My big fat mistake - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Davidgskinner · 08-18-2011, 04:05 PM

Hey there,
Been lurking on this board for a while and had to join in today. I am pretty new to kayak fishing, although i used to take my skiff to the LJ kelp pretty regularly. So today I figured I would head out and try for some bass. i launch around 6:30 (pretty sure some of you were there in that fog) and am making my way out. I figured I would try trolling my old rapala cd 14. It used to work for me, although I didn't really think I would hook into anything since I wasn't too sure how the trolling would go on a kayak. Mistake.
About 20 minutes in I see boiling and zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz off it went. Dang if that wasn't panic time, although I got a hold of myself and started fighting. Wasn't sure what I had on but it was a hard puller. So I worked this guy for nearly half an hour, he took at least 4 hard runs down and it was so frickin awesome getting towed by a good fish. Finally, I get him to color and see it is a very nice yellow. At this point I realize I am completely unprepared...no gaff, no billy, no net, no nothing. So after another run I am thinking he's worn out. I get him alongside and was just stoked at how big he is. He is acting all lethargic and had stopped fighting. He is on his side right next to me so I figured I could kil him with the one tool I did bring; my fillet knife. So I punch it right through his gills. No reaction. Blood is pouring nicely out and still no reaction. I figure he's dead so I reach through his gill plate and holy smokes, he woke up! One big flail of tail in my face and snap went the line. Down he went trailing blood and my lure tucked into his jaw.
I just sat there quivering...
So I guess the lesson is, "Don't fish for em unless you ready to deal with them!"
So, after all of that, even after that heartbreak, kayak fishing is just freaking awesome. I will be back and ready next time.

tagyak · 08-18-2011, 04:09 PM

enjoyed reading this report. really got excited about that yellow and the fight that you had.
bummer to hear that it got away but at least you got a nice ride out of it.

mtnbykr2 · 08-18-2011, 04:11 PM

great effort though, shoulda woulda coulda, one more run..I know how you feel though, next time it will stick

welcome to the addiction

jorluivil · 08-18-2011, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtnbykr2

great effort though, shoulda woulda coulda, one more run..I know how you feel though, next time it will stick

welcome to the addiction

The agony of defeat.

Next time just grab his gill plate and hold on tight.

08-18-2011, 04:47 PM

Here's a tip: grab the tail

hook1fred · 08-18-2011, 05:16 PM

I had a similar experience a while back, was able to get one of my yellows the other came off boatside...... oh well at least you stretched your line

Whizz Bang · 08-18-2011, 07:30 PM

Congratulations on your kill and release.

The knife was not needed. Leave the knife fighting to the Darkhorse's hook and hand videos.

You never bleed a fish that is not secured. No game clip, check. No gaff, got it. Get the damn thing in your hull and pop it's gills. Again, no knife needed. Bleach and a hose will fix your lack of preparedness, it always does.

Other than that.....welcome to the forum.

Reel Anxious · 08-18-2011, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davidgskinner

Hey there,
Been lurking on this board for a while and had to join in today. I am pretty new to kayak fishing, although i used to take my skiff to the LJ kelp pretty regularly. So today I figured I would head out and try for some bass. i launch around 6:30 (pretty sure some of you were there in that fog) and am making my way out. I figured I would try trolling my old rapala cd 14. It used to work for me, although I didn't really think I would hook into anything since I wasn't too sure how the trolling would go on a kayak. Mistake.
About 20 minutes in I see boiling and zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz off it went. Dang if that wasn't panic time, although I got a hold of myself and started fighting. Wasn't sure what I had on but it was a hard puller. So I worked this guy for nearly half an hour, he took at least 4 hard runs down and it was so frickin awesome getting towed by a good fish. Finally, I get him to color and see it is a very nice yellow. At this point I realize I am completely unprepared...no gaff, no billy, no net, no nothing. So after another run I am thinking he's worn out. I get him alongside and was just stoked at how big he is. He is acting all lethargic and had stopped fighting. He is on his side right next to me so I figured I could kil him with the one tool I did bring; my fillet knife. So I punch it right through his gills. No reaction. Blood is pouring nicely out and still no reaction. I figure he's dead so I reach through his gill plate and holy smokes, he woke up! One big flail of tail in my face and snap went the line. Down he went trailing blood and my lure tucked into his jaw.
I just sat there quivering...
So I guess the lesson is, "Don't fish for em unless you ready to deal with them!"
So, after all of that, even after that heartbreak, kayak fishing is just freaking awesome. I will be back and ready next time.

