What a Blast! - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Bluewater Jon · 08-07-2008, 12:02 AM

A fellow named John was on a black seabass getting towed all around today. me not having any luck, I figured, I have my camera with me, I'll paddle over to him and get some action pics. I also had my digital SLR underwater housing and fins just in case something happened that I needed to capture on film from the water.

John says sure, so I chained my yak to his, jumped in, and now the fish ( we assumed it was a BSB) was towing his yak and him, my yak, and my fat ass that is dragging in the water. The fish was about 40 feet below the yak, but wouldn't budge. Cutting it loose is an option, one might say, but how cool is it to leave a fish with 40 feet of mono hanging from it's mouth?

John stuck in there and finally it popped up- belly up of course. Not bad for using a squidder reel! A pretty big fish, maybe 100 pounds or more, I dunno. I got only a few action pics of the fish in the water below the yak because he popped up so soon, and then as soon as he was belly up, it was obvious he needed help. Of course sometimes they can be revived, and sometimes, they are spent. I have seen them spent, floating on their side, after being played out, when all the nearby yakkers try valiantly to revive the fish to no avail, via dragging the fish behind the yaks, etc. Of course other time sthey are successfully revived, ya never know.

Anyway, as I am in the water with fins obviously I am in the best position to revive it so I gave the cam to John and went into rescue mode. I tried to keep the fish's dorsal fin vertical; everytime I let go it went belly up. Not good.

I kept this up, John is taking some pics of me. I flash back to another time when I landed a big rooster in Baja and was unable to revive it after swimming behind it... hopefully this won't be a repeat. Just when I am thinking he's toast, I feel a shiver go through him, and his dorsal fin goes erect.....

I keep him upright, and then after awhile more, he springs back to life, and is ready to GO and he takes off with a vigorous tail thwack off into the briny depths. I was stoked! We were all stoked!

here's a pic of the action:

bajadog · 08-07-2008, 04:01 AM

Awesome post.

Glad you kept at it.

steveooo · 08-07-2008, 05:36 AM

I love POV action shots. Thats rad.

TheSherThang · 08-07-2008, 07:26 AM

Sweet shot. Could you post some of the other action shots. This really is my first good look at a big BSB lol. Congrats on the successful revival!

Handymansd · 08-07-2008, 07:38 AM

Now that's C&R Bluewater Jon style! Nicely done!

peguinpower · 08-07-2008, 07:52 AM

Great shot and story. /bing

08-07-2008, 12:02 AM	#1
Bluewater Jon Author & yakker Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Carlsbad Posts: 34	What a Blast! A fellow named John was on a black seabass getting towed all around today. me not having any luck, I figured, I have my camera with me, I'll paddle over to him and get some action pics. I also had my digital SLR underwater housing and fins just in case something happened that I needed to capture on film from the water. John says sure, so I chained my yak to his, jumped in, and now the fish ( we assumed it was a BSB) was towing his yak and him, my yak, and my fat ass that is dragging in the water. The fish was about 40 feet below the yak, but wouldn't budge. Cutting it loose is an option, one might say, but how cool is it to leave a fish with 40 feet of mono hanging from it's mouth? John stuck in there and finally it popped up- belly up of course. Not bad for using a squidder reel! A pretty big fish, maybe 100 pounds or more, I dunno. I got only a few action pics of the fish in the water below the yak because he popped up so soon, and then as soon as he was belly up, it was obvious he needed help. Of course sometimes they can be revived, and sometimes, they are spent. I have seen them spent, floating on their side, after being played out, when all the nearby yakkers try valiantly to revive the fish to no avail, via dragging the fish behind the yaks, etc. Of course other time sthey are successfully revived, ya never know. Anyway, as I am in the water with fins obviously I am in the best position to revive it so I gave the cam to John and went into rescue mode. I tried to keep the fish's dorsal fin vertical; everytime I let go it went belly up. Not good. I kept this up, John is taking some pics of me. I flash back to another time when I landed a big rooster in Baja and was unable to revive it after swimming behind it... hopefully this won't be a repeat. Just when I am thinking he's toast, I feel a shiver go through him, and his dorsal fin goes erect..... I keep him upright, and then after awhile more, he springs back to life, and is ready to GO and he takes off with a vigorous tail thwack off into the briny depths. I was stoked! We were all stoked! here's a pic of the action: Last edited by lambadmin; 08-08-2008 at 12:22 PM.

08-07-2008, 04:01 AM	#2
bajadog I eats what I kills Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: San Diego Posts: 393	Awesome post. Glad you kept at it. __________________ Please release bill-fish.

08-07-2008, 05:36 AM	#3
steveooo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 1,921	I love POV action shots. Thats rad.

08-07-2008, 07:26 AM	#4
TheSherThang Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 82	Sweet shot. Could you post some of the other action shots. This really is my first good look at a big BSB lol. Congrats on the successful revival!

08-07-2008, 07:38 AM	#5
Handymansd Ancient Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: On The Water Posts: 935	Now that's C&R Bluewater Jon style! Nicely done!

08-07-2008, 07:52 AM	#6
peguinpower bing! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: socal Posts: 246	Great shot and story. /bing