Cat and Mouse...

[THE DARKHORSE]

I don't think it really matters which team you're on. Just as long as you're part of the machine itself. The truth is very few ever have a choice in how they play the game; if any for that matter. It just happens apparently. You could be the Cat. And chase fish all day long as if it's your job. Who in the hell wants to do that, though (:D). Or run for your life like a Mouse. With practically every kayak and power-boat of Southern California---not far off your tail.

I mean, come on it's just a game. Or is it? Probably not if you asked the Mouse! I guess in this case we're not talking about Cats or Mice, though. It's Yellowtail and the entire Southern California fleet. I often tell my clients that when you start seeing guys catch these fish---especially guys who typically don't---it's go time! Very much the same with White Sea Bass. Whether that moment has already come or gone remains to be seen. The fact that it's making it to the internet would typically lean toward the latter. Will the fish stick around? Nobody knows; for certain, anyway.

I'll offer some free advice, though: spread out. These fish that came through are moving all over the place. They're far from settled and haven't exactly fallen into any particular pattern. Which makes the daily altercations (between boats yelling at other boats or kayaks and boats) all the more trivial. While I did notice the recent thread regarding the etiquette between kayaks and boats---or lack there of. I never saw a reply offer any sound advice. Yeah, yeah, twice the distance that you can cast an iron. That's a start I suppose. But, what's that for the average angler---sixty feet?

When I say spread out I mean spread, way, the hell out! There's never a reason to be on top of someone's bait. Anywhere in the vicinity for that matter. Or casting an iron on top of that same bait I mention. It's silly. It's almost as if most anglers are on some kind of auto-pilot feature. I'd like to think it's obvious that someone's trolled Mackerel is behind them, but I'm starting to believe that perhaps it's not. I can understand if you see multiple anglers all bendo in one particular spot. That's a given. All bets are off at that point. When fish explode on the surface---irons are a flyin'! Trying to catch a fish from under another anglers vessel, though? :hmmmm2:

I can guarantee you that there were plenty of anglers out on this day (pictured). The vast majority believed that no fish were being caught. The few power boats that were on the water made it feel more like fifty. One poor sport-boat being swarmed by what looked like, Hornets. And one particular vessel who apparently decided to circle me for hours on end. He did everything possible to run over my fly-line to no avail. I kept winding my bait in as if I was fishing a surface-iron! Sometimes you've just got to laugh. I laughed more than once on this day.

The only down-side of fishing an area without a variety of vessels---intent on playing bumper boats?
http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwegallery/data/500/FILE0026.JPG
The poor guy that circled you for hours on the Parker can't see what you caught---and the silly self portrait, of course.

[467echo]

Go Team MEOW!!

[Big Wave Dave]

Thank you for the reasonable approach to the madness. I think that when someone is on the move, they have a tendency to head towards whatever mark is in the direction they are going. If all you see is water and a boat, you may be influenced to head towards that boat. I guess a compass could fix that, but most people don't have one.
On the other hand, some people just want to jump other people's spots. Not that there are necessarily any fish there, they just don't have a better way to find them. It seems to me that this happens everywhere I've fished, be it East Coast, West Coast, or in between. Some people are a cut throat bunch, others just don't know better. I'd like to believe that ignorance of fishing etiquette is the norm, but I don't think it's the rule.

[THE DARKHORSE]

Thank you for the reasonable approach to the madness.



If you're referring to my advice of spreading out it's not a reasonable approach. What I'm suggesting is a far more effective way of catching the right-kind for kayak anglers. And anglers fishing off a skiff for that matter. Why (try to) fish where a dozen Barneys are roaring their engines back and forth; then back and forth some more? All that does is shut whatever fish that are there, down. Even in a postage stamp location such as La Jolla there's, literally, miles and miles of water to cover. All of which hold fish...

To be clear, obviously, kayak anglers have less of this undesired effect. That's why I'm on one most of the time. If you learn to use the plastic tool (the kayak itself) properly you can hammer the same school over and over again. It's almost as if they don't even know you're there. So if it's not blatantly obvious by this point I'm referring to skiffs, Yachts, sport-boats, motorized crafts, etc. Noisy vessels for the most part. However, a lot of kayakers who don't know-what's-up certainly add to the problem.

It would also be highly excusable if it were just a family in a ski-boat not even fishing. You know coming within sixty feet to see what you're doing out there? It's Summer for crying out loud---and going to happen from time to time. Another thing entirely for the guy with the $5,000 sonar and an equal value of rods and reels on board. Not to mention someone who's out there trying to do the same exact thing! Just doing everything possible to ruin it for everyone in the process.

