Better Lucky Than Good - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

TCS · 08-16-2011, 08:42 PM

I haven't been out much lately due to work, but we made it through a big milestone last week and I decided to take a couple of days off to fish. I took my daughter out on a party boat on Monday (lots of fun and a few calicos) and was able to get out on the kayak today to try for a real fish.

Paddled out at noon. Collected some big macks, they practically jumped into the bait tank. Headed around the corner with a flylined mack.

Just around the corner in 95 feet my mack got nailed. I had the reel in my hand in freespool already and just let it go. At about an eight count the fish paused for an instant and then started running again, so I engaged the reel and got the hook set.

The weird thing was that I was able to just reel this fish in for about 50 feet without any trouble, just as I had concluded this was not a yellowtail, she decided to act like one afterall and bolted.

I had my drag on the light side for 30lb flouro because that lost WSB with Josh is still seared in my memory. She took about seven runs, but then I got her on the gaff.

I've caught quite a few fish since I've been going to LJ, but I think this might have been the first where I had no coaching from the varsity, no monkey see monkey do, etc. I was pretty stoked to get this fish completely solo. Huge adrenalin rush too.

Ryan, nice to meet you out there.

The Kid · 08-16-2011, 08:52 PM

Good Job Tom!! Nothing like a solo fish! You have achieved Varsity status now, keep at it.

PapaDave · 08-16-2011, 08:54 PM

Very nice fish, congratulations!

jorluivil · 08-16-2011, 09:13 PM

Nice!!

I got the halii and wsb....just need one of those little guys

467echo · 08-16-2011, 09:15 PM

Nice solo fish! Don't let the DH see this pic, you're holding it wrong

The Kid · 08-16-2011, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 467echo

Nice solo fish! Don't let the DH see this pic, you're holding it wrong

He's gonna flip about the gills first

GBF · 08-16-2011, 09:37 PM

Very nice fish!!!

Thanks for the report!

GBF

Caden · 08-16-2011, 09:38 PM

nice fish

Billy V · 08-16-2011, 09:42 PM

Nice fish Tom.

deepdvr · 08-16-2011, 09:55 PM

Way to go Tom!!!! Some weird fights from these 'visiting' yellows.

mtnbykr2 · 08-17-2011, 06:25 AM

congrats on that sashimi...well deserved I am sure, BTW I think the picture is a wall hanger....imo

Handymansd · 08-17-2011, 07:27 AM

Beautiful fish for your first solo!! Congrats!

Aaron&Julie · 08-17-2011, 08:09 AM

Congratulations on the solo effort. Nice 'tail.

RK · 08-17-2011, 08:09 AM

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA ,

Tom- "So are you gonna post?"

Me- "I like to wait, I'll wait till the end of the month, are you gonna post?"

Tom- "No, I don't post"

Wait a minute im confused, am I on a hidden camera show or something?

Good to meet you Tom, also good to meet the juvenile gws that took a serious liking to me and jasmine

PescadorPete · 08-17-2011, 08:48 AM

Nice job, Tom. Nothing beats a roll your own.

Whizz Bang · 08-17-2011, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jorluivil

Nice!!

I got the halii and wsb....just need one of those little guys

THIS MONTH?????

Uh-oh.

Awesome fish, congrats Tom! Maybe you can be the one to start a Yellowtail recipe sticky thread....

jerr-dog · 08-17-2011, 11:34 AM

Very nice, way to go!!!

TCS · 08-17-2011, 12:55 PM

It's true, I don't usually post. But last night I just got the urge to tell the story....

The power boats are all off chasing bluefin. I don't think a few scratch yellows will change that. At least that's what I hope.

steveooo · 08-17-2011, 04:36 PM

Good stuff Tom! The taste of Victory

roadx · 08-17-2011, 04:44 PM

WHOOAAA nice fish!!!

