November 6, 2008' was awesome.

[THE DARKHORSE]

I leisurely launched just before Jim Sammons and the kayak fishing representative for the MLPA ( Paul Lebowitz) to stuff the tank with Greenback Mackerel. Since the prolific hungry Bonita have been hitting every bait in short order I didn't leave for the fishing grounds until I had thirty pieces, and not one less. I went out out and away until I reached a fishy looking zone that I was pretty sure would produce today, and boy did it. I know Yellowtail sometimes school with Bonita, but I'm starting to wonder about Thresher Sharks too . In the opposate order from my last trip, I hooked a Thresher Shark on my first bait of the day. She was around 90 lbs, and released in short order with 1' of flouro and a $1 hook attached, still green and hot. I quickly donated my next bait to a large Bonita that sucked down the hook and was bleeding like a stuck Tuna on deck, so I waived over a Lobster fisherman for some fresh bait, and re-tied my hook. Five minutes later I notice a flock of birds taking a good look at my flyline, and at first thought one of them was going to dive down for a free meal, then I see a very large Thresher tail slap the crap out of my bait. This was no pup, and I ripped my Mackerel in as fast as I could, no thanks (flouro leader and expensive hook conservation ). I moved about a quarter mile away before dropping in another bait, while watching the meter that had a blank screen the whole way until I see a nice color spot about 50 yards away, a school of Yellowtail that were about 5' below the surface and not making a ripple. I moved into position, and placed my jig well in front of their strike zone. I quickly had a few followers that came all the way to my bow, then they turned off in a hurry . I stayed in this zone for about an hour before my next sighting, another color spot in the distance. Just like the first time, I had a few followers hot on the back of my iron, but as they got closer I ripped my iron in and they turned off without ever seeing me. Usually, I will wait until they get a safe distance away before making another cast so I don't spook the school, but this time the whole school was swimming straight for my fresh flyline Greenback, Yeah! As soon as I put my jig-stick in the rod holder my bait get's real nervous. I pick up the rod and turn off the clicker, then I'm instantly slammed, a solid fish.


This fish put up a serious fight, and tried the old swim around the lobster pot game, but I wasn't having it . With a solid fish on deck the pressure was off, so I popped open a celebratory cold one that was waiting on ice and had a pleasant lunch, without a sole in sight. About another hour passed before I saw some more Yellowtail. These fish were larger, and came right at me. I managed to get a quick cast off with the jig-stick and saw about seven followers, then a monster inhaled my jig about thirty feet off my bow, yeah! This fish absolutely kicked my ass on the long rod, earning my respect and her freedom at the same time, I was happy to watch the trophy swim off, awesome! In the next hour I had to re-tie my leader a couple of times from the relentless Bonita, then my flyline is finally slammed by the right kind, again. This Yellowtail was in the mid-twenties, but fought like a thirty pounder in the cool water. she was hooked right in the corner of the mouth and didn't move a muscle on deck, practically begging for a release, and I didn't see a point in taking this fish either. I'm not saying it's a good idea to call in sick for work or anything, it's not exactly wide open. The Yellowtail are pretty spread out, and it's annoying trying to get through all the Bonita, but I think I know what I'm doing tomorrow.