Theories in Kayak Fishing

[Uncle_Tomas]

Thanks for posting this Chris. I personally just started fishing La Jolla not too long ago and I am still figuring that fishery out. I have not caught YT or WSB yet nor I have seen anyone from all the kayakers that I have met when launching or coming back in so reading this gives me hope, lol. I also enjoy the time on water and that relax it provides but at the same time I need to drive 80 miles to get to LJ so not seeing anyone having success might be little discouraging at times.

I like your one-bite philosophy but at the same time I would welcome more details about what has been working for you and others, and any other details you would like to share.
Has it been more of a fly line sardine bite on the surface or dropping yoyo jigs on any marks?

Thanks

[lowprofile]

The first problem is “targeting trophy fish in LJ”.... you’ll go mad. Target trophy fish where trophy fish are. Yes, sometimes that’s La Jolla but often it’s not.

[chris138]

Originally Posted by lowprofile

The first problem is “targeting trophy fish in LJ”.... you’ll go mad. Target trophy fish where trophy fish are. Yes, sometimes that’s La Jolla but often it’s not.

Thanks for commenting and reading along, but I have to disagree. Maybe we need a more clear definition of "trophy", but I truly believe YT WSB and Halibut are here in La Jolla 365 days a year. Not saying there's a 90 pound WSB there everyday haha.

The reason I say that is from personal experience, catching them when everyone says "its so dead no bait no current no fish etc". They might not be in the zones that people are traditionally targeting, but they are there. They might be in 15' of water up at blacks, or in 300' of water west of NWC, or in 1500' of water over the canyon. But there's target-able gamefish in La Jolla everyday you paddle out, even if nobody is catching them. This mentality is why I keep grinding all winter long. It's the reason I get out of bed at 4:00am when its 40 degrees and fish LJ all alone. If people knew the fish that are being caught there in the last 2 weeks (or 2 months for that matter), I probably wouldn't be so lonely hahaha.

I never let "there's no fish here" be an excuse why I didn't catch, even if it's true. Then you have taken no accountability for your lack of success, and wont be motivated to improve or try harder. Does that mean I have gone mad? Perhaps....

[chris138]

Originally Posted by lowprofile

The first problem is “targeting trophy fish in LJ”.... you’ll go mad. Target trophy fish where trophy fish are. Yes, sometimes that’s La Jolla but often it’s not.

And if you're simply saying for people to seek out new spots and try targeting different areas, then I agree 100%!

[chris138]

Originally Posted by Uncle_Tomas

Thanks for posting this Chris. I personally just started fishing La Jolla not too long ago and I am still figuring that fishery out. I have not caught YT or WSB yet nor I have seen anyone from all the kayakers that I have met when launching or coming back in so reading this gives me hope, lol. I also enjoy the time on water and that relax it provides but at the same time I need to drive 80 miles to get to LJ so not seeing anyone having success might be little discouraging at times.

I like your one-bite philosophy but at the same time I would welcome more details about what has been working for you and others, and any other details you would like to share.
Has it been more of a fly line sardine bite on the surface or dropping yoyo jigs on any marks?

Thanks

Recently the bite has been on heavy iron and dropper loop mackerel. But that doesn't mean a flylined greenback wont get smashed when they come through! Look deeper... 120-160'.

Don't drop on any marks, drop on the right marks. Check out the Sonar Discussion thread I started to learn more from many of the best anglers on here.

Also keep in mind that experienced guys get off the beach quick and don't always go showing off their catch at the launch. We get real good at hiding them from hungry seagulls, tourists and lurkers

Make that 80 mile drive with confidence my friend, because any day you launch at LJ you could get the fish of a lifetime.