I can't catch a break...
 

http://www.bigwatersedge.com/images/...k_DSC02557.jpg

Well, I woke up today and nothing, and I do mean Nothing, would go right. I broke my shower head, spilled my coffee in my lap... OUCH, and then fell off of my tailgate while unloading tools! All within the first hour of my day!
I can't catch a break!!!!

Well, I might as well brace myself cause it's going to be a long day, right?

So I sat down at my desk, and proceeded to try, unsuccessfully, to E-mail pictures to someone (3 times), lost a good sized bid, and spilled my second cup of coffee all over my desk! Arrrrrgh!:banghead:
I can't catch a break!!!!

So I decided that I needed to take a break and release some of my frustrations. Time to go fishing!:shot: BRILLIANT!

I am a glutton for punishment.

So I loaded up the Yak without incident, and got to the launch around 12:30. I asked the lifeguard to watch my stuff for me and ran to park the truck. No Parking! Anywhere! I ended up parking on the other side of La Jolla Shores Dr.!:eek: What a mess, and on a Tues! Oh, and I spilled my coke in my lap... again!:banghead: It's cool though because it will just wash off in the water right? Well needless to say I actually pulled my personal best and most embarrasing launch in the history of kayak fishing:o! In front of 10,000 tourists I start my leisurly paddle through the 12 inch surf. Finally, I am actually on the Water! As I start to paddle, I get tangled with my gaff leash, damn. and as I struggle mightily to get it undone I flip the fully loaded yak in 18" of water!:doh:! *^&&$&*( and then < )*&^@%&^**((%*$#@!*&^*%&^)()*&^
I can't catch a break!!!!

I sheepishly head towards the Pier to hopefully grab a couple of greenies as all of the recent yellows I have seen have all been caught on them. As I get to the pier I find many swimmers around the pier and someone on the pier with some kind of radio controlled submarine thingie. Well maybe he hasn't scarred ALL the fish away with that thing. So I start to look for the inky indications of bait balls in the clear green waters. There... I see some bait... as I get close...BrrrrrOOOOOOOMMMM....there goes the submarine thingie chasing it all away.:(

O.K. so I go out far enough away that the submarine thingie can't reach me and nothing... no bait to be found. I troll a sabiki for two hours searching for bait north of the preserve. I decide enough is enough, I will go get some spanish and call it good with those. As I troll my sabiki over the canyon I pick up two greenies! Yeah!! I put on one average sized greenie on the flyline and a monster 14" porno on the weighted line. I decide to try Josh's spot from yesterday, por nada. I continue to work from 90 - 160 ft as that is where the birds seem to be hitting. Around 6 or so I start heading for the kelp line to switch tactics to the WSB. as I pass 143' first one reel the the other start to scream... ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ... A double hook up?!?... No, a really nice birds nest style tangle!!! NOOOOOOOO! I should have known, right?
I can't catch a break!!!!

Well It's obviously a YT, but it was pulling too hard for a summer YT. Hmmm... well it must be a damn T that is staying down. I start working this fish in to see if I can get around this tangle and it is all I can do to keep the yak from rolling as this thing is fighting like a banshee!! He pulls me well into the kelp but I managed to free him again and again. (I love spectra!) As I get the knot to the tip of the rod I am dismayed as there is no sign of my leader. Crap!
I can't catch a break!!!!

I continue to work the fish which is finally taking shorter and shorter runs. I figure I could try to pull it in by hand to get around the tangle... It's been done, right? So I start to slowly pull by hand... Color!!! A nice sized YT! I get excited, but then it takes off again, and again, and I continue let go as I do not want to lose a finger to the spectra. I continue this until Bam!!!!...got the gaff shot! Happy paddle / peddle to the beach with a perfect landing! HAMACHI FOR DINNER!
I can catch a fish!!!

Tail of the tape.... 46" 38.8# bled weight.

A very stoked and happy end to a long day! So... moral of the story... When you can't catch a break... you might just catch a fish!

Cheers!

Tourist shot...
http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwegall...0/DSC02557.JPG
The "cheesy driveway" shot...
http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwegall...0/DSC02558.JPG

Nice feesh, and comical report, thanks.:D

Congrats Chuck. Way to earn that fish.

Good one Chuck.

Persistence pays off - nice one Chuck!

