No Squid, Lots of Bat Rays. - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

SquidJig · 08-22-2012, 05:49 PM

Hit the water around 5:30 this morning. Just the faintest hint of light was in the sky. The surf was about as small as I've ever seen it. For once in a long time, not a drop of water got to my seat. Not that that was a good thing today. It was so warm even then, a wet seat would have been refreshing.

I saw a few lights on the squid grounds so I pointed my yak in that direction. Got disoriented when suddenly the lights were really close. Turned out to be three swimmers with "bite me" lights. I wonder if they made it back to shore.

Once on the squid grounds there was enough light to see and I saw dozens of bat rays swimming under me. I've never seen so many. One of the coolest things I've seen out there. (As you can see from the photos, it was glassy).

And sadly, that was the coolest thing I saw today. Squid was scarce and tiny. Good thing I brought a couple of frozen full-sized squid just to have something on while making bait. I should have brought a full bag. One of the dead squid gave me my first strike in weeks. Thanks to Drake for the hook. I think it was a 7/0 mutu something-or-other. Big sucker. Obviously, I've been using the wrong hooks.

Anyway, it's been so long and my confidence has been shaken. I freaked. I threw the reel into freespool then tightened the drag too tight. My bait has been ignored and rejected so much I thought I try lighter line. I guess it worked. Too bad about the drag, though. I had the pleasure of fighting the fish for about three seconds. But, as a measure of how pathetic it's been for me lately, I'm very happy just for the hook up. The fish have been ignoring and rejecting my bait for so long I've been wondering about my personal hygiene.

That was around 6:30. Aside from that moment of excitement, I landed two short barracuda and a third spit the hook. For me, a pretty good day.

I had to take my mom to an appointment so it was off the water by 11:00. Good thing, too. It was getting hot. Too bad I'll be out of town for a while.

Good luck out there. Things could get very exciting.

mtnbykr2 · 08-22-2012, 05:54 PM

cool pics thanks for the report and sharing...must have been alot of squid if there were that many rays in the same spot

JOHN K · 08-22-2012, 08:20 PM

That second shot is a nice one. Fine looking water!
Thanks for the report.

echo1er · 08-22-2012, 08:27 PM

thats awesome.

radastaff · 08-22-2012, 08:36 PM

cool pics
i think what towed me out for 30 sec
was prob a big ray too
last sun

saw one under my yak just before

was flylining a squidly

08-22-2012, 08:49 PM

Here's a video I got of the Bat Rays
When you can ignore the fact they are bait stealing, hook bending, rod breaking pains in the ass. They really are amazing creatures. It was definitely a cool site to see.

PE.rider · 08-22-2012, 10:02 PM

Thanks for the Pic. It's amazing seeing those rays fly through the water like that.

Salty Dog · 08-23-2012, 08:23 AM

That is worth the price of admission right there. I would be happy with just a 12-pack of beer, just kickin it all day, and watching them cruise around.

vincentek9 · 08-23-2012, 02:04 PM

that is INTENSE! soo beautiful.

MrM · 08-23-2012, 02:31 PM

I think I saw Steve Irwin in there!

Awesome pictures and video.

seriola_killer · 08-23-2012, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrM

I think I saw Steve Irwin in there!

^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ CRIKEY!

08-22-2012, 05:49 PM	#1
SquidJig Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 76	No Squid, Lots of Bat Rays. Hit the water around 5:30 this morning. Just the faintest hint of light was in the sky. The surf was about as small as I've ever seen it. For once in a long time, not a drop of water got to my seat. Not that that was a good thing today. It was so warm even then, a wet seat would have been refreshing. I saw a few lights on the squid grounds so I pointed my yak in that direction. Got disoriented when suddenly the lights were really close. Turned out to be three swimmers with "bite me" lights. I wonder if they made it back to shore. Once on the squid grounds there was enough light to see and I saw dozens of bat rays swimming under me. I've never seen so many. One of the coolest things I've seen out there. (As you can see from the photos, it was glassy). And sadly, that was the coolest thing I saw today. Squid was scarce and tiny. Good thing I brought a couple of frozen full-sized squid just to have something on while making bait. I should have brought a full bag. One of the dead squid gave me my first strike in weeks. Thanks to Drake for the hook. I think it was a 7/0 mutu something-or-other. Big sucker. Obviously, I've been using the wrong hooks. Anyway, it's been so long and my confidence has been shaken. I freaked. I threw the reel into freespool then tightened the drag too tight. My bait has been ignored and rejected so much I thought I try lighter line. I guess it worked. Too bad about the drag, though. I had the pleasure of fighting the fish for about three seconds. But, as a measure of how pathetic it's been for me lately, I'm very happy just for the hook up. The fish have been ignoring and rejecting my bait for so long I've been wondering about my personal hygiene. That was around 6:30. Aside from that moment of excitement, I landed two short barracuda and a third spit the hook. For me, a pretty good day. I had to take my mom to an appointment so it was off the water by 11:00. Good thing, too. It was getting hot. Too bad I'll be out of town for a while. Good luck out there. Things could get very exciting. Attached Images

08-22-2012, 05:54 PM	#2
mtnbykr2 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: newbury park ca Posts: 2,323	cool pics thanks for the report and sharing...must have been alot of squid if there were that many rays in the same spot __________________

08-23-2012, 02:04 PM	#9
vincentek9 MAYNEE-YAK Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: So Cal Posts: 533	that is INTENSE! soo beautiful. __________________

08-23-2012, 02:31 PM	#10
MrM Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: The Matrix Posts: 643	I think I saw Steve Irwin in there! Awesome pictures and video. __________________ -Kevin

08-22-2012, 08:20 PM	#3
JOHN K Junior Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Capo Beach Posts: 21	That second shot is a nice one. Fine looking water! Thanks for the report.

08-22-2012, 08:27 PM	#4
echo1er Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 598	thats awesome.

08-22-2012, 08:36 PM	#5
radastaff Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 314	cool pics i think what towed me out for 30 sec was prob a big ray too last sun saw one under my yak just before was flylining a squidly

08-22-2012, 08:49 PM	#6
Drake Guest Posts: n/a	Here's a video I got of the Bat Rays When you can ignore the fact they are bait stealing, hook bending, rod breaking pains in the ass. They really are amazing creatures. It was definitely a cool site to see.

08-22-2012, 10:02 PM	#7
PE.rider Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: OC, CA Posts: 234	Thanks for the Pic. It's amazing seeing those rays fly through the water like that.

08-23-2012, 08:23 AM	#8
Salty Dog loves bacon Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Behind The Orange Curtain Posts: 110	That is worth the price of admission right there. I would be happy with just a 12-pack of beer, just kickin it all day, and watching them cruise around.