Pacemaker Fishing Forum

After convincing my brother in-law to get a Kayak, we headed out to the Susky flats when we were vising my in-laws. He and I decided to brave the winds that all the weather folks were warning about. We were met by another yaker at the ramp and we all headed out together. The wind conditions were not anyware near the scare they were talking about. Yes there were winds and yes some white caps every now and then, but it was still fishable... albeit with both hands on my hobie side handels LOL... but we got through it!

Air temp was in the upper 60s and the water was about in the mid 60s according to my FF.
Less than 15 minutes into heading out I hook-up with my first fish. At first I wasn't sure, but after about two turns of the reel, the rod had a nice bend... so I knew I had something. At this point I was in the middle of the flats in about 14 feet dept (I had about 150 feet of line out) and the waves and wind were hitting hard. Last thing I wanted to do is get turtled because of reeling in a fish. A big advantage of the Hobie was realized for me... I kept peddling with the direction of the waves while slowly reeling in the fish. This made a HUGE difference... anyway I boated it and it looked to be at least 20"! Like a nerd I was pushing myself to get a precise measurement and was taking my sweet time expanding my measuring board (mine is the Plano one that is two pieces, where the first one ends at 19.25). I get the hooks out, put on the fish grips and proceed to place the fish on the board and SPLASH! fish got back into the water! I was dumbfounded! I literally could have been done for the day and not had to keep fighting the winds! I learned something about the fishgrips... and maybe this is just mine... when I squeeze them hard, the jaws come apart slightly. I think this coupled with not making sure they are secure in the fish's mouth caused my first ever Keeper Rock to jump out of my Masgouf plans! Yup... this was going to be my first ever keeper rock.

About two hours later and my favorite hat going overboard I hooked up with my second rock of 19". Needless to say that I made sure to put it on the stringer ASAP. With that I called it the end for fishing and the beginning of a Masgouf Feast!

Rapala X-Rap Saltwater 12 Fishing lure, 4.75-Inch, Blue Sardine was the winner both times

Here is the fish



And here are pictures of the Masgouf journey featuring my and my brother in-law's fish














And the finish... I lay the fish right on the coals with the scales still on and spooned a nice sweet and tart sauce...