Putting the pieces together - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

TJones · 07-07-2017, 05:03 AM

Long time coming. Catching one of these fish on a squid bite is one thing, and trying to fool one of theses fish with live bait is a whole different animal . No tape shot and no on the water photo (sadly). Just some lame driveway photos and some primo fillets. Who could argue that the sweet taste of this fish might be the best the West Coast has to offer? 42 lb on the bathroom scale. Probably tied with my personal best. Caught with live bait on edge of kelp. Needless to say that's where he ran. Drag set lightly, just enough to get a good hook set but not enough to slow the train down, which led to him to him taking more line than I would like. I had another line in water and partially got crossed up but was fortunate to get it cleared without any problem. When I got the line cleared and got on top of the fish I felt pretty good but within minutes there was that sinking feeling when I felt all that resistance from the thickest section of the weeds. I was not gonna loose this fish. All of a sudden the fish try's to take a squirt and I quickly started to grind on him and turn his head. It was over. He came through that last 15 feet of kelp without hesitation. Catching this fish on fin bait feels like a giant milestone for me because it's like linking all the pieces of a good kayak angler. I've been fortunate to have caught 4 yellowtail this year ( all around 25 lb ) and now this sea bass. I've put time on the water to achieve my goal and I hope everybody has a great summer and does not give up up on their goals. I know that discouraging feeling of what it's like to go the first couple of years in this sport without having a fish under your belt. Don't give up. Tight lines everyone. Ohh, if you are fortunate enough to have landed one of this fish, never stick your hand in his gill rakers.

FISH11 · 07-07-2017, 05:44 AM

Congrats, really nice WSB.

goldenglory18 · 07-07-2017, 05:46 AM

Awesome catch, congrats!

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJones

...All of a sudden the fish try's to take a squirt and I quickly started to grind on him....

NICKWORN · 07-07-2017, 05:51 AM

Been sucking on this succulent meat the past couple days. Little salt n pepper quick pan fried with grape seed oil is all you need! Man it delicious!!

iethinker · 07-07-2017, 06:00 AM

I hope to be in a position to take your advice regarding their gill rakers!

MrPukaShell · 07-07-2017, 06:48 AM

Congrats

taggermike · 07-07-2017, 07:38 AM

Congrats. And enjoy those fillets for sure. Having white meat and a tiny heart, WSB can't slug it out like yellows do. But that first screaming run is amazing. Hope this one is the first of many for you. Mike.

Denis_Ruso · 07-07-2017, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJones

Ohh, if you are fortunate enough to have landed one of this fish, never stick your hand in his gill rakers.

WSB 101

kayakfisherman · 07-09-2017, 12:23 PM

YOU ARE INSPIRATIONAL!!!

If other fisherman only knew the amount of time, effort, energy and enthusiasm you have for the sport!!

AMAZING!!!!! Good for you Anthony!!!

TJones · 07-09-2017, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kayakfisherman

YOU ARE INSPIRATIONAL!!!

If other fisherman only knew the amount of time, effort, energy and enthusiasm you have for the sport!!

AMAZING!!!!! Good for you Anthony!!!

With a slug on the other end. This really made my week. Thanks everyone for replies and posts. When the situation looked really dire, I backed off on the pressure for a fraction of a second and he decided to try and go deeper in kelp. He still wasn't through fighting because we were still within the first seven minutes of the battle. The drag was set enough to set hook, not so much as to flip me ( that looks foolish when it happens ). As soon as he started to try and run again and started to grind on him. Never take your hand off the handle. Getting his head turned quickly and headed towards me meant the inevitable. Hope to see you guys on the water soon.

TJones · 07-09-2017, 04:11 PM

Trophy Hunter

T-Rex · 07-09-2017, 08:59 PM

Very nice! Well done - except for the gill rakers!

summers in kuwait · 07-10-2017, 05:20 PM

Congrats on a well earned fish.
Cheers!

07-07-2017, 05:03 AM	#1
TJones Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,526	Putting the pieces together Long time coming. Catching one of these fish on a squid bite is one thing, and trying to fool one of theses fish with live bait is a whole different animal . No tape shot and no on the water photo (sadly). Just some lame driveway photos and some primo fillets. Who could argue that the sweet taste of this fish might be the best the West Coast has to offer? 42 lb on the bathroom scale. Probably tied with my personal best. Caught with live bait on edge of kelp. Needless to say that's where he ran. Drag set lightly, just enough to get a good hook set but not enough to slow the train down, which led to him to him taking more line than I would like. I had another line in water and partially got crossed up but was fortunate to get it cleared without any problem. When I got the line cleared and got on top of the fish I felt pretty good but within minutes there was that sinking feeling when I felt all that resistance from the thickest section of the weeds. I was not gonna loose this fish. All of a sudden the fish try's to take a squirt and I quickly started to grind on him and turn his head. It was over. He came through that last 15 feet of kelp without hesitation. Catching this fish on fin bait feels like a giant milestone for me because it's like linking all the pieces of a good kayak angler. I've been fortunate to have caught 4 yellowtail this year ( all around 25 lb ) and now this sea bass. I've put time on the water to achieve my goal and I hope everybody has a great summer and does not give up up on their goals. I know that discouraging feeling of what it's like to go the first couple of years in this sport without having a fish under your belt. Don't give up. Tight lines everyone. Ohh, if you are fortunate enough to have landed one of this fish, never stick your hand in his gill rakers. Attached Images

07-07-2017, 05:44 AM	#2
FISH11 Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Pine Valley when not fishing La Jolla Posts: 2,643	Congrats, really nice WSB. __________________ MARK ......... 2016 MALIBU X FACTOR, 2020 SOLO SKIFF (Fishing Kayak on Steroids )

07-07-2017, 05:51 AM	#4
NICKWORN Senior Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: SANTUCKET Posts: 629	Congrats Been sucking on this succulent meat the past couple days. Little salt n pepper quick pan fried with grape seed oil is all you need! Man it delicious!!

07-07-2017, 06:00 AM	#5
iethinker Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Inland Empire Posts: 370	Nice.....Congratulations! I hope to be in a position to take your advice regarding their gill rakers!

07-09-2017, 04:11 PM	#11
TJones Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,526	It's official Trophy Hunter Attached Images

07-07-2017, 06:48 AM	#6
MrPukaShell Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Ventura COunty Posts: 521	Congrats

07-07-2017, 07:38 AM	#7
taggermike Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chula Vista Posts: 1,589	Congrats. And enjoy those fillets for sure. Having white meat and a tiny heart, WSB can't slug it out like yellows do. But that first screaming run is amazing. Hope this one is the first of many for you. Mike.

07-09-2017, 12:23 PM	#9
kayakfisherman Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 715	YOU ARE INSPIRATIONAL!!! If other fisherman only knew the amount of time, effort, energy and enthusiasm you have for the sport!! AMAZING!!!!! Good for you Anthony!!!

07-09-2017, 08:59 PM	#12
T-Rex Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Rancho Santa Margarita Posts: 770	Very nice! Well done - except for the gill rakers! __________________

07-10-2017, 05:20 PM	#13
summers in kuwait Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: East County San Diego Posts: 657	Congrats on a well earned fish. Cheers!