North to Alaska

[Caveman Jim]

@Caveman Jim tell your son thank you from all of us. We respect him for his service and you for raising him to be the man that he is.

Hats off to both of you!

Thanks for that, I'll let him know.

 

[Caveman Jim]

Lol she has her Awards at my house because I think she don't want her husband to feel like a pu$$y lol

My son & I about spit out good damn whiskey on that one Bro!!!!! Lol

 

[Mikej]

@Caveman Jim ...so I'm guessing you're manly going for salmon? If the run is poor or not in yet don't you have rockfish, flounder, clams, mussels, octopus, oysters and many other wonderful fresh salt water tasties you can eat every meal while your there?

 

[Caveman Jim]

@Caveman Jim ...so I'm guessing you're manly going for salmon? If the run is poor or not in yet don't you have rockfish, flounder, clams, mussels, octopus, oysters and many other wonderful fresh salt water tasties you can eat every meal while your there?

We went out after salmon Monday, halibut Tuesday (was too rough but got some bottom fish) took Wednesday off to recuperate & heading out in an hour for deep water fishing.
Just a poor year & bad weather so far....

 

[DirectDrive]

We went out after salmon Monday, halibut Tuesday (was too rough but got some bottom fish) took Wednesday off to recuperate & heading out in an hour for deep water fishing.
Just a poor year & bad weather so far....

As you may know, the captains do not like to lose lead.
It takes up fishing time breaking off and re-tying.
Also it's costly to replace lead weights up in AK.

They will tell you to spool down, hit the bottom and then reel up a couple of cranks.
And hopefully your bait will swing down far enough for Mr. Hali to get ahold of it.

Captains will not like this if you start losing lead left and right....
If you have river-fished for salmon, you may know how to "back-bounce" ?
If you know how to back bounce, disregard the following....

If not, you find the bottom and lift slightly and back down....sometimes a controlled crank or spool down is necessary to follow a changing depth.
Don't lift way up, just lift and set back down.....don't "soak" it on the bottom or you will get hung up as the boat moves around.
You need to feel the lead strike the bottom with each gentle lift and drop (no wild lifting and dropping !) gentle and controlled only.

Very important....
If you "lose the bottom" then reel up several feet, spool down and start over.

It's like driving a car with a clutch, if you've never done back bouncing (holding your mouth a certain way while doing something else).
It's all about staying near the bottom without getting hung up.
Sometimes it's a gentle lift and back down, other times it requires line payout and other times it's a reel up.
The varying depth, if any, dictates what you have to do. And you do it quickly in a controlled manner.

On a steady bottom, it's like a steady tapping of a hammer as you lift and set back down.

It's hard to learn the back bounce technique in one trip, but if you are the only back bouncer on the boat, it will be your catch that gets divided up amongst the crew (dudes).


Good Luck


Edit:

Very important....
If you find your line running out at a 45° angle or more, you need a larger lead weight or you need to reel up and start over.
Keep your line angle relatively steep for more effective back bouncing.

 

[Mikej]

We went out after salmon Monday, halibut Tuesday (was too rough but got some bottom fish) took Wednesday off to recuperate & heading out in an hour for deep water fishing.
Just a poor year & bad weather so far....

I'm still envious Jim! I'm thinking it's still better than being down here though?

 

[Caveman Jim]

Had bites at every stop we made today & lost a big halibut after a 3 minute fight....

 

[Caveman Jim]

As you may know, the captains do not like to lose lead.
It takes up fishing time breaking off and re-tying.
Also it's costly to replace lead weights up in AK.

They will tell you to spool down, hit the bottom and then reel up a couple of cranks.
And hopefully your bait will swing down far enough for Mr. Hali to get ahold of it.

Captains will not like this if you start losing lead left and right....
If you have river-fished for salmon, you may know how to "back-bounce" ?
If you know how to back bounce, disregard the following....

If not, you find the bottom and lift slightly and back down....sometimes a controlled crank or spool down is necessary to follow a changing depth.
Don't lift way up, just lift and set back down.....don't "soak" it on the bottom or you will get hung up as the boat moves around.
You need to feel the lead strike the bottom with each gentle lift and drop (no wild lifting and dropping !) gentle and controlled only.

Very important....
If you "lose the bottom" then reel up several feet, spool down and start over.

It's like driving a car with a clutch, if you've never done back bouncing (holding your mouth a certain way while doing something else).
It's all about staying near the bottom without getting hung up.
Sometimes it's a gentle lift and back down, other times it requires line payout and other times it's a reel up.
The varying depth, if any, dictates what you have to do. And you do it quickly in a controlled manner.

On a steady bottom, it's like a steady tapping of a hammer as you lift and set back down.

It's hard to learn the back bounce technique in one trip, but if you are the only back bouncer on the boat, it will be your catch that gets divided up amongst the crew (dudes).


Good Luck


Edit:

Very important....
If you find your line running out at a 45° angle or more, you need a larger lead weight or you need to reel up and start over.
Keep your line angle relatively steep for more effective back bouncing.

Yep thanks, been there done that bought the tee shirt on backbouncing & bottom fish.

 

[Caveman Jim]

Despite the absence of abundant fish this week (we fished HARD) the last day on the water yielded 5 undersized kings but over 300 spotted prawns from 8 pots!!!
The Caveman crew

I loved spending time with family and new found friends on the island and plan to return very soon in the future.

 

[11Charlie]

Despite the absence of abundant fish this week (we fished HARD) the last day on the water yielded 5 undersized kings but over 300 spotted prawns from 8 pots!!!
The Caveman crew
View attachment 372635
I loved spending time with family and new found friends on the island and plan to return very soon in the future.

Great picture Jim.

 

[Caveman Jim]

Great picture Jim.

Thanks man.
This puts the size into perspective.

 

[bbbass]

God bless the U.S. Coast Guard and all who serve!!!!

Once when I was boring holes in the sky on SAR patrol, we received a radio call from base about a fishing vessel in distress. Guys had gone out to catch salmon but instead were only getting prawns. As we arrived onsite and established a hover, the boat reached us via Ch 16.... "Coasta Guard, Coasta Guard, please save a my boat". Replied as follows: "Repeat after me, Our Father, who art in heaven..."