Berryessa - First For Me!

Great day on Berryessa!  I'm a rookie - so I won't even try to speak the "fishy lingo"; but here's how it went down.  I was at WalMart last night and bought some lures - don't know what I bought - just figured if I were a fish I would want this one, and that one, and that one.  Loaded up the yak last night; left Woodland at 5:30 - launched from Lupine at 7:00.

I had previously went to this area with Shilo who taught me about setting the drag on your reel (yes, that's how much of a rookie I am).  I had been talking to my Dad also who coached me a bit on trolling - so I dropped the lure in the water and began an easy 1.5mph paddle.  An hour after launch - rrrrrrrrrrr - tightened the drag and reeled in the first fish I've ever caught from a kayak!  Took some pictures and was on my way again - rrrrrrrr - tightened the dran and reeled in my second fish!  Shazzamm!  And, that was it.

Paddled around until 10:30 and began heading back to the landing.  As I was traversing 90ft of water - rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr - I had another, line went slack and it was gone.  Circled around - rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr - holy moly, that was a hit!  By the time I had got my hands on the rod there was 15ft of line tangled up on my reel (assuming I had the drag set to light).  Circled back around and nothing.  Get back to the landing, reel in the lure and see it was hooked on itself.  So - and please correct me if I'm wrong - lesson one, don't set your drag to light; lesson two, after a hard hit reel it in and check your lure. 

Well there it is - if you guys/gals got any tips or any insight as to what may have hit the line the last couple times (they were hard) - I'm all ears.  That's how we learn.

Right on that's awesome! Took me a few times to get my first fish from the yak, looks like you're off to a great start. Don't be afraid to button down that drag a little. Nothing better than ending a long troll and realizing you've been dragging around a tangled mess of lure and line 

WTG, Kenny - sounds like your first successful yakfishing trip was a good one.  Love that first velvet-water pic.   

WTG that's a good first outing love the picks 

Congrats on the first fish from the kayak! Sounds like a great day on the water.

Thanks all - it was a good day!  Also snuck up on a buck grazing next to the water:





And, I wish I were in better position to get a video of this plane.  It flew overhead and landed in the water not to far from where I was at.  It then went toward the landing - lost sight of it when it went around the bend:

WTG, Kenny. I look forward to a day like that myself.

Congrats on your first fish from the yak Kenny. How was the temp. fishing the Berry today?

Jedmo

Thanks guys!  Temp was 84 air; 65-69 water = it was a beautiful day!

Good job getting #1 Kenny!
Good report too, nice photos!

wtg Kenny.  I too learned the hard way about setting the drag properly.  Its quite different when trolling especially when I'm used to the years of bank fishing.  Wasn't that first hook up exhilarating?  I still remember landing that first fish on the yak...still gets my heart pumping!  Glad you got on some fish.   Thanks for sharing.

Right on man. Go to YouTube and check out "Informative Fisherman" he's got all kinds of great information for newer fishermen and more experienced ones as well. One of his videos is about how to set your drag. Check it out man, it will set you on the right path.

Jeff

Kenny, if you can afford it and you have room take multiple rods n reels, if one breaks or you get a snarl just put it aside and grab an extra rod n reel.  Some of the guys I fish with make fun of all the gear I take with me but I am still fishing while they are messing with their gear.  The extra rods n reels I take are pre-rigged with different lures too so I can switch out without loosing time on the water. 

Thanks guys - yes, it was exhilarating!  I was giddy for quite a while   

Appreciate the tips; I do have a couple other rods to set up and I'll definately check out the you tube videos.  As much as you want to land the one that got away - as long as I learn something from it - that's ok too. 

Really appreciate everyones kind words and tips!

Exhilarating = TheMadnessWithin 

Thanks for clickin the pics & Welcome!