LJ 08/26 First Yellowtail off kayak

[deltadelta]

Hit the water around 6:00AM to an easy launch. Peddled out past the reserve for bait, which was pretty much dead. Most people I talked too had a tough time finding and catching bait. I managed to catch one spanish mac at around 8:00 and at around 9:00 I stopped trying. I decided that I could either fish for bait the rest of the day or troll with the one I had and actually start fishing, I obviously chose the later.

I saved the bait in the bait tank till I hit 125 feet of water and then I let her rip. Made my way to 170 feet for nothing and then decided to head back to shallower water. At around 100 feet the reel started screaming and I was hooked on my first yellowtail on my kayak. Got it up to the kayak gaffed it, took some pictures (thank you Mitch for the pictures and advice) and headed back in with a wide smile. The fish measured 35 inches, I didn't have a scale on me so I'm not sure of the weight.




Got home, cleaned it, filleted it, and put in the fridge/freezer for some sashimi/sushi. Just got done eating some of it and it tasted great (hopefully there where no worms). I used the recipe off fishermansbelly.com for the sushi rice and I plan on using the ceviche recipe to make some ceviche tomorrow for lunch (thank you Yanni).



Thanks for everyone who has helped me out and offered their advice along the way! It took a lot of trial and error and a lot of time on the water (6-7 trips) but I finally killed the skunk. I'm definitely hooked and itching till I can get out their again

[steveooo]

Stoked! Nice cherry popper!

[the dude]

you always remember your first. Good job. Nice fish!

[h-james]

I gave it a shot at La Jolla today also. And like you I found bait hard to find. Managed one BIG spanish mac, that I finally put out at 0830. I covered some ground trailing that beast behind me, thinking nothing could be interested in that monstrosity.
At 110O that Spanish Mac got hit by a freight train! Whatever I had on the line was not stopping. Finally, ended when my 50 lb braided line broke.
An exciting two minutes, for sure.
I initially thought it was a seal, but the furbags were nowhere to be seen all day.
Who knows.
Gonna hit it again tomorrow.
Maybe I'll come back with a success story like yours!

[alanw]

Awesome, feels great right? Four years fishing Dana Point and no kayak Yellowtail yet, not that I target them that much, but one day... Enjoy!

[FISH11]

Congrats on a nice fish. That first one always taste the best and be remembered the fondest. Yellowtail from a kayak is awesome and why I go out every time with that in mind. I love to eat them and love even more the sleigh rides. The colors are amazing and I think there isn't a more beautiful fish.

[Geno Machino]

Great Work!

And persistence!!

Enjoy!!!



Geno

[LJ H2Oman]

Had the same experience a month ago . . . a dog, a big yellow or a thresher? I'll never know, but it broke off 60 pound braid. Sure doubt a yellow would have done that. Made for an wild 5-10 minutes, that's for sure!

[lamb]

Congrats on your first!!
Nothing like first yellah on the kayak. Sweet!!!

No shit about bait.
I went out on my skiff on Saturday, 1PM, to try to make macks for Sunday tuna run. I worked hard from MB all the way up to Scrips pier. Lizards only.

They can be plenty, in some areas. They come and go, it seems.

[kayakfisherman]

Congrats on your first yellowtail!!! And catching 'em this month has been easy!!! I'm so stoked you're trying a recipe or two!

Your smile says it all!

[Sully1]

Now you're the one hooked.

[jacksonbigtuna]

Nice! Where did you launch from? I'm hoping to get down to San Diego this weekend. I kayak fish up in the monterey bay all the time. Hoping to hook up with a tuna down south!!

Thanks in advance,
David

[NICKWORN]

Originally Posted by jacksonbigtuna

Nice! Where did you launch from? I'm hoping to get down to San Diego this weekend. I kayak fish up in the monterey bay all the time. Hoping to hook up with a tuna down south!!

Thanks in advance,
David

You plan on traveling quite a ways offshore??

[kpe42]

Originally Posted by jacksonbigtuna

Nice! Where did you launch from? I'm hoping to get down to San Diego this weekend. I kayak fish up in the monterey bay all the time. Hoping to hook up with a tuna down south!!

Thanks in advance,
David

La Jolla Shores beach launch is the place. Paddle/peddle west at least until you clear land on your left (LJ Cove). most start bait fising there and continue west then S/West to fish the outside of the kelp line (tho there's not much at the surface). YT are usually 80-130 depth or more anywhere from the NW corner on down & out. Check the state preserves and GPS the area if you can.

Good Luck!

[Sea Hair]

Wow, nice fish!