Mahi Mahi - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

ctfphoto · 08-08-2015, 06:19 PM

Arrive on the beach 5:15 AM, set-up, launch before sunrise. Meet up with Andre and Yanni.

Go out to make bait and everyone says it’s hard but since we use cut bait, we got a nice sized bait ball to activate and produce greenbacks for about 8 of us in the area. Unfortunately we could not get any Spanish Macs which we were in search of because rumor had it the tuna and dodos were only taking Spanish and short bitting the greenbacks.

Start trolling and Andre is on a Yellowtail in like 5 minutes all caught on film by Yani. Nice fish bro.

Andre, Momofish, and I decide to head offshore in search of tuna and dodo with greenbacks as that is all we could find.

In very short order we find ourselves heading against a strong headwind and possible current as well. Extremely hard to get out. Questioned the move a few times but coaxing from Andre meant we kept heading west north west. Then we saw boats and decided to head that way. After a bit we realized that they were three kayakers coming in. Headed towards them for a report. Report was they lost a big fish out farther, most likely tuna. Saw two boats on the horizon and we said what the heck we’ve come this far lets go that way. As were nearing the boats, they take off, LOL.

No signs of life, no kelp patties, no boats, no other yaks except us three. Noticed that the southern current was sucking us south so we took a northern heading. This went on for a little while. I had a large active greenback that kept making runs setting off my clicker and awakening us to a few false alarms. We figure we are about five miles out, water temperature 72.5, 280 feet of water, large greenback mackerel.

THEN, we saw a few terns, circling, Bingo. We start to head toward them. And then my rod goes off hard, we all three look back to see a nice sized dodo rocketing into the air 10 to 15 feet and spits the bait and all three of us go F#$%!!!!! The line goes slack, I start to reel it in and Bendo! The dodo punched the bait or spit it but retain the hook in her mouth. Game On !!!!!!!!!

This surface fish fights way differently than the deep diving yellowtail. Numerous runs, and then shoots right back toward me producing way too much slack in the line for my comfort. A few jumps more I can’t even remember as the first one was so vivid. Then she starts to circle me and I try to following peddling hard with the rudder cranked. We did about 20 circles this way or so it seemed like. She is pulsated neon blue, green purple and yellow. Extremely vivid colors. Then the unthinkable happened, the line gets caught in my rudder, oh chit. Thank god Andre was there to untangle me and the fish was tired by this time. Thanks again bro for saving me there. I examined the 40 pound fluorocarbon when I got home to see to nicks and gashes in the line, whew!

Still a strong current so we start to head in east north east until we get in range of Yani. Fish with him for a while and heard his story of a big lost fish, perhaps tuna? Asked if he wanted some Mahi Mahi and he said heck ya. Got in to ok landing (I jumped out) and a lot of attention. My favorite photo is of Yani filleting the fish on the hood of my truck. Then he took the head

What an epic day thanks to Andre, Momo, and Yani

Zed · 08-08-2015, 06:25 PM

On the hood!

Core!

Cadillyak · 08-08-2015, 06:35 PM

So that wasn't a dream and that really happened??!???!!!!

tacmik · 08-08-2015, 06:39 PM

Yea. And on the way home he probably had it wrapped in foil and cooking on the engine block.

ctfphoto · 08-08-2015, 06:44 PM

The comments keep getting funnier and funnier, thanks guys for cracking me up

Dennis · 08-08-2015, 06:45 PM

Congrats! That's a nice size dorado! That shirt is off the chain!

JeffB · 08-08-2015, 06:49 PM

Kick@$$!

FISH11 · 08-08-2015, 06:57 PM

Awesome, Congrats Chris. I guessed right.

Deamon · 08-08-2015, 07:11 PM

Motley crew right there...I'm guessing there won't be any kidney or liver sharing amongst yourselves, if ever needed, lol.

