My first Yellowtail 8/22 La Jolla - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

zachmro · 08-25-2008, 02:30 PM

I hit La Jolla Shores around 5 AM and headed out with a big bag of dead squid hearing some guys were having luck getting yellowtail near the bottom with 3 oz of weight. I had no luck until about 9 AM when I paddled out further to join the head boats and many other kayaks.

I decided to troll a fishtrap with a small triangle of squid, as I paddled over there hoping for a bonito or yellow. As soon as I reached the head boats, it seemed everyone decided it was time to go and by 9:30, I was basically all alone. I was catching whitefish off the bottom using squid and had sort of forgotten about my fishtrap.

At 10 AM, I start feeling myself going backwards and once I untangle my line from my PVC rigged tube rod holder, the fight is on. This rod is mainly meant to be my bait rod and has a pretty cheapo reel, but it worked well enough to finally wear out this 36 inch 18 lb Yella - no gaff needed. This is my first year kayak fishing and I have already gotten my first WSB approx 36 inch 18 lb on a greenback mac. I guess my next hunt is for halibut. What a great sport!!

steamroll · 08-25-2008, 03:03 PM

Congrats on your first kayak yellowtail

Dan · 08-25-2008, 03:24 PM

WTG on the first....on the deadsticked swimbait no less! WTF!!

Handymansd · 08-25-2008, 03:35 PM

Swwweeet! and on the fishtrap...

even better!

blackcloud9 · 08-25-2008, 07:42 PM

Good going nice yellow!

Dennis · 08-25-2008, 08:14 PM

awesome, congrats.
-Dennis

nmbrinkman · 08-25-2008, 09:01 PM

Good choice... Fishing over mowing the lawn.

GHOSTHUNTR · 08-25-2008, 09:29 PM

You must learn fast. Nice work!

Matt · 08-25-2008, 09:46 PM

Congrats bro that is an awesome first!

linghunter · 08-26-2008, 07:05 AM

Nice work...

zachmro · 08-26-2008, 11:38 AM

It is really cool they way the guys on here are so congratulatory of others good luck, and hard work...but I have even seen the same attitude on the beach and on the water. I have been given squid three different times and gotten plenty of good advice from many of the guys. Hooking and landing a large sport fish is no easy task on a kayak, and I think that helps make the kayak fishing world a pretty friendly community. Good stuff!! I am proud to consider myself part of the pack. Just as a side note though...if you try to catch my yellowtail...there will be trouble...just kidding...see you out on the water soon...Robert

JOHNA. · 08-26-2008, 12:23 PM

Sweet Dude, I can't wait till I finally get out of the kitty pool(BAY) and catch some real fish. Good job

lamb · 08-27-2008, 03:09 PM

NICE!!!

Congrats!

08-25-2008, 02:30 PM	#1
zachmro Bent Rods!! Join Date: May 2008 Location: Mira Mesa Posts: 5	My first Yellowtail 8/22 La Jolla I hit La Jolla Shores around 5 AM and headed out with a big bag of dead squid hearing some guys were having luck getting yellowtail near the bottom with 3 oz of weight. I had no luck until about 9 AM when I paddled out further to join the head boats and many other kayaks. I decided to troll a fishtrap with a small triangle of squid, as I paddled over there hoping for a bonito or yellow. As soon as I reached the head boats, it seemed everyone decided it was time to go and by 9:30, I was basically all alone. I was catching whitefish off the bottom using squid and had sort of forgotten about my fishtrap. At 10 AM, I start feeling myself going backwards and once I untangle my line from my PVC rigged tube rod holder, the fight is on. This rod is mainly meant to be my bait rod and has a pretty cheapo reel, but it worked well enough to finally wear out this 36 inch 18 lb Yella - no gaff needed. This is my first year kayak fishing and I have already gotten my first WSB approx 36 inch 18 lb on a greenback mac. I guess my next hunt is for halibut. What a great sport!! Attached Images

08-25-2008, 03:03 PM	#2
steamroll Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 385	Congrats on your first kayak yellowtail __________________

08-25-2008, 03:35 PM	#4
Handymansd Ancient Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: On The Water Posts: 935	Swwweeet! and on the fishtrap... even better! __________________ All men are equal before fish. -Herbert Hoover

08-25-2008, 08:14 PM	#6
Dennis Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: South of La Jolla... Posts: 1,193	awesome, congrats. -Dennis __________________ Hmmmm.....

08-25-2008, 09:46 PM	#9
Matt Support your local pangas Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Lj Posts: 976	Congrats bro that is an awesome first! __________________ Thanks Matt F.

08-25-2008, 03:24 PM	#3
Dan Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,053	WTG on the first....on the deadsticked swimbait no less! WTF!!

08-25-2008, 07:42 PM	#5
blackcloud9 Kayaker Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Big Rock, WindanSea, La Jolla Posts: 413	Good going nice yellow!

08-25-2008, 09:01 PM	#7
nmbrinkman Work Sucks! Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Diego Posts: 559	Good choice... Fishing over mowing the lawn.

08-25-2008, 09:29 PM	#8
GHOSTHUNTR Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Poway Posts: 160	You must learn fast. Nice work!

08-26-2008, 07:05 AM	#10
linghunter skunk Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 61	First one is the best one! Nice work...

08-26-2008, 11:38 AM	#11
zachmro Bent Rods!! Join Date: May 2008 Location: Mira Mesa Posts: 5	Thanks guys! It is really cool they way the guys on here are so congratulatory of others good luck, and hard work...but I have even seen the same attitude on the beach and on the water. I have been given squid three different times and gotten plenty of good advice from many of the guys. Hooking and landing a large sport fish is no easy task on a kayak, and I think that helps make the kayak fishing world a pretty friendly community. Good stuff!! I am proud to consider myself part of the pack. Just as a side note though...if you try to catch my yellowtail...there will be trouble...just kidding...see you out on the water soon...Robert

08-26-2008, 12:23 PM	#12
JOHNA. freshmeat Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Temecula,CA Posts: 15	Sweet Dude, I can't wait till I finally get out of the kitty pool(BAY) and catch some real fish. Good job

08-27-2008, 03:09 PM	#13
lamb Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 2,568	NICE!!! Congrats! __________________ [------------------------ <)))< ....b-a-a-a-a