Merry Christmas - A Yellow-tale - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

blitzburgh · 12-25-2011, 12:00 PM

I used to think that after landing my first La Jolla (and second ever) Yellow, that I would have an amazing report to post. Full of all the details and photos that most of us Kayakers really like to read about. Gear, water temp, air temp, current, bait etc... . What ended up happening was a little unexpected, however. On June 1st of this year, I lost my one and only big Sister, Lori. She succumbed to complications from a ruptured brain aneurysm. It has been a devastating loss to the entire family and as we approached Christmas, it started to get tough again. Rewind to this past Wednesday. I headed out on my 4th venture at La Jolla. Beautiful day, small surf. Got to the grounds and on my second drop, got bit and the fight was on. The only word I can muster is 'amazing'. Simply amazing. Just after I was hooked up, another kayaker slides closer to me. The following is not the conversation verbatim but pretty close;

Kayaker: Dude, you got a bait down?
Me: (struggling voice) Ya, I'm hooked up
Kayaker: Nice!
Me: I'm stoked cause' this is my first LJ Yellow
Kayaker: What!? Seriously? That's AWESOME! Don't be surprised if you pull up a 40lb'er, they're lurkin down there. Dude, look at your finder....
Me: (Finally looking at my HDS-5, I was fixated on the fight I wasn't paying attention) HOLY S#IT! ( I had never seen my screen THAT full of fish before).
Kayaker: I know! They're stacked down there!

At this point, he proceeds to give me some great tips.

Kayaker: Ok, be careful if he turns that way (points) because there's a ton of lobster pots over there. And if he turns that way (points in different direction), that's the kelp...what do you got on there?
Me: 65lb spectra & a 40lb. flouro leader
Kayaker: Oh you're good dude.

This guy then starts cheering me on. I mean, he was just as excited watching me fight this fish as I was to be fighting it. I'm talkin' fist pumps and shouts and everything. I thank the guy for his advice a couple of times. "No worries man! Congrats and enjoy the experience!" He lets out some 'woo's!' as he peddles away. I fight this beauty for around 13-15 minutes and land it. I have pictures of me fishing in diapers at Lake Erie and have been fishing my entire life. I cannot ever remember a time that I let out such a huge scream upon landing a fish.

Fast forward to loading up the gear, after a successful landing I might add. I see the guy make his way in as well. I eventually approach him to thank him again for his helpful info. We introduce ourselves and he gives me even more tips on how to prep my YT. We discussed the events of the morning and this guy was so friendly and happy for me it blew me away. Back to my sister; She was the consummate beach bum. She lived in San Clemente for 20+ years. She loved the beach but she loved the people more. How friendly they are, caring and generous.

The next few days after my catch and encounter with this guy, left me thinking of a lot of things. The fish was only part of it. My Christian beliefs caused me to search for the lesson in this. What it was I cannot say 100%. I do know that this guy reminded me of my Sis' and brought a big smile to my face because of it. So I want to thank Ryan (a.k.a. RK) for being a great guy and reminding me how good people can be to each other

. I want to thank everyone in the BWE crew for the countless tips and info. And most important of all, I want to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ for giving me the tools and opportunity to catch such a beautiful creature and feed my family. Merry Christmas!

Geno Machino · 12-25-2011, 12:10 PM

Cool story! And God works in mysterious ways.

Geno

T Bone · 12-25-2011, 12:14 PM

Nice Fish!

Amen to that story too!

We need to all remember that its HIS birthday and he brought the gift of Salvation and peace to our soul...

MVC · 12-25-2011, 12:18 PM

Great post, nice fish. My sister died 22 years ago this March. We were 18 months apart and I still think about her every day. She too was a Christian so I know that I will see her again.
Merry Christmas

Billy V · 12-25-2011, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blitzburgh

This guy then starts cheering me on. I mean, he was just as excited watching me fight this fish as I was to be fighting it. I'm talkin' fist pumps and shouts and everything.

Front row seats to the show are great. lol.
- You get to see all the details that become a blur to the actual angler.

I bet you will never forget the screen shot on the HDS.

lterrero · 12-25-2011, 12:50 PM

being out there, and if you catch some thing is

Merry Christmas For you & BWE great team!

yakrider · 12-25-2011, 01:19 PM

wow...
thank you for such a great story...
that is the way we should all be to on another...
great job Ryan...
you have inspired me and hopefully many others...
awesome story any time of year!!

bellcon · 12-25-2011, 01:25 PM

Very inspirational story
my first guess was you were talking about Ryan

Hypoxic1 · 12-25-2011, 01:51 PM

RK is definately one of the friendliest guys you will find on the water. Hes a rare breed.
Thanks for sharing your great story !

theluckypig · 12-25-2011, 02:40 PM

MattRabasco · 12-25-2011, 02:47 PM

Nice job! Beautiful first yak yellow! Sounds like you had an awesome day out there!