In summary, I'm not an elitist vegan, pastic only, catch and release snob. I'm fishing off a skiff just as often as anyone of these characters I mention. If not more so. So I know full well how easily it can be done. From simply giving everyone a wide berth---to never, ever, forever ever, never coming up from behind someone when they're trolling a bait. Or, up-current when they're simply drifting. Somehow I still see this from 90% of the vessels on the water. Every single day! To say it gets old would be a huge understatement.

I always try and give someone a hundred yard distance when passing. Especially if for whatever reason they're just sitting there. Lets think about this. They might have a 12" Mackerel on a fly-line for bait---so who knows where in the hell that thing is? I don't want to get that spectra wrapped in my prop; or pedals if I'm on a kayak. Nor would I ever want to keep that angler from catching the fish that's about to inhale his bait. It's just common courtesy----that's grown less and less common. I always try and go well around if at all possible. And when someone does the same it's much appreciated.

This isn't a squid-bite we're talking about, folks; with everyone fishing off a tiny nest. It's miles and miles of moving life. Get out there and find it. I can guarantee it's not always surrounded by a Hornet's nest.

[bigbarrels]

nice fish Josh:D you nailed it on the head....Comes down to common courtesy and lack there of......I could of counted the number of nose hairs on the entire crew as the private boat drove past me to try to get in some action but then I hooked up and stopped counting

[RobFish]

In the world of cat and mouse...the owl has spoken.
As always, another great post.

[scotty1369]

Im glad I took the time to read this. Im still new and unexperienced, and I typically tend to move toward the crowd. I have had the thought, "why am I going to drop where everyone else is". Guys yelling at each other, boats ripping flylines... it all can be avoided by spreading out. Im going to make an effort to spread out from now on, and see how it works out. Thanks for the post!

[grey zone]

Most fisherman fish for other fisherman!

[JarrodMc]

Nice post Josh and even nicer fish!

[Sully1]

Looks like other top predators Can relate. . .

http://www.divealiwal.co.za/images/photo_gallery/uwe/uwe_057.jpg



PS. . . Nice fish Josh!

[MattRabasco]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBcIWhEUbPY

[JNAST13ST]

Good catch there sir!

[Old Man in the Sea]

another beautiful darkhorse YT!!!:you_rock:

[blitzburgh]

Great post Josh!

[THE DARKHORSE]

Since Sully is putting up photos of apex predators and schools of fish, I'll put up one of my own. After puling on fish that day until I couldn't anymore, I decided to change it up. The bumper boats, while fun to watch, had me thinking about going for a swim. So that's what I did. I left the chaos and found the paradigm shift I was after.

Spearfishing, like hook and line angling, isn't all about just killing fish. It's been a real game-changer for me this season. If anything, just to wipe away the stresses of daily life. It's an amazing outlet and offers a refreshing perspective.
http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y529/ArmedSnorkeler/FILE0136_zps58d3c0ff.jpg (http://s1279.photobucket.com/user/ArmedSnorkeler/media/FILE0136_zps58d3c0ff.jpg.html)
Here's the school of fish I shot---with the camera.

[Sully1]

How about that water visibility?!? . . . Not sure if I want to know what bent your slip tip.

[gattonlaw]

Why do I always see replies to this "Dark Horse" writer that are so obsequious? He is apparently a good fisherman but not nearly as profound as the replies unilaterally state. I enjoy kayak fishing tremendously--but do not respect syncophants.

[makobob]

That's because respect is earned! Understanding on the other hand?

[bellcon]

Why do I always see replies to this "Dark Horse" writer that are so obsequious? He is apparently a good fisherman but not nearly as profound as the replies unilaterally state. I enjoy kayak fishing tremendously--but do not respect syncophants.

Obsequious
cool word, I had to use Google.
Syncophants
again cool word and I had to use Google.
I know Sycophant, Buttchaser used it in an MLPA meeting years ago and unfairly got kicked off the podium.


Great post Josh
signed your
Obsequious Syncophant:notworthy::D

[wiredantz]

lol! x2

[SDROB]

Why do I always see replies to this "Dark Horse" writer that are so obsequious? He is apparently a good fisherman but not nearly as profound as the replies unilaterally state. I enjoy kayak fishing tremendously--but do not respect syncophants.

There's always a hater in the crowd! 1st post and your hating! Thats Weak!!!

