Gar Fish - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

iethinker · 08-30-2014, 08:53 PM

Last week, trying to avoid big waves and swell I kayak fished in Huntington Harbor. This "Alternate AO" was interesting in that it yielded many species. Today the harbor showed added diversity giving me my first kayak Gar Fish.

Sadly the most productive bait from last week (Nuclear Chicken Gulp Shrimp) were found dried, dead and shrunken on a shelf in my garage late last night...RIP! Anyway, I had a few white and new penny Gulp Jerk Shad so I rolled with them. Again, using the drop shot rig.

Most everything caught was a dink with exception of the YFCs. Here are a few of the highlights:

Gar was second fish to hit the gulp. His toothy snout destroyed my rig. He kinda stunk too!

YFC was first to hit and there were several more:

Another YFC:

Dink Halibut - The legal one eludes me:

I lost count on these guys but at least 10x...all dinks:

It's been nice tossing the light gear but I'm anxious to get back to the ocean. Hopefully the surf will be mellow next weekend.

ful-rac · 08-30-2014, 09:00 PM

Needlefish! Havent seen one of those around here in a long time! Love those YFCs too! Those things are too fun!

Silbaugh4liberty · 08-30-2014, 10:42 PM

Nice report. I'll have to drop shot next time I'm in the harbor. I haven't fished that rig yet

JeffB · 08-30-2014, 11:22 PM

Needle fish, Gar are fresh water! Slimmy sucker huh!

slobslayer · 08-31-2014, 12:05 AM

Does that last sand bass have spots?

Lipripper92592 · 08-31-2014, 10:12 AM

This one was cruising the shallows in Carlsbad.

iethinker · 08-31-2014, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slobslayer

Does that last sand bass have spots?

...looks more like a freckle face.

Widgeon · 08-31-2014, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lipripper92592

This one was cruising the shallows in Carlsbad.

I believe that is a sewing needlefish. LOL

08-30-2014, 08:53 PM	#1
iethinker Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Inland Empire Posts: 370	Gar Fish Last week, trying to avoid big waves and swell I kayak fished in Huntington Harbor. This "Alternate AO" was interesting in that it yielded many species. Today the harbor showed added diversity giving me my first kayak Gar Fish. Sadly the most productive bait from last week (Nuclear Chicken Gulp Shrimp) were found dried, dead and shrunken on a shelf in my garage late last night...RIP! Anyway, I had a few white and new penny Gulp Jerk Shad so I rolled with them. Again, using the drop shot rig. Most everything caught was a dink with exception of the YFCs. Here are a few of the highlights: Gar was second fish to hit the gulp. His toothy snout destroyed my rig. He kinda stunk too! YFC was first to hit and there were several more: Another YFC: Dink Halibut - The legal one eludes me: I lost count on these guys but at least 10x...all dinks: It's been nice tossing the light gear but I'm anxious to get back to the ocean. Hopefully the surf will be mellow next weekend.

08-30-2014, 09:00 PM	#2
ful-rac Emperor Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buena Park Posts: 3,649	Needlefish! Havent seen one of those around here in a long time! Love those YFCs too! Those things are too fun! __________________ There's nothing colder than yesterday's hotdog.

08-30-2014, 10:42 PM	#3
Silbaugh4liberty Fishing Patriot Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 1,121	Nice report. I'll have to drop shot next time I'm in the harbor. I haven't fished that rig yet __________________

08-30-2014, 11:22 PM	#4
JeffB Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: La Jolla Posts: 1,216	Needle fish, Gar are fresh water! Slimmy sucker huh! __________________ If you're looking for me I'm

08-31-2014, 10:12 AM	#6
Lipripper92592 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 516	Little Needlefish This one was cruising the shallows in Carlsbad. Attached Images

08-31-2014, 12:05 AM	#5
slobslayer Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Santee Posts: 384	Does that last sand bass have spots?