leatherjacket Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 I couldn't wait to get out in my Hobie Kayak this morning! Two weeks ago I caught a dozen calamari off Barrenjoey headland and they had been sitting in the freezer waiting for a calm day that I could go off shore. The squid were vacuumed sealed but were still going a bit brown with freezer burn.... The last time I came to Longie it was winter and I bought my snapper gear - that was like going to a gun fight with a knife! This time I set up two heavy rods - one with 50lb line and 100lb leader for the downrigger (targeting kingfish this time) and the other with 30lb braid and 60lb leader with a 5oz sinker to target the top of the water column and shallow reef on the way out. Normally I just take the one rod with 50lb line if I have fresh or live bait and rig up when I get to the drop off / ridge. But today I took a second rod so I didn't have to re-rig and to fish the shallow reef on the way out.... At the boat ramp - 9am three guys were coming back in with a snapper - WTF! When I launched at fisherman's beach it looked like it was still two meter swells. Which is quite a task if you are a kayak fisherman and it has everything to do with timing the waves.... Past the breakers and inshore reef I finally rigged up started trawling with my 30lb line and immediately (I mean two minutes) hooked into a solid fish. The line way screaming off so I tightened the drag as much as I dared. My first thoughts was a good kingie, then a giant Snapper. I mean these things go hard!! I could feel the head knocks and powerful runs! I had to use every bit of my patience to get the stubborn thing to the surface. It kept going under my yak and from left to right. I finally got it, but I'm still not sure if it is a Samson fish or a Amberjack? Ether way it is a first for me;-) It was a beautiful fish and it gave a good fight! We'll cook it on the bbq/ sushi tonight, nothing will be wasted and even the frame & head will go in my crab pot. Cheers, Andrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jewhunter Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 It's an AJ. Well done out of a yak. It's not easy in swell like that. Cheers, Grant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Rev Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 Awesome job - what are they like to eat? As good as Kingies? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leatherjacket Posted October 19, 2013 Author Share Posted October 19, 2013 Awesome job - what are they like to eat? As good as Kingies?!They taste good! They are like Cobia with white flakey and sweet flesh when barbequed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krispy ! Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 It's an AJ. Well done out of a yak. It's not easy in swell like that. Cheers, Grant. Have to disagree on that one I'm leaning more towards Samson fish due to the coloration and positioning of the fins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Rev Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 ! They taste good! They are like Cobia with white flakey and sweet flesh when barbequed. Awesome - enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jewhunter Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 Have to disagree on that one I'm leaning more towards Samson fish due to the coloration and positioning of the fins. The colouration is what tells me it's an AJ. The yellow line running along it's length is all AJ & also lack of brown blotches that juvenile Sambos have aren't there. We've caught heaps up of both up here on the Tweed. Cheers, Grant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yowie Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 Looks like an amberjack. Next time L.jacket, take a photo with a direct side on view. (90 degrees) Easier to I.D. rather than an angled view. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krispy ! Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 The colouration is what tells me it's an AJ. The yellow line running along it's length is all AJ & also lack of brown blotches that juvenile Sambos have aren't there. We've caught heaps up of both up here on the Tweed. Cheers, Grant. I'll take your word for it but it looks very different from an AJ i caught in Sydney. The body is alot deeper also the colour is alot darker. Heres a pic for comparison Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cflife Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 That is a Samson fish catch them downrigging for kings sometimes well done Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Formosan Posted October 20, 2013 Share Posted October 20, 2013 That's a Seriola hippos , I agree with Cflife. That is a Samson fish catch them downrigging for kings sometimes well done Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leatherjacket Posted October 20, 2013 Author Share Posted October 20, 2013 Thanks guys. I ended up chucking the frame in Narrabeen Lake without checking if it had pink teeth. It had dark large spots when I caught it but looked very kelpy all over by the time I got to land. I caught it in 20ft of water while trawling squid for Kingies so I think it could be a Samson and thank you all for your comments! Cheers, Andrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jewhunter Posted October 20, 2013 Share Posted October 20, 2013 I stand corrected. If it was as you described when landed then it is a Sambo. Cheers, Grant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harold Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 I am always amazed at the fish people catch out of a Yak. I take my hat off to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Poacher Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 Those things love squid. I never catch them on live yakkas, but I have any form of squid, there is always a chance Cheers, The Poacher Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now