GHOST ADVENTURES LJ 21DEC15 - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

kjsdad619 · 12-22-2015, 03:27 PM

So there I was...

Woke up Monday morning, knowing that I am pretty much retired from the Navy after 20 years and that it would be a great day to hit the water with my boy Mark for his first time.

Got to the launch, very high tide and some good size waves, we looked at each other as we could see our breath in the cold air and said those two magical words..F^%k it. Got in the yaks, he paddled, I peddled like hell and we made it through. Got past the buoy, dropped sabiki..and went for an hour without a single mac..first time ever. I took that as a sign that we need to head north and drown some squid. We hit 120 feet of water and dropped them down, he had one rod, I had 2. We used this time to get caught up, being he just got back from deployment and were just laughing our asses off like two little school girls when we started to get some bites after about an hour of drifting. Once they stopped, we checked the bait, all gone except for what was on the hook..rebaited and dropped again. Mark started to get some bites, then me on one of my poles. Just as it had stopped my other pole takes off! I let whatever I had on the line take some line then clicked the drag on and felt weight but not much of a run initially. I started to bring in some line, he took a small run..I knew it wasn't a YT but was thinking something else. He really didn't fight too hard and his runs were short but not too powerful, I was holding on with just one arm unlike the two I usually use for YT's..I was still trying to figure out what it was..at this point it was just heavy. In the deepest part of my brain I was praying for a WSB as I had seen Yanni' post from Saturday and knew they were around.

As I started to haul in line, I looked down deep and saw some color...silver...did I just see a ghost?

I had been trying to land my first WSB for about a month now..I landed my home guard YT a few weeks ago which was my largest one yet, but knew from there on I only wanted to hook a WSB and if I caught a YT I would catch and release, no need to be greedy, I respect these fish too much.

Fast Forward...so started to haul in line, saw more silver..then started cranking it up..just as I started to see my leader, Mark looks over at me and says "Bro it's a F&^%king White Sea Bass!" I peeked over and my eyes got big, heart raced..grabbed the gaff, reached over and sank it home. I still had no idea how big it was and knew it was heavy but when I couldn't get it in with one arm and had to use two,,knew this was my biggest fish yet period. I started to pull him over the side and couldn't believe it, he slid in and put his head in my lap and he was still not all the way in..I looked at Mark and his jaw dropped..I looked down at the ghost and no kidding kissed his head and said thank you, and as always thanked the man above and mother ocean..then proceeded to hoot and holler.

Time on deck 0920, water temp 63, 120 feet of water.

Got on shore, tried to just load up and roll out but the skittles on the beach in their shiny helmets took notice..

Got home, measured and weighed with my scale..52 inches, and 45 lbs after gutting out in water.

I have always had respect for the ocean, the fish in it and those of us who venture out onto the open water to enjoy life and what this sport does for us both mentally and physically. As a lot of you know I just started in April and through this forum and meeting many of you I have learned a lot, so I wanted to say thank you and I appreciate it! I have made some great friends through kayak fishing and that comradery that I had in the military is alive and well in this community.

Looking forward to meeting many more of you and I'll see you out on the water!

Ryan

Iceman · 12-22-2015, 04:20 PM

Congrats!

Great story, informative,helpful post!

Deamon · 12-22-2015, 04:58 PM

Freaking awesome! Big congrats on the beast! Jim

erinoo · 12-22-2015, 05:09 PM

nice, very nice.

Geno Machino · 12-22-2015, 05:12 PM

Nice fish Ryan!!!

Way to get'r done!!

Congratulations!

Geno

2-Stix · 12-22-2015, 05:19 PM

you have had a great year! blessings.

Murray · 12-22-2015, 05:38 PM

I am green with envy. Way to go and enjoy one of the best tasting fish I have had. Noticed you have a nice fish finder on your yak. Did you meter fish before getting bit? Merry Christmas to you and your family and thanks for your service to our country. Blessings

kjsdad619 · 12-22-2015, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Murray

I am green with envy. Way to go and enjoy one of the best tasting fish I have had. Noticed you have a nice fish finder on your yak. Did you meter fish before getting bit? Merry Christmas to you and your family and thanks for your service to our country. Blessings

I had the elite 7 on but we were too busy bsn lol

Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk

surfisher · 12-22-2015, 05:38 PM

I saw your buddies post on instagram! Needless to say I was stoked! Congrats on the fish! Yewwww.

