Patience and Perserverance

[Hypoxic1]

Rarely does one come across the conditions that allow for the recent events we have experienced at our spot. La Jolla possesses the unique geography and current conditions that encourage a wide variety of species to congregate and feed.
Seldom too does one get to be front row center for the unfolding of these varying events.
I have been a kayak fisherman for 3 years, having lived and cruised for several years on my own sailboat I never considered the catch one can make as a cruiser something of significance. Sometimes you would get up after a night of watch and there would be a Dorado on the hand line, other times a big tuna. Random draw in the deep blue.

The people I am close to know that my fishing experiences for the past few months have been one dry spell after another. Watching Yellowtail swim right under my boat was never quite the goal I had in mind, more a byproduct of the effort. It has happened on several occasions recently, causing myself and my teachers no shortage of frustration.
Recently I was out on “the midnight run” when I had several good bait, the kid was telling me exactly where the fish were, and yet I just couldn’t make the connection. I reached a point where I lost my friend, Kevin in the dark and was just getting tired of the whole affair, when, to cap things off, Darkhorse boats a fish right in front of me.
He was with another client, a willing victim learning all that the great Darkhorse has to share on this particular subject, and there is no shortage of information, believe me. I have been that client more than a few times.

Having called it a night and headed for the beach a friend came across in the darkness. I don’t know his name, but he knew me and knew also that stopping now was a very bad idea indeed. I took this bit of counseling, regrouped, and determined that catching was tonights sport, not fishing. Thank you, whomever you were.


Shortly after that I dropped down a baited iron and was on in about 5 seconds. Fought this fish for 15 minutes, careful not to put too much pressure on anything, that the situation would turn awry.

Having boated this magnificent fish and completely focused now it was time to drop again. The boated fish was still squirming and not secured, but, why not compound the problem? Here we go again!!!!
Tonight was to be a 2 seabass night for me, not monsters, but 40 plus anyhow… rewarding, exciting, fill in the blank here………




Its been a few days now and the word is out to anyone with a pulse so its not like Im giving away secrets. This morning I launched at 0500 with the goal of catching Yellowtail. One of my mentors has always said” believing in yourself is 50 percent of the battle”.


Made bait in the right spot, made a few new friends too. I am often left to pause at how small but dynamic our kayak community is. People from every walk of life sharing a love of the ocean and fish.


There was a substantial crowd of boats, and yakkers, I made the decision to fish on the perimeter of the crowd. Several of the boats were running generators, and fish don’t like noise, right?


Drop and in 30 seconds Im on. It was clear that this fish was no WSB and had no intention of becoming tonights sushi. After about 15 minutes the discussion was settled and we are on the boat. Those who know me know that I run for the barn after a good catch so as to preserve the meat in its best condition, having just taken a life. It must be respected.>

This fish also was no monster, but a trophy for me indeed. She taped out at 42 inches and 30 lbs almost exactly. A personal best for me.


My point is to the new guy, or the frustrated angler. Every trip is an opportunity to try something new, and perserverance is key. Im no bass fisherman. Its about big game for me. My hat is off to the bass fisherman, but I would happily go 6 skunks for one good shot at a trophy fish. Sometimes that 6 has turned into 12 skunks. Its all about your own personal pain threshold



Tight lines……….

Chris