1st LJ YT on a yak, 1st capsize
 

On only my 2nd LJ trip on a yak got a YT. However, it also resulted in my 1st capsize after he got straight down at the side of my yak and made a major run when I had my drag pretty tight. Thanks again to the 3 boats that came to assist getting my yak righted, my fish caught and me back in the yak. Quite an adventure. Want another YT without the capsize part. :yt::)

I’m the guy that got to you first and helped you get that fish. I’m glad you’re safe and on dry land in the pic. I recommend that you practice getting back on the kayak while in the water, and pair up with a buddy boat for a while. A vhf radio would be a good idea too.

Nice yeller you got there. Worth the trip (and the flip) I'm sure.

Wow, that must have been fun to watch! Just Monday I was fighting a tuna (10 pounds) and the reel came off the rod... moments of crazy times. I can only imagine what it must be like to have one hand on the rod and one on the kayak. Kinda hard to reel that way.


Really nice at that time to have a buddy nearby.


Congrats, as you have now in the past some of the bigger challenges!

Congrats!
 

Congrats on your first Yellow from the kayak. You will remember for a long time, especially under those circumstances!

Nice time for a Public Service Announcement:

•Watch your drag settings
•Learn to self rescue, especially with your pfd on!
•Remember the vhf radio and consider mounting to pfd. This way if you get separated from your vessel you can still call for help.
•Safety in numbers

Cheers!

Congrats on the first kayak Yellowtail. On only your 2nd trip, is hugely LUCKY also the fact that there were boats and kayaks near to help you. Just for safety tips, as Todd mentioned watch how tight you set your drag and almost never have the rod pointing to the side of the Kayak, it should be towards the bow to give you the best leverage and balance. Always wear the PFD with VHF radio attached and rods and gear should be all leashed.

Congrats! Sometimes the fish catch you.

Kayak Search and Rescue Vehicle
 

This is my new ride. Wave me over if you need help or to hand off your fish. :reel::reel:

Will do. Thanks again. Learned many things that day!!

Nice job!! I'm the guy with the other Passport that was chatting with you while looking for bait the other weekend. Looks like you got the redemption you were looking for! That's a hell of a story though! Takes some grit to hang on to a rod with a fish like that after capsizing a yak. Then to be able to land it after all that? That's crazy haha

Hi Salty, you were also the guy on the beach that told me you had a thought that I would get a YT that day. You didn't tell me about the big adventure I would have getting it. It took about 3 hrs of riding a greenback around. Hooked up after 2 hyper screaming runs. I was on the outside of the ridge in 100 ft.

Congratulations on your first :yt: ! As others have mentioned: get a vhf, wear a PFD, and always keep the rod pointed towards the bow when hooked up for stability. Regardless of where the fish is swimming, if you keep your rod pointed off the bow of the kayak, eventually the fish will pull the kayak so that it is off the bow. Anglers have used 100lb braid with 50lbs of drag to successfully pull fish out of wrecks off kayaks, provided they Always keep the rod pointed on the bow the entire battle. Anywhere else will flip them in half a heartbeat.

Some good suggestions here. Also spread your legs over the side sstraddling the yak, it is a great stabilizer. You can also slouch down to lower the center of gravity.

Thanks for everyone's comments and suggestions. Wishing you all tight lines.
:reel:

Found out Salty is not who i talked to on the beach that morning. If that guy with exact same Passport yak as mine sees this, thanks for the good karma and send me a message.

Yup, I ran into you on the water out there, but not on the beach!

Nice YT, Congrats on your 1st of hopefully many more!
I’m sure this will be a very memorable experience! 😎😃

PM Sent
 

:D