Late report for Nov 14th, Julie finishes the “Grand Slam” - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Aaron&Julie · 11-27-2010, 09:16 PM

There was no intention for such a late report, but hope someone will enjoy it.
We usually launch pre-dawn, but didn’t make it out through knee slappers until 6:30AM. Turned out to be a gorgeous day in many ways, with the main objective, to at least make bug-bait. While trying to make bait, we both, on different occasions, saw something silvery and about 12 pounds jump out of the water, somewhat of a mystery. It was a slow go for bait, so, after getting about 10 total macks, 50/50 on greenies/Spanish in the tanks, we sought bigger game.
Heading to the usual grounds, about 2+ miles from the launch we passed a PBer who looked like he had the right kind. Watched for about 10 minutes, then asked if he might be on a yellow. He said, “No, a 100lb. Thresher”, which apparently didn’t jump while we were watching.
We decided to keep to our task and go out another mile before turning for a drift back towards the launch. While on a drift, the earlier mystery was solved as Aaron spotted about a dozen 12lb sunfish using his kayak for shade. Before Julie could see them too, his paddle spooked them off, but a couple jumped to verify earlier speculations.

Some on-the-water company...

Soon after, Julie’s flylined clicker goes off a little. Then, seconds later her 2oz. rig is bit, then hooked up with a good tow going on, but soon she was cut off. The mono leader had some fraying and we were thinking Thresher, which probably slapped her flylined bait first.
We continue back towards the launch alternating paddling and drifting. When we get close to the area of the earlier PBer, Aaron’s rather large Greenie is getting spooked by something, but no taker. One minute later, Julie is bit again. After hooking it, and a short run, it goes completely slack. Reeling fast she gets in the loose line as she sees the Thresher swim under her ‘yak. We’re not sure if when he made his turn, the Spectre ended up in his mouth, but when the line went real tight again that is were the cut occurred. She’s now 0 for 3 on the day
We head back out to repeat the plan, the porpoises giving us a good show along the way, adding to this absolutely beautiful day, better than all of our summer trips. No wind, sun out, shorts and T-shirts, you’ve got to love it.
As we start heading North while making the turn to drift/paddle in, she’s bit and hooked up again. We’re waiting for the jump, which never occurred. It fought mostly straight up and down, keeping her going in circles.

The battle begins...

Putting the wood to it

Maintaining good balance

Happy as a clam

After 30 minutes we see the Thresher for the first time.

Aaron explains the grab the tail theory (grab, let go if still active), but she has some trepidations. After 45 minutes the Thresher is pooped. She grabs the tail, and holds while Aaron ties it off. We manage to tow it aboard, Aaron ties it down and cuts the gills. Now, she’s 1 for 4. Within the hour, Aaron guts it.

A couple of on-the water shots...

and

We fish some more while heading in, Aaron making casts with the sabiki rig until we find the big schools of sardines and mackerel, making plenty of bug-bait, and achieving our main goal. What a hell of a bonus the day turned out to be, though.

The end of a great day...

The question remains…is she the first woman to complete the West Coast “Inshore Kayak Grand Slam”, that being Yellowtail, White Sea Bass, Halibut and Thresher Shark, with the Thresher actually being put on (by 2 of us) her ‘yak , paddled in, and landing on the beach safely, as Julie did?

If anyone knows of a good Thresher Shark fin soup recipe we’d love to hear it. We’ve already had 3 fabulous grilled dinners, with many more to follow, as these last 3 photos indicate...

Pre-trim

Pre-bag

Packaged-dinners

PAL · 11-27-2010, 09:24 PM

None that I've heard of. Julie is one of a kind - the awesome kind!

Iceman · 11-27-2010, 10:12 PM

Felt like I was in a time warp. Awesome! Can not remember the last tale from you 2.

lterrero · 11-27-2010, 10:16 PM

WOW!!! Great Pics...

thanks.

StinkyMatt · 11-27-2010, 10:59 PM

Great report and photos.

Dear Santa: Please bring these fishing fools a BIGGER icechest!

Jzo · 11-28-2010, 03:48 AM

Thx for the great report as always, congrats!

jorluivil · 11-28-2010, 06:30 AM

Awesome pics! I wish my hooping trip last night had the same water conditions.

How does Thresher taste?

THE DARKHORSE · 11-29-2010, 10:18 AM

All honey colored blanks, no sonar, cut-off bucket powered bait-tank/bilge pump in a pinch---old-school at it's finest.

Aaron&Julie · 11-29-2010, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THE DARKHORSE

All honey colored blanks, no sonar, cut-off bucket powered bait-tank/bilge pump in a pinch---old-school at it's finest.

Thanks, we're glad someone noticed, especially with the newest group of "peddling, installed bait tank" fishermen/women that now exists. Not that luxury isn't nice. The only upgrade we've made since starting this wonderful sport is our 2 piece Werner paddles, which were worth it. Maybe someday we'll spring for a fish finder, but until then, we're satisfied with our results.

Thanks for all the other wonderful comments.

