Pro Angler Post

[kurtfish]

A bit bumpy this morning and wind has now picked-up so white-caps are pealing off outside the kelp with spots of Red tide in the kelp and as well as outside. We got sprinkled on last night as we tied to the kelp with the sun set ting. I called it a night with enough light left to land easily in the bumpy chop. I launched at 2:30 yesterday into head-on wind of apx. 10-12 knots and I thought I was not making any progress toward the buoy at one point. I reached down and adjusted my new turbo peddles to allow for longer leg strokes and I began to gain ground on Josh who arrived at the beach with Don after I did but headed out before either of us hit the water. I had a nice conversation with Don while Josh bolted, fish over friends, can you believe it?

I managed to catch-up with Josh by the time we made out way by LA V. Josh had pulled out his paddle and was hugging the kelp line to try to stay out of the chop. I stayed off the edge and trolled while taking longer peddle strokes and left Josh behind to make his bait with his typical legs over the side technique. I kept picking up Greenines on the troll and headed further South with a tank full of bait. The Pro Angler does plow through the chop with many waves coming over the bow so I decided to leave my Lowrance stowed and I just continued to head South and then I spotted a couple bird schools working outside and I picked up the pace further and hoped I could get outside before the private boats and party boats converged on the activity.

I made it to the area the birds were working and lucked out by spotting with a school of Yellowtail breezing on the surface. In the wind chop the large fish almost looked like baby seals. I cased my jig stick into the wind and was only able to muster 30 or 40 yards. That was sufficient as I saw a fish turn on my jig. I spent the next 30 mins battling the swell and trying to keep away from my trolling line that ended up in front of me with the wind and fish pulling me around. I was able to follow my fish and keep my bow heading into the wind by peddling and steering while keeping one arm wrapped around my rod.

Being able to troll and reel in bait while peddling and keeping the bow into the wind is a great advantage with all Hobies. If you have been thinking about upgrading to a Pro Angler the advantages far outweigh the extra weight and difficulty fitting thru my front door. I have not tried to lift this beast onto a roof rack as I drive I truck that I easily lift the bow onto an extender and slide it right into the bed. The chop yesterday was much worse than the day pictured above but I was still able to stand-up to pee even with two 25 pound Yellows in my new CFS fish bag on the front deck. Standing to pee and adjust your shorts under those moist wades is huge for me as well. I can't say I spotted the birds that made my day while standing to pee but the stability of the Pro Angler did give me the confidence to head out to 165-175' of water with no boats near me until the PBers spotted me and raced in after I boated my first fish and pulled out my Lowrance so I could share with you my depth and general area of action. I hooked two other fish while trolling in after I turned around and saw I was closer to Crystal Pier than the Condo.

One fish broke-off but I ended-up with two beautiful fish and renewed confidence in my new Pro Angler. Talk to Jared and the boys at Fastlanes. Demo a Pro Angler, stand-up and cast a jigstick, don't pee in Mission Bay. Being able to leave a 60 pound WSB on my deck and still have room to peddle in while not worrying about Knothead grabbing your fish off your stern or out of your front hatch with the lid flapping open is only one advantage of the Pro Angler. The wide stability may actually make it faster in our local chop. My wife said it was my big heart that left josh in my dust but she is a bit prejudice. Sushi Party Sunday night. PM me if interested.

Tight Lines, Kurtfish