FISH11 · 12-22-2015, 05:44 PM

I love all the pictures Ryan. I really liked that on the water picture you text me shortly after catching it. I do regret not having gone out there yesterday as I had first planned. The jobs around the house could have waited, since the weather windows have been short lately. This has been an incredible year for fishing and you have had some great fortune. Next you need a trophy Hali. I hope I have your luck this coming week. Your good fortune is well earned Ryan, enjoy the feast. Mark

tamddo714 · 12-22-2015, 08:00 PM

Awesome job Ryan!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

momo fish · 12-22-2015, 09:16 PM

Nice going and great write up... And this being first year for you even better...

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

frugalfisher · 12-22-2015, 09:33 PM

Good job with the squid bait!!

maquinapescado · 12-22-2015, 09:39 PM

You sound like a grateful dude. Nice fish and thank you for your service. Hopefully your Navy retirement pays you out with many more WSB gifts.

~B

flemdogg · 12-23-2015, 07:06 AM

Well deserved. Great job buddy.

spicolly · 12-23-2015, 07:17 AM

Congrat's - that's a tasty toad!!!

Phishphood · 12-23-2015, 07:53 AM

Way to go man. And love the respect you have

Dirty Curti · 12-23-2015, 09:12 AM

Well deserving and great respect. Hope you have many more days like this. Excellent

report.

steveooo · 12-23-2015, 09:23 AM

Awesome, congrats

Could get a good feel about how stoked you are, and you should be. Thats a nice one!

summers in kuwait · 12-23-2015, 10:42 AM

Right on Ryan! Great post and amazing fish. That more than makes up for the skunk on Sat with Chris.

You've had a stellar year fishing and have shared some really quality posts here.

Congrats on the retirement. Im usually at the Jewel once a week Sat or Sun, when I can sneak out from the wife and kids. Feel free to send me a PM and we can fish.

Todd

12-22-2015, 03:27 PM	#1
kjsdad619 Just a Salty Sailor Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: San Diego Posts: 193	GHOST ADVENTURES LJ 21DEC15 So there I was... Woke up Monday morning, knowing that I am pretty much retired from the Navy after 20 years and that it would be a great day to hit the water with my boy Mark for his first time. Got to the launch, very high tide and some good size waves, we looked at each other as we could see our breath in the cold air and said those two magical words..F^%k it. Got in the yaks, he paddled, I peddled like hell and we made it through. Got past the buoy, dropped sabiki..and went for an hour without a single mac..first time ever. I took that as a sign that we need to head north and drown some squid. We hit 120 feet of water and dropped them down, he had one rod, I had 2. We used this time to get caught up, being he just got back from deployment and were just laughing our asses off like two little school girls when we started to get some bites after about an hour of drifting. Once they stopped, we checked the bait, all gone except for what was on the hook..rebaited and dropped again. Mark started to get some bites, then me on one of my poles. Just as it had stopped my other pole takes off! I let whatever I had on the line take some line then clicked the drag on and felt weight but not much of a run initially. I started to bring in some line, he took a small run..I knew it wasn't a YT but was thinking something else. He really didn't fight too hard and his runs were short but not too powerful, I was holding on with just one arm unlike the two I usually use for YT's..I was still trying to figure out what it was..at this point it was just heavy. In the deepest part of my brain I was praying for a WSB as I had seen Yanni' post from Saturday and knew they were around. As I started to haul in line, I looked down deep and saw some color...silver...did I just see a ghost? I had been trying to land my first WSB for about a month now..I landed my home guard YT a few weeks ago which was my largest one yet, but knew from there on I only wanted to hook a WSB and if I caught a YT I would catch and release, no need to be greedy, I respect these fish too much. Fast Forward...so started to haul in line, saw more silver..then started cranking it up..just as I started to see my leader, Mark looks over at me and says "Bro it's a F&^%king White Sea Bass!" I peeked over and my eyes got big, heart raced..grabbed the gaff, reached over and sank it home. I still had no idea how big it was and knew it was heavy but when I couldn't get it in with one arm and had to use two,,knew this was my biggest fish yet period. I started to pull him over the side and couldn't believe it, he slid in and put his head in my lap and he was still not all the way in..I looked at Mark and his jaw dropped..I looked down at the ghost and no kidding kissed his head and said thank you, and as always thanked the man above and mother ocean..then proceeded to hoot and holler. Time on deck 0920, water temp 63, 120 feet of water. Got on shore, tried to just load up and roll out but the skittles on the beach in their shiny helmets took notice.. Got home, measured and weighed with my scale..52 inches, and 45 lbs after gutting out in water. I have always had respect for the ocean, the fish in it and those of us who venture out onto the open water to enjoy life and what this sport does for us both mentally and physically. As a lot of you know I just started in April and through this forum and meeting many of you I have learned a lot, so I wanted to say thank you and I appreciate it! I have made some great friends through kayak fishing and that comradery that I had in the military is alive and well in this community. Looking forward to meeting many more of you and I'll see you out on the water! Ryan Attached Images __________________ So there I was.. Last edited by kjsdad619; 12-22-2015 at 03:37 PM.

