WTF

[kpasadr]

Need some newbie advice, please!

Headed out with my son today, he pulled in a few spanish mackerel for me and we flylined while eating lunch. At one point I metered some fish and dropped a vigorous bait, maybe 8". Bait was only a few feet under the kayak with only the 40lb fluoro in the water and I watched 3 or 4 yellowtail chase the bait around. We got all excited and I let the bait swim in a thumbed freespool waiting for the strike...nothing! Tried to stay around the same spot and drop another line... nothing.

Anyone have any tips on what I could be doing wrong? They clearly were after the bait but decided not to take it. Hard to estimate the size but bait didn't seem too big, was certainly one of the smaller ones. Will they get line shy with too thick a leader too close to the surface? Mac was nose-hooked on a 3/0 circle hook and swimming well, I thought he was history for sure.

Thanks in advance!