La Jolla Trip on 9/20/13

[Aaron&Julie]

We launched to shin-high slappers just about 6:00AM, after chatting with an another old-schooler like ourselves, Gary Sullivan. Sounded like we missed an excellent Yellowtail bite on Tuesday, with many landed. We also met another kayak fisherman, who goes by Chris, who was on that good Yellow bite.

While it remained overcast all day until we landed about 3:00PM, the wind was mostly mild, and the sea was flat, which are 2 very nice conditions to have in your favor.

After catching a Sardine, a small Bonito, about 10 Greenback and 15 Spanish mackerel between us on the sabikis, we headed out to where a few kayakers and private boaters were fishing just outside the kelp line. We slow trolled 2 baits each on the way. The Sardine, Bonito, and 3 larger Greenies died, so we saved them for future bug bait. Before we arrived to the other fishermen, we saw vast amounts of birds “working” that area. When we got there the other kayakers let us know we’d just missed a huge school of Yellows that had cruised through, with only 1 hook-up (and lost) as a result.

We continued fishing, working this area now. About 30 minutes later, Aaron is bit on a fly-lined Greenie. Close to 30 minutes later, a 23lber Yellow is gaffed and secured on the game clip, after one of the most unusual Yellowtail fights Aaron has every experienced. After the initial pick-up of the bait, the Yellow came back to his ‘yak and wasn’t fully loaded to the hook until almost vertical. During the first couple of minutes it acted more like a WSB than a Yellowtail.


Then, some strong deep dives and thumps, gave away what it turned out to be. A vertical tug-of-war for almost 20 minutes, with the Yellow mostly winning. Then it gave way, coming up vertically some 40 feet, before heading straight away from the ‘yak powerfully, so strong Aaron thought a seal had definitely gotten it. After a long barely sub-surface run, where Aaron tightened the drag hoping to retrieve at least some of the Yellow, he gained line rapidly, and lo’ and behold, it comes at him just below the surface completely intact. By it’s length it looked to go 30+ lbs. Bled right after landing, it would later weigh just a hair under 23lbs. Longest Yellowtail of this weight we’d seen. Plus, it had this strange 3 inch, 2 forked parasitic plant-like growth out of it’s belly, which broke off at the hole it was protruding from. The fish is to be filleted shortly, and we’ll see what the inside of that growth is all about. Didn’t get a chance to take pictures of it, because it broke off so easily when Aaron tugged at it, thinking it was fish tag. We’ll take a picture of the inside of this if it might reveal anything that someone can identify for us.

Chilled the Yellow overnight for ease of filleting. Very soon we’ll have some fresh Hamachi, and also some grilled fresh Yellowtail filets, marinated in Soy Vay, Veri Veri Teriyaki Marinade. This is the “bomb” for fish and Ribeye steaks.

[ctfphoto]

Arron, congrats on the Yellowtail. I did hear about in on the water. I missed that bite but that's fishing.

It was very nice meeting Julie and you that morning.

Always great to be out on the water.

Hope to see you guys out there again.

[Zfish03]

Thanks for the timely report! Looked like a great day on the water

[makobob]

Nice report, nice fish, and even nicer people. Congrats. Tight lines.

[CobraTandem]

too bad you missed that bite...

How's the freezer restock coming along?

[Aaron&Julie]

Originally Posted by CobraTandem

too bad you missed that bite...

How's the freezer restock coming along?

Yeah, that is too bad, we heard it was a good one.

The freezer restock just began today. After Hamachi, and a fresh grilled dinner tonight, we'll put a good 10lbs of yellowtail filets in there. Thanks for asking.