LJ 9/20: First YT on the yak!
 

Finally landed my first yellowtail on the kayak at La Jolla this Sunday. Pretty awesome experience and not one I'll be quick to forget. Definitely nothing like landing one on a boat, that's for sure!

Thanks again to everyone here that provided tips for how to safely launch/land through the surf. Launched around first light and the waves were significantly larger and more consistent this time. So even though there was a little adrenaline going after punching through a few sets, kayak stayed upright, all gear stayed secure and all reels and electronics stayed dry(even if I didn't...). Again, really appreciate everyone here that's allowed me to learn from their knowledge and experience. Can't wait to get back out there!

That’s so awesome! One day I’ll get out there.

Right in front of the 1/2 day boat. Love when that happens


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that's a legit 1st, congrats!

Great bendo shot. That's how its done. How about that fight on your talica, must have been a reel treat!

DUUUUDE. Nice catch!!!

Way to share the stoke. Awesome photos and write up :you_rock:

Also I’ve kind of come to love having a wave completely take the bow and cover me head to toe on launch...
Better than coffee some days.

I’ve found the more you do it, the more confidence you get, the less stressful it is. Always a little “pucker factor” but less dread more excitement

LJ waters were full of boats Sunday late afternoon. 'New Seaforth' reported 10 YT in the morning. Wonder whether there were more unreported YT catches that day...

Nice work man!!

Thanks for the report, heading out there after work today.

C

Well Done! Congratulations! :yt:

Of course there were. Gotta keep the secret. Don't want a million kayakers there or boaters.

Great. Congratulations. Hope you get many more. I'll be trying my luck there in a few weeks.

LOL yeah it pulled me in closer to the cattle boat and I got a couple hoots when I brought it up. That was pretty awesome

Thanks dude! Was super stoked on it. Who am I kidding, I'm still stoked on it haha

Thanks! Talica is a hell of a reel. In all honesty, I got this way before I got my kayak and it's been my go-to SCI/paddy hopping setup for a while. Never intended it to be a kayak reel initially, but it's a perfect little YT setup, so I take it every time! And I'm especially glad I had it this time too

Happy to share the stoke! It's the least I can do for you guys :cheers1:
And it's funny; I've surfed my whole life in a range of conditions and sizes. As we were getting ready to launch that morning watching how much bigger the waves were than last time and making ourselves more nervous, I looked at my buddy and said, "Dude, wtf! I've never been so sketched out by 2-3' surf in my life!" So we just laughed and went for it. The "pucker factor" is definitely real though... I had coffee in my dry bag too, so I was definitely awake!

Thanks! Good luck out there! Water's still warm

Thanks!!

Thanks! Good luck, hope you get bit out there :yt:

Nice catch man :you_rock:

very nice catch. congrats!:reel:

Congrats on the first kayak Yellowtail. That first kayak Yellowtail, taste better than any you've pull in on a boat, because it involved more work on your part. Like mentioned above I love that bendo shot, cause you don't get to feel than power from a boat. No matter what the La Jolla surf forecast many times the surf is higher or has bigger sets when it's your turn to launch. I love the comment to your buddy, WTF! I have said that to myself many times when surf looks easy while setting up and when ready to launch they are twice the size. Yellowtail always look better on the deck of a kayak than on the deck of a boat. Love the shot in front of 1/2 day boat. Guys in boats always get a kick out of seeing a guy in a kayak land a nice Yellowtail. I always wondered if they are thinking how much they had to pay for the trip and tips as compared to the guy on the kayak not having had to pay and getting a little exercise to boot.

Nice catch. You never forget your first...congrats!