Blind Squirrel finds a nut - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

taggermike · 07-01-2012, 02:26 PM

After 40 years fishing in So Cal, 14 from the kayak, I finally caught a legal WSB. The ocean owes you nothing but I can't help feeling that I was due. After kid stuff and honey-do's I launched Thursday at 10:30. Worked hard to make bait and managed 1 spanish for my efforts. Headed around in front of the condo just outside the kelp edge. I dropped my one mack back on 65lb PP with 40lb fluoro leader and started moving south. Got picked up, set the hook, and the fish headed off near the surface on a hard run. Not a YT with the surface run. Then it stops running and starts with big head shakes, then takes off again. Maybe foul hook T-shark? 2 runs and many shakes and the fish comes right up. It circles in to view from under the yak and I'm embarrassed to say that it took me a couple seconds to recognize what it is. I've seen millions of WSB, seriously, but it's high noon, bright sun, super clear water, and I'm out side the kelp. Just not thinking WSB. My new golf club handle gaff got a fine first use. Bled and into the hatch and headed for home. No wieght (guess maybe 40lbs) and only one lame on the cutting board foto. Hopefully I won't go 40 years befor the next one. Mike

taggermike · 07-01-2012, 02:27 PM

Yes, my daughter loves fish.

yakman619 · 07-01-2012, 03:25 PM

Congrats man; I'm still waiting for the day that I tag something bigger than a rock fish from my yak.

FARRIER · 07-01-2012, 03:30 PM

Sweet man I am still chasing my first WSB keeper. I've let go a few dinks. Stoked for you!

steveooo · 07-01-2012, 03:45 PM

Nice! I like that you mixed up the variety, all these YT reports are getting lame

Congrats

bus kid · 07-01-2012, 04:57 PM

Nice, congrats.

GregAndrew · 07-01-2012, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by taggermike

Yes, my daughter loves fish.

Classic photo. Nice fish!

bigbarrels · 07-01-2012, 06:15 PM

congrats

blitzburgh · 07-01-2012, 08:40 PM

Way to go!!!!!!

lamb · 07-01-2012, 09:22 PM

Nice, congrats!!!

Sweet to see a bigger Cbass!

All I am getting an opportunity to see this year in LJ are smaller ones...

Also - everyone please remember, Hubbs/Seaworld will still be stoked to get your White Seabass head for potential tag recovery/their research. It seems like they're having their funding squeezed; it looks like they no longer can afford a full time person for the WSB program (my VMs went unanswered). You can drop your head(s) with the guys at Dana Point Landing market - note the length and weight of the fish, when and where you caught it (depth); they need that data.

http://www.hswri.org/media/White_Seabass_Handout_2b.pdf

07-01-2012, 09:28 PM

congrats!!! it's funny when you're expecting one thing,
and up pops another!!

Nice Fish.

Gigafish · 07-01-2012, 09:33 PM

Nice trophy of a fish. Congrats.

theluckypig · 07-01-2012, 10:04 PM

StinkyMatt · 07-01-2012, 10:08 PM

Way to go Mike!

You got to get a photo of a moment like that! All that time....finally!

walrus · 07-02-2012, 06:55 AM

Congrats, I hear the longer you wait the better it is.

I hope that's true because I'm still waiting.

07-01-2012, 02:26 PM	#1
taggermike Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chula Vista Posts: 1,589	Blind Squirrel finds a nut After 40 years fishing in So Cal, 14 from the kayak, I finally caught a legal WSB. The ocean owes you nothing but I can't help feeling that I was due. After kid stuff and honey-do's I launched Thursday at 10:30. Worked hard to make bait and managed 1 spanish for my efforts. Headed around in front of the condo just outside the kelp edge. I dropped my one mack back on 65lb PP with 40lb fluoro leader and started moving south. Got picked up, set the hook, and the fish headed off near the surface on a hard run. Not a YT with the surface run. Then it stops running and starts with big head shakes, then takes off again. Maybe foul hook T-shark? 2 runs and many shakes and the fish comes right up. It circles in to view from under the yak and I'm embarrassed to say that it took me a couple seconds to recognize what it is. I've seen millions of WSB, seriously, but it's high noon, bright sun, super clear water, and I'm out side the kelp. Just not thinking WSB. My new golf club handle gaff got a fine first use. Bled and into the hatch and headed for home. No wieght (guess maybe 40lbs) and only one lame on the cutting board foto. Hopefully I won't go 40 years befor the next one. Mike Attached Images

07-01-2012, 03:30 PM	#4
FARRIER Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Cmont [] Posts: 314	Sweet man I am still chasing my first WSB keeper. I've let go a few dinks. Stoked for you! __________________ "It depends on what the meaning of the words 'is' is." –Bill Clinton

07-01-2012, 04:57 PM	#6
bus kid Team Keine Zugehörigkeit Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Way out there Posts: 2,854	Nice, congrats. __________________ Não alimente os trolls------------Don't feed the trolls---------------インタネット荒らしを無視しろ

07-01-2012, 06:15 PM	#8
bigbarrels Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Vista Posts: 1,111	congrats __________________ The shorter you are, the bigger your fish appear

07-01-2012, 08:40 PM	#9
blitzburgh Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Menifee Posts: 2,509	Way to go!!!!!! __________________ ”The beauty of the Second Amendment is that it will not be needed until they try to take it.” ~Thomas Jefferson.........maybe

07-01-2012, 02:27 PM	#2
taggermike Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chula Vista Posts: 1,589	Yes, my daughter loves fish.

07-01-2012, 03:25 PM	#3
yakman619 HMFIC Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Serra Mesa Posts: 108	Congrats man; I'm still waiting for the day that I tag something bigger than a rock fish from my yak.

07-01-2012, 03:45 PM	#5
steveooo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 1,921	Nice! I like that you mixed up the variety, all these YT reports are getting lame Congrats

07-01-2012, 09:22 PM	#10
lamb Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 2,568	Nice, congrats!!! Sweet to see a bigger Cbass! All I am getting an opportunity to see this year in LJ are smaller ones... Also - everyone please remember, Hubbs/Seaworld will still be stoked to get your White Seabass head for potential tag recovery/their research. It seems like they're having their funding squeezed; it looks like they no longer can afford a full time person for the WSB program (my VMs went unanswered). You can drop your head(s) with the guys at Dana Point Landing market - note the length and weight of the fish, when and where you caught it (depth); they need that data. http://www.hswri.org/media/White_Seabass_Handout_2b.pdf __________________ [------------------------ <)))< ....b-a-a-a-a

07-01-2012, 09:28 PM	#11
yani Guest Posts: n/a	congrats!!! it's funny when you're expecting one thing, and up pops another!! Nice Fish.

07-01-2012, 09:33 PM	#12
Gigafish Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 309	Nice trophy of a fish. Congrats.

07-01-2012, 10:04 PM	#13
theluckypig Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: San Pedro Posts: 694

07-01-2012, 10:08 PM	#14
StinkyMatt Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Under a bridge Posts: 2,169	Way to go Mike! You got to get a photo of a moment like that! All that time....finally!

07-02-2012, 06:55 AM	#15
walrus Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Baja fish camp Posts: 478	Congrats, I hear the longer you wait the better it is. I hope that's true because I'm still waiting.