My big fat mistake
 

Hey there,
Been lurking on this board for a while and had to join in today. I am pretty new to kayak fishing, although i used to take my skiff to the LJ kelp pretty regularly. So today I figured I would head out and try for some bass. i launch around 6:30 (pretty sure some of you were there in that fog) and am making my way out. I figured I would try trolling my old rapala cd 14. It used to work for me, although I didn't really think I would hook into anything since I wasn't too sure how the trolling would go on a kayak. Mistake.
About 20 minutes in I see boiling and zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz off it went. Dang if that wasn't panic time, although I got a hold of myself and started fighting. Wasn't sure what I had on but it was a hard puller. So I worked this guy for nearly half an hour, he took at least 4 hard runs down and it was so frickin awesome getting towed by a good fish. Finally, I get him to color and see it is a very nice yellow. At this point I realize I am completely unprepared...no gaff, no billy, no net, no nothing. So after another run I am thinking he's worn out. I get him alongside and was just stoked at how big he is. He is acting all lethargic and had stopped fighting. He is on his side right next to me so I figured I could kil him with the one tool I did bring; my fillet knife. So I punch it right through his gills. No reaction. Blood is pouring nicely out and still no reaction. I figure he's dead so I reach through his gill plate and holy smokes, he woke up! One big flail of tail in my face and snap went the line. Down he went trailing blood and my lure tucked into his jaw.
I just sat there quivering...
So I guess the lesson is, "Don't fish for em unless you ready to deal with them!"
So, after all of that, even after that heartbreak, kayak fishing is just freaking awesome. I will be back and ready next time.

enjoyed reading this report. really got excited about that yellow and the fight that you had.
bummer to hear that it got away but at least you got a nice ride out of it. :D

:doh:great effort though, shoulda woulda coulda, one more run..I know how you feel though, next time it will stick:reel:welcome to the addiction

The agony of defeat.


Next time just grab his gill plate and hold on tight.

Here's a tip: grab the tail

I had a similar experience a while back, was able to get one of my yellows the other came off boatside...... oh well at least you stretched your line :)

Congratulations on your kill and release.:rolleyes:

The knife was not needed. Leave the knife fighting to the Darkhorse's hook and hand videos.

You never bleed a fish that is not secured. No game clip, check. No gaff, got it. Get the damn thing in your hull and pop it's gills. Again, no knife needed. Bleach and a hose will fix your lack of preparedness, it always does.

Other than that.....welcome to the forum.

"no gaff, no billy,no net, no nothing" no brains
 

Why would you be trolling a rapalla, while targeting bass, with no means of securing a chance large fish? "Blood is pouring nicely out", "Down he went trailing blood and my lure tucked into his jaw" We have all done dumb things, better left unsaid, but you make this sound like you are writing a novel. Hope you have all your safety precautions in order. :doh:

Didn't like this at all :mad:

:doh:ahh thats a bummer!! better luck next time.

..correct me if i am wrong, but isnt it required by law to have a net on your yak if you are ocean fishing???

Great job though David. I had a similar experience going out for the unexpected. It was a first for me to catch Mr. T on my first hard shell kayak a first time out with Caden also. Man, you'll never forget the first heart pounding feeling to see a big fish take your line and after that long fight to have that fish near your kayak. I say, take it with a smile even though you didn't pull the fish up on your kayak. There's always a next time and a better chance to land a bigger fish, and you'll be more prepared. Make sure you strap down all your gears, I'm learning the hard way.

I believe its only required when you're targeting certain species. I know Halibut is one of them, not sure what the others are.

I think you are right Kendog, the regs say you need a net onboard. 28.65 (d)
I just looked it up.

Always loosen your drag!
 

Whenever you are about to try something like grabbing a fish barehanded, especially a pelagic species. Then after you realize your mistake of stabbing the fish first, you would of had a chance. Tailing a fish is easy once you paddle about 1000 miles. My grip strength is enough to crush a windpipe. ;O

Ask questions, be prepared, don't post ignorance here (unless you are the one hurt or it turned out with the prize fish)(my opinion). This is public and it makes all of us look bad.

Oh rad you bled a fish and then let it swim away.......