Why would you be trolling a rapalla, while targeting bass, with no means of securing a chance large fish? "Blood is pouring nicely out", "Down he went trailing blood and my lure tucked into his jaw" We have all done dumb things, better left unsaid, but you make this sound like you are writing a novel. Hope you have all your safety precautions in order.

The Kid · 08-18-2011, 10:35 PM

Didn't like this at all

kendog · 08-18-2011, 10:56 PM

ahh thats a bummer!! better luck next time.

..correct me if i am wrong, but isnt it required by law to have a net on your yak if you are ocean fishing???

Rambo · 08-18-2011, 11:20 PM

Great job though David. I had a similar experience going out for the unexpected. It was a first for me to catch Mr. T on my first hard shell kayak a first time out with Caden also. Man, you'll never forget the first heart pounding feeling to see a big fish take your line and after that long fight to have that fish near your kayak. I say, take it with a smile even though you didn't pull the fish up on your kayak. There's always a next time and a better chance to land a bigger fish, and you'll be more prepared. Make sure you strap down all your gears, I'm learning the hard way.

jorluivil · 08-18-2011, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kendog

ahh thats a bummer!! better luck next time.

..correct me if i am wrong, but isnt it required by law to have a net on your yak if you are ocean fishing???

I believe its only required when you're targeting certain species. I know Halibut is one of them, not sure what the others are.

Davidgskinner · 08-19-2011, 02:20 AM

I think you are right Kendog, the regs say you need a net onboard. 28.65 (d)
I just looked it up.

frugalfisher · 08-19-2011, 06:32 AM

Whenever you are about to try something like grabbing a fish barehanded, especially a pelagic species. Then after you realize your mistake of stabbing the fish first, you would of had a chance. Tailing a fish is easy once you paddle about 1000 miles. My grip strength is enough to crush a windpipe. ;O

Ask questions, be prepared, don't post ignorance here (unless you are the one hurt or it turned out with the prize fish)(my opinion). This is public and it makes all of us look bad.

RK · 08-19-2011, 07:28 AM

Oh rad you bled a fish and then let it swim away.......

bigbarrels · 08-19-2011, 07:38 AM

Next time just grab his gill plate and hold on tight.[/QUOTE]

x2

ChefT · 08-19-2011, 08:29 AM

A blessing it wasn't a WSB.... our friends over at Hubbs work to hard to
to keep the local species flourishing....(WSB, YT, HAli)

But a life is a life...

Respect the Ocean and our kids and kids kids will be able to enjoy it as well.

Mtobolsky · 08-19-2011, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whizz Bang

Congratulations on your kill and release.

The knife was not needed. Leave the knife fighting to the Darkhorse's hook and hand videos.

You never bleed a fish that is not secured. No game clip, check. No gaff, got it. Get the damn thing in your hull and pop it's gills. Again, no knife needed. Bleach and a hose will fix your lack of preparedness, it always does.

Other than that.....welcome to the forum.

x2+ release the drag so if it does run after you gently grab him from the gill plate he doesn't snap the line.....even after bled they will flop an hour later....they don't need that much o2.....better luck next time glad you got excited but dont be proud. welcome aboard

Dan · 08-19-2011, 11:28 AM

grab em by the motor next time. scallywag style.

wiredantz · 08-19-2011, 12:14 PM

I hope that fish was eating by a bigger prey and not wasted.

But the biggest lesson is to learn from your errors.

08-18-2011, 04:05 PM	#1
Davidgskinner Junior Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Carmel Valley Posts: 4	My big fat mistake Hey there, Been lurking on this board for a while and had to join in today. I am pretty new to kayak fishing, although i used to take my skiff to the LJ kelp pretty regularly. So today I figured I would head out and try for some bass. i launch around 6:30 (pretty sure some of you were there in that fog) and am making my way out. I figured I would try trolling my old rapala cd 14. It used to work for me, although I didn't really think I would hook into anything since I wasn't too sure how the trolling would go on a kayak. Mistake. About 20 minutes in I see boiling and zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz off it went. Dang if that wasn't panic time, although I got a hold of myself and started fighting. Wasn't sure what I had on but it was a hard puller. So I worked this guy for nearly half an hour, he took at least 4 hard runs down and it was so frickin awesome getting towed by a good fish. Finally, I get him to color and see it is a very nice yellow. At this point I realize I am completely unprepared...no gaff, no billy, no net, no nothing. So after another run I am thinking he's worn out. I get him alongside and was just stoked at how big he is. He is acting all lethargic and had stopped fighting. He is on his side right next to me so I figured I could kil him with the one tool I did bring; my fillet knife. So I punch it right through his gills. No reaction. Blood is pouring nicely out and still no reaction. I figure he's dead so I reach through his gill plate and holy smokes, he woke up! One big flail of tail in my face and snap went the line. Down he went trailing blood and my lure tucked into his jaw. I just sat there quivering... So I guess the lesson is, "Don't fish for em unless you ready to deal with them!" So, after all of that, even after that heartbreak, kayak fishing is just freaking awesome. I will be back and ready next time.

