My first trip to La Jolla...

[Minnow]

I have been following, “lurking”, around the OEX forum for about a year now and have found the stories fascinating. Big Water's Edge is quite the escape. My background is of fishing the rivers of the Northwest and an occasional jaunt South for Permit & bones. With most all of my fish coming on the fly rod.

Many years ago I was a fan of river kayaking. I used the Hollow Form [ that's the brand name] “Tupperware” kayak and had a lot of fun running most of the rivers, say within 500 miles of Reno. I had done a little fishing from my kayak but river kayaks being what they were then [very tippy] just weren’t conducive to fishing. Especially with the fast moving currents around these parts. In my neck of the woods, the Truckee river is an excellent fishing river and due to the catch and release ethic is only getting better. Pyramid lake is also famous. So when the new "sit on top's" started coming out they naturally caught my attention. Quite a few years would pass before I took that step to try one out though. I thought to myself, what better way to try them out then a tour of La Jolla?

When I travel to clear water venues in search of Permit and bones you wouldn't think of doing so without hiring a guide. Driving from Reno to fish La Jolla isn't much different. So hiring a guide would be my first step to pull this off. I was fortunate to be able to get a hold of Josh Pruitt [ The Darkhorse on Big Water's Edge] and schedule a trip. I have to say, the price for the trip was very reasonable compared to guides in the North West of equal caliber. Josh wasn’t booked heavily when I arrived so we waited a few days for better conditions [ which was nice] and hit it perfectly. Just a beautiful day. We blew through the mild surf, went to make bait and headed out. I got to check out the Hobie Revo [which Josh referred to as the Ferrari of kayaks) as I followed Josh’s battle ship [Pro Angler] off shore. What an experience! Pods of Dolphins flashing by with Josh pointing out the occasional school of yellow tail. I have to admit, the experience was almost enough to make me pack up and move.

Anyway, WHAT AN INCREDIBLE FISHERY!. I was amazed by the phenomenal sea life so close to such a large population center. The short story: I had a shot at three big yellow tail. Even after the warning from Josh I still can't believe how hard those fish fight! All big fish, estimated to be in the thirty pound class. Which will remain an estimate because I only managed to get one in the boat (27 lbs. or so) after grueling drawn out fights! What a great opportunity. I am not a part of the 10% who catches 90% of the fish but with help from Josh, I got a little taste of what it's like. Without the pre requisite years of dedication.

http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwegallery/data/2/GOPR1807.JPG

I've already booked another trip for my return visit to San Diego. Hopefully I can do it again. Only this time, I'm bringing the fly rod!

[ful-rac]

beautiful fish! congratulations!! :luxhello::cheers1:

[mtnbykr2]

That is what it is all about...very good post, nice sashimi...I love it when a good plan comes together, congrats on the beautiful fish:reel:

[tagyak]

congrats! that was a great read. glad to hear that you were successful with your target fish. i am sure josh wouldn't let you down.
look forward to reading your post on the fly rod; bet that will be a great fight with a yellow.

[blitzburgh]

Congrats!!! The Darkhorse puts people on fish!:luxhello:

[theluckypig]

:cheers1::cheers1:

[echo1er]

outstanding thanks for sharing.

[ashmoz]

Can't get better than this :)

Cheers, :cheers1:

[Devildawgjj]

Very exciting read! I used to fly fish. Most of my fly-fishing trips was to the San Juan river in Farmington New Mexico--rated the top 10 every year. A 23' rainbow trout is great to land, but it just isn't the same with a fish that weights over 30lbs....and for that reason alone, I need my ocean. Thanks for sharing.

Josh: I haven't forgot about my seat, I hope you have it still. ;)

[jorluivil]

I wish my first trip to LJ went that well

Congrats on a beautiful fish!!!!

[yakrider]

what a great story!
congrats on your success!
dang that's cool!

[hiramehunter]

EPIC!! A wise man to hire a guide!

[kobra]

Congrats on a beautiful fish and thanks for the enjoyable post.

[MrPukaShell]

Excellent

[driftwood]

Hope you didn't cach that fish in the new resreve. cause if you did, stay out!! thats my spot! :biggrinjester:

Good looking picture...way to live life to the fullest. Life is good!!!

[lamb]

Very nice tail, congrats!

[yaky yak]

Catching a nice yellowtail like that this time of year makes your feat even more impressive. You did good to hire Josh the fish whisper. Congratulation.

[T-Rex]

Congrats!

Very impressive first time at LJ!

[Limits]

Scoreboard! Nice job! :cheers1:

[The Kid]

Nice going on the yellow! For a first trip to La Jolla I don't think you could have timed it any better. Bring on the fly-rod can't wait to see it! :cheers1:

[THE DARKHORSE]

I always love having fly fisherman as clients; rest assured, they know how to keep the line tight! To this day, the most basic principle of landing fish is often overlooked. And way to keep your head in the game through adversity. Sometimes these fish win and there's nothing you can do about it. I'm just glad the Yellowtail cooperated---dishing out shot after shot.
.
.
.
.
.
http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwegallery/data/500/GOPR1855.JPG
Here's some free fish-porn for the internet masses to enjoy...Get It Down Now! :eek:

One thing's for sure, I'm cringing at the thought of turning the HD video on as we approach that school of Yellowtail---with a twelve-weight rod in your hands. It's challenging enough putting clients in position---with a ten foot jig-stick, no less. Placing a hand tied fly in front of those fish is a whole 'nother challenge entirely. I like a challenge, though. As long as you don't make me land a thirty pound Yellowtail, with a one-to-one gear ratio, I'm game. I'm just too old for that kind of stuff. :D

http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwegallery/data/500/GOPR1817.JPG
Oh yeah, your' new screen-saver arrived...hot off the press!