Next time just grab his gill plate and hold on tight.[/QUOTE]


x2

A blessing it wasn't a WSB.... our friends over at Hubbs work to hard to
to keep the local species flourishing....(WSB, YT, HAli)

But a life is a life...

Respect the Ocean and our kids and kids kids will be able to enjoy it as well.
:leaving:

x2+ release the drag so if it does run after you gently grab him from the gill plate he doesn't snap the line.....even after bled they will flop an hour later....they don't need that much o2.....better luck next time glad you got excited but dont be proud. welcome aboard:farmer: :farmer: :farmer:

grab em by the motor next time. scallywag style.

I hope that fish was eating by a bigger prey and not wasted.


But the biggest lesson is to learn from your errors.

Exciting but sucks... missed the fish. :confused:

Definately a lesson. Something will eat it though; don't let these guys get you too down...

But definately don't make that mistake twice. bring hook and a stick...:viking:

Your post kinda chapps me I have to say. That is no way to handle a prized fish. Mistakes get made and thats how we learn though. Try this; land, secure, then bleed your catch. YT are easy to handle bare handed. They have a tail that is easy to grip, no teeth so the face grab works, and gills you can shove your hand in to. It can get messy but pull the fish in to the yak and pin it down under your thighs as you secure it with a rope or clip. Loosen your drag a bit when you grab, gaff, or net your fish so if you miss the sudden run will not break your line. I don't consider a fish "landed" untill it is in the hatch. And just relax at the end game, be deliberate and steady. You'll get it. Mike

Thanks
 

I won't make the same mistake twice. Thanks to those giving productive critiques. I was just sharing a story though, and how I messed up. I had no intention of randomly killing a nice fish then losing it. I am still stoked to have had the chance. Someone else can learn from it. I did.

Posting a mistake is not a bad thing ....other people can learn from it.Sometimes this sight can be cutthroat ,because other people think they are better .

Good job learning from the experience.
 

Nice way to address the learning experience. Good job David. Now make sure you bring a game clip and a gaff next time so you are ready. Odds are on that you will get your next shot sooner than later,

See you on the water.
Chris

Although I have only been asked once for it by the DFG, you are required to have a net with an opening of at least 18 inches. Bummer on the loss. I agree with the "secure first, then kill" advice. I also know that, in the heat of the moment, lots of gaff attempts do the same thing to fish. Loosening the drag is very important. Another thing I was taught was to use your dominant hand for grabbing, netting or gaffing and to get the fish to that side of your yak so you don't need to reach across yourself. Same holds true even if you are trying to go straight to game clip or stringer.

[QUOTE=taggermike;92475] land, secure, then bleed your catch.[QUOTE]

Well said.

Bummer about the fish. That is a very tough lesson to learn.

Yellows can be landed by hand quite easily, especially from a kayak.

That being said, I think the most important lesson you can learn from your experience is to always be prepared.

The ocean is an amazing place and can bring unpredictably good or bad luck your way at anytime, be prepared for both.

I'm sure the lobster are happy!

I knew a David Skinner, you didn't happen to work at El Rancho Market?
Anyhow, that was ridiculous to just stab it, thinking it would do the trick. Ever caught a yellow, bonito or tuna before? You grab their tail and grip like he's your prize winning lotto, and he ain't going nowhere.
If your story is legit, then all you did was kill something we all prize with a passion, left for the sea lampreys at the bottom of the ocean. We don't need to feed them, let 'em get their own damn dead fish.
Aaron

:cool:Dude!!!!! :linesnap:I Hate when that happens!!!!!!!!:arne1: But still, at least you had something tugging on your rod! :the_finger:

good post bro shit happen just keep fishing:yt:

Good lesson to learn, not to post my error/mistake on here.....lol

Fear no Fish..........

It's actually beneficial to people who wouldn't have known better.

Disregard the insults, they come from folks who have learned everything there is to know about fishing so long ago they have forgotten how they learned it... If you think you're post could be of use to a beginner it'd be gracious of you to post it.


Thanks OP for sharing, I'm sure somebody out there(besides yourself) has learned from your mistake.
:)

Live and learn. Next time be more prepared !!!

amen

amen :reel: