Another Keeper for Me

OK, this is my first fishing report. So here it goes.... I launched out of Pittsburg this morning around 7:15 to perfect conditions, especially for Pittsburg. No wind!!! I headed towards Browns Island and figured I would make my way to the North side of the island when I was pleasantly distracted by stripers boiling about 200 yds from the launch ramp.

I started casting with my new favorite lure, thanks to JC at Sport Chalet in Antioch....Lucky Craft Pointer 100SP (Blue/Silver). He told me this thing would catch both stripers and black bass. Kudos to JC for knowing his lures because it has landed me three keepers on my last three trips.

I hooked into a 30" striper on my third cast and boy was I in for a ride. I made sure I set the hook a few times as I have already lost a few to being a little too gentle. I have to remember these are not trout. I feel sorry for the trout when I get back to focusing my attention on them. I think the first few trout will end up on the bank across the lake somewhere due to my now newly acquired jerking motion. I ended up fighting this striper back and forth across the bow of the kayak for what seemed like 20 minutes....I now it was only about five if that. I grabbed my net from behind me and started to land the fish when I realized the net I brought was too small. Can we all say NEWBIE!! Anyhow, I was determined to get it in the kayak...so I with a flipping motion of the net and some decent reflexes on my part, I got it in and trapped it with my leg. My heart was pumping and I felt like I ran a marathon. Yes, I am out of shape but I think this was due to my adrenaline. I now need to replace one of the treble hooks on my favorite lure as one of the three hooks broke off in the fight.

Jeff...Thanks for showing me your favorite spot on Wednesday. You will have to meet me out here someday to see if we can land a few keepers together again.

Nice work and nice report. No worries about the newb mistakes. It all comes in time and you're off to a pretty damn good start. And try to remember to "downshift" on them trout this winter...

Z

Roll out the red carpet for Raydog!  Great first report - welcome aboard!

Pics, spirited narrative (I like the trout thought - "I pity the trout that bites my hook!"), location, tackle...  I've got a tear in my eye!   

Very well done.   

Sweet first report my man, and thats a very nice striper!!! Welcome aboard, hope to fish with ya soon...Andy

NICE JOB....

great report btw

Great de-virginizing report!
And yes, you'll have to choke-up your hookset come trout season....or else you'll Bill Dance em into the side of the yak LOL!

Ray! Nice man! I will have to get out and try that area with you, I need to expand a little! When is the next time you are going out there?

Jeff

Thanks gentlemen for the positive words of encouragement!! I am positively hooked on kayak fishing now. So peaceful and nothing beats fighting a fish from this platform.

Jeff - I think I am going out again tomorrow morning around 6:30 AM with Devin as long as the wind stays away. Devin will be in my smaller sit-in kayak and has yet to fish from it, so I am a bit concerned. I need to make sure conditions are good.

Wish I could make it tomorrow but I got roped into working tomorrow 6 to 11:30. Hope you guys make it out there and do good!

Jeff

Thanks for the story and cool pics!

Great report I may have to give that area a try soon. 

Dale L

Nice picture of the water and fish on your first time out.  nice of jeff letting you know of his proving grounds.  Fish--on!!!

Welcome aboard Raydog. Awesome first report and pictures. WTG on the stripers.
Please keep the report coming.

Thanks,
Jedmo

Great report Raydog, and the pics meet both Abking's and my high level of expectation!    One of these days I'm going to join you guys on the delta and catch my first striper...maybe right after rock fish season closes...

good on you for not following suit and keeping secrets!...when I get fish and have a fun time?
IgotTOshareITtoWHOeverLISTENS!
....again, thanks to Jeff and you!   reads like you're hooking another brother as I type! good job and keep it up!