Close Combat in the Sink

Yaktastic dropped me some intel on the launch the day before & I hit the water sometime after 6AM. Combat kayak fishing; I began to thread the needle as I jumped in line with the majority of the boats converging on the bridge & bankers. The one take down I saw was a boat in front of me that hooked up but was quickly broken off by another guy who failed to reel in. An abundance of PBs in very tight quarters & rapid changing conditions heightened my concerns for safety and avoiding being “that guy” that loses someone’s fish & gear.

Most of the time I give the right away on the water, unless I have a fish on. I was surprised that I had to get very vocal with the other fishermen to get them to reel in their gear & stop trolling into me throughout the fight, even after repeatedly screaming FISH ON! These fish were hot, the strikes aggressive, and both times I picked up the rod to line screaming off the reel. These were some epic battles that have left me day-dreaming, reliving them play by play.

The first fish fought hard & it charged under 5+ boats before I could get her under control. The second & larger fish came on my first pass back out heading toward the bridge. He hit so hard the Scotty Slip Disc gave way, but the Folbe held strong, & my rod was half in the water by the time I grabbed it. He stopped taking line & turned, running back past me towards the bridge. As he peeled off another 60ft of line the old man next to me said, "better stop'em he's heading for the bridge." I carefully thumbed down & was finally able to turn his head. He charged back again & passed under me as I buried my rod under the kayak & let him have line. I took my time and was eventually able to net this fish and lookup to realize the audience of boaters & bankers watching me get worked over. There was mostly dumbfounded stares & some were smiling & applauding.

Word travels fast in those parts. I stopped by The Whistle Stop for a celebratory refreshment and was greeted outside by the ladies working the kitchen. One said, "you're the kayaker that just limited out in front of the guides at Drano!" You think I'd get a free donut or something but all they wanted was my fish.

Needless to say... that's it for me. My springer fishing days this year have come to an end.

Nice fish and an epic tale?  Great job!

Epic!  Awesome!  Perfect!

You set the bar this year!

-Mark-

 Ling ling stated ,on another forum, "dedication,obsession,determination"....let me add to that "cajones".  Way to get it done and show the zoo how to do it.
Great play by play  Hugh!

You da man Hugh! You da man!

Yum.

Killer!

... These were some epic battles that have left me day-dreaming, reliving them play by play.

Those are the BEST!! Also the best - out fishing the power boaters!
Nice work!

As a buddy said to me recently, "imagine dishing out $1,200 for a guide and boat, and watching some guy on a piece of tupperware limit while your party gets the skunk"

it makes it all the sweeter.

congrats!

Way to go!  You're quite the celebrity. I stopped by the Sportsmans Warehouse here in the Tri Cities today.  I talked to a guide I know and he was talking about you.  You've got the guides talking and made a name for yourself.  I love it when a kayak shows the boats how it"s done.

Simply bad ass!

Great job


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Thanks guys. What a privilege to fish with the very guides that I have followed for years on GPS Outdoor & owe credit to for some success at this point.  I’m honored to represent our sport with integrity & etiquette on the water.

this is awesome!

Totally awesome post and beautiful fish, Hugh.
Sounds like a crazy experience, and totally worthwhile. I kind of forgot what a springer looks like!