37lb California Kelp Donkey - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

ore714 · 05-14-2018, 11:57 AM

Yesterday was my day as its been a minute since I caught a quality fish on the yak....37lb california kelp donkey

....I got him near kelp the line south west of the condo in about 80 feet of water on a carolina rigged mack about 10 am...dragged me through 3 kelp stalks and broke my braid so i ended up having to hand line him in which was easy since he qas tuckered out. also couldnt ask for better conditions, water cleared up alot, and bait was everywhere ...

lessons learned

1. don't have 3 lines out near the kelp I had to cut two to save the fish
2. always be ready for a bite on the rod I am fishing
3. Pay attention to whats going on around you...noticed there was a lot of bait around certain areas so I kept fishing those areas and I lucked out!
4. Keep thinking positive for a big seabass!

Denis_Ruso · 05-14-2018, 12:22 PM

That's a hog. Congrats. Way to stick it out.

dpricenator · 05-14-2018, 12:42 PM

Color me green. I really need one of those on my "Kayak caught Species" list. I have plenty from boats, but that fight from a yak has eluded me.

acorad · 05-14-2018, 01:10 PM

You're gonna need a bigger pan! :-)

JohnMckroidJr · 05-14-2018, 03:14 PM

Beautiful fish

, Congratulations !

swinginFish · 05-14-2018, 03:51 PM

1) Congrats on a nice fish!

2) Would that the practice of LJ kayak fisherfolk (be they young or not-so-young) posting relevant/recent info. here would become the norm again.

3) Muchas gracias for the timely post. Good info. Good will! Just plain good!

Avery

Saba Slayer · 05-14-2018, 06:17 PM

Beautiful Fat Fish...!

blitzburgh · 05-14-2018, 06:55 PM

What a SLUG!

fourtogo · 05-14-2018, 07:43 PM

Beautiful fish

steveooo · 05-14-2018, 08:18 PM

Thick sized!

TJones · 05-15-2018, 02:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swinginFish

1) Congrats on a nice fish!

2) Would that the practice of LJ kayak fisherfolk (be they young or not-so-young) posting relevant/recent info. here would become the norm again.

3) Muchas gracias for the timely post. Good info. Good will! Just plain good!

Avery

X2

FISH11 · 05-15-2018, 10:59 AM

Congrats ! Nice

.

LEEZO · 05-15-2018, 12:11 PM

congrats on the yellow beast!

the dude · 05-15-2018, 12:15 PM

I'd rather catch a mossback that size than a wsb...

Mr. NiceGuy · 05-15-2018, 04:54 PM

Congratulations on the beautiful fish. Bon Appétit!

Here is a special gift for the occasion:
https://youtu.be/dPI-mRFEIH0

----------------------

Many people around here say they always have multiple lines out.

Personally, it has been more of a distraction than a benefit for me. Too much clutter. I prefer to focus all my attention on my best rig for what I'm doing. I like my finger on the braid so I can feel what's going on. I prefer to keep my work area clear and ready. Less confusion when we get a more serious hookup. If we are catching small fish, then the more lines the merrier.

iethinker · 05-16-2018, 09:53 AM

Nice One! Thanks for the report and enjoy the many meals.

ratdog · 05-16-2018, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swinginFish

1) Congrats on a nice fish!

2) Would that the practice of LJ kayak fisherfolk (be they young or not-so-young) posting relevant/recent info. here would become the norm again.

3) Muchas gracias for the timely post. Good info. Good will! Just plain good!

Avery

What he said, Sure miss the old days! Congrats on a very nice quality fish.

jacksonbigtuna · 05-20-2018, 09:29 AM

Nice fish

fresh to salt · 05-30-2018, 08:35 AM

Awesome yellowtail! Nice work!