Jim

FISH11 · 08-08-2015, 07:15 PM

Wish you had a few photos of the tourist at the kayak rentals, looking at Yanni filleting the Do Do on the hood of the truck. That would be priceless.

momo fish · 08-09-2015, 10:03 AM

Nice going again.. The video should be great as well as seeing that fish leap out of the water was amazing

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

HobieScot · 08-09-2015, 04:44 PM

Congrats on the Dodo and thanks for the report!

eekamouse463 · 08-09-2015, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by momo fish

Nice going again.. The video should be great as well as seeing that fish leap out of the water was amazing

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Momo Thanks for the bait on the way in man! Had mark looked at my bait but no luck that day! Im the Asian guy with the blue Revo. Got out to 700 ft of water ran out of time trolled back in no luck either .

YTHunter · 08-09-2015, 06:21 PM

Awesome report!!! Way to go, MAN!!!

Pinhead · 08-10-2015, 07:15 AM

Well done Man!

Good read and nice pics.

The pelican · 08-10-2015, 07:27 AM

Catch of a lifetime! Congrats on the looong dodo. Beautiful fish. Can't believe this summer keeps getting better. Way to go!!! Also, nice legs

ful-rac · 08-10-2015, 07:38 AM

Nice! Congrats!

Your on a roll!

octico · 08-10-2015, 08:07 AM

Congrats!!!

kayakfisherman · 08-10-2015, 10:03 AM

Chris,

It's gotta be that T-Shirt!!! I know it!!

You're on FIRE!!!

FlyFishinYakr · 08-10-2015, 01:55 PM

I think the

says it all.
Congrats &

FFY

08-08-2015, 06:19 PM	#1
ctfphoto Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 901	Mahi Mahi Arrive on the beach 5:15 AM, set-up, launch before sunrise. Meet up with Andre and Yanni. Go out to make bait and everyone says it’s hard but since we use cut bait, we got a nice sized bait ball to activate and produce greenbacks for about 8 of us in the area. Unfortunately we could not get any Spanish Macs which we were in search of because rumor had it the tuna and dodos were only taking Spanish and short bitting the greenbacks. Start trolling and Andre is on a Yellowtail in like 5 minutes all caught on film by Yani. Nice fish bro. Andre, Momofish, and I decide to head offshore in search of tuna and dodo with greenbacks as that is all we could find. In very short order we find ourselves heading against a strong headwind and possible current as well. Extremely hard to get out. Questioned the move a few times but coaxing from Andre meant we kept heading west north west. Then we saw boats and decided to head that way. After a bit we realized that they were three kayakers coming in. Headed towards them for a report. Report was they lost a big fish out farther, most likely tuna. Saw two boats on the horizon and we said what the heck we’ve come this far lets go that way. As were nearing the boats, they take off, LOL. No signs of life, no kelp patties, no boats, no other yaks except us three. Noticed that the southern current was sucking us south so we took a northern heading. This went on for a little while. I had a large active greenback that kept making runs setting off my clicker and awakening us to a few false alarms. We figure we are about five miles out, water temperature 72.5, 280 feet of water, large greenback mackerel. THEN, we saw a few terns, circling, Bingo. We start to head toward them. And then my rod goes off hard, we all three look back to see a nice sized dodo rocketing into the air 10 to 15 feet and spits the bait and all three of us go F#$%!!!!! The line goes slack, I start to reel it in and Bendo! The dodo punched the bait or spit it but retain the hook in her mouth. Game On !!!!!!!!! This surface fish fights way differently than the deep diving yellowtail. Numerous runs, and then shoots right back toward me producing way too much slack in the line for my comfort. A few jumps more I can’t even remember as the first one was so vivid. Then she starts to circle me and I try to following peddling hard with the rudder cranked. We did about 20 circles this way or so it seemed like. She is pulsated neon blue, green purple and yellow. Extremely vivid colors. Then the unthinkable happened, the line gets caught in my rudder, oh chit. Thank god Andre was there to untangle me and the fish was tired by this time. Thanks again bro for saving me there. I examined the 40 pound fluorocarbon when I got home to see to nicks and gashes in the line, whew! Still a strong current so we start to head in east north east until we get in range of Yani. Fish with him for a while and heard his story of a big lost fish, perhaps tuna? Asked if he wanted some Mahi Mahi and he said heck ya. Got in to ok landing (I jumped out) and a lot of attention. My favorite photo is of Yani filleting the fish on the hood of my truck. Then he took the head What an epic day thanks to Andre, Momo, and Yani Attached Images Last edited by ctfphoto; 08-08-2015 at 07:22 PM.

