Well. There isn’t one. I know not everyone follows along with me on Twitter, Facebook, or Google Plus, so here’s what happened.

The morning before I was set to work going over gear, again, for the 3rd time, as I loaded up the car. My new TFO TiCr had just arrived. I needed to pick up some backing and sinking fly line after work. My conventional rods were loaded inside the kayak, and the kayak was strapped on top of the convertible. Also inside the kayak was my dry top, seat, and PFD. I had a small tote with my waders, shoes, tackle and flies, cameras. I was set.

All I needed to do was go to work for 4 hours.

After all was loaded, I came back to get my phone off the charger. There was an email: “Isaac, head’s up, trips cancelled.”

After weeks of perfect conditions on the coast, things were forecast to get nasty the day we were to go. Ug. Really?!?

We had plans to reschedule, but the seas really haven’t calmed down much since.

Doesn’t look like the trip is going to happen this year. Lame.

Much thanks to the guys over at The Functioning Fishaholics for hooking up the new logo! I had casually mentioned the desire for a logo over on Google+ the other day, and, I’m assuming out of boredom, put a little something together for me. It’s nothing I had even thought of, but totally awesome and appreciated!

Thanks guys!

I’ll have some content later this week. Baffin Shoes. What I still haven’t learned about tournament fishing. and more.

I’m coming close to my dream fishing destination this next week. No, I won’t be traveling down to Cancun. There won’t be beautiful beaches, jungle canopies, or seemingly flat seas. But I will be in blue water chasing pelagic species. I’ll have a taste of my dream trip.

The Dorado or Mahi Mahi (aka Dophin too) has long been a dream fish of mine, and I’ve long felt that Pureto Aventuras, just south of Cancun, was where I would catch my first. The bright flash of blues and golds. The pull on the line. And, of course, I’ll be on the kayak, getting the slay ride in the Caribbean!

Why Cancun? It made simple sense to me. Especially Pureto Aventuras, the fishing is very close, and not a difficult paddle by any means to get onto the Cozumel Trench – just where you want to be to catch some of the warm water’s finest sportsfish and good eats. Fishing in the Summer months Blackfin Tuna, Bonito, Sailfish, and Marlins are also great fishing options – but I’ll be targeting the Dorado. My own devil.

What is it about the Dorado? I don’t know. It could be the color – the Blues, Greens and Golds that light up on these fish. Maybe its their heads – Squared off, seeming of science fiction. Perhaps its the aerobatics they’re well known for. Peeling drag. I dream of it all.

I can see it…

Wake just before sunrise to a hot pot of coffee. I gather my gear and walk down to the beach to load my kayak up. Sonar. Check. GPS. Check. PFD. Check. VHF. Check. Safety Flag. Check. Fly Rod. Check. Spinning Rod. Check. Trolling Rod. Check.

As I warm up in the glow of the sunrise, it’s time for me to shove off. I make my paddle, pretty much straight out from the beach, the slight breeze giving me a bit of help. A short distance from shore, it’s time to drop my trolling rod. I know the trolling speed of 6kts that you’d have in a power boat is difficult in a kayak for any sustained amount of time. No trouble though, Just go. The Rapala Magnum X15 will do its job just fine.

Onward I go towards deeper water.

While just paddling along, enjoying the sun, the warm water, and the scenery, the rod goes off. FISH ON! Leaping out of the water is the flash of dorado. The golden sides only accented by the warm glow of the morning sun. As I fight this fish, I see the blue-green flashes of the rest of the school. I begin to sweat. Anxiously I almost seem to forget about the fish on the line, and start thinking of my next moves. Then, just inches from the boat, the fish I was fighting go airborne again! Wow! Wake up Isaac! Fight the fish, then worry about the rest!

Moments later, the dorado I had been fighting is on the boat, gaffed, bled, and stored safely inside. I fumble around for my TFO fly rod, and find the school. With a couple of false casts, I drop my white Clouser right in the middle of the school. The rest of the line barely touches the water before it goes taught. Fish On again! Fighting the power of the fish, the drag screams. I’m starting to get into the backing.

I swing the flyrod perpendicular to the kayak. If this fish wants to fight, I’ll use the kayak to my advantage. He’s gonna have to fight me sideways. He Jumps. Oh. My. God. This fish is huge. A trophy. Back in the water he continues working his way into my backing. I have to do something to keep this fish. I turn back, putting the rod parallel to the kayak, and start cruising along with this fish. The slay ride is on.

