5 minute read
Bobber “Anne”, Those Fascinating Fish of Alaska
THOSE FASCINATING FISH OF ALASKA
By ‘Bobber’ Anne
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Startled by the heavy ‘whooshing’ of water behind us, Dan Gapen, Sr. and I turned just in time to see a huge fish tail slip below the surface. It occurred a mere 30 feet away. The Humpback whale, one of several in a pod, had snuck up on us; now they surrounded our boat underwater as they passed by.
Moments after their passage Dan’s rod tip arched heavily toward water surface. Something big and heavy had taken his oneounce Ugly Bug Jig®.
“Dan, that’s no Rockfish,” commented Dan our guide from Pybus Point Lodge on Admiralty Island, Alaska.
“It’s probably a Halibut--they often take smaller jigs my guests use when fishing for Rockfish and Lingcod.”
The heavy pressure continued on my partner’s rod as line peeled off his reel. With reel drag set at 30 pounds with 40-pound Kevlar line, line still went out! Finally, it slowed to a stop. It must have reached bottom.
Our guide now moved the boat directly over the stubborn fish. Electronics showed a depth of 120 feet. Dan’s fish had been hooked on the edge of a hump that rested 50 feet below surface. The hump’s top was a flat plateau holding dozens of Rockfish and Lingcod. Dan’s presentation must have slipped off the flat and down the slope where it had come in contact with a big predator probably heading up to feed on the cod or Rockfish.
When directly over the heavy adversary, Dan employed an odd trick sometimes used to move a huge stubborn Lake Trout off bottom. He lifted the rod into a deep arch, the beat repeatedly on the rod’s butt. That did it! Below, the big fish sped off sideways, then upward.
After that it was just give, and take---the fish ran, he reeled in what he could. Again, he beat on the rod butt which made everything repeat itself. After a while
Pybus Point Resort and it’s beautiful surroundings
The 2 Dan’s, myself with a couple of little guys The Ol’ Man Dan with his 26-pound Yelloweye Rockfish
January 2018
the big ol’ fish had had enough. It slapped towards surface. Still a few feet down, the guide confirmed his suspicions. “Halibut--a good one!” He gaffed into a 57-pound flatfish and it was hauled aboard.
“Anne, the next one of these is yours, even if I hook it,” my partner announced.
“What?! You’re always saying that old men can catch big fish-- I’m pretty sure you can handle what presents itself on your line!” I told him as he settled slowly into a boat seat.
This was our first day of a seven-day trip. And yes, those huge halibut can wear you out, so maybe that’s what he was thinking about. Looking back, he did trick me into fighting a whole lot of them to boat! Fighting those over 100 lbs. has been likened to hauling up a tabletop or Volkswagen!
On day two I hooked into a 90-pounder. If you hold the rod butt into your stomach while reeling, after a few big fish you’ll have a really bruised stomach. So I found that if you just stick the rod butt into the rod holder and crank on it that way you won’t get as sore. Then it’s just your arms that will be sore. Because those big buggers fight on and on!
“Ok then, buddy---I’ll call your bluff if I can fight these barn doors in this way!” I told him after fighting one for 15 minutes this way. He agreed with a big grin on his face. He always appreciates innovative ways to handle fish situations. So that sealed it--during the last days of the trip I was picked to land in the monsters. But I did get the ‘top dog’ coming in at 178 pounds.
But talking about big flatfish isn’t the only reason for this article. The smaller varieties of reef fish available to the angler must also be mentioned. In our planet’s oceans there are about five dozen species of Rockfish, of these at least 36 varieties inhabit many of the reefs and humps surrounding Alaska and its islands. Of those we encountered, all would make excellent table fare, but we didn’t keep many. As far as the tackle required to fish them, your ordinary bass or walleye rod and reel combo will certainly be substantial.
Fishing these humps for the smaller species is entertaining to say the least! You can pull up spiny, polka dotted, striped, spooky, gross, or beautiful--weird things come from the depths. One of the most common characteristics of a Rockfish, though, is spines. There can be as many as 8 running along the head and back. Pictured are a couple types we caught.
When we were there a few years back, it was normal to keep most of the halibut guests caught. Our concern was eventually a depleted fishery. At this time, though, the fishery seems to be hanging in there just fine.
So if you’re headed there take along your medium tackle to pursue the fun odd fish. Jigs, medium for the smaller fish and HUGE for halibut will be your primary bait. The Gapen Ugly Bug® is perfect for this application.
To receive 5-star treatment at a beautiful lodge, Pybus Point Lodge is one such place. The food is remarkable, the fishing tremendous, great cabins. Toll free number is 800-947-9287 or check out their website.
See you on the water!
This Octopus was incredibly strong Humpback whale breaches next to our fishing boat
Author with a Yelloweye Rockfish and a China Rockfish Lingcod were also part of our catch Not the prettiest, the Quillback Rockfish is a fun and unique one to pursue
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