08-08-2015, 06:25 PM	#2
Zed BANNED Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: W of 5 Posts: 1,265	On the hood! Core! __________________ Give a man a fish and he'll eat for a day. Give a fish a man and he'll eat for a week.

08-08-2015, 06:35 PM	#3
Cadillyak Team Get $$ Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 841	So that wasn't a dream and that really happened??!???!!!! __________________ The "Y" is silent 2012 Olive PA 12 2011 Papaya Outback

08-08-2015, 06:39 PM	#4
tacmik Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: East County Posts: 914	Yea. And on the way home he probably had it wrapped in foil and cooking on the engine block. __________________

08-08-2015, 06:45 PM	#6
Dennis Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: South of La Jolla... Posts: 1,193	Congrats! That's a nice size dorado! That shirt is off the chain! __________________ Hmmmm.....

08-08-2015, 06:44 PM	#5
ctfphoto Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 901	The comments keep getting funnier and funnier, thanks guys for cracking me up

08-08-2015, 06:49 PM	#7
JeffB Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: La Jolla Posts: 1,216	Kick@$$! __________________ If you're looking for me I'm

08-08-2015, 06:57 PM	#8
FISH11 Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Pine Valley when not fishing La Jolla Posts: 2,629	Awesome, Congrats Chris. I guessed right. __________________ MARK ......... 2016 MALIBU X FACTOR, 2020 SOLO SKIFF (Fishing Kayak on Steroids )

08-08-2015, 07:11 PM	#9
Deamon Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 1,972	Motley crew right there...I'm guessing there won't be any kidney or liver sharing amongst yourselves, if ever needed, lol. Jim

08-08-2015, 07:15 PM	#10
FISH11 Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Pine Valley when not fishing La Jolla Posts: 2,629	Wish you had a few photos of the tourist at the kayak rentals, looking at Yanni filleting the Do Do on the hood of the truck. That would be priceless. __________________ MARK ......... 2016 MALIBU X FACTOR, 2020 SOLO SKIFF (Fishing Kayak on Steroids )

08-09-2015, 10:03 AM	#11
momo fish Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Camarillo Posts: 1,491	Nice going again.. The video should be great as well as seeing that fish leap out of the water was amazing Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

08-09-2015, 04:44 PM	#12
HobieScot Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 370	Congrats on the Dodo and thanks for the report!

08-09-2015, 06:21 PM	#14
YTHunter Carlisle Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: San Diego Posts: 205	Awesome report!!! Way to go, MAN!!! __________________ <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NTOZ1JOXUkQ" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

08-10-2015, 07:15 AM	#15
Pinhead We all Stink Sometimes! Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: San Diego Posts: 158	Well done Man! Good read and nice pics.

08-10-2015, 07:27 AM	#16
The pelican Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: La Jolla Posts: 82	Catch of a lifetime! Congrats on the looong dodo. Beautiful fish. Can't believe this summer keeps getting better. Way to go!!! Also, nice legs

08-10-2015, 07:38 AM	#17
ful-rac Emperor Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buena Park Posts: 3,649	Nice! Congrats! Your on a roll! __________________ There's nothing colder than yesterday's hotdog.

08-10-2015, 08:07 AM	#18
octico Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: The city of Orange Posts: 1,278	Congrats!!!

08-10-2015, 10:03 AM	#19
kayakfisherman Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 715	Chris, It's gotta be that T-Shirt!!! I know it!! You're on FIRE!!!

08-10-2015, 01:55 PM	#20
FlyFishinYakr Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Nor Cal...30 min from Bodega/Tomales Bay, 1hr from Clear Lake, 2+ hr to Berryessa & the Delta Posts: 729	I think the says it all. Congrats & FFY