08-18-2011, 04:11 PM	#3
mtnbykr2 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: newbury park ca Posts: 2,323	great effort though, shoulda woulda coulda, one more run..I know how you feel though, next time it will stickwelcome to the addiction

08-19-2011, 06:32 AM	#14
frugalfisher Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: San Diego Posts: 190	Always loosen your drag! Whenever you are about to try something like grabbing a fish barehanded, especially a pelagic species. Then after you realize your mistake of stabbing the fish first, you would of had a chance. Tailing a fish is easy once you paddle about 1000 miles. My grip strength is enough to crush a windpipe. ;O Ask questions, be prepared, don't post ignorance here (unless you are the one hurt or it turned out with the prize fish)(my opinion). This is public and it makes all of us look bad. __________________ James Caldwell Yellow Prowler

08-19-2011, 07:38 AM	#16
bigbarrels Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Vista Posts: 1,111	Next time just grab his gill plate and hold on tight.[/QUOTE] x2 __________________ The shorter you are, the bigger your fish appear

08-19-2011, 12:14 PM	#20
wiredantz Currently @ MLO Territory Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Under the Shadow Posts: 2,290	I hope that fish was eating by a bigger prey and not wasted. But the biggest lesson is to learn from your errors. Last edited by wiredantz; 08-19-2011 at 12:25 PM.

08-18-2011, 04:09 PM	#2
tagyak Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Alhambra Posts: 506	enjoyed reading this report. really got excited about that yellow and the fight that you had. bummer to hear that it got away but at least you got a nice ride out of it.

08-18-2011, 04:47 PM	#5
yani Guest Posts: n/a	Here's a tip: grab the tail

08-18-2011, 05:16 PM	#6
hook1fred Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: San Diego Posts: 143	I had a similar experience a while back, was able to get one of my yellows the other came off boatside...... oh well at least you stretched your line

08-18-2011, 07:30 PM	#7
Whizz Bang Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 396	Congratulations on your kill and release. The knife was not needed. Leave the knife fighting to the Darkhorse's hook and hand videos. You never bleed a fish that is not secured. No game clip, check. No gaff, got it. Get the damn thing in your hull and pop it's gills. Again, no knife needed. Bleach and a hose will fix your lack of preparedness, it always does. Other than that.....welcome to the forum.

08-18-2011, 10:35 PM	#9
The Kid Loves Surface Irons Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: San Diego Posts: 455	Didn't like this at all

08-18-2011, 10:56 PM	#10
kendog Junior Join Date: May 2011 Location: inland oc Posts: 15	ahh thats a bummer!! better luck next time. ..correct me if i am wrong, but isnt it required by law to have a net on your yak if you are ocean fishing???

08-18-2011, 11:20 PM	#11
Rambo Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: West Covina, CA Posts: 434	Great job though David. I had a similar experience going out for the unexpected. It was a first for me to catch Mr. T on my first hard shell kayak a first time out with Caden also. Man, you'll never forget the first heart pounding feeling to see a big fish take your line and after that long fight to have that fish near your kayak. I say, take it with a smile even though you didn't pull the fish up on your kayak. There's always a next time and a better chance to land a bigger fish, and you'll be more prepared. Make sure you strap down all your gears, I'm learning the hard way.

08-19-2011, 02:20 AM	#13
Davidgskinner Junior Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Carmel Valley Posts: 4	I think you are right Kendog, the regs say you need a net onboard. 28.65 (d) I just looked it up.

08-19-2011, 07:28 AM	#15
RK Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 736	Oh rad you bled a fish and then let it swim away.......

08-19-2011, 08:29 AM	#17
ChefT Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: SD Posts: 216	A blessing it wasn't a WSB.... our friends over at Hubbs work to hard to to keep the local species flourishing....(WSB, YT, HAli) But a life is a life... Respect the Ocean and our kids and kids kids will be able to enjoy it as well.

08-19-2011, 11:28 AM	#19
Dan Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,053	grab em by the motor next time. scallywag style.