Launched the kayak early this morning at Capri Paddlecraft park and headed to a bay I found on Google maps that looked good. Got there and tha water was dirtier than I liked but decided to fish anyway since I paddled all the way there. Cast a 3" paddletail near a dead mangrove laying in the water and the line went tight. My first thought was I had a snag, since there was no give at all when I set the hook. But then I felt a head shake and an enormous snook shot straight out of the water like a missile from a submarine. O
It was long and thick as my thigh, I began to reel to keep the line tight. It was coming way too easy towards my kayak, and I had a pretty good idea what was going to happen when it saw it. Sure enough it took off under the kayak, I managed to get my foud tip around the front to stay in the game. It was going like a bat or if hell towards the mangroves, the drag was screaming and my kayak was getting towed into the trees. I managed to turn it, and it came back towards me running parallel to the kayak... and suddenly it was off.
Frustrating as hell, but also insanely exhilarating. That had to be one of the biggest fish I ever had on my line, the power and speed of thst fish was off the charts. I don't think I could have played it any different, there was just so much I could do from an unanchored kayak and a 20lb leader, I had gone looking for redfish.
I'd guess it was at least 3 feet long and over 20lbs. I've set the hook on 20lb+ salmon and it had the same feel, no give at all. I need to find a fish like that again!
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Captain Keith - Crooked Rod Charters
It's even worse to lose a nice fish and never get a look at it.
SWO LCDR, USN-Retired
Sea Chaser 200 Flats Series
Old Town Predator Kayak