FIRST YAK YELLOW - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

linghunter · 07-14-2008, 07:27 PM

Paddled out to the kelp beds @ 3:30pm 7/12. Made six spanish macks and started trolling north towards a floating hotel. As I got closer I started to see what I thought to be good signs of fish. I started throwing the iron and paddling all around the area, spent 30 minutes and had no luck. I decided to head back towards the kelp and just as my bait was heading out of what I thought was a hot spot my high line starts screaming. My drag was set pretty loose and I let the fish run a little farther than I would have liked. I was using a light set up that I normally use for bass (diawa 20 w/ 20# test) I only had about half a spool of line and this fish took almost every bit of it. I could actually see the metal underneath the last bit of line. Finally the fish eased up and I was able to get a good amount of line back and the slay ride began. I had tightened up the drag enough now that the fish had to work for what it took but it still had know problem in what now was turning into an up and down battle. Visibility was pretty darn good and I saw color

about 20ft under my yak. At that same time it must have saw me cause off she went. A short time later I had her at the side of my yak but like a true bone head I forgot my gaff!!!

Survival instinct kicked in at that time and I reached into the gills and hoisted the fish out of the water, secured it and screamed like a little girl. What a fight and what a beautiful fish. I did not get an official weight but the fish was 44 inches long. I can't believe it ate that turd mack because when I opened her up she had 7 pieces of candy in her belly. FINALLY!!! SUPER STOKED!!!

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Paul>>
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Corey · 07-14-2008, 07:35 PM

Nice yellow! Congrats on the 1st from the yak.

dorado50 · 07-14-2008, 07:49 PM

Very, very nice!!!! It didn't make a run for the kelp?.

Shortbite · 07-14-2008, 07:53 PM

nice catch!

sbsyncro · 07-14-2008, 08:19 PM

Don't you just love how the kids want to see what you caught when you get home?

'grats on the beauty - sounds like an awesome time.

I'd love to get a big pelagic fish on the yak one of these days...

Dan · 07-14-2008, 08:34 PM

Really nice YT!

Handymansd · 07-14-2008, 09:30 PM

BEEEEEEUUUUtiful!!!!

scortch · 07-14-2008, 10:06 PM

Awsome!!! Well done!

THE DARKHORSE · 07-14-2008, 10:50 PM

Now the question is : If you had brought the gaff, would you have gotten bit? Oh yeah, I forgot about using the light line bass rod. Tempting Murphy's law worked again.

bajadog · 07-15-2008, 04:06 AM

Cheers!

Matt · 07-15-2008, 04:19 AM

Nice job man!!!!

aguachico · 07-15-2008, 05:17 AM

Great job on your first YT. And a toad at that, but the pic of your kiddo smiling at the fishy is worth a million.

Dennis · 07-15-2008, 06:00 AM

YEAH! Good job on the tail..

nmbrinkman · 07-15-2008, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THE DARKHORSE

Now the question is : If you had brought the gaff, would you have gotten bit?

That's how I feel when I pack the cooler in the truck....

linghunter · 07-15-2008, 06:37 AM

Thanks guys! I am still buzzed from the catch. Lucky for me the fish did not run for the kelp or I'm sure the out come would have been Diff, I have lost a big one in the forest before (heart breaker). Not sure what would have been had the gaff been handy though it sure made it more fun without it. Dark Horse, I read the article in the sport-fishing magazine, that plus all the tips from everyone on BWE I took a chance that paid off. Had I stayed closer to the kelp I would not have been using the liter gear! BTW almost forgot my daughter is 2yrs old and is my biggest fan!!! She is already asking to get on the water with her old dad... Her exitement makes it that much more fun!!!
ffice

ffice" />>>
Paul>>

sterling · 07-15-2008, 06:49 AM

Great job Paul. I have to get out there with you soon. It seems you are getting good and catching big fish!

deeberdave · 07-15-2008, 07:00 AM

Great

Paul

!!!!!
Take your daughter fishing while she's still stoked. They grow up way too fast! My two girls won't fish with old dad anymore, but they'll still
eat the catch! Super story we always seem to forget the thing we need
that trip.

Grego · 07-15-2008, 07:41 AM

Nice

, congrats on your first! I had to go all the way down to Baja to get my first YT off a yak and it wasn't a toad like yours!

LITTLE_NEMO · 07-15-2008, 07:41 AM

Nice job on your first

Sherm · 07-15-2008, 07:48 AM

Great 1st YT!!!!!!!!!!!! Congrats. I have several from the yak. None like that toad your holding.

The light line and no gaff makes it that much better.

