You just never know what's DOWN THERE. But Louis Landers, of Elmendorf, and his family soon found out as they were about to close out their leisurely Father's Day outing while fishing from their boat out of Seward. The whole "crew" was on board - wife, step-son, two daughters - just enjoying the day and hoping to top off the fish box with a limit of chickens for everyone before heading back to port. And the first nine fit that bill, just some small good eating fish.
Louis was the last to get his second fish and at the first bite it seemed like just another small fish....until he set the hook in 290 feet of water. The first run stripped another 200 feet of line before turning the fish. And then the battle was on. Twice to the surface and twice a power run straight back to the bottom. But the third time was the charm and after a 30 minute tug-o-war the spoils went to the victor with a death blow of the .410 snake charmer. It took the entire family to get the fish up to the scales and cleaning table. And after the drum roll the scales lined out at 222 pounds. One of the biggest fish for Seward this season.
Lingcod season opens on Wednesday July 1st and many charters will be picking up some nice lings on their halibut trips out into Prince William Sound and the Gulf. They make some excellent Fish n Chips.
Charters and private boats are now hitting good numbers of SILVERS out at Pony Cove where migrating coho stage and fatten up on the tons of baitfish available. Combo salmon/halibut charters are offered by a number of operators, including AOJ's latest sponsor, The Fish House, in Seward. Photo courtesy of Louis Landers.
