LJ 8-22-15 - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

C. Cary · 08-22-2015, 09:11 PM

Launched @ 6am to small surf but still took 2 over the bow. Caught 3 jumbo greenback mac for bait and a couple even bigger that I released. Hooked up and landed yellowtail about 8:30 in 160ft. I am estimating 18-20 lbs, measured 36" to the fork, pretty thick. This guy fought like a much bigger fish, he gave me 4-5 good runs. Hook up was near some bird activity. Tried for a double to no avail, back at the launch by10:45am, had to get to a 90th birthday party. Taco's on Sunday!!

captnblood34 · 08-23-2015, 03:23 PM

Good job!

FISH11 · 08-23-2015, 03:31 PM

Can't have much better tacos than Yellowtail. I think the texture of the meat is one of the things why I love Yellowtail over a lot of other fish.

govomit · 08-23-2015, 05:32 PM

Went same day, almost same experience. VERY hard to make bait in the morning 8 to 9. Started with only 2 jack macks. First YT fought hard and broke the line after ~10 mins - damn 30 lbs chinese "fluoro"! Went back for bait and got 4 easier. Then caught two YT (15# & 17#) between 11 and 1 PM. Their bellies were stuffed with tuna crabs. Wandering how my mackerel could fit in there...

I also had one mack die from bites. Attached photo shows the damage on back and belly. Is this "short bite" from YT, or some other smaller predators attacked it ?

GregAndrew · 08-23-2015, 06:00 PM

Nice catch. That Mack looks like Octopus bite. Was it on the dropper loop?

Iceman · 08-23-2015, 06:10 PM

I have had calicos leave my bait looking like that, they clamp down on the back 1/3 and you pull it out of their mouth.

govomit · 08-23-2015, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregAndrew

Nice catch. That Mack looks like Octopus bite. Was it on the dropper loop?

No, slow trolling a fly-line. Heard very short clicks 2-3 times, but I'm a rookie and do not know yet how to interpret them

I guess most often it is the bait fish going sideways to avoid predators ?

PS: Greg - watched your videos, you are at the top of the food chain

I'm glad there is just One of you, so we (mere mortals) get a chance to catch something bigger than a mackerel.

DDS · 08-23-2015, 07:23 PM

I have had multiple macs get munched like that from sea lions while fly lining...they seem smart enough to come up and yank on it 2-3 times without getting hooked. Seems they do just enough to kill it so that you throw it in...I've started putting these mortally wounded macs back in my bait tank to keep the sea lions from seeing the fruits of their labor.

govomit · 08-23-2015, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DDS

I've started putting these mortally wounded macs back in my bait tank to keep the sea lions from seeing the fruits of their labor.

Yep, agree. No freebies for the thieves. Chumming bait fish only - they deserve it

08-22-2015, 09:11 PM	#1
C. Cary Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Carmel Valley Posts: 105	LJ 8-22-15 Launched @ 6am to small surf but still took 2 over the bow. Caught 3 jumbo greenback mac for bait and a couple even bigger that I released. Hooked up and landed yellowtail about 8:30 in 160ft. I am estimating 18-20 lbs, measured 36" to the fork, pretty thick. This guy fought like a much bigger fish, he gave me 4-5 good runs. Hook up was near some bird activity. Tried for a double to no avail, back at the launch by10:45am, had to get to a 90th birthday party. Taco's on Sunday!! __________________ Isn't this America? Let them fish

08-23-2015, 03:31 PM	#3
FISH11 Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Pine Valley when not fishing La Jolla Posts: 2,643	Can't have much better tacos than Yellowtail. I think the texture of the meat is one of the things why I love Yellowtail over a lot of other fish. __________________ MARK ......... 2016 MALIBU X FACTOR, 2020 SOLO SKIFF (Fishing Kayak on Steroids )

08-23-2015, 05:32 PM	#4
govomit Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 77	similar on Saturday Went same day, almost same experience. VERY hard to make bait in the morning 8 to 9. Started with only 2 jack macks. First YT fought hard and broke the line after ~10 mins - damn 30 lbs chinese "fluoro"! Went back for bait and got 4 easier. Then caught two YT (15# & 17#) between 11 and 1 PM. Their bellies were stuffed with tuna crabs. Wandering how my mackerel could fit in there... I also had one mack die from bites. Attached photo shows the damage on back and belly. Is this "short bite" from YT, or some other smaller predators attacked it ? Attached Images

08-23-2015, 06:10 PM	#6
Iceman Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 1-2 miles off the point Posts: 6,948	I have had calicos leave my bait looking like that, they clamp down on the back 1/3 and you pull it out of their mouth. __________________

08-23-2015, 07:23 PM	#8
DDS Finally landed one Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: San Diego Posts: 35	I have had multiple macs get munched like that from sea lions while fly lining...they seem smart enough to come up and yank on it 2-3 times without getting hooked. Seems they do just enough to kill it so that you throw it in...I've started putting these mortally wounded macs back in my bait tank to keep the sea lions from seeing the fruits of their labor. __________________ 2014 Hobie Tandem Island (to fish with the kids) 2017 Hobie Pro Angler 14 (for solo missions)

08-23-2015, 03:23 PM	#2
captnblood34 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Otay Posts: 704	Good job!

08-23-2015, 06:00 PM	#5
GregAndrew Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,384	Nice catch. That Mack looks like Octopus bite. Was it on the dropper loop?