First Yellow Tail - FINALLY! - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Vikingj · 08-22-2015, 10:32 AM

You've heard all the detailed reports and viewed the video of many First Ones so I’ll try to keep it short. Launched 55 mi north of LJ, went out one short mile trolling a sardine, ripping zzzzzzzz, hook-up, fastest/strongest run I’ve ever experienced, thrilling, adrenalin rush, yak towed back & forth, arms tired, fear of doing something stupid and losing the Fish OALT, 15min fight, gaff through head, 20lb of shimmering blue & yellow on lap, hands shaking like a leaf as I attach game loop. Woohoo!!
I started kayak fishing 9 yrs ago and was soon introduced to LJ by David and Yani. Very first trip to LJ I hooked up to a YT for about 9 seconds before losing it due to noobie mistakes- drag too tight/knots too lose. That was one of the most exciting 9 seconds of my life so I made many more trips to LJ to pursue my YT dream. Since that time I have been on the water well over 600 times with about 40-45 of those trips at LJ (talk about “time on the water”). I’m not a terrible fisherman and I’ve have been fortunate enough to catch many big game species - WSB, halibut, YFT, thresher, sheephead, lingcod, etc. but no YT! Not even another bite! I never expected to drive 3mi from home, head out after 8AM, pedal 1 mile and catch my 1st YT. Miracles do happen!!
BTW that 1st catch is even more exciting than I ever imagined. And i’m sure that the waiting will make that fish taste better than any fish I’ve ever eaten.

Cadillyak · 08-22-2015, 10:53 AM

Talk about time on the water!!!

great fish!!

AirborneYak · 08-22-2015, 11:02 AM

Awesome fish! Quick question. Is that a custom bait tank?

Fish · 08-22-2015, 12:28 PM

congrats , well deserved!

Iceman · 08-22-2015, 12:30 PM

Dana Point YT are special, caught a couple rats there, still looking for a good one. Congrats!

ctfphoto · 08-22-2015, 12:35 PM

Wow, that is a lot of time on the water.

Congratulations as the first one is the best one.

My first one took some time as well. After the first one, it's all down hill from here.

Many more for you to come this year.

kayakfisherman · 08-22-2015, 12:41 PM

Wow Wayne!!! I'm so excited for you. Plus, catching a yellowtail
in Dana. I'll bet you were surprised!!

mrJB · 08-22-2015, 12:47 PM

You deserved it!

Now, on another note, what's up with that girly side-saddle pose?

BIG CONGRATS!

DanaPT · 08-22-2015, 01:42 PM

Good job wayne. Who knew a 1 mile paddle is all I needed.

See you next time. Great fish.

aldren · 08-22-2015, 02:47 PM

congrats! im still in the hunt for my 1st :/ btw that bait tank looks cool! homemade?

jorluivil · 08-22-2015, 03:20 PM

Popped that cherry!!!!!

TJones · 08-22-2015, 05:10 PM

octico · 08-22-2015, 05:23 PM

Congrats!!!!!

chris138 · 08-22-2015, 06:39 PM

I LOVE the over the head yt hoist shot!!! Congrats dude, you'll never forget that one

YTHunter · 08-22-2015, 07:19 PM

You earned it , buddy!!! Nice job!

Vikingj · 08-22-2015, 07:51 PM

Thanks for the kudos. The small tank you see was made by a small company in So. Orange Co. called "Liquid Fishing Bait Tanks". I bought it about 5-6 yrs ago and like the self contained battery, smaller size/weight and price ($100). I think they went out of business but you still see a few around you can buy second hand.

sanomick · 08-23-2015, 12:03 PM

Congrats. You definitely deserve it.

FISH11 · 08-23-2015, 03:47 PM

That is a well earn Yellowtail. I always say "you will remember your first Yellowtail the best and it will taste the best". I think it has to do with the work and learning it took, as well as the sense of accomplishment. Congrats on your first and there will be many more from now on. Thanks for sharing.

