Merry Christmas! - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Erickblim · 12-26-2012, 12:35 PM

This is my first post...though I started kayak fishing almost a year ago and I've been "trolling" on this site since then...I just haven't had anything worthwhile to post. Anyway, I appreciate all the helpful info that's been posted here and all of you who have given me tips on the water. Also props to the seasamurai who taught me a ton.

Wife and kids went to visit her family this week and I had to stay around for work...so rather than sit around by myself on Christmas day I figured I'd give La Jolla another chance. Launched about 1030 am, beautiful day. I was all alone although I met the Tinhman a little later in the day. There was a huge pod of dolphins but not a lot of bait in the water...so I started out just bottom fishing with frozen squid. Caught a little baby octopus that I put on the dropper loop...about an hour later the line started screaming and pulling the kayak sideways. After about 3 minutes, whatever it was popped off and I thought for sure I had blown my opportunity for the day.

A school of baitfish came by and I caught a greenback mackeral and fly-lined it. There were some birds sitting on the water and I trolled around the edge of them...about 10 min later I hooked into this monster, first yellow tail that I have successfully landed. When I got him to the boat he was actually hooked in the side...whatever, I'll take it. Measured 4.5 feet long and weighed 52.4 pounds on the bathroom scale.

StinkyMatt · 12-26-2012, 12:54 PM

Holy Crap!

Dude, one post 52 pound YT.......

Wide open LJ yellowtail bite going on.....we are all coming!

Congrats on an incredible catch.

Ggiannig89 · 12-26-2012, 12:57 PM

Hell of a catch!!!! Good job!!!

ful-rac · 12-26-2012, 01:02 PM

That's a hell of a lot bigger than any yellowtail I've ever caught! Congrats!

Wayne_R · 12-26-2012, 01:45 PM

WTG! Awesome Christmas Present

ashmoz · 12-26-2012, 02:08 PM

"Holy shit" is all I can say man!

Necron 99 · 12-26-2012, 02:21 PM

What a Christmas present! Strong work!

Quilted Germ · 12-27-2012, 08:41 AM

First YT landed is 50#.....where do you go from there???????

The Kid · 12-28-2012, 03:35 PM

It has been a long, long time since I have posted. I have long since lost the touch when it comes to the keyboard, but here I go. I heard about this fish and had to check the site myself...

Holy crap!!!!! Eric that thing is a pure beast of a fish!!! You have successfully nailed the two hardest critters to catch in La Jolla. A white seabass and oh ya a 50 lb yellowtail! People are foaming at the mouth for a shot with one of those bad boys, and I am one of them.

Simply put,"Damn!!!!"

Congrats dude! A true wall hanger.

Erickblim · 12-28-2012, 07:42 PM

Thanks a lot everyone! And Kevin I really appreciate everything you taught me! For those of you who are getting into this awesome sport, you really need to check out seasamurai.com and book a trip with him. The experience you'll gain is invaluable and the techniques he teaches really do work!

That being said, it feels really good to finally got this one under my belt. My wife said she was jealous that a fish made me smile that much. I would have been ecstatic to catch a 15 pounder...but a belly-hooked 52 pounder...a little luck never hurts I guess.

12-26-2012, 12:35 PM	#1
Erickblim Junior Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 9	Merry Christmas! This is my first post...though I started kayak fishing almost a year ago and I've been "trolling" on this site since then...I just haven't had anything worthwhile to post. Anyway, I appreciate all the helpful info that's been posted here and all of you who have given me tips on the water. Also props to the seasamurai who taught me a ton. Wife and kids went to visit her family this week and I had to stay around for work...so rather than sit around by myself on Christmas day I figured I'd give La Jolla another chance. Launched about 1030 am, beautiful day. I was all alone although I met the Tinhman a little later in the day. There was a huge pod of dolphins but not a lot of bait in the water...so I started out just bottom fishing with frozen squid. Caught a little baby octopus that I put on the dropper loop...about an hour later the line started screaming and pulling the kayak sideways. After about 3 minutes, whatever it was popped off and I thought for sure I had blown my opportunity for the day. A school of baitfish came by and I caught a greenback mackeral and fly-lined it. There were some birds sitting on the water and I trolled around the edge of them...about 10 min later I hooked into this monster, first yellow tail that I have successfully landed. When I got him to the boat he was actually hooked in the side...whatever, I'll take it. Measured 4.5 feet long and weighed 52.4 pounds on the bathroom scale. Attached Images

12-26-2012, 01:02 PM	#4
ful-rac Emperor Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buena Park Posts: 3,649	That's a hell of a lot bigger than any yellowtail I've ever caught! Congrats! __________________ There's nothing colder than yesterday's hotdog.

12-27-2012, 08:41 AM	#8
Quilted Germ Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Cardiff, Ca Posts: 185	First YT landed is 50#.....where do you go from there??????? __________________ Politics is supposed to be the second oldest profession. I have come to realize that it bears a very close resemblance to the first. - Ronald Reagan

12-26-2012, 12:54 PM	#2
StinkyMatt Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Under a bridge Posts: 2,168	Holy Crap! Dude, one post 52 pound YT....... Wide open LJ yellowtail bite going on.....we are all coming! Congrats on an incredible catch.

12-26-2012, 12:57 PM	#3
Ggiannig89 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: El Cajon Posts: 512	Hell of a catch!!!! Good job!!!

12-26-2012, 01:45 PM	#5
Wayne_R Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Riverside / Temecula Ca Posts: 92	WTG! Awesome Christmas Present

12-26-2012, 02:08 PM	#6
ashmoz 192.168.0.1 Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 397	"Holy shit" is all I can say man!

12-26-2012, 02:21 PM	#7
Necron 99 Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 80	What a Christmas present! Strong work!

12-28-2012, 03:35 PM	#9
The Kid Loves Surface Irons Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: San Diego Posts: 455	It has been a long, long time since I have posted. I have long since lost the touch when it comes to the keyboard, but here I go. I heard about this fish and had to check the site myself... Holy crap!!!!! Eric that thing is a pure beast of a fish!!! You have successfully nailed the two hardest critters to catch in La Jolla. A white seabass and oh ya a 50 lb yellowtail! People are foaming at the mouth for a shot with one of those bad boys, and I am one of them. Simply put,"Damn!!!!" Congrats dude! A true wall hanger.

12-28-2012, 07:42 PM	#10
Erickblim Junior Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 9	Thanks a lot everyone! And Kevin I really appreciate everything you taught me! For those of you who are getting into this awesome sport, you really need to check out seasamurai.com and book a trip with him. The experience you'll gain is invaluable and the techniques he teaches really do work! That being said, it feels really good to finally got this one under my belt. My wife said she was jealous that a fish made me smile that much. I would have been ecstatic to catch a 15 pounder...but a belly-hooked 52 pounder...a little luck never hurts I guess.