First Year Kayak Fishing SD

[KamWalsh14]

Hello all, I moved to SD a few years ago and started fishing LJ from a yak a little over a year ago. I've been a lurker on this forum for awhile but figured I'd post some fish pics from the past year. I started off mostly targeting sheephead and bass but switched focus to YT late in the summer (I had sporadically put in a bunch of tries throughout the early summer but when I became the only guy in my group chat of yak fishing buddies who still hadn't gotten one it definitely fueled the fire!). I also put a good amount of time into bay fishing for bass, halibut, bonefish, and corvina. My tentative goals for next year are to run into a big yellow, a big halibut, and/or a legal ghost. Getting bonefish dialed in on artificials would be fun too. Hope to run into some of you on the water this next year.

Also, I gotta ask because I'm a newcomer without any reference of the fishery prior to this year. After reading through a lot of the old posts on this site, was LJ really that much better "back in the day" or are guys just a lot more tight lipped when it bites nowadays? I was lucky enough to be out there a couple days this year where the yellows were down (and missed out on quite a few more days like that) but it seemed pretty tough overall, not just for me but for the majority of other guys I'd see on the water and talk to back at the launch.

[fishnfoool]

Guys are just tight lipped around here. They don't want too many people out there when the hot bite is going on. They don't even like it when someone else is sharing the hot bite.
Nice halibut in the dark!
Only cool people share the hot bite!

[FISH11]

Originally Posted by KamWalsh14

Also, I gotta ask because I'm a newcomer without any reference of the fishery prior to this year. After reading through a lot of the old posts on this site, was LJ really that much better "back in the day" or are guys just a lot more tight lipped when it bites nowadays?

The short answer to your question, is YES TO BOTH! Although looking at your pictures , tells me you are doing just fine. The Yellowtail will come if you keep targeting them. Some guys have all the luck and get one their first trip and other have been trying for 6+ years and still not landed one (so they told me). The guy who got one on the first trip might as well quit now because it's all down hill from that day. That was all LUCK, unless he was out with a Professional Guide. The last 3 years have not been as productive as 2014-2017. But don't give up they are out there and some days a bunch will cruise by. Sometimes a boil will happen while being out there, or a flylined mac line starts screaming from the reel, while not seeing any good marks on the FF. I've been saying that these last 3 years, "it's been about being in the right place at the right time". #1 the couch at home, is not the right place! Tight Lines!

[KamWalsh14]

Originally Posted by fishnfoool

Guys are just tight lipped around here. They don't want too many people out there when the hot bite is going on. They don't even like it when someone else is sharing the hot bite.
Nice halibut in the dark!
Only cool people share the hot bite!

I feel that; I stopped paying attention to whether or not people were posting anything and just went. Getting bit on an uncrowded day you weren't expecting much out of is a way better feeling than getting skunked when it's packed on a "shoulda been here yesterday" kinda deal

[KamWalsh14]

Originally Posted by FISH11

The short answer to your question, is YES TO BOTH! Although looking at your pictures , tells me you are doing just fine. The Yellowtail will come if you keep targeting them. Some guys have all the luck and get one their first trip and other have been trying for 6+ years and still not landed one (so they told me). The guy who got one on the first trip might as well quit now because it's all down hill from that day. That was all LUCK, unless he was out with a Professional Guide. The last 3 years have not been as productive as 2014-2017. But don't give up they are out there and some days a bunch will cruise by. Sometimes a boil will happen while being out there, or a flylined mac line starts screaming from the reel, while not seeing any good marks on the FF. I've been saying that these last 3 years, "it's been about being in the right place at the right time". #1 the couch at home, is not the right place! Tight Lines!

6+ years?? Damn, and I thought I paid my dues.

[mrlar13]

Looks like a great year to me. Congrats!!

[Oolie]

Luck has been a huge factor in my success. I think you had a banner year!


Keep putting your time in and the night game will develop for you.

[fishnfoool]

I forgot. Went out 4 times this year and unfortunately was skunked all four times. I apologize for not reporting the skunks.
However , if I catch anything of note next year. I will start posting OTW reports.

[JohnMckroidJr]

Looks like you had some nice catches, Congrats! and welcome to posting on the forum.

[BenCantrell]

You had a good year Kam, congrats!

[Southwest Kayak Fishing]

Nice catches! 2021 can only be better!