Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

What happens when you combine a lifelong fishing guy, a WebCam, and incoming tide, a truck and tow strap? Well, I was just sitting at home one day, and having just recently become aware of the whole kayak fishing/ocean potential of the sport, I was checking out the BWE.

I’ve been fishing forever. You know me. I’m the average guy. I go to Mammoth yearly, and have since I was a kid, spending time on the lakes, but also I love the streams.
Grew up with a sailboat in the family, but I get seasick, so those memories are so-so.

I've been reading the BWE everyday. I just haven’t posted anything, well because I have nothing to contribute except questions, and frankly I don't want to seem like a schm*ck, or a PITA. Figuring I’ll just kind of make my way, doing my thing, and eventually, with enough time on the water, it’ll all come together, and I’ll catch my first fish from a kayak. It has to, right? In life, everything seems to have a learning curve, so how would this be any different? Six months later, I’m a nothing but a mean sabiki handler. Macs fear me.

One day I’m sitting at my computer, and of course, first thing, I click on the WebCam.
I notice a guy checking the back of his truck out. He's on the left side looking at the back wheel, then goes to the right side and checks out that wheel. Then he looks at the tide. He's on his cell phone, walking around mildIy frantic-like. I don't know who he is, but I know that I have a truck and I could help, so off I go.

I live pretty close to the launch, like 10 minutes. I drive on over. I leave the truck running and I just walk up to the cement wall right there. His truck is kind of nose in, like as if it was facing backwards at an angle. I say Hey, I just got here. You stuck? He goes yeah. He says, you got a truck? Yup...and a rope, not a problem. He's like, that’d be great! Awesome. I went back to my truck, and before I get out on the sand I put it in 4WD.
I come around the sand blockade, and the look on Kevin’s face was classic. He knew that he was OK. I drive an F350 diesel, slightly modified. Just slightly.

I carry one of those 20k lb. tow straps with me, just for reasons like this. Why not?
I hand Kevin the rope, he hooks it up to the back of my truck, up to his, and of course all the tourists are there, learning how to paddle their paddles and whatnot. I get into the throttle a little bit and no problem. He's unstuck. Bada boom bada bing.
He goes and parks. Upon returning, he’s like I really appreciate that. I said no worries. He says, a quick question though. How did you know I was here? I just pointed at the camera. He was like, but how did you know to come down? I said how could I not come down?

I'm Kevin. I’m Rob. Introductions kind of all went down of course of moment. BWE?
I'm Rob Fish. I’m TheKid. I said, you’re the fishing guide dude. Yup, that’s me.
Dude, for helping me out like this, you’ve got let me take you out and I go no.
He kept at it. I insist, you absolutely let me give you some money or something.
We’re all good. Take this then. This is my favorite surface iron, and here’s my business card. When you’re free, I owe you a trip.

Four months later, or something like that, I have finally I had a free day. We linked up, met on the beach, and launched into lesson one. So there you go. It all started with that. The WebCam, that thing is priceless. If somebody should ever hit you up for a spare dollar for the WebCam fund, pay your dues. You never know whose ass it's going to save.

After a great day on the water....MY FIRST YELLOWTAIL!!!!
After we bled her, she went 30 pounds even and 41 inches at the fork. Very tasty indeed. Much props to neighbor KurtFish who who help me filet the fish.
Also, much thanks to those who have helped me out so far, you know who you are.

Kevin, thanks again for the trip. I don't even know what to say dude, you're the man. Your knowledge of the ocean is impressive.
If anyone has ever thought about whether or not to hire Kevin as a guide, just spring for it. Don't even question it. I learned more from Kevin in our time on the water in one day, than I did in the previous six months.

Become a Sea Samurai. It just feels good.
Thanks for reading.

RobFish
Member of the Nakada Armada