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I took my father out Saturday morning to the Bay Bridge for his first time kayak fishing for Rock. We were joined by Kanvery and his father (who is also new to the sport). Weather was great, little choppy, but it looked like we were going to be able to get on some fish.
Found spot at the usual spot, took longer than normal though, I think they are clearing out. Had some fun watching my Dad realize that casting, feeling the bottom, setting the hook, and reeling a fish in was a lot harder than he thought it'd be from a kayak with the wind/waves/current pushing him around. I had about 15 in my livewell and he got about 5 when we decided to head for the pilings.
First drop picked up an 18'' immediately, before I could even get the reel in gear! I let it go thinking we'd be on fish all morning. I looked over at this point and see Kanvery's Dad holding up a fish! Success. The piling I'd put my dad on wasn't as productive and we moved around. I dropped another one after getting him set up and boom, big fish on! Measured about 32/33 on my paddle, but it was difficult to measure properly and I think it would have stretched larger at home. It was a big fish, my best from the kayak thus far. I was pumped and had now secured lunch for the next day!
About this time I looked over and saw Kanvery battling a large fish out between the spans, looked like a hoss because it had his rod way down in the water... it was! Looked longer than mine and I think it stretched 34''. Way to go on that one!
I then started trying to jig the area next to my dad thinking he'd be on a fish soon. He was having a very difficult time staying next to the pilings and keeping his spot at the right depth. I think he lost about 10 rigs + sinkers and started to get frustrated. He encouraged me to start fishing again... so I did and I got another 27/28'' fish that I also put on my game clip thinking that it was under the 28" and if not, then it was his fish... About this time the tide started to slack and we lost the bite.
Then I got the great idea to try and compare who's fish is bigger and I paid for it! The weight of the two fish (probably in the 25lb+ range) bent the game hook I had them on straight and both fish dropped and swam off immediately. I was crushed! After awhile I got over it and I was glad to have released the larger fish and that they were so frisky, but I still needed fillets for lunch on Sunday! We tried all afternoon to get my dad his first rock from the kayak but it wasn't in the cards. I got 2 more in the afternoon, both covered in sores though. The second one wasn't that bad and I was considering it... but it flipped out of my hands and in the water. Just the way the day was going I guess. I had three more spit the hook at me by the boat, one looked like a massive blue and came during the time the blitz drifted down to me. I wish I would have gotten it in, I've never caught a sizable blue in the bay.
Ended the day around 5, which was about 10 hours in the seat for my dad which was too much probably. I caught a lot of spot over the course of the day (probably 30), a few white perch (one was 10"), about 10 blues that drifter their blitz down towards the pilings I was working, and 5 rock. 0 fish for lunch. Great day on the water with my dad though, sorry to have to miss the M&G. Saw Chimo on the way out though and got a report from him, sounded like another nice turn out.
Here's some shots-
Found spot at the usual spot, took longer than normal though, I think they are clearing out. Had some fun watching my Dad realize that casting, feeling the bottom, setting the hook, and reeling a fish in was a lot harder than he thought it'd be from a kayak with the wind/waves/current pushing him around. I had about 15 in my livewell and he got about 5 when we decided to head for the pilings.
First drop picked up an 18'' immediately, before I could even get the reel in gear! I let it go thinking we'd be on fish all morning. I looked over at this point and see Kanvery's Dad holding up a fish! Success. The piling I'd put my dad on wasn't as productive and we moved around. I dropped another one after getting him set up and boom, big fish on! Measured about 32/33 on my paddle, but it was difficult to measure properly and I think it would have stretched larger at home. It was a big fish, my best from the kayak thus far. I was pumped and had now secured lunch for the next day!
About this time I looked over and saw Kanvery battling a large fish out between the spans, looked like a hoss because it had his rod way down in the water... it was! Looked longer than mine and I think it stretched 34''. Way to go on that one!
I then started trying to jig the area next to my dad thinking he'd be on a fish soon. He was having a very difficult time staying next to the pilings and keeping his spot at the right depth. I think he lost about 10 rigs + sinkers and started to get frustrated. He encouraged me to start fishing again... so I did and I got another 27/28'' fish that I also put on my game clip thinking that it was under the 28" and if not, then it was his fish... About this time the tide started to slack and we lost the bite.
Then I got the great idea to try and compare who's fish is bigger and I paid for it! The weight of the two fish (probably in the 25lb+ range) bent the game hook I had them on straight and both fish dropped and swam off immediately. I was crushed! After awhile I got over it and I was glad to have released the larger fish and that they were so frisky, but I still needed fillets for lunch on Sunday! We tried all afternoon to get my dad his first rock from the kayak but it wasn't in the cards. I got 2 more in the afternoon, both covered in sores though. The second one wasn't that bad and I was considering it... but it flipped out of my hands and in the water. Just the way the day was going I guess. I had three more spit the hook at me by the boat, one looked like a massive blue and came during the time the blitz drifted down to me. I wish I would have gotten it in, I've never caught a sizable blue in the bay.
Ended the day around 5, which was about 10 hours in the seat for my dad which was too much probably. I caught a lot of spot over the course of the day (probably 30), a few white perch (one was 10"), about 10 blues that drifter their blitz down towards the pilings I was working, and 5 rock. 0 fish for lunch. Great day on the water with my dad though, sorry to have to miss the M&G. Saw Chimo on the way out though and got a report from him, sounded like another nice turn out.
Here's some shots-
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