First Hat Trick! - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

surfrider · 08-31-2015, 12:04 AM

I had a great day on Sat, despite all the media vans. Made bait in 30 mins, only 1 green back, but over 20 Spanish macs (sea lions seem to like em'). Girlfriend caught a few as well and I put some in her tank. paddled out into the calm seas, and within an hour had a fish on the greenie. Lost it in under a minute. Less than 20 minutes later something big was peeling line out. I tightened up the drag and it took me on a 2 min sleigh ride, before snapping my 40lb leader. Kept heading out, and after paddling for a couple hours landed a bonito. Bled it and within minutes was circled by Mr. Hammerhead. Paddled out a bit further and nothing, so we headed to the North about a mile. Girlfriend picked up a small YT, then shortly after I got one as well, which I released. Close to 10:30 and 230ft water I had a nice YT on. Was bleeding it with one eye to the water watching for an 8' friend to show, when my other line hooked up. Got those in. Shortly after, my girlfriend landed a bonito. We started heading in around noon, when I hooked a 35-40lb. BFT. After 20 min. or so, got it to the surface; Guess I didn't fight with it long enough, because when I stuck s gaff in it's belly it went bat-shit crazy and almost pulled me in! I lost my gaff, and the fish dove to the bottom. I got it reeled back in quickly (gaff still in its side). Got a second gaff from my girlfriend who had no idea how to gaff a fish..... apparently I don't either! As the BFT was just coming around close enough to try again, it kicked hard, snapped 40lb flouro, and swam away!!!!

Had a half dozen macs left, so had lines out on the trip in and landed a 3rd respectable YT. Water remained calm and we paddled thru a huge school of porpoises on the way in. GREAT Day, even though I did get upside down coming back thru the surf..... riding a wheelie with 80lbs. of fish in the back!

2-Stix · 08-31-2015, 12:15 AM

I saw you out there making bait like crazy. I had a hard Friday and Saturday. What sibiki were you using? I was suffering a bit.

govomit · 08-31-2015, 09:42 AM

You guys are monsters! All this action - unbelievable

We couldn't get bait at the kelp for hours on Sat... Then all of our jack macs got mauled, maimed and left agonizing, not a single honest hookup. We were West of the kelp line the whole time, I saw just one YT picked up by a boat. Schools of big macs (14"+) were chasing sardines or anchovies, and we admired those majestic boils for HOURS. This was the only reward for our fishless journey.

surfrider · 08-31-2015, 11:41 AM

Not positive, but believe this is the Sabiki I was using. Had to cut it off when line got tangled while fighting the BFT. I haven't had trouble making bait by the kelp in quite some time, and believe the flashing of the sinker plays the biggest role, since I catch 80% of my macs as the line is dropping! Hook mac, then reel..... Good Luck.

2-Stix · 08-31-2015, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by surfrider

Not positive, but believe this is the Sabiki I was using. Had to cut it off when line got tangled while fighting the BFT. I haven't had trouble making bait by the kelp in quite some time, and believe the flashing of the sinker plays the biggest role, since I catch 80% of my macs as the line is dropping! Hook mac, then reel..... Good Luck.

Thanks. I was really close watching you kill it. I was dying. I run a glow 2oz with treble hook and I agree it helps. Thanks for the info.

08-31-2015, 12:04 AM	#1
surfrider Newby Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Menifee, CA Posts: 6	First Hat Trick! I had a great day on Sat, despite all the media vans. Made bait in 30 mins, only 1 green back, but over 20 Spanish macs (sea lions seem to like em'). Girlfriend caught a few as well and I put some in her tank. paddled out into the calm seas, and within an hour had a fish on the greenie. Lost it in under a minute. Less than 20 minutes later something big was peeling line out. I tightened up the drag and it took me on a 2 min sleigh ride, before snapping my 40lb leader. Kept heading out, and after paddling for a couple hours landed a bonito. Bled it and within minutes was circled by Mr. Hammerhead. Paddled out a bit further and nothing, so we headed to the North about a mile. Girlfriend picked up a small YT, then shortly after I got one as well, which I released. Close to 10:30 and 230ft water I had a nice YT on. Was bleeding it with one eye to the water watching for an 8' friend to show, when my other line hooked up. Got those in. Shortly after, my girlfriend landed a bonito. We started heading in around noon, when I hooked a 35-40lb. BFT. After 20 min. or so, got it to the surface; Guess I didn't fight with it long enough, because when I stuck s gaff in it's belly it went bat-shit crazy and almost pulled me in! I lost my gaff, and the fish dove to the bottom. I got it reeled back in quickly (gaff still in its side). Got a second gaff from my girlfriend who had no idea how to gaff a fish..... apparently I don't either! As the BFT was just coming around close enough to try again, it kicked hard, snapped 40lb flouro, and swam away!!!! Had a half dozen macs left, so had lines out on the trip in and landed a 3rd respectable YT. Water remained calm and we paddled thru a huge school of porpoises on the way in. GREAT Day, even though I did get upside down coming back thru the surf..... riding a wheelie with 80lbs. of fish in the back! Attached Images

08-31-2015, 09:42 AM	#3
govomit Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 77	amazing! You guys are monsters! All this action - unbelievable We couldn't get bait at the kelp for hours on Sat... Then all of our jack macs got mauled, maimed and left agonizing, not a single honest hookup. We were West of the kelp line the whole time, I saw just one YT picked up by a boat. Schools of big macs (14"+) were chasing sardines or anchovies, and we admired those majestic boils for HOURS. This was the only reward for our fishless journey.

08-31-2015, 11:41 AM	#4
surfrider Newby Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Menifee, CA Posts: 6	Not positive, but believe this is the Sabiki I was using. Had to cut it off when line got tangled while fighting the BFT. I haven't had trouble making bait by the kelp in quite some time, and believe the flashing of the sinker plays the biggest role, since I catch 80% of my macs as the line is dropping! Hook mac, then reel..... Good Luck. Attached Images

08-31-2015, 12:15 AM	#2
2-Stix Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Ventura, CA Posts: 376	I saw you out there making bait like crazy. I had a hard Friday and Saturday. What sibiki were you using? I was suffering a bit.