08-16-2011, 08:42 PM	#1
TCS Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 478	Better Lucky Than Good I haven't been out much lately due to work, but we made it through a big milestone last week and I decided to take a couple of days off to fish. I took my daughter out on a party boat on Monday (lots of fun and a few calicos) and was able to get out on the kayak today to try for a real fish. Paddled out at noon. Collected some big macks, they practically jumped into the bait tank. Headed around the corner with a flylined mack. Just around the corner in 95 feet my mack got nailed. I had the reel in my hand in freespool already and just let it go. At about an eight count the fish paused for an instant and then started running again, so I engaged the reel and got the hook set. The weird thing was that I was able to just reel this fish in for about 50 feet without any trouble, just as I had concluded this was not a yellowtail, she decided to act like one afterall and bolted. I had my drag on the light side for 30lb flouro because that lost WSB with Josh is still seared in my memory. She took about seven runs, but then I got her on the gaff. I've caught quite a few fish since I've been going to LJ, but I think this might have been the first where I had no coaching from the varsity, no monkey see monkey do, etc. I was pretty stoked to get this fish completely solo. Huge adrenalin rush too. Ryan, nice to meet you out there. Attached Images

08-16-2011, 09:13 PM	#4
jorluivil Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 6,855	Nice!! I got the halii and wsb....just need one of those little guys __________________ www.facebook.com/Teamsewer

08-16-2011, 09:15 PM	#5
467echo Rookie of the Month Club Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Mira Mesa Posts: 483	Nice solo fish! Don't let the DH see this pic, you're holding it wrong __________________ they are getting bigger....

08-16-2011, 09:37 PM	#7
GBF Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Huntington Beach CA Posts: 323	Very nice fish!!! Thanks for the report! GBF __________________ "Just keep going out....it's better than staying Home"

08-16-2011, 09:42 PM	#9
Billy V Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bay Ho Posts: 1,382	Nice fish Tom. __________________

08-16-2011, 08:52 PM	#2
The Kid Loves Surface Irons Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: San Diego Posts: 455	Good Job Tom!! Nothing like a solo fish! You have achieved Varsity status now, keep at it.

08-16-2011, 08:54 PM	#3
PapaDave Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Menifee, CA Posts: 1,453	Very nice fish, congratulations!

08-16-2011, 09:38 PM	#8
Caden Homeless will fish 4 food Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: rosemead Posts: 171	nice fish

08-16-2011, 09:55 PM	#10
deepdvr Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Carlsbad Posts: 591	Way to go Tom!!!! Some weird fights from these 'visiting' yellows.

08-17-2011, 06:25 AM	#11
mtnbykr2 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: newbury park ca Posts: 2,323	congrats on that sashimi...well deserved I am sure, BTW I think the picture is a wall hanger....imo

08-17-2011, 07:27 AM	#12
Handymansd Ancient Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: On The Water Posts: 935	Beautiful fish for your first solo!! Congrats! __________________ All men are equal before fish. -Herbert Hoover

08-17-2011, 08:09 AM	#13
Aaron&Julie Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Spring Valley Posts: 1,400	Congratulations on the solo effort. Nice 'tail. __________________ "Never say die"

08-17-2011, 08:09 AM	#14
RK Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 736	HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA , Tom- "So are you gonna post?" Me- "I like to wait, I'll wait till the end of the month, are you gonna post?" Tom- "No, I don't post" Wait a minute im confused, am I on a hidden camera show or something? Good to meet you Tom, also good to meet the juvenile gws that took a serious liking to me and jasmine

08-17-2011, 08:48 AM	#15
PescadorPete Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Leucadia, CA Posts: 261	Nice job, Tom. Nothing beats a roll your own.

08-17-2011, 11:34 AM	#17
jerr-dog Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: South Bay Posts: 39	Very nice, way to go!!!

08-17-2011, 12:55 PM	#18
TCS Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 478	It's true, I don't usually post. But last night I just got the urge to tell the story.... The power boats are all off chasing bluefin. I don't think a few scratch yellows will change that. At least that's what I hope.

08-17-2011, 04:36 PM	#19
steveooo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 1,921	Good stuff Tom! The taste of Victory

08-17-2011, 04:44 PM	#20
roadx . Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,155	WHOOAAA nice fish!!! __________________