Finally, after 3 yrs! LJ 6/9 - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

TXyakker · 06-09-2008, 10:39 PM

So i was planning to hit the Bay after work to try and get some butts, but forgot my wet shoes when i went to work so i had to come home first. While at home, i check the surf cam here and said man, that looks like a pretty awesome little surf. Then i read Darkhorse's report about Sunday afternoon and had a little change of heart. LJ sounded like a good shot to try yet again for that coveted yellow. I changed the rigging on my rods real quick and headed up to the cove. The surf was real little just like the cam showed, and i made it out no problem. The bait was hard to come by, but two other guys launched a little before me so i kept following them out, and out, and out. Eventually found a group of Spanish macks on the surface, probably chasing little sardines or something. Turns out they were a little big for bait, but i did manage one "jumbo" bait sized mack. Pinned him on and kept paddling out, away from the beach. I was thinking it was going to be a long paddle back in, but hopefully it would be worth it. I had put the paddle down for a little, just kind of drifting when all of a sudden i see these boils that were pretty big. I had seen a seal swimming around, so i kind of figured they were seals chasing bait, but i grabbed my iron rod and slung the blue/white sumo over in that direction and started cranking away. About 10 cranks in, my line goes tight and I'm BENDOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!! I had a good feeling about this one because i was in 120 feet of water, no kelp anywhere in sight. While i was fighting her, the pack i pulled her from started boiling again around me. Even saw a seal pop his ugly head up while i was fighting her. Kind of freaked out and said some choice words to the seal praying he wouldnt find my fish. She put up a good fight, but in the end I won and brought my first yellow to the boat. I put her in my lap, and a PB, the "Lil Playa" was near by so, even though i felt guilty, i asked for a picture. They were great about it and helped me out getting a good shot! Thanks to those two guys, and hopefully the fish gods smiled on them too. After the picture i pulled some gill rakers to bleed her out but she didnt seem to bleed much. Tied a rope through her mouth since i dont have one of those handy giant fish clips, and put her in the water for a bit. I wasnt leaving her there long, so after a little i put her in my lap and headed back to shore. Sure enough, it was a long paddle but well worth it. Had a couple on the beach help me out with another photo shoot so i got some more good pictures. Taped the fish out at about 37", dont know the weight but it didnt matter. My first Yellow after 3 years and it came on an iron, so i'm super stoked!!

Thanks again Darkhorse for convincing me to head for the cove rather than the bay, and thanks to the 2 guys for my on the water photos. And now, for the pictures:

yakrider · 06-09-2008, 11:24 PM

That is so cool...

congrats on that yeller...
she's a beaut!!!

I'm still waiting to check that one off my
"never caught off the yak yet" list...

THE DARKHORSE · 06-09-2008, 11:57 PM

It's good to know that my "first true fish report" (on time) helped a brother out. The bay isn't going anywhere and as you saw the conditions weren't half bad. Small surf, light wind, plenty of bait, and oh yeah, those pesky Yellowtail. All that time it took for your first Yellowtail will simply add to your appreciation for all the rest. Good going on the iron (my favorite), as it pays to keep your eyes open. I was in the distance and saw you catch your fish, so thank you for locating the school.

Well, the fish gods didn't smile on the two guys in the PB, but as soon as that noisy boat left I found a school to myself.
One piece of advice would be "never leave fish when they are biting", unless you're late for work. It may have taken you three
years to land your first Yellowtail, but it would of taken you ten minutes to catch your second if you stayed out.

bajadog · 06-10-2008, 05:44 AM

Hamachi looks good! Congrats!

Handymansd · 06-10-2008, 07:56 AM

Great story, thanks! And congrats on the tail, it is a great feeling of accomplishment when you do it all yourself and it works out!

OEX · 06-10-2008, 09:28 AM

Congrats on your first kayak yellow. Here's to the first of many

Corey · 06-10-2008, 10:31 AM

Nice job! Congrats on your first yellow.

You look stoked!

amsurferoceanbeach · 06-10-2008, 12:11 PM

Nice fight with that fish. When I hooked up
right before you, I was hoping to get this
yellow skunk off of me that I have been having.
Again I caught another toothy fish. Then as
I'm retying I see you hook up.

