A gimpy LJ tale
 

So 6 weeks after surgery (ruptured achilles tendon), I have had enough. With the nice weather I decided to take a trip to La Jolla.

For days I have been strategically thinking about how I am going to launch with my leg. I get down to launch at about 8, and was not expecting the waves to be as large as they were... but I didnt make it all the way down here for nothin'!

This was my sand walking setup, a towel over my boot... it'll do.

http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/DSCN0968.jpg

Luckily it was down hill from the truck to the beach, so rolling the kayak wasnt too much of a problem. (I'll figure out how to get it back out later!) I inch my way into the water and slowly get in without tweaking my leg... and book it! 3 waves to the chest, but I make it out. A little soggy, but I am good.

I get out and make some bait, I see a ton of birds out in deep water so make a slow peddle out. Never seen so many birds, and I find out they are feasting on krill. Kinda cool, but I dont see any fish around so start my way back in. Word on the street is that some WSB were caught in the morning, so I thought that I might go try my luck.

A little later in the afternoon I see a photo session going on... its Josh Pruitt and another client of his. "There are fish to be caught" They both give me all the bait they have and take me to "the spot".

Not a bad view!
http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/P3150214.jpg


I get the low down and proper set up. "Stay at this depth and you are guaranteed a fish!" As soon as he says that, my battery powering my FF and bait tank dies... NOOO! All I have is a water bottle with a small opening that takes wayyy too long to fill up. My bait dies, and I get frustrated. I call it a day with the intentions of staying an extra day and getting one tomorrow! I get back to shore and Josh helps land my kayak and get it to my truck for me, now that is customer service!

Day 2:

My trickle charger still wasnt giving a full charge to my battery, I cant have my battery go out again. You know you are going to have a great day when you are limping down wal-mart isles at 7am. But no correct batteries to be found.

I get it on the water, and make a ton of bait as directed by Josh. I get charged by a huge flock of birds, and part around me... pretty cool.

http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/P3150217.jpg

http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/P3150221.jpg

A few of us work it all day. couple nibbles and some annoying seals. I am thinking about taking off for my 3 hour drive before too much traffic until this happens.

http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/P3160225.jpg

Someone gets pulled out of his kayak by a fish! Josh gets a bite, and of course... I am out of bait. Josh says, "quick go make more bait!" But of course, my battery died 5 mins previously. But, atleast I have a cup to bail water. I go make bait and get back. Bailing the entire time to keep my bait lively.

I get hooked! BIIIIG fish, solid. It heads for the surface and not the kelp. I see the fins and realize its not the right kind. We think it was a 7-gill... he went on a few runs and was thrashing at the surface... I bust him off because I am not in the mood to get towed around for an hour!

Back to work, it picks up a bit... couple people get bites, but nothing sticks. My bait starts freeeeaking out... WHAM! ZZZZZZZZZZZZ! head shakes and pulls HARD! I start the battle cries, and Josh pulls up to coach from the side-line.

Straight for heavy kelp, and gets buried! Josh instructs me on the hobie-peddle-stringer-snapping technique. I start feeling the kelp popping and more head shakes. I am able to get him out and to the surface. WOW!!! I havent even caught a legal wsb before, and this is what I get!? :D

Amazing!
http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/a...photo/wsb8.jpg


Thanks Josh.
http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/P3160269.jpg

Started the day at wal-mart with high hopes, and ended the day at wal-mart looking for a big ass cooler!

are you freaking serious?


wow! congrats are in order for you both

Holy :wsb:!!! Look the head on that thing! Nice job!

Evan

Holy sheeet!!! Did you get a weight on that monster???
Congrats! You'll have WSB fillets for a year!

Great Fish and report:you_rock:

Gimp?
Dude!
When your achilles fully heals,
I would just keep fishing in the lucky boot!

great story
great pics
great ending
:cheers1::cheers1::cheers1:

Congrats dude. Just found out that I need to have Surgery on Monday for a Ruptured Tendon in my Bicep. I'll be out of action for about 4-6 weeks. Maybe after that time I'll be able to get out. I need to get me one of those white sea bass

Do I detect a theme here. Having benefited from some of Josh's advice in the past I know that this guy is the real deal. He just knows how to catch fish and help his clients to the same. Good for him and for those he tutors.

Yakking, that fish of yours looks like a monster. I heard that Chris' fish in the first photo was about 50 pounds. Yours looks bigger. Did you get a weight?

Bob

Holy smokes what an awesome day! Congrats:luxhello:

Very impressive for your 1st legal :wsb:

Great report. Monster fish! Thanks for sharing.

:eek::eek::eek: What is that!! Jurassic Fish? Thats a goat... NICE! look at the belly on that thing its huge! another elated client. your the man Josh.

Dane...
once again...
congrats on that beautiful beast...
and glad you made it in and out of the water safely...
unfriggin believable...
WOW!

Way to charge it (kelp) Forest Gimp...:D

Very nice :wsb:

So, was the belly empty or full?

Great report, very nice pictures...

Dude, WTFG!:luxhello:

:eek:

Holy $#%&, that thing is a beast. Congrats.

What a pig....congrats.

Great job! Congrats!

:luxhello: