Went to 15 St dock trying to make bait (unsuccessful). Then went to Newport Pier. Was able to make about 15 pieces of smelt (on the small side 3"). Got to the jetty around 7:30. Cross the channel to the north jetty. This morning was low tide, that how I like to fish this area. I brought my light outfit (9'6" rod, spooled with 4 lb test), figure I'll have some fun with the fish. But found out that was a bad idea knowing there were some hugh fish there. Got the biggest smelt in the bucket. After the third cast got a small hit. Set the hook and it was fish-on. The first couple of crank the fish came in easily, thought it was a small one. That was until it turn and headed towards Catalina. I've caught legal hali on this outfit before and they weren't this tough. The fish kept on going and going and going with no end it sight. After a 20 second of consistent hard head shakes and run I was getting spooled. I tighten my drag hoping to slow it down so I could at least have a chance. As soon as I did that the rest was history. Did catch a small hali about 12", 30 minutes later. Left around 9:30, the sun was burning.

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