Congrats on your first kayak yellow and
may there be many more.
Paul

Sherm · 06-10-2008, 01:06 PM

Nice write up and congrats. It's great when those last minute change of plans pays off.

Aaron&Julie · 06-10-2008, 01:58 PM

Congratulations on your first kayak yellow

Very nice story and yellowtail.

It's a great feeling, getting those firsts. Keep 'em coming.

GHOSTHUNTR · 06-10-2008, 02:00 PM

Catching that first yellow on your yak is an awesome feeling. Nice job

aguachico · 06-10-2008, 02:17 PM

Congrats on the 1st YT.

Seeu1 · 06-10-2008, 02:58 PM

Gotta love getting the first one

Pat · 06-10-2008, 03:00 PM

Congrats, that is awesome.

glenniesan · 06-10-2008, 04:40 PM

Congrats on your first! The sashimi platter looks great!

metalbob · 06-10-2008, 05:23 PM

congratulations!

lamb · 06-10-2008, 05:31 PM

Very cool, congrats!!!

'Cuda · 06-12-2008, 02:07 PM

I hope you used protection......it took me nearly 3 seasons as well so I know how jazzed you are....now you can relax and more fully enjoy your time on the water.
Congratulations.

Holy Mackerel · 06-12-2008, 03:45 PM

Awesome! nice kayak too!

Someone once wrote about their first kayak yellowtail...

Finally, my first glimpse of the fish, and it was magnificent; like getting laid, you will never forget your first time... I see it swimming below my plastic boat in circles, its bright yellow forked tail shone through the greenish tint of the water, confirming it was of the Jack family...

I'll never forget my first kayak YT, can't really remember my last one...

chris

Oolie · 06-15-2008, 11:26 AM

smaller pieces ftw.

06-09-2008, 10:39 PM	#1
TXyakker Junior Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: PB Posts: 26	Finally, after 3 yrs! LJ 6/9 So i was planning to hit the Bay after work to try and get some butts, but forgot my wet shoes when i went to work so i had to come home first. While at home, i check the surf cam here and said man, that looks like a pretty awesome little surf. Then i read Darkhorse's report about Sunday afternoon and had a little change of heart. LJ sounded like a good shot to try yet again for that coveted yellow. I changed the rigging on my rods real quick and headed up to the cove. The surf was real little just like the cam showed, and i made it out no problem. The bait was hard to come by, but two other guys launched a little before me so i kept following them out, and out, and out. Eventually found a group of Spanish macks on the surface, probably chasing little sardines or something. Turns out they were a little big for bait, but i did manage one "jumbo" bait sized mack. Pinned him on and kept paddling out, away from the beach. I was thinking it was going to be a long paddle back in, but hopefully it would be worth it. I had put the paddle down for a little, just kind of drifting when all of a sudden i see these boils that were pretty big. I had seen a seal swimming around, so i kind of figured they were seals chasing bait, but i grabbed my iron rod and slung the blue/white sumo over in that direction and started cranking away. About 10 cranks in, my line goes tight and I'm BENDOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!! I had a good feeling about this one because i was in 120 feet of water, no kelp anywhere in sight. While i was fighting her, the pack i pulled her from started boiling again around me. Even saw a seal pop his ugly head up while i was fighting her. Kind of freaked out and said some choice words to the seal praying he wouldnt find my fish. She put up a good fight, but in the end I won and brought my first yellow to the boat. I put her in my lap, and a PB, the "Lil Playa" was near by so, even though i felt guilty, i asked for a picture. They were great about it and helped me out getting a good shot! Thanks to those two guys, and hopefully the fish gods smiled on them too. After the picture i pulled some gill rakers to bleed her out but she didnt seem to bleed much. Tied a rope through her mouth since i dont have one of those handy giant fish clips, and put her in the water for a bit. I wasnt leaving her there long, so after a little i put her in my lap and headed back to shore. Sure enough, it was a long paddle but well worth it. Had a couple on the beach help me out with another photo shoot so i got some more good pictures. Taped the fish out at about 37", dont know the weight but it didnt matter. My first Yellow after 3 years and it came on an iron, so i'm super stoked!! Thanks again Darkhorse for convincing me to head for the cove rather than the bay, and thanks to the 2 guys for my on the water photos. And now, for the pictures:

06-09-2008, 11:57 PM	#3
THE DARKHORSE Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Seven minutes from the launch! Posts: 987	MY PLEASURE.... It's good to know that my "first true fish report" (on time) helped a brother out. The bay isn't going anywhere and as you saw the conditions weren't half bad. Small surf, light wind, plenty of bait, and oh yeah, those pesky Yellowtail. All that time it took for your first Yellowtail will simply add to your appreciation for all the rest. Good going on the iron (my favorite), as it pays to keep your eyes open. I was in the distance and saw you catch your fish, so thank you for locating the school. Well, the fish gods didn't smile on the two guys in the PB, but as soon as that noisy boat left I found a school to myself. One piece of advice would be "never leave fish when they are biting", unless you're late for work. It may have taken you three years to land your first Yellowtail, but it would of taken you ten minutes to catch your second if you stayed out. Last edited by THE DARKHORSE; 06-10-2008 at 12:20 AM.

06-10-2008, 05:44 AM	#4
bajadog I eats what I kills Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: San Diego Posts: 393	Hamachi looks good! Congrats! __________________ Please release bill-fish.

06-10-2008, 07:56 AM	#5
Handymansd Ancient Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: On The Water Posts: 935	Great story, thanks! And congrats on the tail, it is a great feeling of accomplishment when you do it all yourself and it works out! __________________ All men are equal before fish. -Herbert Hoover

06-10-2008, 10:31 AM	#7
Corey Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: ...waaaay out there Posts: 794	Nice job! Congrats on your first yellow. You look stoked! __________________

06-09-2008, 11:24 PM	#2
yakrider Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 611	That is so cool... congrats on that yeller... she's a beaut!!! I'm still waiting to check that one off my "never caught off the yak yet" list...

06-10-2008, 09:28 AM	#6
OEX Administrator Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 210	Congrats on your first kayak yellow. Here's to the first of many

06-10-2008, 12:11 PM	#8
amsurferoceanbeach Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Ocean Beach San Diego Ca Posts: 110	Congrats on your first kayak yellow Nice fight with that fish. When I hooked up right before you, I was hoping to get this yellow skunk off of me that I have been having. Again I caught another toothy fish. Then as I'm retying I see you hook up. Congrats on your first kayak yellow and may there be many more. Paul

06-10-2008, 01:06 PM	#9
Sherm Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Diego Posts: 490	Nice write up and congrats. It's great when those last minute change of plans pays off.

06-10-2008, 01:58 PM	#10
Aaron&Julie Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Spring Valley Posts: 1,400	Congratulations on your first kayak yellow Very nice story and yellowtail. It's a great feeling, getting those firsts. Keep 'em coming. __________________ "Never say die"

06-10-2008, 02:00 PM	#11
GHOSTHUNTR Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Poway Posts: 160	Catching that first yellow on your yak is an awesome feeling. Nice job

06-10-2008, 02:17 PM	#12
aguachico Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 719	Congrats on the 1st YT.

06-10-2008, 02:58 PM	#13
Seeu1 Salt H20 Yaker Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 18	Gotta love getting the first one

06-10-2008, 03:00 PM	#14
Pat Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 283	Congrats, that is awesome.

06-10-2008, 04:40 PM	#15
glenniesan Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: San Marcos Posts: 37	Congrats on your first! The sashimi platter looks great!

06-10-2008, 05:23 PM	#16
metalbob King of Constipation Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: North Park Posts: 56	congratulations!

06-10-2008, 05:31 PM	#17
lamb Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 2,568	Very cool, congrats!!! __________________ [------------------------ <)))< ....b-a-a-a-a

06-12-2008, 02:07 PM	#18
'Cuda Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 224	I hope you used protection......it took me nearly 3 seasons as well so I know how jazzed you are....now you can relax and more fully enjoy your time on the water. Congratulations.

06-12-2008, 03:45 PM	#19
Holy Mackerel Señor member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,627	Awesome! nice kayak too! Someone once wrote about their first kayak yellowtail... Finally, my first glimpse of the fish, and it was magnificent; like getting laid, you will never forget your first time... I see it swimming below my plastic boat in circles, its bright yellow forked tail shone through the greenish tint of the water, confirming it was of the Jack family... I'll never forget my first kayak YT, can't really remember my last one... chris