Late Report - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

T-Rex · 08-09-2014, 04:38 PM

Arrived at the beach well before sunrise and launched at dawn into 1 ft surf. Water was 73 deg. As I made my way to the corner bait was plentiful everywhere -- mostly spanish macks in the 7-8" size with a few jumbo 15" greenies mixed in. I brought my lighter tackle and flylined a spanish on my 8' 25# rig. After about 45 minutes I caught an embarrasingly small rat yellow - maybe 5 lbs. Decided to pin on a 15" greenback and try for something larger. 30 minutes later I hooked into a nicer model. Great fight on light gear - and really got interesting when a f'n knot-head grabbed it at the kayak.

I buttoned down the drag and kept heavy pressure on the line to try to prevent the dog from getting a better grip on the fish and to get the kayak closer and not let the dog get a solid breath. After a 10 minute tug of war, the fish popped free and surprisingly still had some fight left. Got him to the kayak and when I reached down to grab it the dog bypassed the fish and charged me! That freaked me out a little but fortunately, the gaff was in easy reach and found its mark the first time. No otw photos because the dog kept harassing me until I got the fish into the hatch. I was pretty stoked getting it away from the knot-head. Although it was pretty beat up -- tail chewed, bruised and bitten -- it was a lot better than no fish at all!

momo fish · 08-09-2014, 05:19 PM

Great work and thanks for report. Glad he didn't end up on your kayak!

SLYACKER · 08-09-2014, 05:21 PM

Nice fish

Cbad Mike · 08-09-2014, 05:29 PM

The expression

on that fish's face says it all.
Nice catch!

Lipripper92592 · 08-09-2014, 08:11 PM

Nice job! I'm sure it pulled good on the 25.

Ricsen · 08-09-2014, 08:24 PM

I'm glad you won the battle. Real nice fish and well deserved.

Widgeon · 08-09-2014, 08:31 PM

What an experience!
That's what it's all about.
Nice job.

08-09-2014, 04:38 PM	#1
T-Rex Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Rancho Santa Margarita Posts: 770	Late Report Arrived at the beach well before sunrise and launched at dawn into 1 ft surf. Water was 73 deg. As I made my way to the corner bait was plentiful everywhere -- mostly spanish macks in the 7-8" size with a few jumbo 15" greenies mixed in. I brought my lighter tackle and flylined a spanish on my 8' 25# rig. After about 45 minutes I caught an embarrasingly small rat yellow - maybe 5 lbs. Decided to pin on a 15" greenback and try for something larger. 30 minutes later I hooked into a nicer model. Great fight on light gear - and really got interesting when a f'n knot-head grabbed it at the kayak. I buttoned down the drag and kept heavy pressure on the line to try to prevent the dog from getting a better grip on the fish and to get the kayak closer and not let the dog get a solid breath. After a 10 minute tug of war, the fish popped free and surprisingly still had some fight left. Got him to the kayak and when I reached down to grab it the dog bypassed the fish and charged me! That freaked me out a little but fortunately, the gaff was in easy reach and found its mark the first time. No otw photos because the dog kept harassing me until I got the fish into the hatch. I was pretty stoked getting it away from the knot-head. Although it was pretty beat up -- tail chewed, bruised and bitten -- it was a lot better than no fish at all! __________________ Last edited by T-Rex; 08-09-2014 at 08:21 PM.

08-09-2014, 05:29 PM	#4
Cbad Mike Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Carlsbad Ca. Posts: 1,206	The expression on that fish's face says it all. Nice catch! __________________ [SIGPIC]

08-09-2014, 05:19 PM	#2
momo fish Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Camarillo Posts: 1,491	Great work and thanks for report. Glad he didn't end up on your kayak!

08-09-2014, 05:21 PM	#3
SLYACKER Senior Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Corona, ca Posts: 100	Nice fish

08-09-2014, 08:11 PM	#5
Lipripper92592 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 516	Nice job! I'm sure it pulled good on the 25.

08-09-2014, 08:24 PM	#6
Ricsen Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 65	I'm glad you won the battle. Real nice fish and well deserved.

08-09-2014, 08:31 PM	#7
Widgeon Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Clairemont Posts: 175	What an experience! That's what it's all about. Nice job.