Labor day La Jolla - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Dannowar · 09-03-2012, 11:47 AM

Got out at 445 this morning and could not find squid for the life of me. They were EVERYWHERE, except my bait tank. Plenty of macs and dense fog at times. Caught two good size calicos off the bat and it went quiet for a while. Trolled into the clusterf**k only to see yellows on every side of me. Once again, everywhere but my hook. A nice individual had two fatties already and was packing in, so he gave me the rest of his live squid which were decimated in minutes. Frustrated and angry, I trolled a healthy greenback into the kelp. I had stopped to open the hatch and grab my hat when WHAM, reel goes haywire. Quickly packed up, jammed the brakes on him and away we went. Fought like no fish I've caught and at times felt like I was pulling up a boulder. After minutes of thinking I was snagged in the kelp, she runs, big time. A quick sleigh ride and some healthy cranking later, my leader starts coming in. 20 feet to go, I grab my gaff and peer down into the water. I about soiled myself when I saw the thresher that was as long as my kayak, not to mention my feet were in the water. I've never seen a shark that close in person. Not knowing what one does with a shark of that magnitude, I ponder asking the boat next to me for help and as soon as she came, she was gone. Bit through 3 lines. The tag end with the weight and the spider loop. Knot was still intact. Incredible. I'll take it as a catch and release anyday.

lowprofile · 09-03-2012, 12:17 PM

doesnt count without getting it on your lap for a pic.

jk. nice job and i bet it was an incredible experience.

seriola_killer · 09-03-2012, 02:18 PM

Nice effort, and thanks for posting your trip!

finyak · 09-03-2012, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowprofile

doesnt count without getting it on your lap for a pic.

jk. nice job and i bet it was an incredible experience.

FlyFishinYakr · 09-04-2012, 01:35 AM

Have you tried an ARC dehooker? I own a 24" for early and late season and a 34" for mid season just for this reason, I'm not about to get my hand anywhere near the teeth of ANY shark. Have used them successfully released many makos & blues with them. I've saved many an Iron from those teeth, whne they've gotten frisky.
Worth their weight in fish.
Just my opinion,
FFY.
btw: Sorry your day sucked...been there done that. Stay positive and you'll be rewarded.

mtnbykr2 · 09-04-2012, 06:18 AM

I have had a sleigh ride like that, and never got it to color but the rush will not soon be forgotten...still a cool day congrats

09-03-2012, 11:47 AM	#1
Dannowar Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 1,823	Labor day La Jolla Got out at 445 this morning and could not find squid for the life of me. They were EVERYWHERE, except my bait tank. Plenty of macs and dense fog at times. Caught two good size calicos off the bat and it went quiet for a while. Trolled into the clusterf**k only to see yellows on every side of me. Once again, everywhere but my hook. A nice individual had two fatties already and was packing in, so he gave me the rest of his live squid which were decimated in minutes. Frustrated and angry, I trolled a healthy greenback into the kelp. I had stopped to open the hatch and grab my hat when WHAM, reel goes haywire. Quickly packed up, jammed the brakes on him and away we went. Fought like no fish I've caught and at times felt like I was pulling up a boulder. After minutes of thinking I was snagged in the kelp, she runs, big time. A quick sleigh ride and some healthy cranking later, my leader starts coming in. 20 feet to go, I grab my gaff and peer down into the water. I about soiled myself when I saw the thresher that was as long as my kayak, not to mention my feet were in the water. I've never seen a shark that close in person. Not knowing what one does with a shark of that magnitude, I ponder asking the boat next to me for help and as soon as she came, she was gone. Bit through 3 lines. The tag end with the weight and the spider loop. Knot was still intact. Incredible. I'll take it as a catch and release anyday.

09-03-2012, 12:17 PM	#2
lowprofile #1 on fishstick's hitlist Join Date: May 2011 Location: Sea level Posts: 1,477	doesnt count without getting it on your lap for a pic. jk. nice job and i bet it was an incredible experience. __________________ MLPA- My Largest Poaching Area

09-03-2012, 02:18 PM	#3
seriola_killer Sled Peddler Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Bonita, Ca. Posts: 236	Nice effort, and thanks for posting your trip! __________________ Jerry Moore Need a car or truck to yaul your yak? Ring me up. (619)988-3325

09-04-2012, 06:18 AM	#6
mtnbykr2 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: newbury park ca Posts: 2,323	I have had a sleigh ride like that, and never got it to color but the rush will not soon be forgotten...still a cool day congrats __________________

09-04-2012, 01:35 AM	#5
FlyFishinYakr Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Nor Cal...30 min from Bodega/Tomales Bay, 1hr from Clear Lake, 2+ hr to Berryessa & the Delta Posts: 729	Have you tried an ARC dehooker? I own a 24" for early and late season and a 34" for mid season just for this reason, I'm not about to get my hand anywhere near the teeth of ANY shark. Have used them successfully released many makos & blues with them. I've saved many an Iron from those teeth, whne they've gotten frisky. Worth their weight in fish. Just my opinion, FFY. btw: Sorry your day sucked...been there done that. Stay positive and you'll be rewarded.