LJ Round 2

[bellcon]

Found some time for another fishy post
(I am not busy packing for La Jolla Tonight 8) )

Part 2:
After round one on 2/23/09
I had decided before I even landed back on the sand that round two was gonna happen
so on 2/25/09 I again found myself driving solo down the 405 fwy...
with only 2 hours of off and on sleep I needed the BIG cup of joe this time
I will try and keep this report a little shorter than the last
I see more guys at the launch this time "good morning Grego, good luck out there"... Hit the water with a few guys and DARKHORSE around 5:30am
Snottiest water and weather I have seen at L.J. in awhile we
actually had to time the "surf" launch
Get out to try and make squid, rig up and drop down...okay 1 squid
Time to move on... cant wait any longer...
paddle paddle
hit the right spot
I got the sonar back so this time I am not the one asking silly questions all day
say hello to alot of new friends
I find a nice spot...what? is no one supposed to camp out in the middle?
well thats where I find myself again
Just a few minutes latter I look to my right and a guys kayak has been flipped over by a yellow that had attacked his bait stick
(he has told his story)
Hey I yell, "DO YOU NEED HELP?"
I swear just as the "P" in help comes out...
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
My dropper loop with my only...lonely squid on it goes off
you know the drill
grab rod out of holder, throw her in gear, fish ON
WOW this one is a beast I am thinking because he is fighting WAY harder than the 34.1 pounder from monday
I dont have the crowd around me this time, at least not yet.
I am pulling hard so hard that my elbow which took a beating monday starts to throb.
In trying to compensate for the elbow I end up getting a nasty cramp in my forearm... but I am taken it like a man no complaining here no sir-re...(just ask the Iceman, he will vouch for me )
I got a Saltist 40 with 40lb line on a heavy Seeker Black Steel 6465xh and
the fish on this combo is just kicking my azz

I am laughing (not crying right Andy?) but this fish wont give up... finally I get him to start coming up... only to have him dive even deeper...
then He is mine I can feel it, come to papa you narly beast
I see him... carefull now...take it easy...little runs...ok ok ...gaffs ready...wham!
nice belly shot and he is on deck

The rush is hard to describe, you feel so alive when it all comes together,
all the hard work, the planning, the experience of just being on the water...then pay dirt, a nice big yellow sitting on yer lap
Mondays yellow had alot of fight left in him when he got to the deck, this guy? he was done! he used it all up below the surface, he made me pay for every inch of line and then some, I could tell he was lighter but he had a hell of a motor and a fight that never quit, and he was longer too, with a wider spread in the tail.
Got him on the game clip and started the hunt again, he would be my only trophy today, but he was WELL worth it

I have read and heard so much about these fish, but nothing really prepares you for the fight and they all fight differently...Yellowtails are pound for pound the toughest fight I have ever experienced, and its a fight that leaves you starving for another round!!

I have much love and respect for this species and I intend on hunting them as often as my busy life will allow
I think it would be cool opportunity one day to do a catch and release like Casey did

Thanks again Josh for sharing your time and talents over the last couple of weeks, you are one class act

Here are some pics of round two L.J 2/25/09:

Mine mine mine:

Long and strong:

Look at that guys tail motor (kick my azz):

The ride home:

When I got to launch the guys were all saying "damn thats a long one" so I whipped out my sexy halibut tape:


Then I had a to strip down a bit and get a shot to represent the crew back home : (I know he looks smaller...but dont forget I am over 6'-4" and about two fiddy )...thanks for taking the Pic Billy!

Finally...I took the Yellow over to friends house, An old school fisherman, hunter and retired butcher... he works magic with a knife like no one I have ever seen, not one ounce of that fish went to waste
and maybe this pic will make the fish look respectable again
Derek and Blake #5 & #6 of the Bell6pac respectively.


Thanks for letting me share my adventure again guys