TOAD!!!! :luxhello:

:luxhello:lolNice one Chuck!

Beautiful fish, congrats!

Great story and nice feeeesh!!!! :luxhello::you_rock::you_rock:

James

Love the story! Way to persevere & end with a great fish.:cheers1:

Can't catch a break!
 

Sounds like it all worked out! Great YT!:luxhello:

What a toad :luxhello: Great storylol
Proof worst day fishing still beats best day working!

Nice fish hmsd!

:luxhello: congrats! TOAD!

Beautiful big ass tail!!! :cheers1:

Congrats Chuck!

Damn, that's a nice looking kayak!
 

The new ride seems to have some pretty good mojo. All kidding aside, you earned that fish. Thirty eight pound Yellowtail don't give up, they make you earn their spot in the trophy case. I'm sure your heart rate went up, :eek: as that big girl pulled you from deep water to the kelp :doh:. Between the swimming practice with $1,500 of rods and reels and your persistence, good things were bound to happen. Too bad no one was around to take a quality OTW photo, that's a TOAD!

damn......you definitely deserved that fish, way to keep a positive attitude.

Very cool Chuck. Congrats on a toad yt :cheers1:

Congrats Chuck. That's a great fish. I'm happy for you.:you_rock:

Awesome job. Looks like definitely an afternoon bite.

Hell Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Way to go!!

GBF

Holy toad. Nice fish, especially for July.

Fat fork tail :cool: Nicely done :luxhello:

congrats
 

No one and I mean absolutely no one was as due as you were!!!! Congratulations Chuck, I'm totally stoked for you my man!!!!

Cheers,

Matt F

Might fine fish, Chuck!

That :yt: is the bomb!! Way to sort things out before he hit the deck!! Tell me about your new ride. A kayak is like a boat; in that some get bit better than others,imo.........again,nice one......

SWEEET!

WINNER!!!

Ken

Bravo!

Dude Chuck! Thats freakin sick man. What happened to the FnD? Nice way to break in the Hobie! :luxhello:

Evan

Thanks for all the great comments guys, all I needed was a bigger head!:rolleyes:

Now for that WSB...

I am on a new ride... the FND is still in the garage awaiting the final tweaks before selling. The new sleigh is definitely different, It will take some getting used to, but any yak with fishing karma :yt: like this is one, I would use upside down if I had to!

Way to stick with it.

Great fish and funnier story.lol

Sweet yellow. Congratulations. How do you like the new Hobie............

A final opinion will be forthcoming over time I guess, but so far it is more good than bad.
I know others will disagree but my .02:

Bad:
- surfs like a brick or maybe a chunk of iron. (it could be user error, too)
- does not handle or paddle very efficiently, too wide to paddle comfortably
- The bait tank looks cool, but quite frankly it is very loud, cannot be connected to kayak with the wheels in it, and uses a separate 6V battery with no timer ability; and at $249... well, I feel it is a rip off.
- I do not like the built in rod holder angles or depth.
- the pedals hit the kayak in the "7" position. I am 6'4" and I have long legs so this is a little annoying. But I can still peddle all day long in the next position back.

Good:
- 2-3 times faster than my FND. I can launch, go to the pier, and still be at the kelp line at the same time most paddlers can get out of the reserve
- less effort and more miles = more fishing grounds
- very quiet as the thrust comes from under the water so there is no disturbance at the surface.
- Very dry seating area.
- Very comfortable ride.
- Fishing friendly cockpit. Lots of places to put things without fear of losing them, tackle. drinks, etc.
- The rudder is pretty handy in numerous circumstances.
- The best, numero uno, thing, is the hands free ability to do other things while underway, like alphabetizing my tackle bag, combing my hair, checking my e-mail, talking on the phone, eating, drinking, etc. You can throw an Iron or swimbait while moving.
- And of course this particular boat is a fish magnet!:D

All in all I have to say the deck is stacked to give this boat a thumbs up.

Awesome fish! Glad to see the yaks workin for you! :cheers1:

great report:you_rock:

Chuck! Congrats!

Dang, does this mean I won't catch a fish everytime I see you on the water now? My good luck charm is keeping the luck to himself now. Well deserved!

Awesome fish!! Thanks for the story.:you_rock:

wtg on the toad yt:yt:yet 2 catch mine for the year