The end of a long grind. - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

rossman · 09-15-2014, 03:21 PM

My annual local WSB hunt normally starts in mid April and by mid June I generally have one in my freezer. This year they have been avoiding me and it is not of lack of trying. I have been fishing the local OC waters at least twice a week since April and I concentrate almost exclusively on trying to lure one of these ghosts into my yak. Finally stuck one today.
My son Zed and I decided to hit San Onofre this morning. He had caught a nice 30 lb YT there a week and a half ago so I figured I would give that a try while the surf was manageable, and before the next swell later this week. We got out to the grounds at 6:45 and found a good variety of bait. I had one flylined mac and one halibut rig with a mac. About 8:00 I get a pickup on my flyline and the fight was on. He bulldozed into the kelp but the spectra did it's job and was able to drop a nice 50 pounder into my rod pod.

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About a half hour later I got bit again but this time on the dropper loop and again the battle in the kelp was on. I was able to get him to about 15 ft below me in a massive kelp tangle. He was thrashing around and ultimately broke my 25 pound Floro at the threeway. Looked to be about the same size as the first one and I'll just call it a premature release since I would have let him go anyway.

I have hooked and or caught WSB in almost every month of the year but to have it happen in 74 degree water is simply unfathomable. What a crazy year.

So there you have an very current fishing report but be warned that the swell and a nasty shore break was already building and it was pretty dicey.

Go get em boys.

cabojohn · 09-15-2014, 03:25 PM

Just Outstanding Rossman.
Congratulations on a helluva fish...AGAIN!
That's a PIG of a fish!! CHIT.

steveooo · 09-15-2014, 03:26 PM

Insane! You were overdue

ful-rac · 09-15-2014, 03:31 PM

Nasty shore break...I got a video on that!

Congrats by the way!

Bert Vega · 09-15-2014, 03:41 PM

I have only dreamed about getting a ghost. Well done sir!!!

GregAndrew · 09-15-2014, 04:04 PM

Very nice Ross. I can't tell you how much more I respect someone that does not believe that every fish must be gaffed. Anyone can come up with an excuse to take another fish.

YakHanded · 09-15-2014, 04:16 PM

Legendary! congrats sir well deserved!

I about lost my shit in the surf on Sunday....

09-15-2014, 03:21 PM	#1
rossman Marginally Irrelevant Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bahia Asuncion Posts: 936	The end of a long grind. My annual local WSB hunt normally starts in mid April and by mid June I generally have one in my freezer. This year they have been avoiding me and it is not of lack of trying. I have been fishing the local OC waters at least twice a week since April and I concentrate almost exclusively on trying to lure one of these ghosts into my yak. Finally stuck one today. My son Zed and I decided to hit San Onofre this morning. He had caught a nice 30 lb YT there a week and a half ago so I figured I would give that a try while the surf was manageable, and before the next swell later this week. We got out to the grounds at 6:45 and found a good variety of bait. I had one flylined mac and one halibut rig with a mac. About 8:00 I get a pickup on my flyline and the fight was on. He bulldozed into the kelp but the spectra did it's job and was able to drop a nice 50 pounder into my rod pod. About a half hour later I got bit again but this time on the dropper loop and again the battle in the kelp was on. I was able to get him to about 15 ft below me in a massive kelp tangle. He was thrashing around and ultimately broke my 25 pound Floro at the threeway. Looked to be about the same size as the first one and I'll just call it a premature release since I would have let him go anyway. I have hooked and or caught WSB in almost every month of the year but to have it happen in 74 degree water is simply unfathomable. What a crazy year. So there you have an very current fishing report but be warned that the swell and a nasty shore break was already building and it was pretty dicey. Go get em boys. __________________ "When beholding the tranquil beauty and brilliancy of the ocean’s skin, one forgets the tiger heart that pants beneath it; and would not willingly remember that this velvet paw but conceals a remorseless fang. " — Herman Melville Y'all come see me now, hear!

09-15-2014, 03:31 PM	#4
ful-rac Emperor Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buena Park Posts: 3,649	Nasty shore break...I got a video on that! Congrats by the way! __________________ There's nothing colder than yesterday's hotdog.

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09-15-2014, 03:25 PM	#2
cabojohn PROBATION Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 656	Just Outstanding Rossman. Congratulations on a helluva fish...AGAIN! That's a PIG of a fish!! CHIT.

09-15-2014, 03:26 PM	#3
steveooo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 1,921	Insane! You were overdue

09-15-2014, 03:41 PM	#5
Bert Vega Tail Chaser! Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Murrieta Posts: 627	I have only dreamed about getting a ghost. Well done sir!!!

09-15-2014, 04:04 PM	#6
GregAndrew Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,384	Very nice Ross. I can't tell you how much more I respect someone that does not believe that every fish must be gaffed. Anyone can come up with an excuse to take another fish.

09-15-2014, 04:16 PM	#7
YakHanded Thread Killer - sorry Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: San Clemente Posts: 256	Legendary! congrats sir well deserved! I about lost my shit in the surf on Sunday....