08-22-2015, 10:32 AM	#1
Vikingj Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Dana Point area Posts: 438	First Yellow Tail - FINALLY! You've heard all the detailed reports and viewed the video of many First Ones so I’ll try to keep it short. Launched 55 mi north of LJ, went out one short mile trolling a sardine, ripping zzzzzzzz, hook-up, fastest/strongest run I’ve ever experienced, thrilling, adrenalin rush, yak towed back & forth, arms tired, fear of doing something stupid and losing the Fish OALT, 15min fight, gaff through head, 20lb of shimmering blue & yellow on lap, hands shaking like a leaf as I attach game loop. Woohoo!! I started kayak fishing 9 yrs ago and was soon introduced to LJ by David and Yani. Very first trip to LJ I hooked up to a YT for about 9 seconds before losing it due to noobie mistakes- drag too tight/knots too lose. That was one of the most exciting 9 seconds of my life so I made many more trips to LJ to pursue my YT dream. Since that time I have been on the water well over 600 times with about 40-45 of those trips at LJ (talk about “time on the water”). I’m not a terrible fisherman and I’ve have been fortunate enough to catch many big game species - WSB, halibut, YFT, thresher, sheephead, lingcod, etc. but no YT! Not even another bite! I never expected to drive 3mi from home, head out after 8AM, pedal 1 mile and catch my 1st YT. Miracles do happen!! BTW that 1st catch is even more exciting than I ever imagined. And i’m sure that the waiting will make that fish taste better than any fish I’ve ever eaten. Attached Images

08-22-2015, 10:53 AM	#2
Cadillyak Team Get $$ Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 841	Talk about time on the water!!! great fish!! __________________ The "Y" is silent 2012 Olive PA 12 2011 Papaya Outback

08-22-2015, 11:02 AM	#3
AirborneYak Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Long Beach Posts: 366	Congrats!! Awesome fish! Quick question. Is that a custom bait tank?

08-22-2015, 12:28 PM	#4
Fish Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Riverside CA Posts: 113	congrats , well deserved! __________________

08-22-2015, 12:30 PM	#5
Iceman Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 1-2 miles off the point Posts: 6,948	Dana Point YT are special, caught a couple rats there, still looking for a good one. Congrats! __________________

08-22-2015, 12:35 PM	#6
ctfphoto Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 901	Wow, that is a lot of time on the water. Congratulations as the first one is the best one. My first one took some time as well. After the first one, it's all down hill from here. Many more for you to come this year.

08-22-2015, 12:41 PM	#7
kayakfisherman Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 715	Wow Wayne!!! I'm so excited for you. Plus, catching a yellowtail in Dana. I'll bet you were surprised!!

08-22-2015, 12:47 PM	#8
mrJB Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: O.C. Posts: 352	You deserved it! Now, on another note, what's up with that girly side-saddle pose? BIG CONGRATS! __________________ "I Brake for Halibut"

08-22-2015, 01:42 PM	#9
DanaPT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: South OC Posts: 1,606	Good job wayne. Who knew a 1 mile paddle is all I needed. See you next time. Great fish.

08-22-2015, 02:47 PM	#10
aldren Junior Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 21	congrats! im still in the hunt for my 1st :/ btw that bait tank looks cool! homemade?

08-22-2015, 03:20 PM	#11
jorluivil Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 6,856	Popped that cherry!!!!! __________________ www.facebook.com/Teamsewer

08-22-2015, 05:10 PM	#12
TJones Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,526	The flood gates are open

08-22-2015, 05:23 PM	#13
octico Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: The city of Orange Posts: 1,278	AWESOME!!!! Congrats!!!!!

08-22-2015, 06:39 PM	#14
chris138 donkey roper Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Pacific Beach Posts: 968	I LOVE the over the head yt hoist shot!!! Congrats dude, you'll never forget that one

08-22-2015, 07:19 PM	#15
YTHunter Carlisle Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: San Diego Posts: 206	You earned it , buddy!!! Nice job! __________________ <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NTOZ1JOXUkQ" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

08-22-2015, 07:51 PM	#16
Vikingj Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Dana Point area Posts: 438	Thanks for the kudos. The small tank you see was made by a small company in So. Orange Co. called "Liquid Fishing Bait Tanks". I bought it about 5-6 yrs ago and like the self contained battery, smaller size/weight and price ($100). I think they went out of business but you still see a few around you can buy second hand.

08-23-2015, 12:03 PM	#17
sanomick Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 57	Congrats. You definitely deserve it.

08-23-2015, 03:47 PM	#18
FISH11 Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Pine Valley when not fishing La Jolla Posts: 2,643	That is a well earn Yellowtail. I always say "you will remember your first Yellowtail the best and it will taste the best". I think it has to do with the work and learning it took, as well as the sense of accomplishment. Congrats on your first and there will be many more from now on. Thanks for sharing. __________________ MARK ......... 2016 MALIBU X FACTOR, 2020 SOLO SKIFF (Fishing Kayak on Steroids )