1st LJ YT on a yak, 1st capsize - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

mrlar13 · 09-23-2020, 07:08 AM

On only my 2nd LJ trip on a yak got a YT. However, it also resulted in my 1st capsize after he got straight down at the side of my yak and made a major run when I had my drag pretty tight. Thanks again to the 3 boats that came to assist getting my yak righted, my fish caught and me back in the yak. Quite an adventure. Want another YT without the capsize part.

TCS · 09-23-2020, 07:25 AM

I’m the guy that got to you first and helped you get that fish. I’m glad you’re safe and on dry land in the pic. I recommend that you practice getting back on the kayak while in the water, and pair up with a buddy boat for a while. A vhf radio would be a good idea too.

SoCalEDC · 09-23-2020, 07:49 AM

Nice yeller you got there. Worth the trip (and the flip) I'm sure.

seaquinn · 09-23-2020, 08:15 AM

Wow, that must have been fun to watch! Just Monday I was fighting a tuna (10 pounds) and the reel came off the rod... moments of crazy times. I can only imagine what it must be like to have one hand on the rod and one on the kayak. Kinda hard to reel that way.

Really nice at that time to have a buddy nearby.

Congrats, as you have now in the past some of the bigger challenges!

summers in kuwait · 09-23-2020, 08:47 AM

Congrats on your first Yellow from the kayak. You will remember for a long time, especially under those circumstances!

Nice time for a Public Service Announcement:

•Watch your drag settings
•Learn to self rescue, especially with your pfd on!
•Remember the vhf radio and consider mounting to pfd. This way if you get separated from your vessel you can still call for help.
•Safety in numbers

Cheers!

FISH11 · 09-23-2020, 10:08 AM

Congrats on the first kayak Yellowtail. On only your 2nd trip, is hugely LUCKY also the fact that there were boats and kayaks near to help you. Just for safety tips, as Todd mentioned watch how tight you set your drag and almost never have the rod pointing to the side of the Kayak, it should be towards the bow to give you the best leverage and balance. Always wear the PFD with VHF radio attached and rods and gear should be all leashed.

skrilla · 09-23-2020, 02:34 PM

Congrats! Sometimes the fish catch you.

TCS · 09-23-2020, 04:09 PM

This is my new ride. Wave me over if you need help or to hand off your fish.

mrlar13 · 09-23-2020, 04:29 PM

Will do. Thanks again. Learned many things that day!!

Salty · 09-23-2020, 05:41 PM

Nice job!! I'm the guy with the other Passport that was chatting with you while looking for bait the other weekend. Looks like you got the redemption you were looking for! That's a hell of a story though! Takes some grit to hang on to a rod with a fish like that after capsizing a yak. Then to be able to land it after all that? That's crazy haha

mrlar13 · 09-24-2020, 07:48 AM

Hi Salty, you were also the guy on the beach that told me you had a thought that I would get a YT that day. You didn't tell me about the big adventure I would have getting it. It took about 3 hrs of riding a greenback around. Hooked up after 2 hyper screaming runs. I was on the outside of the ridge in 100 ft.

JohnMckroidJr · 09-24-2020, 08:20 AM

Congratulations on your first

! As others have mentioned: get a vhf, wear a PFD, and always keep the rod pointed towards the bow when hooked up for stability. Regardless of where the fish is swimming, if you keep your rod pointed off the bow of the kayak, eventually the fish will pull the kayak so that it is off the bow. Anglers have used 100lb braid with 50lbs of drag to successfully pull fish out of wrecks off kayaks, provided they Always keep the rod pointed on the bow the entire battle. Anywhere else will flip them in half a heartbeat.

rdahl · 09-24-2020, 09:14 AM

Some good suggestions here. Also spread your legs over the side sstraddling the yak, it is a great stabilizer. You can also slouch down to lower the center of gravity.

mrlar13 · 09-24-2020, 04:31 PM

Thanks for everyone's comments and suggestions. Wishing you all tight lines.

mrlar13 · 09-24-2020, 04:37 PM

Found out Salty is not who i talked to on the beach that morning. If that guy with exact same Passport yak as mine sees this, thanks for the good karma and send me a message.

Salty · 09-24-2020, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrlar13

Found out Salty is not who i talked to on the beach that morning. If that guy with exact same Passport yak as mine sees this, thanks for the good karma and send me a message.

Yup, I ran into you on the water out there, but not on the beach!

Southwest Kayak Fishing · 09-25-2020, 01:20 PM

Nice YT, Congrats on your 1st of hopefully many more!
I’m sure this will be a very memorable experience! 😎😃

TJones · 09-26-2020, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TCS

This is my new ride. Wave me over if you need help or to hand off your fish.

