Welcome... - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

THE DARKHORSE · 06-08-2011, 01:22 AM

Welcome...to the pressure cooker! Who said winning would be easy?

In years past I'd wait for the last second to post my WCW submissions. Who am I kidding, I did that last month! Old habits die hard I guess. Scrambling with tape shots and photos of my fish to submit at 11:30 p.m., mere minutes before closing time. This annoyed the crap out of some competitors, I'm sure. I'll admit to laughing about this a couple of times; knowing my competitors were grudgingly checking this site up until midnight to see what happened. Or didn't happen for that matter. I know this because I've been on the other end---with a glass of wine at midnight myself!

In time, though, I think most competitors realize why it makes a lot of since to hold your cards until all bets are hedged. One obvious reason: protecting a bite that's going on. Especially if it's a bite you worked hard to find yourself! Even more so, if no other anglers are on this particular bite. Another great reason for holding your cards would be not giving your closest competitors any additional fuel for their flame, so to speak. Why make your closest competitor fish that much harder, right?

Speaking of motivation, here's a fish that absolutely kicked my a$$. All Yellowtail pull hard, but some clearly pull harder than others. The fact that my favorite photographer, Jay Koo, was in tow this day made it all the better. I was following fish that turned their nose up to iron after iron this day. I began pitching horse-Sardines to these fish, when close enough, and they still were showing their intelligence time and again. Like I've said many times: these fish don't get this big by being dumb! Finally, I persuaded this fish to annihilate a mini-mac with a tiny hook. This was a Kim Kardashian of a fish, if you know what I mean. If this photo inspires some of my competitors to fish a little harder---so be it.

Which is just another reason why this competition is so fun. The mind games, strategy, not to mention putting a little salt into your fellow competitors wound is what it's all about. While speaking to some new blood of the sport (RK), he brought up a fantastic analogy for West Coast Whoppers. I thought about stealing it for myself, but I'd like to give credit where credit's due. I won't try to quote him verbatim , but in short he said that: the guys on this site who aren't in WCW are like the guys on sportboats who aren't in the jack-pot and catch the winning fish---they're really missing out! I couldn't have said it better myself.

It has nothing to do with winning the thing, placing in the top three, glory, fame, cash and free kayaks---or even winning your freaking $20 back! It's about making the most out of your time on the water. Whether that means learning more about catching a particular species or simply a better excuse for the wife---to go fishing---is up to you. Getting excited when you catch that monster and freaking out when your closest competitor is on the web-cam holding one of his own. That being said, it's not too late to enter. There's ten months left in this marathon event. Enter with your fishing buddy and compete against them. Perhaps, make a wager between the two of you; that whoever places higher gets his $20 back. Hell, throw in a round of drinks to sweeten the bet if you're feeling frisky; freakin' make it rain at Cheetahs for all I care!

All in the name of good, clean wholesome fun, of course.

De Ja Vu? No, this isn't the same fish from last months submissions. These fish were caught this past Friday. Speaking of good, clean wholesome fun: Tell the wife that some days you'll be gone a long time. That if you find the fish, you're not leaving! Hopefully, someday you find multiple species chewing and go home with sore arms 'ta boot. Seek and ye shall find!

Being a well known advocate for holding off on current reports, on the internet anyway, I also know I'm not blowing some secret bite with this current report here. Having a great read on current conditions, believe me, a heavy dose of discretion was used. I mean, really, this is the time of year everyone knows fish are around. If this is news to you, well, keep doing those internet searches; wasting time that would be better spent on the ocean. Last season, April to be specific, was the best month for Yellowtail fishing in La Jolla. I doubt you'll gather that from any landing totals or fishing report archives. If you were the guy waiting for August and warm water rushing up the Coast, well, sorry Charlie. The guys who put in their time, all-year-long, could barely reel in another fish by the time August rolled around last year. This season looks pretty similar so far if you asked me, too. While I hope we get a solid push of warm water and giant schools of hungry Pelagic species---much like the surf---I'll believe it when I see it! The fish, much like solid surf, is here when it's here and that's that. If you're waiting to hear about it before getting off your a$$, you might as well plan on blowing another season.

