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08-18-2011, 05:05 PM | #1 |
Junior
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Carmel Valley
Posts: 4
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My big fat mistake
Hey there,
Been lurking on this board for a while and had to join in today. I am pretty new to kayak fishing, although i used to take my skiff to the LJ kelp pretty regularly. So today I figured I would head out and try for some bass. i launch around 6:30 (pretty sure some of you were there in that fog) and am making my way out. I figured I would try trolling my old rapala cd 14. It used to work for me, although I didn't really think I would hook into anything since I wasn't too sure how the trolling would go on a kayak. Mistake. About 20 minutes in I see boiling and zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz off it went. Dang if that wasn't panic time, although I got a hold of myself and started fighting. Wasn't sure what I had on but it was a hard puller. So I worked this guy for nearly half an hour, he took at least 4 hard runs down and it was so frickin awesome getting towed by a good fish. Finally, I get him to color and see it is a very nice yellow. At this point I realize I am completely unprepared...no gaff, no billy, no net, no nothing. So after another run I am thinking he's worn out. I get him alongside and was just stoked at how big he is. He is acting all lethargic and had stopped fighting. He is on his side right next to me so I figured I could kil him with the one tool I did bring; my fillet knife. So I punch it right through his gills. No reaction. Blood is pouring nicely out and still no reaction. I figure he's dead so I reach through his gill plate and holy smokes, he woke up! One big flail of tail in my face and snap went the line. Down he went trailing blood and my lure tucked into his jaw. I just sat there quivering... So I guess the lesson is, "Don't fish for em unless you ready to deal with them!" So, after all of that, even after that heartbreak, kayak fishing is just freaking awesome. I will be back and ready next time. |
08-18-2011, 05:09 PM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Alhambra
Posts: 506
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enjoyed reading this report. really got excited about that yellow and the fight that you had.
bummer to hear that it got away but at least you got a nice ride out of it. |
08-18-2011, 05:11 PM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: newbury park ca
Posts: 2,323
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great effort though, shoulda woulda coulda, one more run..I know how you feel though, next time it will stickwelcome to the addiction
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08-18-2011, 05:27 PM | #4 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 6,856
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Quote:
Next time just grab his gill plate and hold on tight.
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08-19-2011, 08:38 AM | #5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Vista
Posts: 1,111
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Next time just grab his gill plate and hold on tight.[/QUOTE]
x2
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The shorter you are, the bigger your fish appear |
08-19-2011, 09:29 AM | #6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: SD
Posts: 216
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A blessing it wasn't a WSB.... our friends over at Hubbs work to hard to
to keep the local species flourishing....(WSB, YT, HAli) But a life is a life... Respect the Ocean and our kids and kids kids will be able to enjoy it as well. |
08-18-2011, 05:47 PM | #7 |
Guest
Posts: n/a
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Here's a tip: grab the tail
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08-18-2011, 06:16 PM | #8 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: San Diego
Posts: 143
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I had a similar experience a while back, was able to get one of my yellows the other came off boatside...... oh well at least you stretched your line
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08-18-2011, 08:30 PM | #9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 396
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Congratulations on your kill and release.
The knife was not needed. Leave the knife fighting to the Darkhorse's hook and hand videos. You never bleed a fish that is not secured. No game clip, check. No gaff, got it. Get the damn thing in your hull and pop it's gills. Again, no knife needed. Bleach and a hose will fix your lack of preparedness, it always does. Other than that.....welcome to the forum. |
08-19-2011, 10:33 AM | #10 | |
Loves his member
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 122
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Quote:
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08-19-2011, 12:28 PM | #11 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,053
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grab em by the motor next time. scallywag style.
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08-18-2011, 11:20 PM | #12 | |
Flippin' Photographer
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Allied Gardens San Diego
Posts: 136
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"no gaff, no billy,no net, no nothing" no brains
Quote:
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08-18-2011, 11:35 PM | #13 |
Loves Surface Irons
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: San Diego
Posts: 455
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Didn't like this at all
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08-18-2011, 11:56 PM | #14 |
Junior
Join Date: May 2011
Location: inland oc
Posts: 15
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ahh thats a bummer!! better luck next time.
..correct me if i am wrong, but isnt it required by law to have a net on your yak if you are ocean fishing??? |
08-19-2011, 12:20 AM | #15 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: West Covina, CA
Posts: 434
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Great job though David. I had a similar experience going out for the unexpected. It was a first for me to catch Mr. T on my first hard shell kayak a first time out with Caden also. Man, you'll never forget the first heart pounding feeling to see a big fish take your line and after that long fight to have that fish near your kayak. I say, take it with a smile even though you didn't pull the fish up on your kayak. There's always a next time and a better chance to land a bigger fish, and you'll be more prepared. Make sure you strap down all your gears, I'm learning the hard way.
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08-19-2011, 12:23 AM | #16 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 6,856
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I believe its only required when you're targeting certain species. I know Halibut is one of them, not sure what the others are.
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08-19-2011, 03:20 AM | #17 |
Junior
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Carmel Valley
Posts: 4
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I think you are right Kendog, the regs say you need a net onboard. 28.65 (d)
I just looked it up. |
08-19-2011, 07:32 AM | #18 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: San Diego
Posts: 190
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Always loosen your drag!
Whenever you are about to try something like grabbing a fish barehanded, especially a pelagic species. Then after you realize your mistake of stabbing the fish first, you would of had a chance. Tailing a fish is easy once you paddle about 1000 miles. My grip strength is enough to crush a windpipe. ;O
Ask questions, be prepared, don't post ignorance here (unless you are the one hurt or it turned out with the prize fish)(my opinion). This is public and it makes all of us look bad.
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James Caldwell Yellow Prowler |
08-19-2011, 08:28 AM | #19 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 736
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Oh rad you bled a fish and then let it swim away.......
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08-19-2011, 03:44 PM | #20 |
Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: North County
Posts: 62
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Posting a mistake is not a bad thing ....other people can learn from it.Sometimes this sight can be cutthroat ,because other people think they are better .
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