FIRST YAK YELLOW

[linghunter]

Paddled out to the kelp beds @ 3:30pm 7/12. Made six spanish macks and started trolling north towards a floating hotel. As I got closer I started to see what I thought to be good signs of fish. I started throwing the iron and paddling all around the area, spent 30 minutes and had no luck. I decided to head back towards the kelp and just as my bait was heading out of what I thought was a hot spot my high line starts screaming. My drag was set pretty loose and I let the fish run a little farther than I would have liked. I was using a light set up that I normally use for bass (diawa 20 w/ 20# test) I only had about half a spool of line and this fish took almost every bit of it. I could actually see the metal underneath the last bit of line. Finally the fish eased up and I was able to get a good amount of line back and the slay ride began. I had tightened up the drag enough now that the fish had to work for what it took but it still had know problem in what now was turning into an up and down battle. Visibility was pretty darn good and I saw color about 20ft under my yak. At that same time it must have saw me cause off she went. A short time later I had her at the side of my yak but like a true bone head I forgot my gaff!!! Survival instinct kicked in at that time and I reached into the gills and hoisted the fish out of the water, secured it and screamed like a little girl. What a fight and what a beautiful fish. I did not get an official weight but the fish was 44 inches long. I can't believe it ate that turd mack because when I opened her up she had 7 pieces of candy in her belly. FINALLY!!! SUPER STOKED!!!>>
>>
Paul>>
>>