Great Report like always Josh I love reading them! Inspiring and Always on point keep um coming!

Im almost ready to send you that PM!

Cheers!

[driftwood]

Why do I always see replies to this "Dark Horse" writer that are so obsequious? He is apparently a good fisherman but not nearly as profound as the replies unilaterally state. I enjoy kayak fishing tremendously--but do not respect syncophants.

Is that all you have to say after Josh's insightful comments?
Your churl cretin cur like comments are insulting. Therefore, I find you in contempt!

I'm not a lawyer, but I play one in the internet...Man I sound smart!

Enough of this malignity!

Nice write up Josh.

[RedSledTeam]

Is that all you have to say after Josh's insightful comments?
Your churl cretin cur like comments are insulting. Therefore, I find you in contempt!

I'm not a lawyer, but I play one in the internet...Man I sound smart!

Enough of this malignity!

Nice write up Josh.
Sounds very amusing if you read this out loud with a Sou' Caro' linah Ax sent!! :biggrinjester:

[THE DARKHORSE]

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The good news? At least we found the guy in the Parker...:D


Is that all you have to say after Josh's insightful comments?
Your churl cretin cur like comments are insulting. Therefore, I find you in contempt!

I'm not a lawyer, but I play one in the internet...Man I sound smart!

Enough of this malignity!

Nice write up Josh.

Thanks, Gabe. That's some funny stuff!

And bellcon (Don to anyone who actually goes fishing) remind me to never get on your bad side. Not only because you're seven feet tall, 300 lbs of pure muscle, with Lobster cracking hands. You also have an incredible way with words. Without trying to impress anyone with your vocabulary. :cheers1:

There's always a hater in the crowd! 1st post and your hating! Thats Weak!!!

Great Report like always Josh I love reading them! Inspiring and Always on point keep um coming!

Im almost ready to send you that PM!

Cheers!

Whenever you're ready, Rob. Much respect to anyone who pounds away for a few seasons before taking that step towards, more consistent results. If anything, those are the clients who can really appreciate what my service provides. After wasting, literally, thousands and thousands of hours doing the wrong things at the right times, no one, and I mean no one, can relate better than I. As long as you have a few thousand hours to spare the journey is really what it's all about.

Especially if you do one thing: really, really pay attention to when you have blank trips and make a conscious effort to figure out why. Otherwise, they're just hours floating on a piece of plastic; soaking up the solitude a kayak provides. Which is often the case. :D

Just realize in this personal journey that there's always something that 'could have been done'. Always. The analogy I like to use is when you're playing a game of Billiards (pool to you common clay of the land). You always have a shot. No matter the circumstance. If you don't think so try playing with a professional pool player. When you think you have them Pigeon-holed with your weak safety attempt (and rise up out of your seat thinking you're about to get back on the table)---they'll just show you their five rail bank shot! The laser-beam they were hiding in their pocket the whole time comes out. And in my case, when I played Jeanette Lee (a.k.a. The Black Widow!), I sheepishly sat back down and took a sip of my beer. It's a real eye-opener what can be done. That I can assure you.

In summary: La Jolla and I aren't going anywhere---I'll leave the light on for 'ya. :sifone:

[RobFish]

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Perissodactyla
Family: Equidae
Genus: Equus
Subgenus: Asinus
Species: E. africanus
Subspecies: E. a. asinus

aka...gattonlaw.

As already stated, nice first post.
Envy is a stinky cologne.

[Drake]

Why do I always see replies to this "Dark Horse" writer that are so obsequious? He is apparently a good fisherman but not nearly as profound as the replies unilaterally state. I enjoy kayak fishing tremendously--but do not respect syncophants.

This made me chuckle. "Apparently"


Where the hell was this guy when I was studying for my GMAT exam?

[pl1502]

This is me from the parker. I am a born and raised loc my family has been fishing in sd since the 20's. I just had some words for you to let u know how all the real locs feel. My buddy said u tried to clown me from this form. That day I had a 30 lb yellow and two butts over 25 bud. I fish from 100 miles south to north and spend 5 days a week on the water. I watched u sit on my good buddy's stern this winter and pouch our seabass bite. Classic then u had the balls to post it. unreal. Look yourself in the mirror goon. Ill see u on the water in the over crowded zone LJ. Sad LJ use to be special and the last 15 years it has turned into a joke. I can gaurentee you I have caught more fish this month than u will all year.

[makobob]

pl1502 does that mean you are commercial or just way over limit? You are right it is none of my business.

