To those who PM me to fish...

[Tman]

Finally got a chance to get some kayak time in, 1st time this year. Kind of tough to get a window to do some paddling, days consist of taking the lad to school during the week, off to work, and repeat. When the weekends roll around, its either the beach or basketball practice and games for Clay, so free time is limited.

Last week was the start of summer vacation (what the phook is vacation?) for Clay, so decided I needed to unwind and enjoy the sea. Asked the lad if he wanted to go, nope, he's all about sleeping in the first week off from school.

Woke up at oh-dark-thirty, made the drive, launched at 5am to beautiful conditions, not calm at the launch but easy to get out dry. Only saw 4 other yakkers and a couple boats, and the water nice and calm...and fishy.

Easy to make bait, albeit large models. Ended up getting 3 larger models, into the bait tank, couple drops later got a couple more, threw them back. Heck, how many bait does one need?

I was fly lining one, in the normal area, when the reel goes off. Dang seal, saw him coming, then lost sight of him. He didn't lose sight of my bait though, so now I'm down to 2. After trolling for a while to no avail, decide to head out to deeper water. Not a half hour later, a slight tick on the reel, then a very slow peel with the clicker on. Knew that he'd have to take some time to chow since the bait was large, so I just let him eat. Gave him some more time, put it in gear, off goes the clicker, and set the hook. That seriola was seriously pissed, made a run to the bottom, felt the head shakes and knew I had the right kind. Put some pressure on, got him off the bottom, then he decided to run straight to the kelp...too bad, its too far away, you'll never make it. Got him turned, back to the yak, then back to the bottom, then back up. Got to see him flail on the surface just as he saw the yak, and off he went again. Tired him out, death circles at the yak and now I know the time to gaff is upon me, when he tries one more bid at freedom. Get him back yak side and sink the gaff right in the skull. A couple gill rips and he was bleeding out and safely on board. Thanks David the Marine for the pic, good shot.

Landed at 7:40 to some larger sets, free ride in rods up and a dry landing, into the cooler he went, iced up, and made it to work by 8:30. Sashimi that night before basketball practice, and sushi the next night, with plenty to smoke when I find the time. Not too bad for the first trip of the year...