It was a long hard summer with my attempt to complete a personal goal. The fool's dream was to land a big Jack on the yak using my normal trout rod/reel. I've been patiently stalking the "mullet marauders" all summer long from Lacombe to the Tangi. Those bullies mocked and teased me for many trips with their no shows, moving faster than I could paddle, straightening of hooks, break offs, and a spooling. Yesterday in Lacombe, I finally won the battle with my Moby!
Saturday daybreak launch at the end of Lake Rd, I found dirty water and 1plus footers. The mullet were thick and jumping about without a care in the world. Paddled to Goose Pt. half heartedly fishing along the way, for with the conditions my only real hopes were to catch a lull in the waves. Gave up on the pseudo fishing after a couple hours, beached and piddled along the shoreline for a while. Found no mason jars. Waves let up, got back in the yak, and fished while watching and listening for any attacks. After some time, I spotted a tell tale raid about 300yds away. I began my chase. My first guess at where their next wave would be was wrong. My next guess was correct. One cast was all I needed for the hook up. The fight was three rounds, and lasted close to 40mins. It was a most joyful ride, my heart was racing the whole time! After his first run, he allowed me to reel him in to about 15 feet from the yak. With his head and fins breaking the surface, he then circled me three times spinning my yak 360 degrees each time. Off again he ran, with even more force. I swung a leg over each side when my line was almost to the mono backing to create some more drag. His final plan was to hug the bottom and make short runs when I got close. It was tough as all hell, and twice as exhilarating! When I finally got him into the yak, I was all but spent and the only feeling in my rod arm was pain. I would do it all again in a heartbeat!!
|
No scale to weigh him, and my 36" sticker tape was quite a few inches shy of reaching the fork of his tail. I'm comfortable with saying that this "unofficial" Jack officially qualifies as completing my little mission. My one handed phone pics don't do Ol Jacky boy any justice, for he was absolutely gorgeous! I did my best at making sure he was okay after our battle, and I hope he gives one of you guys one hell of a ride one day soon!! My setup was a TTF Gundog Stickman 7' Med/Fast rod that was doubled over for most of the fight, but held strong. A Daiwa Crossfire 4000-3Bi reel, box store cheap but I'll say the drag is sufficient for the price . 20# braid with 30# fluoro leader. A 4.5" Rebel Jumpin Minnow black/gold/orange (in the $2 box at WalMart) Other tidbits: Yesterday I saw the biggest otter I've ever seen. This sucker was as big as a lab, I'm not kidding. When he caught me spying on his beach frolicking, he didn't flee through the grass but jumped over it! While fishing for other things, I threw plastics, hardbaits, and a spoon using almost every presentation possible. I didn't get a single bite, not one, not even a ladyfish. Many boats hit the area the 6 hours I was there, most didn't stay for any length of time. Next summer's yak mission shall be a shark on artificials!!! Tight lines and dripping paddles, brah -Wetpantsguy 9-2-13 |