La Jolla PM May 14, 2007

[wavster]

Decided to try to revoke this morning's disappointment, so I paddled out again this afternoon.

Waves were small at the launch, wind was up a bit. Debated going to the pier for bait,
but with all the bait outside, decided to go straight to the kelp.

Made bait quickly and even got a greenie out there. Lots of divers in the kelp looking for WSB (like the rest of us).

Didn't hook up with much until some time later when the ocean erupted about 100 yards away.
The comotion was coming toward me and in a few seconds, I was over run by hundreds
(literally) of yellowtail pushing bait. I could see the yellows below my kayak and
all around me. I was thankful I had two live bait lines in the water, but didn't want to
take any chances, so I mosh pitted an iron and got hit immediately.

The bummer was that I was using mono with the iron and I was near the kelp. My YT quickly
ran around some kelp and I was tangled. I played that out slowly and didn't fight
too hard. I loosened the drag slightly and set the rod down so I could cast a live bait into the
mayhem. After a couple of seconds, I was hooked on that as well. After the skunk I was
dragging around last week, this has me totally stoked! I start to reel in the live bait line
(with spectra) all the while hoping my other fish doesn't come unbuttoned. I bring in the live
bait and I'm dissappointed to see it's a Calico bass, although quite decent sized (around 5lbs.).

All the while, the YT has been tugging at my other line. As it turns out, he's freed himself
from the kelp and has come to color! I get a clean gaff shot in the head and land him and seconds
later bring in the calico. A double hook up blast!


Calico - 4.8lbs. 19in - Released Unharmed
Yellowtail - 10 lb. 28 in. fork - Enjoyed this evening, grilled w/ garlic