NCKA Islander Trip, 2013 Report

I'm all boned up over here! Awesome porn!

   

My last batch of pics...  What an incredible weekend 

So why didn't your t shark win the jackpot? Don't get me going but a 50# t shark out fights a 50# WSB and it isn't close.

He caught the thresher on day one. Captain said sharks don't count towards the jackpot when we launched.

I was nervous.   

That's pussy BS IMHO. Sorry, I have caught big WSB and T sharks from a kayak and there is no comparison. No offence Joe because I have a ton of respect for your skills. Just saying as far as beating you down...

No one on the trip seemed to mind.  Too many good times going on to worry about it ...

-Allen

Pat didn't bring the shark in anyways.  It was tail caught and drug him out a long way, out to 1000 feet deep.  It had to be brought back by the Dingy. He fought that bugger to over two hours.   

Btw, just had calico fish taco's and some sesame seed pan seared YT on a balsamic vinegar salad...  OMG it was good!!! 

 

note to self*** PULL THE TRIGGER FAST NEXT TIME THIS TRIP IS BROUGHT UP!

you guys did it big!

Glad you guys had a great trip.Looks life fun.I'm going next year for sure.Thanks for the report and pictures.See you guys soon.

note to self*** PULL THE TRIGGER FAST NEXT TIME THIS TRIP IS BROUGHT UP!

you guys did it big!

No sh!t. I would say you guys suck! But it all my fault, so I suck! I'm gunna need this soon, good job and high fives to all!

Thanks for taking a lot of great pictures and sharing with the rest of us that couldn't make it fellas. Congrats on the shark Pat, Joe on your WSB and Dustin on your halibut. Oh and Al on your YT. If Tiny is going next year I will too. 

Jedmo

Make em stop PolePole! This thread is too much. Ive been staring for hours! 

WoW U Guys...........

FYI ... the Islander was talking about running a 7 day kayak fishing trip next year ... Cedros and Benitos.  Something to start saving for ...

-Allen

Wow! Whoa! What a trip! This Islander trip to SCI worked out perfectly.
Had alot of fun hanging out with cool people and fishing and diving for hours!!!!!
I dove the first day of the trip and spent alot of time looking for my target species (YT, WSB, or Halibut). I got a glimpse of a WSB tail as I turned in some kelp..it took off fast! I was just happy that I was sticking to my plan and actually saw a sign

Second day I decided to dedicate to kayak fishing. My second drop of the day was when I felt the pull of something big! Bam,bam and the line started to peel. It felt like the fish was going in circles around a column of kelp because I could see and feel the line moving in circles. I just maintained my composure and focused on not breaking off this fish. After about 25 minutes I could not feel a fish on the end of my line anymore........My last resort would be to cut some kelp with the with the line and try to break free. I released my kelp clip, pointed the Hobie towards the open ocean and started pedaling like a madman! I finally feel the kelp break free and a dead weight on the line.
At about 15ft I see color, white, I had no idea what it was. Kiel says "WSB bro!" We team up and land the fish. This was my first WSB and on the Islander trip! Thanks Kiel!
I caught it with a 6oz Scrambled egg yoyo jig w/ two live squid pinned on the treble. Lucky13 has named this setup a "Squid Orgy!"

Anyways, this trip was fun! Alot of experience with this group of kayak anglers. I did not see anyone fall over or need any emergency assistance

Thanks for driving Ernest!

Enjoy pics.

  More!

One of my favorite parts of the trip was the "On the water" service from the Islander crew.
We could call on the radio for bait, snacks, and beverages
I felt spoiled out there!

Oh, I was stoked for Dustin. For reals. Like I told him, I think he deserved to win the JP for his 25lb halibut. That's an awesome fish and I didn't think twice about it. Then after finding out he split his winnings with the crew I was even more stoked for him! (yeah, the truth is out, that guy is crazy generous. sorry to blow your cover bro  )

Plus its true...I did call in the closer. It was getting dark and I had battled that beast to a stalemate in 1000FOW about 3 miles offshore & away from the boat, when we made a call to bring in the skiff.
Once they arrived, I said "15 more minutes and I'll jump in the skiff." And believe me, I pulled on that sucker HARD...much harder than I thought the line (much less my crappy knots) could ever withstand. But I wasn't gaining any line, so I hopped into the skiff and fought brought it up using a technique where the skipper reversed for 100yds while I kept my thumb on the spool--causing the fish to rise as the scope of the line went horizontal, then we'd gun it forward while I reeled like crazy. We did that 3 times before getting it boatside.
It turned out to be tail hooked by my bigass Rapala, errr Storm lure (I'm still not sure what the model is called but it's a comically-large rapala knockoff). My line wasn't wrapped--the lure was just solidly embedded in the tip of its tail. We slid a noose up my rod and onto the shark's tail when it went apeshit and the lure went flying past my head. For a split second, I thought the fish was gone. Until the skipper, Jason, lunged backwards yanking on the rope in an incredibly swift move to lasso the shark's tail! It was awesome. Whew I was stoked; I could finally breathe a sigh of relief... and scream out in victory!
After securing the rope on the fish, I climbed back into my yak and began the long paddle back to the boat while they dragged the shark back behind the skiff.
Caught her on a 6'9" Shimano Teramar Inshore rod paired with a Abu Garcia Revo Toro reel and 50lb PowerPro braid. Trolling a bigass Rapala knockoff in about 100FOW.
Btw thanks to Jeff, Tim, and my new wingman Bushy for the support as we covered about 3 miles chasing down that beast! Seriously couldn't have done it without you guys.