YakMedic · 12-25-2011, 05:14 PM

Very cool, RK is a good dude.

to both of you

ashmoz · 12-25-2011, 05:31 PM

This is great, congrads man!

to you and the good dude, RK!

ratdog · 12-25-2011, 07:18 PM

Amen. Thanks for sharing. Count your blessings for sure.

The Freediver · 12-25-2011, 08:01 PM

Excellent report. Thanks for sharing dude. Congrats!

StinkyMatt · 12-25-2011, 09:05 PM

Congrats on a very nice fish.

Very nice report.

GregAndrew · 12-25-2011, 10:28 PM

Thank God that the really good yakkers outnumber the bad ones by a bunch. Very nice fish and story. Sorry for your loss.

RK · 12-25-2011, 11:07 PM

WOW!!!!

Im absolutely speechless.........

usually I don't know when to shut up and right now I can't think of a thing to say......

Man if it seemed like I was more amped than you its cause I may have been, the second you said it was your first all I wanted was to see you land it.....You couldnt have timed that fish and trip any more perfectly that bites long gone and you got an absolute beauty for the family for christmas right before those fish moved on to greener pastures.

Big time congrats to you man

Honestly I really dont know what to say man, Im still a bit speechless......
Seriously my sincerest condolences to you and your family on your loss sounds like the world lost an incredible human.
The fact that I could even remotely shed any positivity on that makes my Christmas man.

RJ thanks for the photos too man

Merry Christmas and Happy New Years guys........

kobra · 12-25-2011, 11:13 PM

Congratulations blitz. That is a very nice fish. Thanks for the great read.

Aaron&Julie · 12-25-2011, 11:16 PM

No topper here, that was an excellent story, congratulations on your first kayak yellow, if you weren't hooked on the kayak fishing before, you are now...

12-25-2011, 12:00 PM	#1
blitzburgh Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Menifee Posts: 2,509	Merry Christmas - A Yellow-tale I used to think that after landing my first La Jolla (and second ever) Yellow, that I would have an amazing report to post. Full of all the details and photos that most of us Kayakers really like to read about. Gear, water temp, air temp, current, bait etc... . What ended up happening was a little unexpected, however. On June 1st of this year, I lost my one and only big Sister, Lori. She succumbed to complications from a ruptured brain aneurysm. It has been a devastating loss to the entire family and as we approached Christmas, it started to get tough again. Rewind to this past Wednesday. I headed out on my 4th venture at La Jolla. Beautiful day, small surf. Got to the grounds and on my second drop, got bit and the fight was on. The only word I can muster is 'amazing'. Simply amazing. Just after I was hooked up, another kayaker slides closer to me. The following is not the conversation verbatim but pretty close; Kayaker: Dude, you got a bait down? Me: (struggling voice) Ya, I'm hooked up Kayaker: Nice! Me: I'm stoked cause' this is my first LJ Yellow Kayaker: What!? Seriously? That's AWESOME! Don't be surprised if you pull up a 40lb'er, they're lurkin down there. Dude, look at your finder.... Me: (Finally looking at my HDS-5, I was fixated on the fight I wasn't paying attention) HOLY S#IT! ( I had never seen my screen THAT full of fish before). Kayaker: I know! They're stacked down there! At this point, he proceeds to give me some great tips. Kayaker: Ok, be careful if he turns that way (points) because there's a ton of lobster pots over there. And if he turns that way (points in different direction), that's the kelp...what do you got on there? Me: 65lb spectra & a 40lb. flouro leader Kayaker: Oh you're good dude. This guy then starts cheering me on. I mean, he was just as excited watching me fight this fish as I was to be fighting it. I'm talkin' fist pumps and shouts and everything. I thank the guy for his advice a couple of times. "No worries man! Congrats and enjoy the experience!" He lets out some 'woo's!' as he peddles away. I fight this beauty for around 13-15 minutes and land it. I have pictures of me fishing in diapers at Lake Erie and have been fishing my entire life. I cannot ever remember a time that I let out such a huge scream upon landing a fish. Fast forward to loading up the gear, after a successful landing I might add. I see the guy make his way in as well. I eventually approach him to thank him again for his helpful info. We introduce ourselves and he gives me even more tips on how to prep my YT. We discussed the events of the morning and this guy was so friendly and happy for me it blew me away. Back to my sister; She was the consummate beach bum. She lived in San Clemente for 20+ years. She loved the beach but she loved the people more. How friendly they are, caring and generous. The next few days after my catch and encounter with this guy, left me thinking of a lot of things. The fish was only part of it. My Christian beliefs caused me to search for the lesson in this. What it was I cannot say 100%. I do know that this guy reminded me of my Sis' and brought a big smile to my face because of it. So I want to thank Ryan (a.k.a. RK) for being a great guy and reminding me how good people can be to each other . I want to thank everyone in the BWE crew for the countless tips and info. And most important of all, I want to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ for giving me the tools and opportunity to catch such a beautiful creature and feed my family. Merry Christmas! __________________ ”The beauty of the Second Amendment is that it will not be needed until they try to take it.” ~Thomas Jefferson.........maybe

