Took The Biggest Halibut
- First I thought I had a bus on the hook , "said Johnny Braaten. He has taken the biggest halibut few Norwegians have ever taken on a fishing rod.
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- The fish of my life, "says sports enthusiast from Ringerike, as Monday 23 August 2010 was a halibut of 200 kg on the hook outside the island Flakstadvåg.
There is no Norwegian who can point to something bigger, but the official Norway record for halibut taken on rod sounds of 202 kg and is taken up by the sea of Danish Sören Beck outside Værøy in May 2008.
Hooked on the first day
- Beginner's Luck , "says halibut fishing Braaten , who along with family friend Jon Kjelland has fished for sea delicacies in many waters.
- Beginner's Luck , "says halibut fishing Braaten , who along with family friend Jon Kjelland has fished for sea delicacies in many waters.
But it was the first time the two set out to the fishing banks off the island. And the very first day to beat the big fish .
- It was a bit of a drama, "says Braaten.
- There is actually no easy matter to bring up a monster fish of this size. At first I thought that I had got a bus on the bait. But I realized quickly that it was a halibut. It behaves in a certain manner. Especially when you are talking about a fish of this size .
- A real hassle
- It took my bait - I had the bait attached to fishing rod right on 120 meters , and so began the fight. Halibuts are such beast to rush out . They let him go up a few meters.,then they rush down down to the bottom again. It was a real hassle to keep the rod , and a force trying to get the fish up. A fish fight like this is definitely not taken on lightly , "says Braaten.
- It took my bait - I had the bait attached to fishing rod right on 120 meters , and so began the fight. Halibuts are such beast to rush out . They let him go up a few meters.,then they rush down down to the bottom again. It was a real hassle to keep the rod , and a force trying to get the fish up. A fish fight like this is definitely not taken on lightly , "says Braaten.
- I fell on my back in the boat , but managed to get up again, while the adrenaline pump in the body and the arm was starting to fade . Did not Jon Kjelland been with me, I do not know how it would go . After an hour and 20 minutes we managed to towing the big halibut to the side of the boat , had secured two large hooks in it and made us ready to tow along the boat's side back to land.
In an open boat
The two fishing companions were outside Halvard Island , a half hour's boat ride from shore, in an open 17 foot boat. They dared not attempt to take fish in the boat.
The two fishing companions were outside Halvard Island , a half hour's boat ride from shore, in an open 17 foot boat. They dared not attempt to take fish in the boat.
- It had capsized , "said Braaten.
Had to keep the halibut
In general they practice the " catch and release " on their fishing trips. They take the fish , measure it and weigh it and photograph it and release it back .
In general they practice the " catch and release " on their fishing trips. They take the fish , measure it and weigh it and photograph it and release it back .
- But this fish we just had to bring to land, "says Braaten.
Difficulty measuring job
- It's the biggest fish I've ever taken, the fish of my life .
- It's the biggest fish I've ever taken, the fish of my life .
People on the peer made big eyes when we entered . It was no easy job to get the fish up and weighed and measured. It was 2 meters and 38 centimeters long and 1 meter and 20 centimeters wide and weighed 200 kg and is probably between 60 and 80 years old.
Sold on Senja
Braaten did not bring his halibut home.
Braaten did not bring his halibut home.
- It would be an expensive flight. Atlantic halibut is sold on the island. But the catch is duly certified as the largest halibut few Norwegians have ever taken on rod.