[captnblood34]

With all the different niches that humans have in the world, it is peculiar to see the disgust one has for another so similar to himself. Fish on

[ZUMAN]

This is me from the parker. I am a born and raised loc my family has been fishing in sd since the 20's. I just had some words for you to let u know how all the real locs feel. My buddy said u tried to clown me from this form. That day I had a 30 lb yellow and two butts over 25 bud. I fish from 100 miles south to north and spend 5 days a week on the water. I watched u sit on my good buddy's stern this winter and pouch our seabass bite. Classic then u had the balls to post it. unreal. Look yourself in the mirror goon. Ill see u on the water in the over crowded zone LJ. Sad LJ use to be special and the last 15 years it has turned into a joke. I can gaurentee you I have caught more fish this month than u will all year.


http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j26/ZUUMAN/BABYFIGHT.jpg

[Drake]

Coming from someone who has fished for 20 years this shit is mind boggling to me. I grew up surf fishing with my dad and my brothers on the east coast. We knew nothing about fishing and never caught a thing, but we did it because it brought us together.

Five years ago, while living in Boston I got my first kayak. It's been two years in San Diego now and the comparisons between the two coasts and the communities are polar opposites. Why is everyone always beating their chests? Who here really has the right to claim LJ as their own?

There are bullies, there are big egos, newbies and the kind of people you would want by your side if something went wrong, all mixed into the big community we are all a part of by choice.

What the hell happened to fishing being a relaxing calm sport?
What happened to people being happy for other people?

It's just fish. Yeah it's delicious, but in the end it's just a sport and we do it to get away from the daily grind.

Is fresh sashimi really worth fighting each other over? If so, you need to step back and have a long hard look at the type of person you are.

Does anyone here really fish recreationally to keep their family fed? Is this is a life line for you? If you skunk in LJ do your kids go hungry? If this is the case, then I truly feel sorry for you.

No one should have any power to remove the enjoyment from this over anybody else.

I'm not going to defend Josh, he's a grown man and can do so own his own just fine. But is a public outlet like the internet really the right setting to start a battle of right and wrong? Then, you can't even use proper spelling and grammar to formulate a proper insult, removing all credibility you could have potentially had. No body was "clowning" any body. Are you really that insecure?

Everyone needs to just take a deep breath and remember what is it we do and why we do it.

http://wwp.greenwichmeantime.com/images/time/europe/switzerland.jpg

[dorado50]

Oh Great! Now we have ...."THE ANGRY PARKER GUY".

[THE DARKHORSE]

This is me from the parker. I am a born and raised loc my family has been fishing in sd since the 20's. I just had some words for you to let u know how all the real locs feel. My buddy said u tried to clown me from this form. That day I had a 30 lb yellow and two butts over 25 bud. I fish from 100 miles south to north and spend 5 days a week on the water. I watched u sit on my good buddy's stern this winter and pouch our seabass bite. Classic then u had the balls to post it. unreal. Look yourself in the mirror goon. Ill see u on the water in the over crowded zone LJ. Sad LJ use to be special and the last 15 years it has turned into a joke. I can gaurentee you I have caught more fish this month than u will all year.



Ah, yes, the beauty of localism.

The code of honor: If you're not born here you're clearly a lesser human than I. By my devine-right I stake claim to this four mile parcel of water. Even if I'm an Ocean Beach local---I stake claim to La Jolla, too! Never mind that tiny detail. It's mine---all mine! It's "our seabass bite" and our Yellowtail bite. It doesn't matter if you arrived here fist today. Our rockfishing spots; our waves!

And only, I, can some up within fifty yards of a sportboat to poach a Yellowtail off their chum-line. Not you. Your parents didn't choose to give berth here. Shame on you; filthy transient! You, sniveling, transplant petty kayaker, I'm going to roar my engines back and forth. Then back and forth some more over your fly-line. You'll learn. You'll see, my power, as I hit the throttle. I am powerful! Never mind my screams on the water suggesting weakness. I'm a local. Watch me. Back over the same group of fish; again and again I go!

While there may only be four boats out here, I'm a second generation local I tell you---I have skills that you don't possess. Just watch me make this one boat seem like fifty! Rah rah rah...::biggrinjester:

[momo fish]

ohh bloody decks..I mean hell... This is the wrong board for insults..

[captnblood34]

unsubscribed

[makobob]

Karma, guys karma! We all live fish in the same ocean, what swims it in visits us all. It is our church, where we commune. Karma, peace to all.