarded with a couple good pulls ahhh Halibut I thought. 45 minutes later I finally cranked the biggest halibut to the surface I have ever seen, how big I'm not sure, over a hundred lbs. Looked to be at least six feet long and the mouth was bigger than my water bucket. My little gaff was no match for that fish especially when it took all my strength with both hands just to keep the fish on the surface. So after a couple of minutes weighing my options I grabbed the gaff and loosened the hook and let her go.
Thinking about it during the day it was probably best to let the big momma go and lay more eggs.

Anyone else have any solo fishing tails?

 

[TheBigGuy]

Hi, Gronk.

Good on you for letting the big momma go. They may look impressive in pictures, but much better to release them to spawn. Congtats on the great catch.

I've got a story or two about fishing solo, maybe I'll type one uup a little later. Gotta go work on the trailer before it's dark out.

 

[Hoochiebob]

Good on ya Gronk! I dont like the idea of keeping the females either.It pains me every time I see eggs in the salmon I catch.
I'd like to share some solo stories,but I need at least one other in the boat to keep the fuel costs down

Hooch

 

[Mrtrailer]

Very honourable choice!! Some would have beat the you-know-what out of her to win the "battle". Don't know you, but proud of you.

 

[Brisco]

Once I was fishing sockeye in Albernie Inlet by myself. I was reaching to net a fish and almost fell out of the boat. Wear a lifejacket or better yet have a harness on as well.

 

[Spring Drifter]

Fishing that far offshore solo is very dangerous -- especially off the West Coast. Getting into trouble is not an option.
Having said that, some of the best times I've had fishing has been on my own. There's little stress and you get time do your own thing.
Spring Drifter.

 

[Barbender]

Classy move releasing the big one. As for fishing alone the only story that sticks out was one time I caught a 20+ spring only to catch the hook in the net while trying to land it and watch it swim away. 1 hour later another hook another nice fish. Fight it to the boat only to do the same thing again. Pull the net out of the water with a teaser head and a hook hanging on the outside of the net while the slab lounges on the surface and then swims out of sight. Those of you who were out there that day with kids I apologize for the curses coming from my boat....

 

[Rayvon]

A couple of years ago I was running my boat back to Victoria from Sooke harbour the day after the J.D.F. derby midday and I thought I might as well fish the"Head" on the way back.Ten minutes in I spotted a guide boat hit a nice fish in tight so I followed in behind him,it was 37 lbs.About 50 ft. off the "Head" both rods pounded off,after accessing which one felt biggest I put the other in the rod holder and played what turned out to be a 46 lb.er.With the big one in the net I pulled in the other line to see an 18-20 lb.er.I was so happy with the first fish ,I quickly released the 20.I don't know how it stayed hooked,and clear of the big one for so long.It was a perfect sunny day with one other boat in sight that had his gear up and watched the show,I won't forget it,great day!

 

[TheBigGuy]

One of my fondest fishing memories was the first tyee I ever caught. It was a long time ago in Port Alberni, and I was fishing alone. Riggers weren't that common back then, and I was trolling two lines with Anchovies, flashers and 12 0z weights. Well as luck would have it I hit a real screemer, and as I was by myself I was a little unsure what to do. I was in the middle of the usual Alberni flotilla of boats. I figured putting it in neutral was my best move, as chasing and playing the fish by myself seemed out of the question. Well, pretty quickly I realized pulling neutral wasn't a good move, this fish wasn't stopping. I was ready to put it back in gear and try and chase the fish, but now my other line was dangling right by the prop. I was sure the line wold get wrapped in the prop if
I put the motor in gear. Should I, shouldn't I, what to do? While trying to make up my mind the line kept peeling off. I looked down and the line was getting scarce, now I could see the bottom of the reel drum. Time to pray, and just as there were only a few turns on the reel left, he stopped. How I managed to get all the line back without someone cutting the fish off is all a blur, but I'll never forget netting my first Tyee all by myself. Being alone just made it all the more sweet.

 

[tortuga]

Hi Gronk,

I was the guy who asked you where you picked up your spring on the dock and you told me about the halibut being too big. Didn't realize it was over 100![:0]
If you had any regrets, a couple years back in the charlottes a boat was found floating about with a guy who had bled to death from a compound fracture and beside him was a dead hog halibut.
Having said that, if one could lassoo the tail you could tow it and drown it.
Anyone done this? I've been wondering how you would succesfully do this.

 

[Mendingline]

G'Day Tortuga. In 1983, I was fishing in a remote area in Alaska (Paulson Bay off Prince William Sound) from my 14' Avon inflatable sportboat and hooked a halibut. After a remarkable battle, we got it next to the boat. After a couple of attempts, my Dad was able to get a loop around the tail. We drug the halibut for three miles back to the Forest Service cabin. We thought we could drown it. Right! The beast was thrashing about. My Dad and I lifted it by the loop and threw the rope over a branch of a tree and hoisted it up. We beat the living stuffing out of the brain area and it keep thrashing. Finally, I took a knive out and was able to stick its brain and it died. The fish weighed about 70#. From my only experience, I would say that it is not likely that you can drown one by pulling it backwards. Cheers, Gary