Dive Report on Hali's in Monterey

[Diablo Loco]

Went out diving with Bob & Robert on the boat to our favorite Halibut spot. Unfortunately, they are not in the shallows just yet. We did not see any, nor did we see any sign of resting hali's. There is a lot of squid and squid eggs though.

The vis was 15'-20' nad the water was pretty flat.....at least until the end of the second dive (yes, we were on scuba, diving 45' on first dive and 60' on second dive).

There was only one problem that we encountered while diving. We had a massive school of sea nettles. There were small ones and ones that were the size of a car tire at the dome and tentacles that were long, like 10' like with some. They were so thick that we spent a vast majority of our dives fending them off, while still hunting for fish.

We all ended up with 2 lings each, all about 24-25", except one that I got that was 29". I did not get a weight, but it was average.

Robert had his GoPro on and hopefully will add it to this thread. In it, you will see how thick the sea nettles were.

[U/C Spearo]

Phil, we hunt this pipe from early June through summer from shallow to deep . We took about 14 last year with a couple in the 30-38 LB range. For us, they were not in, for you with more experience there most likely in. Wish we could go with you, we'll keep trying !!!

[gnofauhsoj]

Originally Posted by phil herranen

not in yet , really? i will repeat myself "tank divers in monterey dive too deep for summer halis" . my biggest for the year is 25# and it was shot in 8' . they have been around for around 3 months
phil

That's good to hear, I'm going to try to get my first one tomorrow. I'm not leaving until I get one.

[SBH20Man]

Originally Posted by Diablo Loco

We all ended up with 2 lings each, all about 24-25", except one that I got that was 29". I did not get a weight, but it was average.

some good eats there! I just tried ling cod collars and cheeks for the first time and it was pretty good, though im still playing with recipes. I steamed the head with ginger, garlic, and soy then plucked the cheeks with chopsticks as an app- very good!

[phishphood]

Originally Posted by SBH20Man

some good eats there! I just tried ling cod collars and cheeks for the first time and it was pretty good, though im still playing with recipes. I steamed the head with ginger, garlic, and soy then plucked the cheeks with chopsticks as an app- very good!

Sounds freakin delicious. Especially since I skipped breakfast this morning.

Phil and/or Diablo- anyway you guys could point me in any general direction for a chance at a hali. I've only checked out stillwater and otter cove. Should I just cruise del monte?

[Scuba Fever]

Those Darn SCUBA guys and their Reports ruin it for the rest of us.

Oh wait, I like the SCUBA reports.

Hopefully this weekend we'll have decent conditions and can see i we can find some of those Flatties!

[cdog]

I have also noticed the declining number of posts especially regarding halibut this year. Wasn't sure if they weren't in or people just aren't in a sharing mood.

I haven't contributed very much to this board just because I don't feel that I have the dive experience to share tips. I know that I, and I suspect many others, appreciate people like Bryan and Phil sharing their years of experience. thanks

[cdog]

oops, almost forgot, nice fish! And it is a 'spearfishing' forum not a 'freediving' forum. If you're killing fish with a spear, let's hear about it.

[thereefgeek]

Originally Posted by Diablo Loco

Phil...

Whoah dude, nice lings.

(Don't expect a Nor Cal trip report from me tomorrow evening, just a change of my avatar to keep you all guessing )

[hardway]

Nice lings Brian, those blue ones are my favorite to eat!

[Lompoc Local]

Chill out bro, you look way too excited in those photos!

[phil herranen]

Originally Posted by phishphood

Sounds freakin delicious. Especially since I skipped breakfast this morning.

Phil and/or Diablo- anyway you guys could point me in any general direction for a chance at a hali. I've only checked out stillwater and otter cove. Should I just cruise del monte?

give me a call and i will point you in the right direction
phil

[norcal-noodler]

Originally Posted by Lompoc Local

Chill out bro, you look way too excited in those photos!

Dude that's the way Bryan rolls for reel'eo fool !!!!

You should see the picture of him with the Opaleye if you think that's excited

[North Star]

Nice fish, Bryan! Glad you had success in spite of the nettles! Way to nail 'em!

[thereefgeek]

Hey, there's some posts missing from Friday!
Good work guys. Now, can we all be friends again?
(don't forget what I said about my avatar... it was a good day up North Saturday )