06/17/17 LJ Yellowtail - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

HDFishing · 06-17-2017, 04:35 PM

2nd trip to La Jolla, First YT! Launched at 515 to exactly like predicted (1-2ft)... for once they got it right. Bait was pretty easy to get just outside the reserve. Got 12-15 solid greenbacks and started fishing. Hooked up at 630 on flyline, it started ripping line out then broke me off. Had it on for 15-20 seconds. 65lb braid/ 40 flouro. I tried a new knot, the loop knot, for live bait. I've heard guys have had success with it because it lets the bait swim more natural. Maybe I didn't tie it right, maybe it's not a great knot. So I go back to the old trusty knot I know that works for me. Hook up again within 5 minutes. It was probably one of the coolest experiences I've had on the water. I saw the fish hit the bait but missed it the first time. Slapped it probably a foot out of the water then turned around and got it the second time. I watched all of this 20 yards in front of the yak. The fight was on. He made probably 25 hard runs before I softened him up enough to gaff. I've caught amberjack in the Gulf of Mexico before but damn these fish fight hard out of a kayak. Had one more good hit around 8am but just got my mack, no hookup. Awesome day on the water! Can't wait to get back out there. Shoutout to a couple guys that helped me get a sick pic of the fish, thanks dudes!

iethinker · 06-17-2017, 04:45 PM

Congrats on your 1st YT.

FISH11 · 06-17-2017, 05:48 PM

Congrats on a nice Yellowtail, especially lucky on the second trip.

FullFlavorPike · 06-17-2017, 06:52 PM

That's pretty cool. I've never had my bait out forward of the boat, let alone watched it get hit on the surface. You trolling backwards? jaja. Nice fish.

HDFishing · 06-17-2017, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FullFlavorPike

That's pretty cool. I've never had my bait out forward of the boat, let alone watched it get hit on the surface. You trolling backwards? jaja. Nice fish.

Haha nah I was actually rigging another rod up, just going with the current

Geno Machino · 06-18-2017, 08:41 PM

Now that what I'm talking about.

Sweet!

Congrates

fourtogo · 06-18-2017, 11:26 PM

Nice snappy what rod reel were you using .

HDFishing · 06-19-2017, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fourtogo

Nice snappy what rod reel were you using .

Thanks man! Rod used was Diawa eliminator 7' MH with a Diawa Sealine 40

LJ H2Oman · 06-19-2017, 01:46 PM

Happy to shoot the photos for you. That was a good catch! I take it that you got the fish in without an over-zealous dog stealing it from the side of your kayak. Time for a kill bag so you can get your next yellow chilled down to keep that meat fresh for the Bar-B. Congrats!

HDFishing · 06-19-2017, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LJ H2Oman

Happy to shoot the photos for you. That was a good catch! I take it that you got the fish in without an over-zealous dog stealing it from the side of your kayak. Time for a kill bag so you can get your next yellow chilled down to keep that meat fresh for the Bar-B. Congrats!

Robert, yep had no problem. Thanks again!

Anybody using a game bag that is decently priced and durable?

YakDout · 06-19-2017, 06:51 PM

Surf to summit. 43" long I believe.

06-17-2017, 04:35 PM	#1
HDFishing Junior Join Date: Jun 2017 Posts: 8	06/17/17 LJ Yellowtail 2nd trip to La Jolla, First YT! Launched at 515 to exactly like predicted (1-2ft)... for once they got it right. Bait was pretty easy to get just outside the reserve. Got 12-15 solid greenbacks and started fishing. Hooked up at 630 on flyline, it started ripping line out then broke me off. Had it on for 15-20 seconds. 65lb braid/ 40 flouro. I tried a new knot, the loop knot, for live bait. I've heard guys have had success with it because it lets the bait swim more natural. Maybe I didn't tie it right, maybe it's not a great knot. So I go back to the old trusty knot I know that works for me. Hook up again within 5 minutes. It was probably one of the coolest experiences I've had on the water. I saw the fish hit the bait but missed it the first time. Slapped it probably a foot out of the water then turned around and got it the second time. I watched all of this 20 yards in front of the yak. The fight was on. He made probably 25 hard runs before I softened him up enough to gaff. I've caught amberjack in the Gulf of Mexico before but damn these fish fight hard out of a kayak. Had one more good hit around 8am but just got my mack, no hookup. Awesome day on the water! Can't wait to get back out there. Shoutout to a couple guys that helped me get a sick pic of the fish, thanks dudes! Attached Images Last edited by HDFishing; 06-17-2017 at 04:41 PM.

06-17-2017, 04:45 PM	#2
iethinker Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Inland Empire Posts: 370	Congrats Congrats on your 1st YT.

06-17-2017, 05:48 PM	#3
FISH11 Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Pine Valley when not fishing La Jolla Posts: 2,643	Congrats on a nice Yellowtail, especially lucky on the second trip. __________________ MARK ......... 2016 MALIBU X FACTOR, 2020 SOLO SKIFF (Fishing Kayak on Steroids )

06-18-2017, 08:41 PM	#6
Geno Machino "Relax" Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: O'side Posts: 553	Now that what I'm talking about. Sweet! Congrates __________________

06-18-2017, 11:26 PM	#7
fourtogo Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Posts: 140	Yellow tail Nice snappy what rod reel were you using .

06-17-2017, 06:52 PM	#4
FullFlavorPike Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 809	That's pretty cool. I've never had my bait out forward of the boat, let alone watched it get hit on the surface. You trolling backwards? jaja. Nice fish.

06-19-2017, 01:46 PM	#9
LJ H2Oman Hunter Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: San Diego Posts: 44	Happy to shoot the photos for you. That was a good catch! I take it that you got the fish in without an over-zealous dog stealing it from the side of your kayak. Time for a kill bag so you can get your next yellow chilled down to keep that meat fresh for the Bar-B. Congrats! __________________ Robert V <"))))>< Hobie Revo 13 . . . not as sporting . . . but a welcome upgrade from my 1966 longboard!

06-19-2017, 06:51 PM	#11
YakDout Brandon Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,345	Surf to summit. 43" long I believe.