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Because it's that time again...
Fish Porn Friday. What a silly title. Albeit somewhat fitting if the author actually ever put up the photos on a,well, Friday. So, with that being said, here goes nothing. The mantra for this week's update will be, I don't know, less talk and more action? Namely in part to the fact that I've got some ligament damage in my right wrist. Yes, my reeling hand. My typing hand -- my everything hand for that matter. And this shit just hurts I tell 'ya. Everything from simply dipping a tortilla into a bowl of fresh Guacamole. To attempting to fasten my seat belt? Sends a screeching sharp pain and hurts like no other.
So, assuming your strong hand is healthy as an Ox? And you'll have no problem getting off to a bit of porn. Metaphorically speaking anyway. Go ahead and log onto your favorite site -- get out those paper towels (assuming she's still at work, of course) -- and most importantly?
DON'T FORGET TO CLEAR YOUR HISTORY WHEN YOU'RE DONE!
Because if less talk and more action is what you're after. At this very moment anyway? Then you've certainly come to the right place.
First lets roll the clock back a bit for fun. Why not. While I realize this is a kayak fishing site? Well, lets just say this puppy was caught in kayak range!
I'm talking easily. Imagine rolling up to a dipping Turn without a boat in sight. And expecting to see just another, Yellowtail. When you see 30lb-60lb Tuna rolling instead.
To add to the fun. It was pouring rain on this trip and borderline miserable weather wise. And these fish wouldn't touch our damn bait!
A very long cast with a ten foot jig-stick, though. And a tiny metal jig with a very long leader of twenty pound fluorocarbon? Was the ticket. Super spooky fish that would hammer and drop our baits again and again. We'd watch them on the sonar over and over. Bite the baits and leave teeth marks. Only to instantly spit them out. So it was pure, run and gun style hunting, on puddlers and boiling fish -- kill the engine and come to a slide -- and you better be able to make a long smooth cast. A friend and I laughed our ass off on this day. And filled the boat in the process. Consider the proximity to shore? Pretty much as good as it gets and easily F-P-F worthy.
Anyway, enough of that, old news. And the only reason I even mention it is because I shoulda', coulda', woulda' gone out the next day on the Hobie. This happened quite a few times actually this year. Fish well inside of ten miles going nuts. For easy pickings on a boat and totally doable for a dialed in kayak angler. Whatever...
When you get tired of eating Tuna? I don't know about you, but I certainly do right quick for some reason. There's always the kayaks in the garage just begging to hit the water. It's certainly not all, work work work, for me these days. It's more fun than ever when I find a day to myself And when pulling on big, Yellowtail from kayaks, is no longer fun? Rest assured I'll quit.
Besides, who am I to let dust gather on such amazing pieces of machinery? Truth be told my favorite fish to eat is, you guessed it, Yellowtail. Just so many ways to change it up! I never freeze the stuff. It's sushi party, big B-B-Q, and smoke the rest. In no particular order.
Beyond the table fare? Unfortunately for them (the fish) it just never gets old. Being pinned to the rail as line smokes off the reel is one of life's great joys.
Certainly, if it's your first time being pinned to the rail (pictured). And, trust me, I'm doing everything possible to catch so many before I die. With the goal being that it becomes boring one day.
For some reason it just never seems to get old, though. Maybe you've caught a lot of big fish from boats already. Good for you. As many men have.
It's just different pulling as hard as you can while getting towed around, God's green Earth! Believe me this guy is pulling for all he's got right here.
And, after he swore, that even though he's left handed he had no problem using right handed reels? Which did raise my brow upon launching this day.
Immediately after this trip for some reason. Perhaps, it was the bloody knuckles and getting relentlessly worked by these fish -- went out and bought left handed reels.
Anyway, we've all gotten worked by a big fish. That's what it's all about, right? I got my ass completely kicked a few times here recently. And rest assured I lose fish from time to time, too. Part of the fun. It happens to all of us. Not to mention being far superior than the alternative -- perhaps you've been a victim of this scenario -- never getting a shot in the first place?