05-14-2018, 11:57 AM	#1
ore714 Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Costa Mesa Posts: 34	37lb California Kelp Donkey Yesterday was my day as its been a minute since I caught a quality fish on the yak....37lb california kelp donkey ....I got him near kelp the line south west of the condo in about 80 feet of water on a carolina rigged mack about 10 am...dragged me through 3 kelp stalks and broke my braid so i ended up having to hand line him in which was easy since he qas tuckered out. also couldnt ask for better conditions, water cleared up alot, and bait was everywhere ... lessons learned 1. don't have 3 lines out near the kelp I had to cut two to save the fish 2. always be ready for a bite on the rod I am fishing 3. Pay attention to whats going on around you...noticed there was a lot of bait around certain areas so I kept fishing those areas and I lucked out! 4. Keep thinking positive for a big seabass! Attached Images

05-14-2018, 12:22 PM	#2
Denis_Ruso Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 571	That's a hog. Congrats. Way to stick it out. __________________ 2018 Hobie Outback 13 I do not fear the storm as it will teach me how to sail my ship.

05-14-2018, 03:51 PM	#6
swinginFish Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 173	What - a current post with details about catching?! 1) Congrats on a nice fish! 2) Would that the practice of LJ kayak fisherfolk (be they young or not-so-young) posting relevant/recent info. here would become the norm again. 3) Muchas gracias for the timely post. Good info. Good will! Just plain good! Avery

05-14-2018, 06:17 PM	#7
Saba Slayer Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Palos Verdes Posts: 1,868	Beauty Beautiful Fat Fish...! __________________ Jim / Saba Slayer

05-14-2018, 06:55 PM	#8
blitzburgh Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Menifee Posts: 2,509	What a SLUG! __________________ ”The beauty of the Second Amendment is that it will not be needed until they try to take it.” ~Thomas Jefferson.........maybe

05-14-2018, 12:42 PM	#3
dpricenator Senior Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: South OC Posts: 120	Color me green. I really need one of those on my "Kayak caught Species" list. I have plenty from boats, but that fight from a yak has eluded me.

05-14-2018, 01:10 PM	#4
acorad Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Agoura Hills Posts: 166	You're gonna need a bigger pan! :-)

05-14-2018, 03:14 PM	#5
JohnMckroidJr Senior Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Fort Lauderdale Posts: 1,958	Beautiful fish , Congratulations !

05-14-2018, 07:43 PM	#9
fourtogo Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Posts: 140	Yellow Tail Beautiful fish

05-14-2018, 08:18 PM	#10
steveooo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 1,922	Thick sized!

05-15-2018, 10:59 AM	#12
FISH11 Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Pine Valley when not fishing La Jolla Posts: 2,643	Congrats ! Nice . __________________ MARK ......... 2016 MALIBU X FACTOR, 2020 SOLO SKIFF (Fishing Kayak on Steroids )

05-15-2018, 12:11 PM	#13
LEEZO Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Coronado Posts: 179	congrats on the yellow beast!

05-15-2018, 12:15 PM	#14
the dude Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Valley Center Posts: 271	I'd rather catch a mossback that size than a wsb... __________________ The dude abides.

05-15-2018, 04:54 PM	#15
Mr. NiceGuy Manic for Life Join Date: May 2015 Location: San Diego Posts: 839	Congratulations on the beautiful fish. Bon Appétit! Here is a special gift for the occasion: https://youtu.be/dPI-mRFEIH0 ---------------------- Many people around here say they always have multiple lines out. Personally, it has been more of a distraction than a benefit for me. Too much clutter. I prefer to focus all my attention on my best rig for what I'm doing. I like my finger on the braid so I can feel what's going on. I prefer to keep my work area clear and ready. Less confusion when we get a more serious hookup. If we are catching small fish, then the more lines the merrier. __________________ Another ho-hum day in Paradise Last edited by Mr. NiceGuy; 05-15-2018 at 05:07 PM.

05-16-2018, 09:53 AM	#16
iethinker Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Inland Empire Posts: 370	Nice One! Nice One! Thanks for the report and enjoy the many meals.

05-20-2018, 09:29 AM	#18
jacksonbigtuna Junior Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Bay Ho Posts: 14	Nice fish

05-30-2018, 08:35 AM	#19
fresh to salt Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Menifee, CA Posts: 53	Awesome yellowtail! Nice work!