LJ 08/26 First Yellowtail off kayak
 

Hit the water around 6:00AM to an easy launch. Peddled out past the reserve for bait, which was pretty much dead. Most people I talked too had a tough time finding and catching bait. I managed to catch one spanish mac at around 8:00 and at around 9:00 I stopped trying. I decided that I could either fish for bait the rest of the day or troll with the one I had and actually start fishing, I obviously chose the later.

I saved the bait in the bait tank till I hit 125 feet of water and then I let her rip. Made my way to 170 feet for nothing and then decided to head back to shallower water. At around 100 feet the reel started screaming and I was hooked on my first yellowtail on my kayak. Got it up to the kayak gaffed it, took some pictures (thank you Mitch for the pictures and advice) and headed back in with a wide smile. The fish measured 35 inches, I didn't have a scale on me so I'm not sure of the weight.

http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/...pszm5ueh9f.jpg
http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/...sxt46aha5.jpeg

Got home, cleaned it, filleted it, and put in the fridge/freezer for some sashimi/sushi. Just got done eating some of it and it tasted great (hopefully there where no worms). I used the recipe off fishermansbelly.com for the sushi rice and I plan on using the ceviche recipe to make some ceviche tomorrow for lunch (thank you Yanni).

http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7arqlyjc.jpg

Thanks for everyone who has helped me out and offered their advice along the way! It took a lot of trial and error and a lot of time on the water (6-7 trips) but I finally killed the skunk. I'm definitely hooked and itching till I can get out their again :reel:

Stoked! Nice cherry popper! :luxhello:

you always remember your first. Good job. Nice fish!

Nice Fish!
 

I gave it a shot at La Jolla today also. And like you I found bait hard to find. Managed one BIG spanish mac, that I finally put out at 0830. I covered some ground trailing that beast behind me, thinking nothing could be interested in that monstrosity.
At 110O that Spanish Mac got hit by a freight train! Whatever I had on the line was not stopping. Finally, ended when my 50 lb braided line broke.
An exciting two minutes, for sure.
I initially thought it was a seal, but the furbags were nowhere to be seen all day.
Who knows.
Gonna hit it again tomorrow.
Maybe I'll come back with a success story like yours!

Awesome, feels great right? Four years fishing Dana Point and no kayak Yellowtail yet, not that I target them that much, but one day... Enjoy!

Congrats on a nice fish. That first one always taste the best and be remembered the fondest. Yellowtail from a kayak is awesome and why I go out every time with that in mind. I love to eat them and love even more the sleigh rides. The colors are amazing and I think there isn't a more beautiful fish.

Great Work!

And persistence!!

Enjoy!!!

:yt:

Geno

Congratulations on your first Yt
 

Only thing I got today was a full ganyon of little Bonito released and a 300 pound sealion that hit a Rapala on steel leader lucky for him and me.... it was right at my canoe and I was able to pop it from his lip.:cheers1:

Congrats
That's a nice one

One bait
 

Congrats...sometimes all you need is one bait....!

http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwegall...0/P5300382.JPG

NICE JOB!! WTG on the first kayak yellow!!

:you_rock:

Good for you. Taggermike and I couldn't make bait at all. My 7th trip in 1.5 years. Still can't break the skunk.

Nice meeting you Mitchell.

Congrats on getting that first one, nice fish and good looking food too.

Nice report. Good luck.

:luxhello: Way to go! Still waitin' on my first yak YT, but stories like yours keep me motivated...thanks for sharing!

But seriously, what's up with the bait? Fished til noon and couldn't find any? Went south along the kelp line then back to the pier...??? Bummed, was my first session in 2016...that's how it goes i guess...?

Congrats on your first!!
Nothing like first yellah on the kayak. Sweet!!!

No shit about bait.
I went out on my skiff on Saturday, 1PM, to try to make macks for Sunday tuna run. I worked hard from MB all the way up to Scrips pier. Lizards only.

They can be plenty, in some areas. They come and go, it seems.

Congrats on your first yellowtail!!! And catching 'em this month has been easy!!! I'm so stoked you're trying a recipe or two!

Your smile says it all!

Now you're the one hooked.

Nice! Where did you launch from? I'm hoping to get down to San Diego this weekend. I kayak fish up in the monterey bay all the time. Hoping to hook up with a tuna down south!!

Thanks in advance,
David