12-25-2011, 12:14 PM	#3
T Bone Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Redlands CA Posts: 871	Nice Fish! Amen to that story too! We need to all remember that its HIS birthday and he brought the gift of Salvation and peace to our soul... __________________ Barachit Baralah,Elohim-In the beginning,God-Genesis 1:1 "Who among you,if your son asked for a fish would give them a serpent " Jesus Matt. 7:10

12-25-2011, 01:19 PM	#7
yakrider Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 611	wow... thank you for such a great story... that is the way we should all be to on another... great job Ryan... you have inspired me and hopefully many others... awesome story any time of year!! __________________ http://www.savecafishing.org/

12-25-2011, 01:25 PM	#8
bellcon Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: San Pedro Posts: 999	Very inspirational story my first guess was you were talking about Ryan __________________

12-25-2011, 01:51 PM	#9
Hypoxic1 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Oceanside Posts: 215	Terrific story! RK is definately one of the friendliest guys you will find on the water. Hes a rare breed. Thanks for sharing your great story !

12-25-2011, 12:10 PM	#2
Geno Machino "Relax" Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: O'side Posts: 553	Cool story! And God works in mysterious ways. Geno

12-25-2011, 12:18 PM	#4
MVC Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Costa Mesa Posts: 278	Great post, nice fish. My sister died 22 years ago this March. We were 18 months apart and I still think about her every day. She too was a Christian so I know that I will see her again. Merry Christmas

12-25-2011, 12:50 PM	#6
lterrero Leo Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: La Jolla, CA Posts: 482	being out there, and if you catch some thing is Merry Christmas For you & BWE great team!

12-25-2011, 02:40 PM	#10
theluckypig Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: San Pedro Posts: 694

12-25-2011, 02:47 PM	#11
MattRabasco Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 102	Nice job! Beautiful first yak yellow! Sounds like you had an awesome day out there!

12-25-2011, 05:14 PM	#12
YakMedic Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Wrightwood Posts: 623	Very cool, RK is a good dude. to both of you

12-25-2011, 05:31 PM	#13
ashmoz 192.168.0.1 Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 397	This is great, congrads man! to you and the good dude, RK!

12-25-2011, 07:18 PM	#14
ratdog Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 424	Amen. Thanks for sharing. Count your blessings for sure.

12-25-2011, 08:01 PM	#15
The Freediver Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 89	Excellent report. Thanks for sharing dude. Congrats! __________________ Mmmmmm, smoked Barracuda!

12-25-2011, 09:05 PM	#16
StinkyMatt Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Under a bridge Posts: 2,169	Congrats on a very nice fish. Very nice report.

12-25-2011, 10:28 PM	#17
GregAndrew Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,384	Thank God that the really good yakkers outnumber the bad ones by a bunch. Very nice fish and story. Sorry for your loss.

12-25-2011, 11:07 PM	#18
RK Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 736	WOW!!!! Im absolutely speechless......... usually I don't know when to shut up and right now I can't think of a thing to say...... Man if it seemed like I was more amped than you its cause I may have been, the second you said it was your first all I wanted was to see you land it.....You couldnt have timed that fish and trip any more perfectly that bites long gone and you got an absolute beauty for the family for christmas right before those fish moved on to greener pastures. Big time congrats to you man Honestly I really dont know what to say man, Im still a bit speechless...... Seriously my sincerest condolences to you and your family on your loss sounds like the world lost an incredible human. The fact that I could even remotely shed any positivity on that makes my Christmas man. RJ thanks for the photos too man Merry Christmas and Happy New Years guys........

12-25-2011, 11:13 PM	#19
kobra Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: oceanside Posts: 880	Congratulations blitz. That is a very nice fish. Thanks for the great read.

12-25-2011, 11:16 PM	#20
Aaron&Julie Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Spring Valley Posts: 1,400	No topper here, that was an excellent story, congratulations on your first kayak yellow, if you weren't hooked on the kayak fishing before, you are now... __________________ "Never say die"