LJ Trick or Treat - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

jbara · 11-01-2014, 06:04 PM

10/31 Treat! Took Dad out for his first LJ trip. On the way out we had reports of cold water, not much fish, and lots of seals. Launch was a breeze. Took about an hour making bait but we found nice mid size macks. Plenty of bait schools running around but took me forever... I set dad up and then set my bait out in about 90feet. I dont think I was in the water for 10 mins when the clicker went off. I told dad not to yell out (and attract seals) if he hooked up, but I didn't want to lose dad the second we got out there, so here I go.."I'm on I'm on!" The fish headed to open water so I just let him run himself out. Lots of line lost with 3 good runs. I had him under the boat and dad was behind me and yelled "The seals right behind you!" I dropped the pole to the water and tried to play dead but he wasn't falling for it. I even tried to throw out some bait to distract him but he was on the fish. Next thing I know he pops up next to the boat with a large yellow but my line is still straight down in the water. It turned out my line was around kelp deep and he had pulled it up from the other side. The kelp eventually popped and I figured out the deal. It was a smaller seal and he was having a hard time getting a hold of the fish. He had taken a large bite of a cheek and the collar. Since it was a smaller seal I didn't give up, tugged it out, and sunk the gaff. My fish! 41" at the fork. 45" total. Skinny. Didn't have a scale. Guessing around 30+lbs. My first LJ yellowtail. I cut way around the seal bit stuff near the collar and the rest is in the freezer.

Great trip Dad! (Even though we fought seals the whole rest of the trip.) THX BWE!
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ceviche eater · 11-01-2014, 06:34 PM

cool story

FISH11 · 11-01-2014, 07:49 PM

Great story. The best thing is you stuck with it and didn't give up. That persistence gave you the prize to bring home even if a little nicked up. Tight Lines

Stuck20 · 11-01-2014, 08:34 PM

What's up Josh?! Nice fish man! (this is Andrew from work)

kayakfisherman · 11-02-2014, 08:48 AM

Great story! Great fish!!

Stoked for you and your dad.

jbara · 11-02-2014, 09:18 AM

Thanks all (and Andrew!) You would have got the same report if you were at work last night. Everyone else did...lol

Stuck20 · 11-02-2014, 07:05 PM

I bet man, sounds like a blast. Let me know if you ever need a fishing partner.

Bennyblanco · 11-02-2014, 08:46 PM

Thanks for hooking me up with some steaks

Oxbeast1210 · 11-02-2014, 10:22 PM

Great work boss!! For a second I thought you were BJ Penn

jbara · 11-03-2014, 10:39 AM

@Stuck, We'll get you out there!
@Benny, of course! Can't wait to see how you hook it up!
@Ox. Lol. You're not the first...must be the sweet haircut.

blitzburgh · 11-03-2014, 12:34 PM

Way to go!

11-01-2014, 06:04 PM	#1
jbara Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 31	LJ Trick or Treat 10/31 Treat! Took Dad out for his first LJ trip. On the way out we had reports of cold water, not much fish, and lots of seals. Launch was a breeze. Took about an hour making bait but we found nice mid size macks. Plenty of bait schools running around but took me forever... I set dad up and then set my bait out in about 90feet. I dont think I was in the water for 10 mins when the clicker went off. I told dad not to yell out (and attract seals) if he hooked up, but I didn't want to lose dad the second we got out there, so here I go.."I'm on I'm on!" The fish headed to open water so I just let him run himself out. Lots of line lost with 3 good runs. I had him under the boat and dad was behind me and yelled "The seals right behind you!" I dropped the pole to the water and tried to play dead but he wasn't falling for it. I even tried to throw out some bait to distract him but he was on the fish. Next thing I know he pops up next to the boat with a large yellow but my line is still straight down in the water. It turned out my line was around kelp deep and he had pulled it up from the other side. The kelp eventually popped and I figured out the deal. It was a smaller seal and he was having a hard time getting a hold of the fish. He had taken a large bite of a cheek and the collar. Since it was a smaller seal I didn't give up, tugged it out, and sunk the gaff. My fish! 41" at the fork. 45" total. Skinny. Didn't have a scale. Guessing around 30+lbs. My first LJ yellowtail. I cut way around the seal bit stuff near the collar and the rest is in the freezer. Great trip Dad! (Even though we fought seals the whole rest of the trip.) THX BWE!

11-01-2014, 07:49 PM	#3
FISH11 Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Pine Valley when not fishing La Jolla Posts: 2,643	Great story. The best thing is you stuck with it and didn't give up. That persistence gave you the prize to bring home even if a little nicked up. Tight Lines __________________ MARK ......... 2016 MALIBU X FACTOR, 2020 SOLO SKIFF (Fishing Kayak on Steroids )

11-02-2014, 08:46 PM	#8
Bennyblanco Ironman Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Inland empire Posts: 175	Good job Thanks for hooking me up with some steaks

11-03-2014, 12:34 PM	#11
blitzburgh Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Menifee Posts: 2,509	Way to go! __________________ ”The beauty of the Second Amendment is that it will not be needed until they try to take it.” ~Thomas Jefferson.........maybe

11-01-2014, 06:34 PM	#2
ceviche eater Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Mission hills Posts: 133	cool story

11-01-2014, 08:34 PM	#4
Stuck20 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Rancho Cucamonga Posts: 100	What's up Josh?! Nice fish man! (this is Andrew from work)

11-02-2014, 08:48 AM	#5
kayakfisherman Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 715	Great story! Great fish!! Stoked for you and your dad.

11-02-2014, 09:18 AM	#6
jbara Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 31	Thanks all (and Andrew!) You would have got the same report if you were at work last night. Everyone else did...lol

11-02-2014, 07:05 PM	#7
Stuck20 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Rancho Cucamonga Posts: 100	I bet man, sounds like a blast. Let me know if you ever need a fishing partner.

11-02-2014, 10:22 PM	#9
Oxbeast1210 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: San Diego Posts: 421	Great work boss!! For a second I thought you were BJ Penn

11-03-2014, 10:39 AM	#10
jbara Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 31	@Stuck, We'll get you out there! @Benny, of course! Can't wait to see how you hook it up! @Ox. Lol. You're not the first...must be the sweet haircut.