Mako in La Jolla - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

JasonG · 08-07-2020, 02:54 PM

Hooked my first Mako on Thursday! Sorry, no pics... after almost 30 minutes and getting him next to the kayak for the fourth time he finally cut my line. He was about 4-4 1/2 feet long. It was the most fun I’ve had fishing in a while, he put on a full aerial display and breached about six times!

I’m curious, do you guys try to keep Mako’s when you catch them? (I hear they are good eating) Also, how many of you have landed one with a fluoro or mono leader? I know most guys targeting Mako use steel leaders. I’m probably not going to setup a rod with a steel leader, I’m more interested in Yellowtail and Sea Bass, but that was a ton of fun while it lasted!

Definitely going to setup my GoPro so I can document that if it happens again!

sculpins4bait · 08-07-2020, 03:20 PM

They’re one of the best sharks to eat. You’ll land em on flouro more often if you use a circle hook.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

FullFlavorPike · 08-07-2020, 03:34 PM

It's actually more impressive to me that he didn't cut you off during the jumps. Seems like they manage to get free by taking to the air a lot of the time. I think the transition in and out of water, and slack on the line, puts crazy shearing stresses on your line and knots, and they tend to snap.

They are good to eat, but a good chunk of work. If you get one, easiest thing to do is just cut it into thick steaks. Make sure you have a sharpening stone handy because shark skin will dull your knife FAST.

JasonG · 08-08-2020, 04:05 PM

Thanks for the feedback. I did have him on a 4/0 circle hook. I think I pulled a little to hard on his last run below the kayak. Next time.

TJones · 08-08-2020, 07:12 PM

on youtube of a couple guys landing one on kayaks. It almost went very bad. Anyone have link? Anyways use extra caution when he is topside or when he is doing his aerial acrobatics for that matter.

TJones · 08-08-2020, 07:15 PM

https://youtu.be/qWcJ7SQL1DM

JohnMckroidJr · 08-12-2020, 11:26 AM

One of the most aggressive sharks species out there, They taste similar to swordfish.

captainbarky · 08-12-2020, 02:09 PM

My buddy hooked a 40-50lb mako at LJ a couple months ago. It made me a little nervous when it threw a back flip about 25' away from my kayak. I still have a freeze frame in my head when it was nose down to the water, about to re-enter.

katchfish · 08-12-2020, 09:03 PM

Like this...

captainbarky · 08-13-2020, 01:18 PM

Ha! Close. Rotate the shark 90 degrees counter clockwise and straighten the tail and that was it!

08-07-2020, 02:54 PM	#1
JasonG Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: North County San Diego Posts: 50	Mako in La Jolla Hooked my first Mako on Thursday! Sorry, no pics... after almost 30 minutes and getting him next to the kayak for the fourth time he finally cut my line. He was about 4-4 1/2 feet long. It was the most fun I’ve had fishing in a while, he put on a full aerial display and breached about six times! I’m curious, do you guys try to keep Mako’s when you catch them? (I hear they are good eating) Also, how many of you have landed one with a fluoro or mono leader? I know most guys targeting Mako use steel leaders. I’m probably not going to setup a rod with a steel leader, I’m more interested in Yellowtail and Sea Bass, but that was a ton of fun while it lasted! Definitely going to setup my GoPro so I can document that if it happens again!

08-08-2020, 07:12 PM	#5
TJones Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,526	Video floating around on youtube of a couple guys landing one on kayaks. It almost went very bad. Anyone have link? Anyways use extra caution when he is topside or when he is doing his aerial acrobatics for that matter.

08-08-2020, 07:15 PM	#6
TJones Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,526	Here is video https://youtu.be/qWcJ7SQL1DM

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08-07-2020, 03:20 PM	#2
sculpins4bait Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: SD Posts: 104	They’re one of the best sharks to eat. You’ll land em on flouro more often if you use a circle hook. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

08-07-2020, 03:34 PM	#3
FullFlavorPike Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 809	It's actually more impressive to me that he didn't cut you off during the jumps. Seems like they manage to get free by taking to the air a lot of the time. I think the transition in and out of water, and slack on the line, puts crazy shearing stresses on your line and knots, and they tend to snap. They are good to eat, but a good chunk of work. If you get one, easiest thing to do is just cut it into thick steaks. Make sure you have a sharpening stone handy because shark skin will dull your knife FAST.

08-08-2020, 04:05 PM	#4
JasonG Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: North County San Diego Posts: 50	Thanks for the feedback. I did have him on a 4/0 circle hook. I think I pulled a little to hard on his last run below the kayak. Next time.

08-12-2020, 11:26 AM	#7
JohnMckroidJr Senior Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Fort Lauderdale Posts: 1,945	One of the most aggressive sharks species out there, They taste similar to swordfish.

08-12-2020, 02:09 PM	#8
captainbarky Junior Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 13	My buddy hooked a 40-50lb mako at LJ a couple months ago. It made me a little nervous when it threw a back flip about 25' away from my kayak. I still have a freeze frame in my head when it was nose down to the water, about to re-enter.

08-12-2020, 09:03 PM	#9
katchfish Paddle for Mahi Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Doing the happy paddle! Posts: 849	Like this...

08-13-2020, 01:18 PM	#10
captainbarky Junior Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 13	Ha! Close. Rotate the shark 90 degrees counter clockwise and straighten the tail and that was it!