First Kayak Chinook!

It took me longer than expected but I finally made it happen yesterday. I don’t fish in my kayak as much as I would like to due to work and other obligations (and plunking has been pretty good to me this year). But I finally made it happen yesterday on the Willamette fishing 360s and spinners. It actually went a lot smoother than expected but that’s probably cause I saw the extra fin early in the fight and the pressure of getting it in the net wasn’t very high. Not too much of a fight from the fish because the mouth was wired shut, all 3 treble hooks buried, 2 in the upper jaw and 1 in the lower jaw. Probably 12-14lbs if I had to guess. Released to swim another day. Legs and knees are sore this morning after 6+ hours on the river dragging those flashers and 12oz of lead around.

Congratulations!  Wishing you a keeper next time.

Saw this on iFish too. Congratulations on the fish! Hopefully the next one gets to come home.

Big congrats!  That's awesome.

Nicely done… sorry it had to go back but it’s better then trolling all day for …..

That is awesome!

I am hoping that I get my 1st  kayak Chinook this year.

Me too!

Thank you everyone, this was only my second kayak Springer trip of the year so I’m feeling pretty lucky to hook and land one. I will remember this story for a long time because the fish hit when I was ‘using the facilities’ and still managing to somewhat pedal. I hooked a couple salmon last fall on the Columbia but I think I made some rookie mistakes taking my feet off the pedals and immediately going to grab the rod. This time around I kept consistent pressure on fish with the pedal drive and just took my time with it.

I have a real hard time with the desire to just grab the rod. I don't have a pedal kayak yet. YET!

I know that when I do get a bite to just keep paddling, or even paddle faster before I grab the rod.

I lost my first 3-4 coho ever last year, due to picking up the rod immediately, and or stopping my pedaling. Don't stop, or touch the rod, until the fish is taking line!

I have a real hard time with the desire to just grab the rod. I don't have a pedal kayak yet. YET!

I know that when I do get a bite to just keep paddling, or even paddle faster before I grab the rod.

Spot has a heck of a great video tutorial about hooking and landing ocean salmon on YouTube:

Spot has a heck of a great video tutorial about hooking and landing ocean salmon on YouTube:

Hey Tink,

I think the video you meant to link was the takedown video where I use the paddle to set the hook: 

-Mark- 

That Best Salmon Takedown video makes my hands go shaky!!!! That is a really cool compilation of some big fish grabs.

Thanks for sharing the video!