Back in the Saddle Again... LJ 2/17 - Page 2 - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

nmbrinkman · 02-20-2008, 04:33 PM

Side saddle that is...

I decided to make good on my new years resolution and make more of an effort to get OTW more often. The morning started great. Half off my breakfast at McD's. First at the launch. Rockstar parking. And [effort] free bait. I bought some squid at Ranch 99 the day before with plans to bounce a 6x Jr and drag a squirt around but as I paddled out plans changed. I saw a bright light dancing in the distance and decided to check it out since it was on my way to my YT 2//17/07 waypoint. Turned out to be a big Parker Pilot House with a squid light hanging overboard. I looked down and there were literally thousands of squirts jetting around below. I had the hardware to get them myself but the guys on the Parker offered scoop after scoop. Who am I to say no.

I made my way upwind of my spot and dropped the squid down and started yo yoing the 6x. Saw a few familiar faces, and some not so familiar, and passed out some candy. Not too much later the bendo party started. I switched to a dropper loop and moved a bit closer to the reserve and things started. First bite came up empty. Re-baited and sent it back down. Minutes later it goes bendo. Bring up a nice 25 lb yellow. I settle back down and get back into postition. Next is the Carolina rig. After a nice clicker run I put it into gear and..... ZZZZzzzzz my other rod goes off. My first rod is full bendo and I put the second of the double just past free spool (not quite on strike) and start to fight the first fish. I'm on for a few minutes and get it to what had to be close to color. It must of saw the kayak and it runs laterally. I start my sleigh ride towards Moyer and we tangle up. POP! My line breaks at the short topshot. Halfway heartbroken I grab my second rod which had been knocked into freespool by my paddle. I didn't want to drag my paddle since the line was out behind me as I fought the first fish. I immedietaly put the reel in gear and bring in the slack. Lucky for me the fish was still on. Meanwhile, I watch someone decide to do a little free diving

. [Not my story] After a long fight, I bring in a nice 23 lber. With one fish bleeding out in the tankwell of my FnD, I bring the second onto my lap. With on hand occupied with the fish, which managed to knock my tackle box into the water, I'm helpless to paddle to retrieve it. Titanic style my tackle box started to sink. Now I'm out all my hooks and weight except for what is already tied on. Not to mention I somehow lost the iron that was on the bottom of the dropper loop during the fight. I dig a torpedo out of the seat pouch and re-rig. I send it back down and after a little lull in the action I'm on again. This one feels a bit nicer. After another nice fight numero tres in onboard. This one was a bit healthier. Just as long as the previous fish but about 5 lbs heavier. Went 28.3 on the scale. Not wanting to consume my good karma for the year, I decided to pass off the rest of my squirts and paddle back in, leaving what seemed to be a still active bite. Thanks for being the photobytchs guys!

In total I had five bites, four on, and three that found the gaff. Broke two personal bests as well. Heaviest YT and most YT in one day...

Nate

I wasn't really thinking when I struck a pose. The bigger of the three is behind me.

02-20-2008, 04:33 PM	#1
nmbrinkman Work Sucks! Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Diego Posts: 559	Back in the Saddle Again... LJ 2/17 Side saddle that is... I decided to make good on my new years resolution and make more of an effort to get OTW more often. The morning started great. Half off my breakfast at McD's. First at the launch. Rockstar parking. And [effort] free bait. I bought some squid at Ranch 99 the day before with plans to bounce a 6x Jr and drag a squirt around but as I paddled out plans changed. I saw a bright light dancing in the distance and decided to check it out since it was on my way to my YT 2//17/07 waypoint. Turned out to be a big Parker Pilot House with a squid light hanging overboard. I looked down and there were literally thousands of squirts jetting around below. I had the hardware to get them myself but the guys on the Parker offered scoop after scoop. Who am I to say no. I made my way upwind of my spot and dropped the squid down and started yo yoing the 6x. Saw a few familiar faces, and some not so familiar, and passed out some candy. Not too much later the bendo party started. I switched to a dropper loop and moved a bit closer to the reserve and things started. First bite came up empty. Re-baited and sent it back down. Minutes later it goes bendo. Bring up a nice 25 lb yellow. I settle back down and get back into postition. Next is the Carolina rig. After a nice clicker run I put it into gear and..... ZZZZzzzzz my other rod goes off. My first rod is full bendo and I put the second of the double just past free spool (not quite on strike) and start to fight the first fish. I'm on for a few minutes and get it to what had to be close to color. It must of saw the kayak and it runs laterally. I start my sleigh ride towards Moyer and we tangle up. POP! My line breaks at the short topshot. Halfway heartbroken I grab my second rod which had been knocked into freespool by my paddle. I didn't want to drag my paddle since the line was out behind me as I fought the first fish. I immedietaly put the reel in gear and bring in the slack. Lucky for me the fish was still on. Meanwhile, I watch someone decide to do a little free diving . [Not my story] After a long fight, I bring in a nice 23 lber. With one fish bleeding out in the tankwell of my FnD, I bring the second onto my lap. With on hand occupied with the fish, which managed to knock my tackle box into the water, I'm helpless to paddle to retrieve it. Titanic style my tackle box started to sink. Now I'm out all my hooks and weight except for what is already tied on. Not to mention I somehow lost the iron that was on the bottom of the dropper loop during the fight. I dig a torpedo out of the seat pouch and re-rig. I send it back down and after a little lull in the action I'm on again. This one feels a bit nicer. After another nice fight numero tres in onboard. This one was a bit healthier. Just as long as the previous fish but about 5 lbs heavier. Went 28.3 on the scale. Not wanting to consume my good karma for the year, I decided to pass off the rest of my squirts and paddle back in, leaving what seemed to be a still active bite. Thanks for being the photobytchs guys! In total I had five bites, four on, and three that found the gaff. Broke two personal bests as well. Heaviest YT and most YT in one day... Nate I wasn't really thinking when I struck a pose. The bigger of the three is behind me. Last edited by nmbrinkman; 02-20-2008 at 04:52 PM.