La Jolla 3-30-15

[FISH11]

Went out this morning and met Cadillyak at the launch. Nice finally getting to share some time on the water with you Andre. Got a late start to the fishing because I did not have a new sabiki and the one I have got all tangled last week by 3 macs on at the same time. Made plenty of greenbacks in a short time once I got the sabiki partially untangled. Met a guy named Matt that told me he also live in Pine Valley but does not post on BWE. He knew who I was by my posts. He had one yellow already and as I kept paddling west I saw The Sea Samurai releasing a yellow, nice job, Kevin. Tried trolling a greenback and once further out I also sent down one on a drop loop. Cruised south west and got hit a couple of times on the trolling Tady 45 and also got my flylined mac smacked hard and almost killed but did not hook up. Finally at about 10:20 I get a yellow on the drop loop. After a 15 minute fight I get it to the gaff. Sweeeeeeeeeet! Weighed 22lb at the landing on my Mustad digital scale. Cruised all over and drifted south several times. All in all I thing today was the most I have ever paddled. Hooked up twice more in the afternoon but lost one during the fight and the second was on flyline were I was using a Ugly Stick that I had broken months ago when I got stuck in the kelp. I had tried fixing it with a ferrell and it was working well until the Yellow got to color, as I was pulling up on the rod it snapped. I tried to reel in the rest and after a short distance the braid got jammed on the wrap. at that point I can see the fish about 15' below my kayak so I grab the line and start pulling it up. I grab the gaff and had to switch hands to hold the line, now the yellow is up against the side and bottom of my kayak as I reach to gaff it, it is on it's side and sees me reaching with the gaff and make one last strong lunge and rolls at which time the circle hook breaks in the middle of the bend. The Yellow starts to kick and I miss the gaff shot, when he was no longer on his side. I guess that qualifies as a catch and release, even though I never intended it to be one. There's always next trip. Then I will have better quality, heavier gauge circle hooks.

[Pinhead]

Nice summary and good perspective on the *release-fish*.

Hard to see all the work swim away, but great to look forward to another day on the water, chasing those forkies ;-)

Atta Boy!

[Cadillyak]

It was a pleasure meeting you and sharing the water with you Mark. The current was rough today. It took me forever to get back to the launch. Glad u got one. What brand of hooks are you using if you don't mind me asking. Whatever they are, switch to Owner.

[FISH11]

I think they're mustad, got them a walmart. I always thought they seem to be a little thin. they are strong like springs but also brittle when bent too far. I'm going to see if Turners has a better option or check other fishing shops. I used to use live bait hooks but circle hooks work much better, they just need to be a bit thicker.

[battleborn]

Originally Posted by FISH11

I think they're mustad, got them a walmart. I always thought they seem to be a little thin. they are strong like springs but also brittle when bent too far. I'm going to see if Turners has a better option or check other fishing shops. I used to use live bait hooks but circle hooks work much better, they just need to be a bit thicker.

Owner!

[Cbad Mike]

Yellowtail are easy now huh... Lol
Congratulations, that looks like a nice one.
I sent you a pm earlier.

Mike

[ctfphoto]

Wow, Mark, you have turned into the fish catching machine.

Nicely done.

When's my turn?

[Aquahunter]

Nice job! I prefer Owner Ahi twist hook between 5/0 and 6/0 for yellowtails /wsb

[YakDout]

Originally Posted by FISH11

I think they're mustad, got them a walmart. I always thought they seem to be a little thin. they are strong like springs but also brittle when bent too far. I'm going to see if Turners has a better option or check other fishing shops. I used to use live bait hooks but circle hooks work much better, they just need to be a bit thicker.

Check out owner gorilla circles. Seems that's exactly what you're looking for. Nice fish mark. Making me jealous.

[FISH11]

Just wanted to set the record straight. After looking at my gear the hooks to blame were not Mustad they were Gamakatsu octopus circle hooks. After looking at them at the store it seem as all the Gamakatsu hooks are thinner. All the other brands when the hook uses that thin a wire they call them "lights or thin wire". I got some Owner Mutu Circle hooks and can't wait to go use them. The weather is not co-operating with the wind. Looks like Tuesday might be the best day before I go back to work. Also picked up a new rod to replace the broken one I had tried to fix. Ready to pull some more Yellows and get the deck and me all bloodied.