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Posted by Smokin Jay on 17:52:17 07/14/03
I guess I should prefix my post by stating, I am new to Kayak Fishing, but have fished for a few years. Also, I have known Jas for many years and have watched him go from Kayak "newbie" to an expert Kayak Angler. However until about a month ago, I never joined him out on the Yak.
That being said, lets get to the report...........
We launched around 6:00 am from Coral with a pretty decent swell running. The tide was very low, as was the case all day, even at high tide. I did manage to make it out dry, although I took a couple of waves off the bow of the Pro Explorer. Water temp was nice and warm, and there was very little wind at that time. We decided to head over to some local kelp patties for a few drifts, and some kelp fishing.............
When we arrived at the spot, Jas decided to make some bait, so we tied up to the kelp. We managed to get a few nice smelt and spanish macs in hopes of hooking into some "butts" on the drift. While he was busy making bait I decided to toss some plastic at the locals in the kelp. Primarily using a 5' Storm bait Mullet & Bunker colors. After several throws, I get hit by a nice Sand Bass, which I promptly farmed right at the yak. Apparently I didnt set the hook, and as soon as he hit the surface, he waved bye bye, and went along his merry way. Lesson learned..........
At this point Jas is off drifting around, and I am still working the kelp. As I am still a little un-sure of myself I thought it was easier to stay tied up in the kelp looking for some bass. After about 25 or so minutes of casting in the kelp, I get a nice hit right at the surface on the drop. This time I set the hook properly, and the fish is on. Turns out to be a nice sized Calico, which I boated. Now the fun begins. I made the mistake of boating the fish at my feet, making it difficult to grab and get on the game clip. I did manage to remove the plastic from its lip, but didnt get a good hold of the fish. At this point it gives a couple of nice flops and "splash", off he goes on his merry little way. It was a little frustraiting however, lesson #2 was learned...............
At this point Jas is onto something big that was taking some serious runs in the kelp..............but thats his "fish" story, and I'll let him tell it >:-]
Meanwhile back at the kelp..........I decided to change colors, and switched to the 5' Storm Bait Bunker Color. I will say this, these plastics are very life-like and have incredible tail action. Anyway, first drop after the switch, I get nailed on the drop. I properly set the hook (lesson #1), and proceed to get this fish through the kelp (or so I thought) and a couple of feet from my yak. I believe Jas even caught a glimpse of the fish, however I did not boat it. Right as I got this fish to the boat, a couple of strands of kelp get on the line, the fish jumps and "poof" spits the hook and is off to meet the wife and kids for dinner...........I guess thats lesson #3...............
Bitter and broken.......Jas decides to save me by taking us to some thicker kelp to tie off for some lunch and and as he put it, "I'll put us on a spot with good markings and we will get some fish".......
So we have some chow and sure enough, fish are there and looking for lunch. I drop a Bunker colored bait, and hook up a nice Calico. Set the hook, steered clear of the kelp, landed the fish at my lap measued it and managed to get this fish into the game bag. Needless to say I was pretty stoked. My first legal Calico on the yak!! It may have only been 12.5 inches, but too me it was a 50# WSB......lol. At this point things are starting to look up. Jas dropped down a plastic tipped with squid and got slammed by a nice Cabezon. He get it on the boat, but decides not to take the fish. Excellent markings on this fish, Almost purple with white stars and a blue belly. So I decide to take his lead. I tip a plastic with some squid and on the very first drop, bam! nice Cabezon. After some serious struggling to measure her, and attempt to get the bait out of her gullet, I managed to get the fish into the game bag. Unfortunatly she was very fat with eggs swallowed the hook and was bleeding badly from her gills. Normally I would have let her swim free to spawn however, she was going to die no matter what so I kept her for the table.
At this point it started to blow onshore pretty good so we dicided to head home. Being as there was a pretty nice swell and wind chop going, the landing was sure to be an adventure.
So with some help from Jas, I battened down the hatches and prepared for landing. After a few minutes we decide to go for it, Jas lands dry. I on the other hand was a little behind him on the paddle managed to avoid the larger wave, only to be pummeled by an ankle slapper right on the beach. I kicked out of the yak and took my thrashing with as much dignity as humanly possible >;-] I did manage to keep all gear including shades........all things considered I rate my landing as "whatever".
I would like to thank Jason for a great time on the water, apologize for beating up some of your gear, for putting me on the bite and for getting me hooked on Kayak Fishing. I know its taken me some time to overcome certain anxieties about the open ocean, but I think the result has been priceless.
Last but not least.............
I would like to thank ANY of the readers of this long and ambling post...................................................for making it to The End. >;-]
May the "Bite Be With You"
Smoking Jay
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