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Posted by Kailolo Tim on 09:55:18 03/18/04
A photo of the Dana Point First Annual Kayak Sportfishing tourney-winning 11.4 lb calico can be found at
www.momentoffame.com/snapshots/MomentOfFame/m74966.jpg
Trolling a Yo-Zuri at about 6:30 AM, on a moving tide, south of Dana Harbor, my yak suddenly stopped and began to turn. After three runs, pulling out line each time, she buried herself in the kelp (the type with the numerous, tiny fronds). After about five minutes, she was at the surface, dressed in green. Missed with the net, and she went for a brief stroll, but was quickly brought back to the bow of the yak. Setting the rod under my thigh, I needed both hands to lift the net and welcome her aboard.
There was yet another anxious moment while removing the damned treble hooks: she danced between my knees, almost rolling free from the narrow, open Tourer deck.
Since she was too heavy to lift and place in my mesh bag using one hand, I gently slid a large steel stringer into place. Then guided her into the mesh bag, and removed the stringer.
I have to admit that even after bringing her aboard, I was not sure she was a bass. Neither were two nearby yakkers. The spots so evident in the photo seemed to appear over time.
Called the weigh boat, trying to sound nonchalant. About thirty minutes later the weighboat arrived, Marc weighed took the weight and the photos. After a high-five and a hearty congratulation from Marc, I released her . . . somewhere in the Pacific Ocean.
Believe it or not, I was paranoid most of the day thinking that I would lose to someone with 3 four pounders. Heck, I was fishing with the best. The bite seemd to shut off on the tide change. But by the end of the day I had added 3.1 pounds, which pretty much removed my doubts.
Again, my thanks to Jason, Marc and the other volunteers and sponsors for a superbly run tournament. Even without the first place FND, paddle, seat and knee straps, I took home about $80 in raffle prizes and a T-shirt, well in excess of the tourney and parking fees!
Kailolo Tim
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