Some fish photos don't need to be cropped or the colors altered, in order to make a fish look their best. Some fish just look silly by themselves; look at the head on this thing! This one's straight off the Go Pro camera without any Photoshop to the Cali-Gold light. I love when the tourists on the beach say "sure is a nice day" and I reply "yep, another one!" We are truly spoiled in Southern California when it comes to weather. Lack of jobs, gas prices and real-estate are another thing entirely, though.

While the fishing is very fickle right now, it's pretty damn good if you're paying close attention. Conditions are constantly changing; hourly for that matter. It's windy on most days, with surface conditions going from grease calm to hazardous in minutes . The water has been ranging from blue to sandy green depending on where you look. And most of all, like every year at this time---the fish are here. The kelp beds from Northern Baja to Malibu are holding enough ghosts to make a squid swallow his tongue with fear. The Yellowtail are being Yellowtail and the guys who know how to target them aren't complaining.

If anything, I'd love to see my fellow competitors submit their slam this month, too. If this post inspires you to fish that one extra day, or produce a slam of your own, it was worth my time to write it.

Good luck to all in the month of June!

jorluivil · 06-08-2011, 02:01 AM

Dejavu fo-sho!!!!

jorluivil · 06-08-2011, 02:18 AM

Up at 330am, 90+ miles south to LJ, every stinking minute of the 90minute drive thinking and asking myself 'will today be the day'? showing up at the launch to find 5' breakers, making bait, paddling(now peddling) around for hours, watching others and asking myself what I'm doing wrong, drowning bait, dragging bait all the while hoping for that golden fish, the fish of a lifetime.

I don't know how you do it Josh but I'm sure the fact that you being seven minutes from the launch helps. I'm sure that after I catch that first WSB, YT or Hali and see points on the WCW board it will no longer be about catching the next big one, it'll be about catching the top stop and knocking you out of first place!!!

Congrats, again!!

Dennis · 06-08-2011, 05:02 AM

SICKWIDIT, Josh! Hefty fish there.

roadx · 06-08-2011, 06:02 AM

WOW!!!! thanks for the read and motivation

DanaPT · 06-08-2011, 06:27 AM

NIce fish. Way different caliber of fishing in LJ than in most so cal, but maybe not?!

I'm gonna stop blaming the arrow and take a little closer look at the brave.

"hour by hour" changes? Makes sense to me, he'll I'm still trying to figure what day of the week to paddle. Just when I learn more, I learn that there is more to know. I love it.

I'm inspired to get my trophy for sure.

06-08-2011, 10:50 AM

Josh,

I don't know if there's a correlation between happiness
and supreme fishing ability. I'm just glad you're not
Greek, because then I would have never been able to
to find and keep a "happy" Greek wife...

Jorluivil, at least you've almost got as many posts as Darkhorse.

Iceman · 06-08-2011, 10:56 AM

So the cooler shot has all three in there. SLAM in a single day? that is a true claim to fame if so! Alot of guys can claim 2 out of 3 in a day. You used the word "competitor" a billion times in your post.........com on

you may be able to win the year after just this month.

cjthomas · 06-08-2011, 11:44 AM

you make it look too easy! Nice!!

theluckypig · 06-08-2011, 02:07 PM

ever think of getting a commerical licence??? "do what you love and the money will follow..."

knightnsd · 06-08-2011, 02:43 PM

I don't think Josh's fish is really that big, he is just getting smaller!

RK · 06-08-2011, 03:56 PM

3rd photo is the definition of a $hit eating grin !!!!!!! God damn well done, well i'll expect my royalty check in the mail.........
Damn!!!!! Dont really know what to say...

And Josh Im holding my cards till June 30th at 11:53 pm

Mtobolsky · 06-08-2011, 04:24 PM

If for some reason we couldn't see who Posted these reports wewould still know when Josh posts..... Only the guhorse can elicit 700+ views in 3 hours.....and his other recent post over 4000... Good lord, when you talk people listen......if only our chicks were like that eh!

yakrider · 06-08-2011, 05:53 PM

it just aint right!
whilst the rest of the world is working...
Josh is "working"!
it just aint right I tell ya!
nicely done sir!

