On the anniversary of the maiden voyage of the kayaks, I wanted to ask how often have they used them since.
I'm experienced with kayak fishing. I've gotten three over the past 15 years. First one took out about 15 times and bought a better one with a fishfinder. Used that one about 5 times until I got a truck which wouldn't fit it. Then bought an inflatable which I've used a dozen or more times.
Kayak fishing is a lots of fun but a bit more work. You need the prep time and paddle time to fish in or out of the harbor. Fresh water is easier since lakes are easier to fish.
Cheers to those who put in the extra effort.

- Keith

Great start to a new year, a freezer full of fresh fish.
Happy New Year!

I've been at Doheny Beach campground since Monday and it's been strangely warm and not windy the entire time. Ocean has been a lake with ankle slippers too.
Hadn't done much fishing yet but will today now that the rain stopped.


- Keith

I'd like time and opportunities to fish.
Maybe a "fishing day pass" from my wife.

- Keith

Awesome! Back to back limits.
I need to hit San Clemente pier soon.

- Keith

Those would be some Big Blued at 22 to 24 lbs!
The Real One... make it so!

That's amazing...
One and done. Can't get much simpler than that.

Quote from: jrodda on November 15, 2025, 10:50:12 AM

Quote from: Dark_Knight_9C1 on November 13, 2025, 09:01:32 AMI've got to try throwing a bunch of corn in an area to lure them in and when they are done feeding coming to the surface. 
And I'll feed them a side of arrows.

- Keith

Just make sure you yell "OOPS!" every time the corn comes out of your hand, it is prohibited to chum in freshwater in CA. Though if the lake wants these fish dead then I have a hard time believing local authorities will object.

Roger that!.
I'll have to be careful when putting bait on the rail.

- Keith

Holy cow! The ocean floor must have been covered with them.
The only time I got that many in a pull was San Clemente pier opening day at 6:00 AM. Had about 15 in each of the two on first pull. No legals. As the sun came up, second pull was zero.

Nice to see their out there.  May have to get out the hoops again.

- Keith

FYI
This is what I usually am shooting at


You can see the fish on the left but only the ripples on the right.

The water usually isn't that clear  or it's grey light or cloudy so I look for the ripples, a shadow, or a dorsal fin sticking out of the water like these


- Keith

This is what the groups looked like when the water was warmer.


These have plenty of room between them to miss.
I'm guessing that they may have been closer together since the water was cooler, 57° F.

The theory of why they come to the surface opening and closing their mouths is the are cleaning the silt out of their gills after feeding in the mud on the bottom.

In warmer water it's also possible that they come up because there is more oxygen in the water.

I've got to try throwing a bunch of corn in an area to lure them in and when they are done feeding coming to the surface. 
And I'll feed them a side of arrows.

- Keith

Quote from: Latimeria on November 12, 2025, 08:42:50 AMDoubles and triples?  WTH!?!?  That seems crazy to get them like that!

Well done once again Keith, pretty epic bow fishing if you ask me.  I can't believe they are showing up there like that in November!

I was quite surprised too. But another factor I didn't mention is I was fishing in a marshy area which is landlocked from the lake as the level recedes. These carp have been trapped there since probably late August. So the ones that didn't leave after the spawn are stuck there. The water level has probably dropped at least 2.5 feet since then and the surface of the now pond has decreased maybe 20%.

Still it was quiet unusual for so many to be at the surface and so tightly packed.

- Keith

8/8/2025 Went up to Big Bear Lake to do some bowfishing and wasn't expecting much since when water temps dropped 8 degrees since last week to 57° F.
Got to the lake just before sunrise. Air temp was about 36° and there was lots of frost on the boardwalk.
Lake was like glass so it was going to be easy to see any ripples caused by fish.
First thing I see, about 60 feet out, what looked like a bunch a carp skimming around just under the surface. Dang and it was. Got my bow ready and took a shot. Arrow flew and "twang" hit the end of my 75 feet of line and dropped short. Well was a good sign anyway.
I walked back and forth on the boardwalk and shoreline and found a few singles to take shots at but miss slightly and sent them torpedoing off. Got back to the same spot and the group had resurfaced and moved closer. Took another shot and this time got to the target but maybe a little low. Reel in the arrow and see something on the point. There was a scale stuck on the point. I was amazed it stayed on after dragging it back thru the water. Looks like it was going to be a good day.
Found another group right next to the boardwalk with their little faces smiling up at me. I abliged them and proceeded to feed them... arrows. Took the shot and the arrow hit the water with a heavenly thud sound. Started pulling it in and found two carp on the arrow.


Didn't find anymore and was ready for breakfast so I left and came back around 11:30.

I walk out and find another group of carp (as tightly packed as the last one) 10 feet from the boardwalk. Took the shot, got another nice thud, and pulled in another double.


I proceeded down the boardwalk another 50 feet and see another group of carp even closer. I picked the one closest to me and shot. Another thud and see what looked like three or four fish on the arrow. 

The suckers were heavy and I couldn't get enough grip on the string to pull them up. I ended up putting a rag over the rail so I could pull and hold it on the rail while grabbing further down to pull the next foot or so. Luckily it worked. Ended up with a triple.


By this time I had a crowd of bystanders around. Most of them were pointing another 50 feet further down the boardwalk. Walked over and there were more!
This time there were three groups each between a subsequent set of pilings. 
I chose the ones closest to me hoping the shot wouldn't scare off the furthest group. Anyway took the shot, thud, and another double. By this time there were too many people and I didn't even get a picture. But interesting thing about these two was that one went thru the head and the second went in just below the gills and came out about 3 inches above the tail. Had almost a foot of arrow in it.
That was it except for one more which I managed without hitting a group.

The next morning I got out around Grey light and there was still frost again. Went to the same place. The water was a little ripplely from a light wind. I couldn't see into the water yet so I had to watch for telltale ripples from the fish. Didn't take long to find some about 30 feet out. I aimed a little lower this time since I couldn't tell how deep they were. Took the shot. Another double.

This time hit right in the mid section. They must have been on the surface like the rest.
That was it. Went and ate breakfast  went back at the same time around 11:30 and didn't see any more groups. Only saw a few singles in the weeds.
So, ended up with my second 10 fish day and first triple. Definitely an unexpectedly good weekend.

-Keith

Too much of a coincidence with the pelicans.

Great fish. About how many pounds do you think it was?

- Keith

Bloody decks... Sweet!

That's what I like to see! Great job on that double!

- Keith