Fishing Was Good! Something Special!!!

[pv apollo]

Left Oceanside and headed to the 209/181 area...saw boats from 209 heading SW so I went straight to the 181. Found the mammals and got first one on the megabait 6 oz. sardine on the deep drop then quick retrieve...25lber Yellow Fin Tuna...my son Mark's rod goes off in clicker mode at the same time he gets bit on the sardine fly lined...I got mine in and then the extra one...30 lber Yellow Fin Tuna. His went 35 and was a brute. Went fuurther SW and the mammels were there with some tuna but not a lot. We headed for a paddy search at 1:30 and ten minutes later we found a Surburban sized paddy. Mega bait worked earlier so I did a deep drop for nothing. Son had a dine on the surface,nothing. I told him one more drop deep and we would bail...the megabait worked again and it was big. I thought 50 lb Yellow Fin Tuna...but it was't meant to be...it was an OPAH!!! See the pics below. I was so happy I called in other boaters as my son had a 15 lb hen dorado with multiple free swimmers that remained in the water. Sorry to say the other boats didn't get any fish but I tried. We headed in to the nside mammals and they were at 15 miles off power plant but I wasn't about to run and gun until dark so we gave it one shot and headed in...anyone know if those OPAH's are any good to eat...just in case we filleted him. Grat day on the water and nice to meet Boobyhatch 24 skipjack and tuna kahuna Kencraft...Cajun was in touch also along with Freespool at the bait dock... take care, Apollo out

[Az.monkey]

Don't see any pics, but as far as eats....HELLZ YES ! nice job !


Ooops, they they are. very nice job. check the food & beverage forum for some great ideas

[el capo]

Great eating.How did you like cutting around that rib cage?

[stripedbizzle]

opah= delicious

[pv apollo]

OK then we'll eat it!!! Those things are built like tanks with bulletproof rib cage...I let my son cut him up...it looks small in the pic but I had to pick him up with two hands and not for very long...I'd guess 50 or so...thanks to everyone that congratulated me...I think I'll go for swordfish tomorrow and get one of them (haha)!!! Heard of someone hooking one but lost him today but not sure where at. Apollo out

[MATTANZA]

awesome catch. very cool you did it with your son on a school day! what a cool father you are. congrats again! i want an opah before i die.

[pv apollo]

Mattanza...sorry to hear about the lower unit...we use your catch reports as to whether or not we will go and your last trip was not good but we went anyways...and glad we did. Did the ride along have to pay their share of the lower unit? Oh the joy and despair of being a boat owner or in your case, a dual boat owner. I really do appreciate your posts and even though I am a little tired I just had to get this one on the same day...Good luck to all and one tip is for the 209/181 leave the trolling rods at home and you'll have more room for bait sticks!!

[salty dong]

nice feesh!bitch to cut but very tasty!
nice one.

[blacktooth]

wow u lucky dog..nice going .

[fishfinder98]

Nicely done!

[pv apollo]

Thanks...I feel like I won the lotto or something. It is such a fluke and we weren't even talking about it like the other lucky guy a week or two ago as he dropped down saying "I am gonna try for an opah". Weird looking fish and the meat is pumpkin orange...and the thing felt like it was filled with lead...3 Yellow Fin Tuna, 1 dodo and the opah...it was a good day...Apollo out

[Blackfish]

congrtats to you and your son.