Big Baits part 10

I was pulling as hard as the light line would allow, and slowly but surely the fish started coming up closer to the surface, one more feeble run and the fish gave up, now I was gaining line steadily. I looked into the depths as I wound the fish to the surface, now I could see it, WOW, it was a giant halibut! It was the largest halibut I had ever seen, outside of Alaska. One swing of the gaff and it was on the boat, her tail beating loudly on the deck, I could not believe what I was seeing, here was the biggest California halibut I had ever caught, or had been caught on my boat.

As she was flopping on the deck, she spit out 5 mackerel, up to 2 1/2 lbs. probably eight pounds worth. Later on the scales she hit 49 1/2 pounds, add the 8 pounds of macks she spit up, and she would have easily broke the California state record and the IGFA all tackle record for Calif. halibut.

But after I received my certificate for my 21st IGFA world record, I promised my self I would let all record fish go until I had helped others catch 21 World records. My clients are now at 20 world records, and I have only 1 more to go to fulfill my promise, in the meantime I have released over 70 record class fish that I have caught. I am a professional fisherman and I should be able to break records, but helping others catch a record fish is a very special feeling, 100

times more special than catching my own!!!!