It takes More than Just Mojo...

Went to LJ yesterday, where my heart was
torn apart, three times. The weather was perfect,
the water was glassy, and the swell from the other
day was definitely dying.

The water was so clear on the launch, I saw Corbina
flashing along the surf line. Once I got to the pier,
with lots of bonito carcass, I ran into a friend.

After we both collected over 10 macs apiece, we were off
to fish off the condo, between 50-120 ft. We had the whole
place to ourselves. I kinda like fishing LJ midday, I'm not so
tried when I get home.

My first strike came around 2pm. It was a solid run, and since I was
using a circle hook, I intended to let it run for a few seconds.
But, that was all it took for the yellow to let it go, a few seconds.
After retrivel, I inspected my mac. No evidence of anything other
than a yellow strike. In other words, no teeth marks on the whole, intact,
mac. There's my first lose.

The second strike happened just before the birds showed up and
went wild about 2 miles off the launch. Also, the dophin just set up
anchor as I got bit. I got hit, set the hook, and the fight was on.
I kept thinking, this is probably a bonito. But once it made a mad run
and started wrapping kelp, I knew it was for real.

Now, two dogs bear down on me. And, someone from the dolphin starts calling out my name while cheering me on. The dogs had me spooked, so I tightened my drag in an effort to end the battle and feed my family instead of some fatten up sealion. Ping goes my knot at my swivel. The malign I have for those dogs is growing.

A sling shot is next for me. Plus, this is the
second yellow I've lost to my poor knots. I guess I'm a knot head.
Here's a pic of confusion with the birds, dogs, bonito, yellows, sportsboats, Josh, and some guy in a little dingy who tired giving us shit for fishing on his home turf. Imagine that?

After the frantic fishing was over with, the sportsboats clear, and all that was left, were the dogs staring at me and Josh. Josh made the first move while cleverly dragging a surface iron. Before the dogs figured out what was going on, I hooked up again.

Holy crap, after I put my Penn Senator in gear, my heavy duty pole bent over so far it looked like it was ready to snap. I thought, this has got to be a stupid dog which inhaled my hook. And, now I'm fighting a hooked dog. But I was wrong. After a 10min fight, the yellow came to color and sounded again while accelerating on the Senator's full on, buttoned down drag. It was a beast.

Just as I was thinking, please don't lose this one, I did. My line went "ping" and I just cussed up a storm. I thought my line broke, or knot gave, or something. But it was nothing. I got back everything, including the hook. Oh, well.

I came home with a bonito, which I kissed and thanked the lord for it. Here's what happened to him first thing.

This is typical of what the Hawaiians do with their fresh tuna. It's called Poke (po-key). Unlike how I feel, Pok-me.

[j mo]

Bummer.....Poke not a bad ending though. Hey at least your fishing!

[Geoffkoop]

Nice report. Sorry about the bad luck. Kayak fishing is like surfing now- Locals Only! What a clown.

[TCS]

I was rooting for you to get that last one into the boat.

[Billy V]

Originally Posted by yani

The second strike happened just before the birds showed up and went wild about 2 miles off the launch. Also, the dophin just set up
anchor as I got bit. I got hit, set the hook, and the fight was on.
I kept thinking, this is probably a bonito. But once it made a mad run
and started wrapping kelp, I knew it was for real.

Now, two dogs bear down on me. And, someone from the dolphin starts calling out my name while cheering me on. The dogs had me spooked, so I tightened my drag in an effort to end the battle and feed my family instead of some fatten up sealion. Ping goes my knot at my swivel. The malign I have for those dogs is growing.

That was me on the New SeaForth calling to you. It looked like you were on a good fish.
We lost some to Dogs, they were thick as thieves.

[driftwood]

That first picture with Josh going after bait is absolutlely postcard quality. that picture is so clear and prestine!

[Whizz Bang]

Well written.....all my favorite characters and a good story, except for the villains, everyone hates the dogs, I ran on the beach today and passed two dead ones...the glee their rotting carcasses filled me with was a little scary. Sorry about the losses, Ive missed on each of my last 4-5 trips out there, so I can relate.

[Matt]

Yani, what the hell lb test are you using????????? Sheesh man!!! Nice effort nonetheless, you will get em next time!!

[wade]

"two dead ones."
-GOOD Riddance! .

Billy V, I've reading your posts for years!
Thanks for the cheering section, I dared not
get too close to the Seaforth to see who it
was. Target pratice for Iron Pitchers, I did
not want to be... Hope to meet you on the water.

Driftwood, that's my 7 yr old Cannon with only 3mega
pixels, but the secret is the Cannon's optics. I've
only serviced it once, for a hundred bucks, and
I nearly soak it in salt water everytime I take it out.

Matt, I've been using 30 lb test on the main and
flouro lead. I'm switching to 50lb spectra and 30lb
flouro lead. Let's see how many ways I can
screw that up!

I not bummed about not landing a fish that day,
I'm actually really stoked I'm getting more strikes
than ever before. I've only got Josh to thank
for that...

[THE DARKHORSE]

But, I'll stick to catch and release. I know they're great if immedietly iced and properly cared for, but I think they're too pretty to eat. You gotta love how they attack the iron no matter what retrieve you choose, though. They kill it fast, slow, on the sink, and will blow up the iron feet from the bow. Bonita are a pain when focused on Yellowtail, but an awesome game-fish!

Yani, that would have been a pretty sick session if you were planning to catch and release Yellowtail. You got to feel that powerful strike, drag ripping undeniable power, that horrible kelp popping sensation, and the beautiful site of a trophy at color...sounds like fun to me. Then again, who doesn't love seeing your famous main course photos?

If my Yellowtail stock knows what's good for them they'll never confuse your yellow Fish and Dive for my Hobie again .

Here' the deal: you release your first bonito, I'll keep
my first yellow; you keep the next bonito, I'll release
the next yellow. (I just hope my mom isn't reading
this post, cause I'll never hear the end of it...)