12-22-2015, 04:20 PM	#2
Iceman Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 1-2 miles off the point Posts: 6,943	Congrats! Great story, informative,helpful post! __________________

12-22-2015, 04:58 PM	#3
Deamon Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 1,972	Freaking awesome! Big congrats on the beast! Jim __________________ Recreational Fisherman's Catch...2% Commercial Fisherman's Catch- 98% Recreational Fishing Kayakers Catch- .00001% "The reality is that the wall was built to keep all Asians ~specifically Japanese and those that think they're japanese~ out of the U.S"

12-22-2015, 05:12 PM	#5
Geno Machino "Relax" Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: O'side Posts: 553	Awesome Bro!!! Nice fish Ryan!!! Way to get'r done!! Congratulations! Geno __________________

12-22-2015, 05:38 PM	#9
surfisher Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Carlsbad Posts: 388	I saw your buddies post on instagram! Needless to say I was stoked! Congrats on the fish! Yewwww. __________________

12-22-2015, 05:09 PM	#4
erinoo Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Carlsbad,,Halfway up the Hill Posts: 486	nice, very nice.

12-22-2015, 05:19 PM	#6
2-Stix Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Ventura, CA Posts: 376	you have had a great year! blessings.

12-22-2015, 05:38 PM	#7
Murray Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Vista Posts: 326	I am green with envy. Way to go and enjoy one of the best tasting fish I have had. Noticed you have a nice fish finder on your yak. Did you meter fish before getting bit? Merry Christmas to you and your family and thanks for your service to our country. Blessings

12-22-2015, 05:44 PM	#10
FISH11 Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Pine Valley when not fishing La Jolla Posts: 2,642	I love all the pictures Ryan. I really liked that on the water picture you text me shortly after catching it. I do regret not having gone out there yesterday as I had first planned. The jobs around the house could have waited, since the weather windows have been short lately. This has been an incredible year for fishing and you have had some great fortune. Next you need a trophy Hali. I hope I have your luck this coming week. Your good fortune is well earned Ryan, enjoy the feast. Mark __________________ MARK ......... 2016 MALIBU X FACTOR, 2020 SOLO SKIFF (Fishing Kayak on Steroids )

12-22-2015, 08:00 PM	#11
tamddo714 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 273	Awesome job Ryan! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

12-22-2015, 09:16 PM	#12
momo fish Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Camarillo Posts: 1,491	Nice going and great write up... And this being first year for you even better... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

12-22-2015, 09:33 PM	#13
frugalfisher Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: San Diego Posts: 190	Nice fish! Good job with the squid bait!! __________________ James Caldwell Yellow Prowler

12-22-2015, 09:39 PM	#14
maquinapescado Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 326	You sound like a grateful dude. Nice fish and thank you for your service. Hopefully your Navy retirement pays you out with many more WSB gifts. ~B __________________ Climb, Surf, Fish, Repeat

12-23-2015, 07:06 AM	#15
flemdogg Island Blood Join Date: May 2013 Location: Murrieta Posts: 237	Well deserved. Great job buddy. __________________ These are my express opinions derived from my experiences - I know less than most and half as much as some!

12-23-2015, 07:17 AM	#16
spicolly ..... Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Carlsbad Posts: 135	Congrat's - that's a tasty toad!!!

12-23-2015, 07:53 AM	#17
Phishphood Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Posts: 346	Way to go man. And love the respect you have

12-23-2015, 09:12 AM	#18
Dirty Curti Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Oceanside, CA Posts: 419	Well deserving and great respect. Hope you have many more days like this. Excellent report. __________________

12-23-2015, 09:23 AM	#19
steveooo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 1,921	Awesome, congrats Could get a good feel about how stoked you are, and you should be. Thats a nice one!

12-23-2015, 10:42 AM	#20
summers in kuwait Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: East County San Diego Posts: 657	NICE! Right on Ryan! Great post and amazing fish. That more than makes up for the skunk on Sat with Chris. You've had a stellar year fishing and have shared some really quality posts here. Congrats on the retirement. Im usually at the Jewel once a week Sat or Sun, when I can sneak out from the wife and kids. Feel free to send me a PM and we can fish. Todd