07-14-2008, 07:27 PM	#1
linghunter skunk Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 61	FIRST YAK YELLOW Paddled out to the kelp beds @ 3:30pm 7/12. Made six spanish macks and started trolling north towards a floating hotel. As I got closer I started to see what I thought to be good signs of fish. I started throwing the iron and paddling all around the area, spent 30 minutes and had no luck. I decided to head back towards the kelp and just as my bait was heading out of what I thought was a hot spot my high line starts screaming. My drag was set pretty loose and I let the fish run a little farther than I would have liked. I was using a light set up that I normally use for bass (diawa 20 w/ 20# test) I only had about half a spool of line and this fish took almost every bit of it. I could actually see the metal underneath the last bit of line. Finally the fish eased up and I was able to get a good amount of line back and the slay ride began. I had tightened up the drag enough now that the fish had to work for what it took but it still had know problem in what now was turning into an up and down battle. Visibility was pretty darn good and I saw color about 20ft under my yak. At that same time it must have saw me cause off she went. A short time later I had her at the side of my yak but like a true bone head I forgot my gaff!!! Survival instinct kicked in at that time and I reached into the gills and hoisted the fish out of the water, secured it and screamed like a little girl. What a fight and what a beautiful fish. I did not get an official weight but the fish was 44 inches long. I can't believe it ate that turd mack because when I opened her up she had 7 pieces of candy in her belly. FINALLY!!! SUPER STOKED!!!>> >> Paul>> >> Attached Images

07-14-2008, 07:35 PM	#2
Corey Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: ...waaaay out there Posts: 794	Nice yellow! Congrats on the 1st from the yak. __________________

07-14-2008, 09:30 PM	#7
Handymansd Ancient Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: On The Water Posts: 935	BEEEEEEUUUUtiful!!!! __________________ All men are equal before fish. -Herbert Hoover

07-14-2008, 10:50 PM	#9
THE DARKHORSE Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Seven minutes from the launch! Posts: 987	You're stoked! Now the question is : If you had brought the gaff, would you have gotten bit? Oh yeah, I forgot about using the light line bass rod. Tempting Murphy's law worked again. __________________

07-15-2008, 04:06 AM	#10
bajadog I eats what I kills Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: San Diego Posts: 393	Cheers! __________________ Please release bill-fish.

07-14-2008, 07:49 PM	#3
dorado50 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: La Jolla Shores Posts: 1,626	Very, very nice!!!! It didn't make a run for the kelp?.

07-14-2008, 07:53 PM	#4
Shortbite Junior Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Clairemont Posts: 27	nice catch!

07-14-2008, 08:19 PM	#5
sbsyncro Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Posts: 80	Don't you just love how the kids want to see what you caught when you get home? 'grats on the beauty - sounds like an awesome time. I'd love to get a big pelagic fish on the yak one of these days...

07-14-2008, 08:34 PM	#6
Dan Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,053	Really nice YT!

07-14-2008, 10:06 PM	#8
scortch Junior Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 6	Awsome!!! Well done!

07-15-2008, 04:19 AM	#11
Matt Support your local pangas Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Lj Posts: 976	Nice job man!!!!

07-15-2008, 05:17 AM	#12
aguachico Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 719	Great job on your first YT. And a toad at that, but the pic of your kiddo smiling at the fishy is worth a million.

07-15-2008, 06:00 AM	#13
Dennis Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: South of La Jolla... Posts: 1,193	YEAH! Good job on the tail.. __________________ Hmmmm.....

07-15-2008, 06:37 AM	#15
linghunter skunk Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 61	Thanks guys! I am still buzzed from the catch. Lucky for me the fish did not run for the kelp or I'm sure the out come would have been Diff, I have lost a big one in the forest before (heart breaker). Not sure what would have been had the gaff been handy though it sure made it more fun without it. Dark Horse, I read the article in the sport-fishing magazine, that plus all the tips from everyone on BWE I took a chance that paid off. Had I stayed closer to the kelp I would not have been using the liter gear! BTW almost forgot my daughter is 2yrs old and is my biggest fan!!! She is already asking to get on the water with her old dad... Her exitement makes it that much more fun!!! fficeffice" />>> Paul>>

07-15-2008, 06:49 AM	#16
sterling Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 118	Great job Paul. I have to get out there with you soon. It seems you are getting good and catching big fish!

07-15-2008, 07:00 AM	#17
deeberdave Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: CARLSBAD Posts: 34	Great Paul !!!!! Take your daughter fishing while she's still stoked. They grow up way too fast! My two girls won't fish with old dad anymore, but they'll still eat the catch! Super story we always seem to forget the thing we need that trip.

07-15-2008, 07:41 AM	#18
Grego Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 445	Nice , congrats on your first! I had to go all the way down to Baja to get my first YT off a yak and it wasn't a toad like yours!

07-15-2008, 07:41 AM	#19
LITTLE_NEMO Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Pacific Beach Posts: 48	Nice job on your first

07-15-2008, 07:48 AM	#20
Sherm Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Diego Posts: 490	Great 1st YT!!!!!!!!!!!! Congrats. I have several from the yak. None like that toad your holding. The light line and no gaff makes it that much better.