GBF · 06-08-2011, 06:04 PM

She looks like Kim Kardasian for sure!!.........fat, fat hips on her!!

Congrats Mr Darkhorse!!!

GBF

eekamouse463 · 06-08-2011, 06:19 PM

slow down there boss!! Save me some fish LOL.

driftwood · 06-08-2011, 06:45 PM

I still say the fish look bigger on your Revo Josh. But, it seems like your catching more fish on that Yum yum yellow PA

So, is the Revo a keeper or the PA?

Amazing post BTW...

Whizz Bang · 06-08-2011, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iceman

So the cooler shot has all three in there. SLAM in a single day? that is a true claim to fame if so! Alot of guys can claim 2 out of 3 in a day. You used the word "competitor" a billion times in your post.........com on

you may be able to win the year after just this month.

Andy, do NOT kid yourself.....Pruitt loves his fish partially decomposed. Look at those sunken eyes on the WSB. He waits DAYS before cutting into a fish....DAYS! It may be some kind of yet undiagnosed fetish......the twisted bastard. God knows when any of those fish were caught. I dont trust anything he tells me at this point, but even he hasn't mentioned a one day slam. Again, he is a sick, twisted, dirty little monkey, who loves rotten fish. We shouldn't patronize him, he gets that in spades from prospective clients.

frugalfisher · 06-09-2011, 11:33 PM

I know damn well you work for em. Congratulations!

Damn, I'm starving in the lab,,,...gotta break free-.. To the OCEAN...

Hope to see you soon,

James

Mtobolsky · 06-10-2011, 12:19 PM

my guess on the WSB is that it was a head saved for hubbs.........absolutely not disconting the FACT that this man is capable of a La Jolla slam in one day but i also know how he like to eat at people..........we shall see as the story unfolds...