We estimated about 80lbs, weighing the individual body parts and adding an estimated weight for bleeding and gut removal. Besides the heft of hoisting it into the truck.
Aaron&Julie

11-27-2010, 09:16 PM	#1
Aaron&Julie Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Spring Valley Posts: 1,400	Late report for Nov 14th, Julie finishes the “Grand Slam” There was no intention for such a late report, but hope someone will enjoy it. We usually launch pre-dawn, but didn’t make it out through knee slappers until 6:30AM. Turned out to be a gorgeous day in many ways, with the main objective, to at least make bug-bait. While trying to make bait, we both, on different occasions, saw something silvery and about 12 pounds jump out of the water, somewhat of a mystery. It was a slow go for bait, so, after getting about 10 total macks, 50/50 on greenies/Spanish in the tanks, we sought bigger game. Heading to the usual grounds, about 2+ miles from the launch we passed a PBer who looked like he had the right kind. Watched for about 10 minutes, then asked if he might be on a yellow. He said, “No, a 100lb. Thresher”, which apparently didn’t jump while we were watching. We decided to keep to our task and go out another mile before turning for a drift back towards the launch. While on a drift, the earlier mystery was solved as Aaron spotted about a dozen 12lb sunfish using his kayak for shade. Before Julie could see them too, his paddle spooked them off, but a couple jumped to verify earlier speculations. Some on-the-water company... Soon after, Julie’s flylined clicker goes off a little. Then, seconds later her 2oz. rig is bit, then hooked up with a good tow going on, but soon she was cut off. The mono leader had some fraying and we were thinking Thresher, which probably slapped her flylined bait first. We continue back towards the launch alternating paddling and drifting. When we get close to the area of the earlier PBer, Aaron’s rather large Greenie is getting spooked by something, but no taker. One minute later, Julie is bit again. After hooking it, and a short run, it goes completely slack. Reeling fast she gets in the loose line as she sees the Thresher swim under her ‘yak. We’re not sure if when he made his turn, the Spectre ended up in his mouth, but when the line went real tight again that is were the cut occurred. She’s now 0 for 3 on the day We head back out to repeat the plan, the porpoises giving us a good show along the way, adding to this absolutely beautiful day, better than all of our summer trips. No wind, sun out, shorts and T-shirts, you’ve got to love it. As we start heading North while making the turn to drift/paddle in, she’s bit and hooked up again. We’re waiting for the jump, which never occurred. It fought mostly straight up and down, keeping her going in circles. The battle begins... Putting the wood to it Maintaining good balance Happy as a clam After 30 minutes we see the Thresher for the first time. Aaron explains the grab the tail theory (grab, let go if still active), but she has some trepidations. After 45 minutes the Thresher is pooped. She grabs the tail, and holds while Aaron ties it off. We manage to tow it aboard, Aaron ties it down and cuts the gills. Now, she’s 1 for 4. Within the hour, Aaron guts it. A couple of on-the water shots... and We fish some more while heading in, Aaron making casts with the sabiki rig until we find the big schools of sardines and mackerel, making plenty of bug-bait, and achieving our main goal. What a hell of a bonus the day turned out to be, though. The end of a great day... The question remains…is she the first woman to complete the West Coast “Inshore Kayak Grand Slam”, that being Yellowtail, White Sea Bass, Halibut and Thresher Shark, with the Thresher actually being put on (by 2 of us) her ‘yak , paddled in, and landing on the beach safely, as Julie did? If anyone knows of a good Thresher Shark fin soup recipe we’d love to hear it. We’ve already had 3 fabulous grilled dinners, with many more to follow, as these last 3 photos indicate... Pre-trim Pre-bag Packaged-dinners __________________ "Never say die" Last edited by Aaron&Julie; 11-28-2010 at 09:04 AM. Reason: Removed erroneous symbols

11-27-2010, 10:12 PM	#3
Iceman Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 1-2 miles off the point Posts: 6,948	Felt like I was in a time warp. Awesome! Can not remember the last tale from you 2. __________________

11-29-2010, 10:18 AM	#8
THE DARKHORSE Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Seven minutes from the launch! Posts: 987	Thresher Shark---it's what's for dinner! All honey colored blanks, no sonar, cut-off bucket powered bait-tank/bilge pump in a pinch---old-school at it's finest. __________________

11-27-2010, 09:24 PM	#2
PAL Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 754	None that I've heard of. Julie is one of a kind - the awesome kind!

11-27-2010, 10:16 PM	#4
lterrero Leo Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: La Jolla, CA Posts: 482	WOW!!! Great Pics... thanks.

11-27-2010, 10:59 PM	#5
StinkyMatt Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Under a bridge Posts: 2,169	Great report and photos. Dear Santa: Please bring these fishing fools a BIGGER icechest!

11-28-2010, 03:48 AM	#6
Jzo Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 344	Thx for the great report as always, congrats!

11-28-2010, 06:30 AM	#7
jorluivil Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 6,856	Awesome pics! I wish my hooping trip last night had the same water conditions. How does Thresher taste?