Caught my first yellowtail yesterday! 5/8/2016

[1lastcast?94]

My third time out in La Jolla yesterday, very new at kayak fishing so still learning the in and outs of it all. Launched at about 0600, calm easy launch and made bait by around 0730. No fish finder yet so I was pretty much just going on instinct and wherever birds seemed to be hanging out. Started trolling a fly line and BAM drag started screaming, let her run for about a 5 count and then engaged. The drag of my Penn Jigmaster 500l seemed worthless at some points but did the job. She made a run for the kelp but my 40lb mono stood up to it thank god, after about 20 minutes finally got her to the surface along with 15 pounds of kelp to get in my way! Deffinitly the best fishing experience of my life and I'm now addicted!

[octico]

Congrats!

[FullFlavorPike]

Great fish. Time to buy a heavier knife if you're gonna be breaking down chunky homeguards!

[1lastcast?94]

Originally Posted by FullFlavorPike

Great fish. Time to buy a heavier knife if you're gonna be breaking down chunky homeguards!

Oh yeah, had a heck of a time trying to fillet this one.. works well on the fish back home but not so much on these big boys ! any recommendations?

[FullFlavorPike]

Originally Posted by 1lastcast?94

Oh yeah, had a heck of a time trying to fillet this one.. works well on the fish back home but not so much on these big boys ! any recommendations?

Squidco sells a 10 inch breaking knife (big curved blade) for about twenty bucks. If you have a means of keeping it sharp, it'll break down anything. Turned my 150lb thresher into fat steaks with ease, and can cut the head of a YT in no time flat.

You can also find a cimeter knife on amazon for cheap. Get one with a fibrox handle and a ten inch blade. You'll be set!

[Geno Machino]

Nice work!

I had the same feeling catching my first yt...Congrates!

Geno

[1lastcast?94]

Ill have to run out to squidco it sounds like! Thank you for help

[Murray]

Originally Posted by 1lastcast?94

Oh yeah, had a heck of a time trying to fillet this one.. works well on the fish back home but not so much on these big boys ! any recommendations?

If you need filet demo, head over to point loma fish market.....next to sportfishing and watch them do their magic. You can always steak em until you get a demo. Do not forget to toss the carcass onto the barbecue if you filet. Enjoy.

[1lastcast?94]

Originally Posted by octico

Congrats!

Thank you!

[(a D u B)]

Awesome fish, congratulations!

[1lastcast?94]

Originally Posted by (a D u B)

Awesome fish, congratulations!

Thanks alot

[iethinker]

Good Job!

[m7vasque]

Congrats! Nothing like the first

[acorad]

Still waiting on my first. I've seen them, but have not hooked any! Gotta make the trek down to LJ soon!

Andy