[VINNYC]

Man!!!!! Great catch I hope my first time down there is that memoriable!!!!








I have been following, “lurking”, around the OEX forum for about a year now and have found the stories fascinating. Big Water's Edge is quite the escape. My background is of fishing the rivers of the Northwest and an occasional jaunt South for Permit & bones. With most all of my fish coming on the fly rod.

Many years ago I was a fan of river kayaking. I used the Hollow Form [ that's the brand name] “Tupperware” kayak and had a lot of fun running most of the rivers, say within 500 miles of Reno. I had done a little fishing from my kayak but river kayaks being what they were then [very tippy] just weren’t conducive to fishing. Especially with the fast moving currents around these parts. In my neck of the woods, the Truckee river is an excellent fishing river and due to the catch and release ethic is only getting better. Pyramid lake is also famous. So when the new "sit on top's" started coming out they naturally caught my attention. Quite a few years would pass before I took that step to try one out though. I thought to myself, what better way to try them out then a tour of La Jolla?

When I travel to clear water venues in search of Permit and bones you wouldn't think of doing so without hiring a guide. Driving from Reno to fish La Jolla isn't much different. So hiring a guide would be my first step to pull this off. I was fortunate to be able to get a hold of Josh Pruitt [ The Darkhorse on Big Water's Edge] and schedule a trip. I have to say, the price for the trip was very reasonable compared to guides in the North West of equal caliber. Josh wasn’t booked heavily when I arrived so we waited a few days for better conditions [ which was nice] and hit it perfectly. Just a beautiful day. We blew through the mild surf, went to make bait and headed out. I got to check out the Hobie Revo [which Josh referred to as the Ferrari of kayaks) as I followed Josh’s battle ship [Pro Angler] off shore. What an experience! Pods of Dolphins flashing by with Josh pointing out the occasional school of yellow tail. I have to admit, the experience was almost enough to make me pack up and move.

Anyway, WHAT AN INCREDIBLE FISHERY!. I was amazed by the phenomenal sea life so close to such a large population center. The short story: I had a shot at three big yellow tail. Even after the warning from Josh I still can't believe how hard those fish fight! All big fish, estimated to be in the thirty pound class. Which will remain an estimate because I only managed to get one in the boat (27 lbs. or so) after grueling drawn out fights! What a great opportunity. I am not a part of the 10% who catches 90% of the fish but with help from Josh, I got a little taste of what it's like. Without the pre requisite years of dedication.

http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwegallery/data/2/GOPR1807.JPG

I've already booked another trip for my return visit to San Diego. Hopefully I can do it again. Only this time, I'm bringing the fly rod!

[driftwood]

WOW!! look at those Jet streamers! those yellow tails are diving straight down. Thats an impressive picture Josh. LOVE IT!!!!

http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwegallery/data/500/GOPR1855.JPG

[WahooUSMA]

Nice 1st trip....

[bellcon]

Darkhorse does it again:cheers1:

Great story
Cool pics... Lots of the right kind on that screen shot:reeling:

[RK]

Gabe they're swimming up.

[driftwood]

Gabe they're swimming up.

RK, How can you tell their going up? If you were a YT wouldn't you be swimming down like hell if you knew Josh was right on top of you? :D


The streamer tapers from top to bottom. So yeah, it would make more sence their swimming up. Txs for the correction RK.

[StinkyMatt]

Can't wait for the "FF reading 101" class to begin. :D

[-scallywag-]

Gabe's correct...textbook wintertime screenshot...they're swimming down.....assuming Josh's FF is scrolling from right to left.

When the sonar first makes contact w/the fish they are in 50-65' so as the screen scrolls left the fish r moving down the watercolumn, a good sign of actively feeding fish...I'm guessing Josh saw them right away and quickly turned and dropped the iron cause I can see it falling from the surface behind the school....textbook.

Much like the surface iron, its always a good idea to have that yoyo ready to drop.....you never know when a school will swim right under the boat. In the wintertime you can spend days on the water and only get one 15sec window like that....be ready!

[driftwood]

look at the left screen right under the 100ft mark. See those boomerang like marks? You could see Josh's line right on top the YT.

If that picutre doesn't get your blood pumping...:drool5::drool5::drool5::drool5::drool5: :drool5::drool5:

[RK]

Gabe and jerThanks now I feel like a donkey everything I thought was going one way was going the other hahahahahahahaha textbook fuck up....
I was taught the trailing end was the direction they were fleeing and the hardest return was the head and the direction it was heading... That being said sure explains a lot of mistakes.......

[driftwood]

Gabe and jerThanks now I feel like a donkey everything I thought was going one way was going the other hahahahahahahaha textbook fuck up....
I was taught the trailing end was the direction they were fleeing and the hardest return was the head and the direction it was heading... That being said sure explains a lot of mistakes.......


RK, you killed the YT this winter. I have never seen anybody slaughter the yellows like you did this year. I still remeber the 40lb YT- i saw on your back of your kayak as you were landing :eek:

not bad for a guy who claims he made a mistake.

[RK]

Hahah thanks Gabe.....Sorry no thread jack intended

[Iceman]

thgir ot tfel srednif hsif ruo daer ew acirema ni ereh KR :D

[RK]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHA

[-scallywag-]

really, that YT pic and screenshots get my blood pump'in!!!

so glad I saw this thread the other day because in the wintertime, one 15sec window is all it takes!!!

[Minnow]

Thanks for the feed back. It truly was a great experience. Not to mention a great community of fishermen to give you a few attaboy's when you get luckey. Take care of that great resource, It is one of a kind.

Minnow