06-08-2011, 01:22 AM	#1
THE DARKHORSE Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Seven minutes from the launch! Posts: 987	Welcome... Welcome...to the pressure cooker! Who said winning would be easy? In years past I'd wait for the last second to post my WCW submissions. Who am I kidding, I did that last month! Old habits die hard I guess. Scrambling with tape shots and photos of my fish to submit at 11:30 p.m., mere minutes before closing time. This annoyed the crap out of some competitors, I'm sure. I'll admit to laughing about this a couple of times; knowing my competitors were grudgingly checking this site up until midnight to see what happened. Or didn't happen for that matter. I know this because I've been on the other end---with a glass of wine at midnight myself! In time, though, I think most competitors realize why it makes a lot of since to hold your cards until all bets are hedged. One obvious reason: protecting a bite that's going on. Especially if it's a bite you worked hard to find yourself! Even more so, if no other anglers are on this particular bite. Another great reason for holding your cards would be not giving your closest competitors any additional fuel for their flame, so to speak. Why make your closest competitor fish that much harder, right? Speaking of motivation, here's a fish that absolutely kicked my a$$. All Yellowtail pull hard, but some clearly pull harder than others. The fact that my favorite photographer, Jay Koo, was in tow this day made it all the better. I was following fish that turned their nose up to iron after iron this day. I began pitching horse-Sardines to these fish, when close enough, and they still were showing their intelligence time and again. Like I've said many times: these fish don't get this big by being dumb! Finally, I persuaded this fish to annihilate a mini-mac with a tiny hook. This was a Kim Kardashian of a fish, if you know what I mean. If this photo inspires some of my competitors to fish a little harder---so be it. Which is just another reason why this competition is so fun. The mind games, strategy, not to mention putting a little salt into your fellow competitors wound is what it's all about. While speaking to some new blood of the sport (RK), he brought up a fantastic analogy for West Coast Whoppers. I thought about stealing it for myself, but I'd like to give credit where credit's due. I won't try to quote him verbatim , but in short he said that: the guys on this site who aren't in WCW are like the guys on sportboats who aren't in the jack-pot and catch the winning fish---they're really missing out! I couldn't have said it better myself. It has nothing to do with winning the thing, placing in the top three, glory, fame, cash and free kayaks---or even winning your freaking $20 back! It's about making the most out of your time on the water. Whether that means learning more about catching a particular species or simply a better excuse for the wife---to go fishing---is up to you. Getting excited when you catch that monster and freaking out when your closest competitor is on the web-cam holding one of his own. That being said, it's not too late to enter. There's ten months left in this marathon event. Enter with your fishing buddy and compete against them. Perhaps, make a wager between the two of you; that whoever places higher gets his $20 back. Hell, throw in a round of drinks to sweeten the bet if you're feeling frisky; freakin' make it rain at Cheetahs for all I care! All in the name of good, clean wholesome fun, of course. De Ja Vu? No, this isn't the same fish from last months submissions. These fish were caught this past Friday. Speaking of good, clean wholesome fun: Tell the wife that some days you'll be gone a long time. That if you find the fish, you're not leaving! Hopefully, someday you find multiple species chewing and go home with sore arms 'ta boot. Seek and ye shall find! Being a well known advocate for holding off on current reports, on the internet anyway, I also know I'm not blowing some secret bite with this current report here. Having a great read on current conditions, believe me, a heavy dose of discretion was used. I mean, really, this is the time of year everyone knows fish are around. If this is news to you, well, keep doing those internet searches; wasting time that would be better spent on the ocean. Last season, April to be specific, was the best month for Yellowtail fishing in La Jolla. I doubt you'll gather that from any landing totals or fishing report archives. If you were the guy waiting for August and warm water rushing up the Coast, well, sorry Charlie. The guys who put in their time, all-year-long, could barely reel in another fish by the time August rolled around last year. This season looks pretty similar so far if you asked me, too. While I hope we get a solid push of warm water and giant schools of hungry Pelagic species---much like the surf---I'll believe it when I see it! The fish, much like solid surf, is here when it's here and that's that. If you're waiting to hear about it before getting off your a$$, you might as well plan on blowing another season. Some fish photos don't need to be cropped or the colors altered, in order to make a fish look their best. Some fish just look silly by themselves; look at the head on this thing! This one's straight off the Go Pro camera without any Photoshop to the Cali-Gold light. I love when the tourists on the beach say "sure is a nice day" and I reply "yep, another one!" We are truly spoiled in Southern California when it comes to weather. Lack of jobs, gas prices and real-estate are another thing entirely, though. While the fishing is very fickle right now, it's pretty damn good if you're paying close attention. Conditions are constantly changing; hourly for that matter. It's windy on most days, with surface conditions going from grease calm to hazardous in minutes . The water has been ranging from blue to sandy green depending on where you look. And most of all, like every year at this time---the fish are here. The kelp beds from Northern Baja to Malibu are holding enough ghosts to make a squid swallow his tongue with fear. The Yellowtail are being Yellowtail and the guys who know how to target them aren't complaining. If anything, I'd love to see my fellow competitors submit their slam this month, too. If this post inspires you to fish that one extra day, or produce a slam of your own, it was worth my time to write it. Good luck to all in the month of June! __________________

06-08-2011, 02:01 AM	#2
jorluivil Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 6,856	Dejavu fo-sho!!!! __________________ www.facebook.com/Teamsewer

06-08-2011, 02:18 AM	#3
jorluivil Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 6,856	Up at 330am, 90+ miles south to LJ, every stinking minute of the 90minute drive thinking and asking myself 'will today be the day'? showing up at the launch to find 5' breakers, making bait, paddling(now peddling) around for hours, watching others and asking myself what I'm doing wrong, drowning bait, dragging bait all the while hoping for that golden fish, the fish of a lifetime. I don't know how you do it Josh but I'm sure the fact that you being seven minutes from the launch helps. I'm sure that after I catch that first WSB, YT or Hali and see points on the WCW board it will no longer be about catching the next big one, it'll be about catching the top stop and knocking you out of first place!!! Congrats, again!! __________________ www.facebook.com/Teamsewer

06-08-2011, 05:02 AM	#4
Dennis Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: South of La Jolla... Posts: 1,193	SICKWIDIT, Josh! Hefty fish there. __________________ Hmmmm.....