Pulling me and the kayak along is wearing on this beast. I start bringing the line in, inching the two of us together. Again he jumps. My-oh-my. I keep bringing in line as the fish allows. Working this fish the best I can. Finally, it sees the kayak. He knows what he’s in for. His color flashes again, and now he’s angry and screams off again. But, he’s tired. Short sprinted runs and aerial displays are wearing on him quickly. Time to finish this battle.

I finally have all my backing, and now just fighting the length of the flyline and leader. Not giving up, the dorado continues to leap, trying to through the hook. I keep the line taught. I will not give up this one. I have most of the line now, and reach for the gaff. Finally, the fish succumbs. He is mine! This slab is min! Nothing short of 50#, I have a good time trying to get it stuffed into the kayak. Once that is done, I secure the gear and start making my way back to the beach, never quite losing sight of it all day.

As I land, on the beach, my wife walks out from the jungle where she’s been walking around, laughing with monkeys, and searching for snakes and bugs to tell me about. I pull out my two dorado. One Monster. One a nice average. She gives me a congratulatory kiss, and, with a grin, I ask, “Up for some ceveche for dinner?”

This blog entry is my submission for the Red Tuna Shirt Club and Outdoor Blogger Network Writing Contest.

Oregon, this last weekend, joined its neighboring states of Washington and Idaho with mandatory boat inspection stations. Kayaks are not exempt from these inspections which seek out possible invasive species that include quagga mussels, eurasian milfoil, and more. Failure to stop will get you pulled over, and ticketed by the state patrol. Let’s take a look at common trouble areas on kayaks and how to deal with them.

There are several areas on kayaks that can be easily overlooked, and will harbor fugitive invasives that can be spread to other waters. Some of those key areas include the foot wells, seating area, tank well, and scuppers. Water spends a lot of time in areas, mostly with thanks to scuppers allowing water into the kayak. Splashing from waves, as well as just fishing in general, brings more items into the kayak.

After a good rinse to remove most of the sand and mud that might have accumulated, spray the kayak with a good non-toxic, biodegradable cleaning agent. Many folks have Simple Green around the home by now, and this cleaner will do great. Pay close attention to trouble areas and make sure they are well saturated. When that is complete, it is time for a good scrub. A scotch brite pad or veggie scrubber will help remove particles that have gotten into the textured areas of the kayak.

When scrubbing is complete, its time for the rinse. Work areas thoroughly with clean water and keep your eye open for areas that might need another scrub. Deep corners are likely areas needing a second scrub – around the tank well, and foot well areas, especially if your kayak’s foot wells are molded. When the top side is complete, flip the kayak over and keep on going.

At the bottom of the kayak, there are few areas to be concerned about. Again the scuppers are a target, but do not overlook areas that have heavy scratches like the front and rear keels, or other areas of the kayak that might have gouges. The smooth bottoms of kayaks makes cleaning easier than the deck, but nonetheless important to clean. This is also a good time to clean your rudder system, if equipped, and also inspect the kayak for damage.

With the kayak all rinsed up, you’re all set to go. Optionally you can apply a plastic treatment like 303 Aerospace Protectant, or other UV blocker. These will make future cleanings easier, and protect your kayak from harmful UV rays. Before you put everything away, check out the rest of your gear like anchors, waders, and shoes.

Another, most excellent option, if available to you is the local DIY car wash. Many car washes now re-use the wash water, so you can use less water when cleaning your kayak! Alternatively, wash your kayak on the lawn, and count it as a watering so you can skip it next time. Who knew washing your kayak could cause a green lawn!

More and more states are requiring boat inspections to track down possible aquatic nuance species before they get in the water. Some states, at the time of this writing, include Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Colorado, Wyoming, California, Utah, and New Mexico, with Nevada’s program starting in 2012. The quick, 10 minute inspections cost nothing, and, if there is something clinging to your kayak that shouldn’t be, cleaning is free as well. But, should you pass up an inspection station, the fines will set you back that new reel you were thinking about.

Invasive species can quickly over run a non-native system, eradicating food sources for native species, choking out vital nutrients, and cause damage to dams and piers. By simply washing your kayak, you can rest easy knowing that you’re keeping your waters safe and clean for the fish we’re trying so hard to play with.

For more information about keeping out waters clean check out:
Recycled Fish
Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers

I’m preparing for my first mothership kayak fishing trip. What’s that? Well, 6 of us are meeting up in Newport, OR, throwing our kayaks on a boat, going 30 miles out, and doing some kayak fishing for albacore tuna. Needless to say, I’m STOKED for the trip.

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