Contrary to popular belief I don't frown upon guys who show up with the, Big 5 special, rods and reels. It's typically the opposite type of clients who struggle. Case in point. When a guy shows up with all $300 rods and Accurate reels? All Shimano Talica reels (unless he's a Shimano rep of course). Between you and I it's a slight to minor cringe. Brow raising nuance of what's to come. Often a foreshadowing of someone who's not the easiest to teach something, well, new.
Every great now and then, though, I get lucky. In the form of an angler who already sacrificed the virgin if you will. Alright, maybe a Goat. Something just clicks. I don't know, helped an old lady across the damn street? Because everything just seems to go their way while we're on the water.
Even though it apparently just wasn't going this gentlemen's way any trips prior. Just a slight adjustment in technique and rigging. Call it a step in the right direction. Call it placebo. Call it what you want as it's no business of mine! But, this guy handed out the ass kickings on this trip. Ripping current and windy as all hell. Seriously, 99% of my paddle-clients, would be in tears by the time this photo was taken (no exaggeration). And, no, that's not a Hobie commercial. Just bummed the photo was overexposed here.
I should say the fishing went this guy's way. Because, no doubt, the conditions on this day were more work than play. This guy didn't whine or cry one bit.
Those shiny, Accurate reels, did some serious work I tell 'ya. Trophy fish fell victim as sweat dripped from the brow. Love the reflection of the sunset in his glasses here. The lighting was crazy with hot pink hues and true golden California light. You almost can't tell that we're just trying to stay in the boat!
And, I quickly quit crying about the first overexposed, shoulda' coulda' money-shot. When I opened this image below. Behold: The Money Shot.
Instant relief. Stoked! If this photo doesn't make you want to run out and buy a $300 rod, an Accurate reel, and a freakin' Jackson kayak? You're either sponsored by, Hobie and Daiwa -- or dead!
Ah, yes, the coveted epic bendo-shot. It's way the hell harder to capture than most will ever realize. Just trust me on that.
The more you attempt to capture them the more you'll agree. Forget the guys with a yard-sale on deck in the photo. Forget the thousands of shots I take where somehow, some way -- on a thirty pound Yellowtail no less -- the damn rods not even bent!
More so, just attempting to capture what's really going on. A guy, whether it's your first kayak Yellowtail fight (pictured)?
Just pulling as hard as he freaking can. You know, huffing and puffing, God forbid hand cramps -- the whole nine. .
Where the good kind of pain, a fully bent rod with smoking drag and perfect lighting combine. It's just dare I say the ever abused word, EPIC!
When out of nowhere my client, just busts out his best "Blue Steele". You know from, Zoolander? Alright, fine, Marlboro Man. Is that better? I mean come on -- the damn Waxwing thingamajiggy looks sick here. Even I want one after looking at this image.
And speaking of Marlboro Man? Something about this photo just screams out to me. Yeah yeah, that golden California light. Not that, though.
More along the lines of: "whoa that was great -- I don't smoke or anything -- but, you wouldn't happen to have a cigarette would 'ya?"
Seeing as I've been accused of overdressing on the water from time to time. It's safe to say I'm no Marlboro man. Nor do I smoke. I don't even have a legitimate, "Blue Steele", in my tackle box of random grimaces when forced to grip and grin.
As much as I'd love to be a, um, poser. It's just not in the cards. Maybe in the next life. Right up there with more money and my own little Island -- that'll be the day!
Until then, I'll just continue to roll with the punches. Whatever Mother Ocean decides to toss this way. It would get boring right quick otherwise. Especially if it wasn't for the perpetual state of flux. Season after season; day to day for that matter.
As long as you're eyes are open. Theres just no limit to the crazy things you might find. All the mysterious creatures of the Sea. Their habits and cyclical patterns (the dreaded Red Crab pictured here).
The ever-present quest of continuing to try new things. And never stop learning, of course. It could be anything. Maybe set up a new rig. Say, an 80 lb mono, Sabiki type thing. With a series of, four 10/0 giant hooks, and a one pound weight for good measure?
Hell, don't be scared to do something silly from time to time. Maybe slide one of these ugly things on each hook.
And do the downright unthinkable. Toss it over the side as that one pound weight steams to the bottom like a locomotive. Now, to clarify, I'm not suggesting you do this or anything. Or, that it would even be legal. It's just an example.
If you do, though, just don't forget to hold on -- tight!