LJ Today - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

swinginFish · 10-06-2014, 07:53 PM

Launched at 6:00 AM to ankle-high wavettes. Water temp 72. No wind. Greenbacks easy to make. Looked quite fishy in early AM but no takers until around 10 - this on outskirts of outer bull kelp. 25 lb yt whipped my butt, coming nearly to color then screaming down time after time after time. Gaffed after 3 embarrassing tries, and once on the clip I tossed her overboard so I could stow the hook and rod and get stuff back in order. Thought things were done but fish thought otherwise - she thrashed just the right way and, yep, managed to unbuckle the clip. Just as she was sliding off the open end of the clip and about to swim away, I made a mad grab and got her by her tail with my left hand. It was a slippery, insecure grip that surely wasn't going to hold - especially if her strength came back. I was in a bind as I had a bunch of tackle in my lap making movement difficult. Nonetheless, I somehow managed to grab her head with my right hand, found an eye socket with my thumb and pulled her back on board with both hands. Put her back on the clip, pulled a gill and .... game over - phew. Always nice to land with a fish, but fish or no fish, drama or no drama, conditions today were truly epic.

FISH11 · 10-06-2014, 08:12 PM

I saw the web cam this morning and it looked like a lake. Super small breakers right at the waters edge. Great story, good to hear you won the battle. It not too often that landing a fish becomes "mano a mano" battle. Thanks for sharing.

FlyFishinYakr · 10-07-2014, 05:39 AM

That must have been one heck of a save! If it were me, I would have tried to grab the clip and stabbed myself!
Congrats!
FFY

addicted2sp33d · 10-07-2014, 07:44 AM

Nice Save!

Dannowar · 10-07-2014, 08:17 AM

Next time cut the membrane inside the gill plate. Easier than pulling the gills and they bleed out very fast.

Racksticker · 10-07-2014, 08:57 AM

Great save!

blitzburgh · 10-07-2014, 09:12 AM

Sweet!

10-06-2014, 07:53 PM	#1
swinginFish Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 173	LJ Today Launched at 6:00 AM to ankle-high wavettes. Water temp 72. No wind. Greenbacks easy to make. Looked quite fishy in early AM but no takers until around 10 - this on outskirts of outer bull kelp. 25 lb yt whipped my butt, coming nearly to color then screaming down time after time after time. Gaffed after 3 embarrassing tries, and once on the clip I tossed her overboard so I could stow the hook and rod and get stuff back in order. Thought things were done but fish thought otherwise - she thrashed just the right way and, yep, managed to unbuckle the clip. Just as she was sliding off the open end of the clip and about to swim away, I made a mad grab and got her by her tail with my left hand. It was a slippery, insecure grip that surely wasn't going to hold - especially if her strength came back. I was in a bind as I had a bunch of tackle in my lap making movement difficult. Nonetheless, I somehow managed to grab her head with my right hand, found an eye socket with my thumb and pulled her back on board with both hands. Put her back on the clip, pulled a gill and .... game over - phew. Always nice to land with a fish, but fish or no fish, drama or no drama, conditions today were truly epic.

10-06-2014, 08:12 PM	#2
FISH11 Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Pine Valley when not fishing La Jolla Posts: 2,642	I saw the web cam this morning and it looked like a lake. Super small breakers right at the waters edge. Great story, good to hear you won the battle. It not too often that landing a fish becomes "mano a mano" battle. Thanks for sharing. __________________ MARK ......... 2016 MALIBU X FACTOR, 2020 SOLO SKIFF (Fishing Kayak on Steroids )

10-07-2014, 08:17 AM	#5
Dannowar Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 1,823	Next time cut the membrane inside the gill plate. Easier than pulling the gills and they bleed out very fast. __________________ "Beware the lollipop of mediocrity; lick it once and you’ll suck forever." — Brian Wilson

10-07-2014, 09:12 AM	#7
blitzburgh Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Menifee Posts: 2,509	Sweet! __________________ ”The beauty of the Second Amendment is that it will not be needed until they try to take it.” ~Thomas Jefferson.........maybe

10-07-2014, 05:39 AM	#3
FlyFishinYakr Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Nor Cal...30 min from Bodega/Tomales Bay, 1hr from Clear Lake, 2+ hr to Berryessa & the Delta Posts: 729	That must have been one heck of a save! If it were me, I would have tried to grab the clip and stabbed myself! Congrats! FFY

10-07-2014, 07:44 AM	#4
addicted2sp33d Here fishy fishy fishy... Join Date: May 2011 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 774	Nice Save!

10-07-2014, 08:57 AM	#6
Racksticker Junior Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 27	Great save!