09-23-2020, 07:08 AM	#1
mrlar13 Junior Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Poway Posts: 24	1st LJ YT on a yak, 1st capsize On only my 2nd LJ trip on a yak got a YT. However, it also resulted in my 1st capsize after he got straight down at the side of my yak and made a major run when I had my drag pretty tight. Thanks again to the 3 boats that came to assist getting my yak righted, my fish caught and me back in the yak. Quite an adventure. Want another YT without the capsize part. Attached Images

09-23-2020, 07:49 AM	#3
SoCalEDC Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Rancho Cucamonga Posts: 609	Nice yeller you got there. Worth the trip (and the flip) I'm sure. __________________ IG: @blackflag_fishing Youtube: Blackflag Fishing 2014 Ocean Kayak T13 SOLD 2020 Hobie Outback SOLD 2021 Stealth Fisha 500 #StealthTribe

09-23-2020, 08:47 AM	#5
summers in kuwait Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: East County San Diego Posts: 657	Congrats! Congrats on your first Yellow from the kayak. You will remember for a long time, especially under those circumstances! Nice time for a Public Service Announcement: •Watch your drag settings •Learn to self rescue, especially with your pfd on! •Remember the vhf radio and consider mounting to pfd. This way if you get separated from your vessel you can still call for help. •Safety in numbers Cheers!

09-23-2020, 10:08 AM	#6
FISH11 Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Pine Valley when not fishing La Jolla Posts: 2,643	Congrats on the first kayak Yellowtail. On only your 2nd trip, is hugely LUCKY also the fact that there were boats and kayaks near to help you. Just for safety tips, as Todd mentioned watch how tight you set your drag and almost never have the rod pointing to the side of the Kayak, it should be towards the bow to give you the best leverage and balance. Always wear the PFD with VHF radio attached and rods and gear should be all leashed. __________________ MARK ......... 2016 MALIBU X FACTOR, 2020 SOLO SKIFF (Fishing Kayak on Steroids )

09-23-2020, 02:34 PM	#7
skrilla Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 664	Congrats! Sometimes the fish catch you. __________________ Urban Camo Trident 13

09-23-2020, 07:25 AM	#2
TCS Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 478	I’m the guy that got to you first and helped you get that fish. I’m glad you’re safe and on dry land in the pic. I recommend that you practice getting back on the kayak while in the water, and pair up with a buddy boat for a while. A vhf radio would be a good idea too.

09-23-2020, 08:15 AM	#4
seaquinn wishin' I was fishin' Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Blossom Valley (near El Cajon) Posts: 148	Wow, that must have been fun to watch! Just Monday I was fighting a tuna (10 pounds) and the reel came off the rod... moments of crazy times. I can only imagine what it must be like to have one hand on the rod and one on the kayak. Kinda hard to reel that way. Really nice at that time to have a buddy nearby. Congrats, as you have now in the past some of the bigger challenges!

09-23-2020, 04:09 PM	#8
TCS Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 478	Kayak Search and Rescue Vehicle This is my new ride. Wave me over if you need help or to hand off your fish. Attached Images

09-23-2020, 04:29 PM	#9
mrlar13 Junior Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Poway Posts: 24	Will do. Thanks again. Learned many things that day!!

09-23-2020, 05:41 PM	#10
Salty Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 434	Nice job!! I'm the guy with the other Passport that was chatting with you while looking for bait the other weekend. Looks like you got the redemption you were looking for! That's a hell of a story though! Takes some grit to hang on to a rod with a fish like that after capsizing a yak. Then to be able to land it after all that? That's crazy haha

09-24-2020, 07:48 AM	#11
mrlar13 Junior Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Poway Posts: 24	Hi Salty, you were also the guy on the beach that told me you had a thought that I would get a YT that day. You didn't tell me about the big adventure I would have getting it. It took about 3 hrs of riding a greenback around. Hooked up after 2 hyper screaming runs. I was on the outside of the ridge in 100 ft.

09-24-2020, 08:20 AM	#12
JohnMckroidJr Senior Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Fort Lauderdale Posts: 1,945	Congratulations on your first ! As others have mentioned: get a vhf, wear a PFD, and always keep the rod pointed towards the bow when hooked up for stability. Regardless of where the fish is swimming, if you keep your rod pointed off the bow of the kayak, eventually the fish will pull the kayak so that it is off the bow. Anglers have used 100lb braid with 50lbs of drag to successfully pull fish out of wrecks off kayaks, provided they Always keep the rod pointed on the bow the entire battle. Anywhere else will flip them in half a heartbeat.

09-24-2020, 09:14 AM	#13
rdahl Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 48	Some good suggestions here. Also spread your legs over the side sstraddling the yak, it is a great stabilizer. You can also slouch down to lower the center of gravity.

09-24-2020, 04:31 PM	#14
mrlar13 Junior Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Poway Posts: 24	Thanks for everyone's comments and suggestions. Wishing you all tight lines.

09-24-2020, 04:37 PM	#15
mrlar13 Junior Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Poway Posts: 24	Found out Salty is not who i talked to on the beach that morning. If that guy with exact same Passport yak as mine sees this, thanks for the good karma and send me a message.

09-25-2020, 01:20 PM	#17
Southwest Kayak Fishing Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2020 Location: Near Mission Viejo Posts: 196	Nice YT, Congrats on your 1st of hopefully many more! I’m sure this will be a very memorable experience! 😎😃