This picture is from Saturday. Doug sent over this report: "Mark Rotondo Campbell California 22 pounder" I don't know his fishing location or methodology, but I would guess that he was within a mile of Hog Island and probably using a live jacksmelt. Just, statistically, that's the probable answer. But as he caught the only 20+ pounder in the last few days, he may have been almost anywhere. Saturday saw quite a few halibut caught but mostly near Hog after the tide had gone out a bit and brought the warm water forward. Mike Mack and Spinner had no halibut at 3:45 PM and three in the box at 4:30. No giants, but nice fish. They had to be back by 4:45 to pull out with the tractor, hence their missing the last fish. Other fishermen had similar days. Not Mr. Rotondo, apparently, as Doug sent me this picture at 2:40 PM. Yesterday, the wind blew, and it blew hard at peak. Our one launch caught a shorty before they finally gave up and came back. The guys that came out to kayak crab were coerced by Doug into at least buying life jackets and wearing them before going out. The one guy that went out decided that he loved his life jacket after getting blown off his kayak twice and having to swim the kayak back to the beach. He will tell you, the water is cold. Another couple of hundred yards from shore an he could have been a sad statistic. Now, he's educated, and would likely repeat the advice I read a while back about kayaking (although it really applies to all boating...) that one should plan for success (have the right gear for fishing, know where to go and what to do) but dress for failure (wetsuit, dry suit, lifejacket, whatever: you might be in it). Don't die. Please. It's a bummer. 

   Today the wind was spent. James Ludovina went out with a brother (not sure which brother) and the Ludovinas limited on halibut pretty quick near Hog (in James' spot) using live anchovies. They caught a thresher shark further back in the bay earlier. That took 45 minutes or better of fighting and chasing. I generally don't like sharks, but threshers are awesome. Jusr plain awesome. They. Have. Horsepower. And they taste good on the grill. Probably good for them that they have lots of horsepower. They're the poor man's marlin, except that they make marlin have to step it up. Good for them, and good for marlin, too! No slacking! Theshers are keeping the marlin honest.