06-08-2011, 06:02 AM	#5
roadx . Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,155	WOW!!!! thanks for the read and motivation __________________

06-08-2011, 06:27 AM	#6
DanaPT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: South OC Posts: 1,606	YOU are da man. . . NIce fish. Way different caliber of fishing in LJ than in most so cal, but maybe not?! I'm gonna stop blaming the arrow and take a little closer look at the brave. "hour by hour" changes? Makes sense to me, he'll I'm still trying to figure what day of the week to paddle. Just when I learn more, I learn that there is more to know. I love it. I'm inspired to get my trophy for sure.

06-08-2011, 10:50 AM	#7
yani Guest Posts: n/a	Josh, I don't know if there's a correlation between happiness and supreme fishing ability. I'm just glad you're not Greek, because then I would have never been able to to find and keep a "happy" Greek wife... Jorluivil, at least you've almost got as many posts as Darkhorse.

06-08-2011, 10:56 AM	#8
Iceman Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 1-2 miles off the point Posts: 6,948	So the cooler shot has all three in there. SLAM in a single day? that is a true claim to fame if so! Alot of guys can claim 2 out of 3 in a day. You used the word "competitor" a billion times in your post.........com on you may be able to win the year after just this month. __________________

06-08-2011, 11:44 AM	#9
cjthomas Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 108	you make it look too easy! Nice!!

06-08-2011, 02:07 PM	#10
theluckypig Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: San Pedro Posts: 694	ever think of getting a commerical licence??? "do what you love and the money will follow..."

06-08-2011, 02:43 PM	#11
knightnsd Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Rancho San Diego, California Posts: 32	josh's fish I don't think Josh's fish is really that big, he is just getting smaller! Last edited by knightnsd; 06-08-2011 at 02:45 PM. Reason: typos

06-08-2011, 03:56 PM	#12
RK Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 736	3rd photo is the definition of a $hit eating grin !!!!!!! God damn well done, well i'll expect my royalty check in the mail......... Damn!!!!! Dont really know what to say... And Josh Im holding my cards till June 30th at 11:53 pm

06-08-2011, 04:24 PM	#13
Mtobolsky Loves his member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 122	If for some reason we couldn't see who Posted these reports wewould still know when Josh posts..... Only the guhorse can elicit 700+ views in 3 hours.....and his other recent post over 4000... Good lord, when you talk people listen......if only our chicks were like that eh!

06-08-2011, 05:53 PM	#14
yakrider Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 611	it just aint right! whilst the rest of the world is working... Josh is "working"! it just aint right I tell ya! nicely done sir!

06-08-2011, 06:04 PM	#15
GBF Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Huntington Beach CA Posts: 323	She looks like Kim Kardasian for sure!!.........fat, fat hips on her!! Congrats Mr Darkhorse!!! GBF __________________ "Just keep going out....it's better than staying Home"

06-08-2011, 06:19 PM	#16
eekamouse463 Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: MISSION BEACH Posts: 76	slow down there boss!! Save me some fish LOL.

06-08-2011, 06:45 PM	#17
driftwood Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SAN DIEGO Posts: 1,086	I still say the fish look bigger on your Revo Josh. But, it seems like your catching more fish on that Yum yum yellow PA So, is the Revo a keeper or the PA? Amazing post BTW...

06-09-2011, 11:33 PM	#19
frugalfisher Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: San Diego Posts: 190	Hi Josh! NICE WORK!! I know damn well you work for em. Congratulations! Damn, I'm starving in the lab,,,...gotta break free-.. To the OCEAN... Hope to see you soon, James __________________ James Caldwell Yellow Prowler

06-10-2011, 12:19 PM	#20
Mtobolsky Loves his member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 122	my guess on the WSB is that it was a head saved for hubbs.........absolutely not disconting the FACT that this man is capable of a La Jolla slam in one day but i also know how he like to eat at people..........we shall see as the story unfolds...