knocked out of yak heads up!!

[crazy cajun]

I went fishing yesterday at La Jolla looking for the bigger bonitos and yellows. Fishing was a little slow at first with lots of small bonitos in the 12” to 14” size. I was able to hook-up to a larger grade bonito, maybe 6 to 7 pounds. I was letting him play out a little bit before bringing him on board when a large brown male seal came over for an easy meal. I buttoned down the drag and put the heat to the bonito to get him on board with the seal in hot pursuit. Once the bonito was on board, the seal dove about 6 feet down, turned and came up just under my yak. He then bumped the bottom of the yak and rolled, flipping me out and yak over. I lost the bonito, rod-n-reel, and a couple of baits that I had not put back up. My buddy paddled over and helped picked the remaining stuff and get me back in the yak. This seal did this with ease as if he had done a few times before. We ended up with catching over twenty small bonitos and were able to bring one bigger one home. Besides loosing the rod-n-reel, it was a good day. Thanks again to my friend Mike for helping me out. Here is a pic of his bonito.

[crazy cajun]

On a side note, this was Mike's first trip in a kayak.

[OFN]

Glad things turned out ok with the exception of the lost rod and fish. As seals have been protected for some time now they have no fear of man, so I am afraid to say we will probably see more episodes like this one. As their population continues to expand I am sure we will see more great whites off of our coast also. Glad Mike was able to give you a hand especially as it was his first trip on a yak.

[johnnylite]

Fook me crazy story. Be careful out there.

[crazy cajun]

I am almost willing to live with the tax man if it means putting the hurt on the seals.

Even though this happened, I think my buddy is hooked.

[icscommand]

If this happend with a black bear or coyotee, fish and game would take action to remove or destroy.

[Spiltbeerpirate]

Damn furbags. I am tired of seeing certain animals being "overprotected". They swing the natural balance from one extreme to the other. Now we are dealing with overpopulation, they have no fear of man, and OFN is right, the great whites will start to frequent the shores. And once that happens the Whites will have a population boom. I don't see good things in the next 20 years. Maybe I should sell my surfboard now before I get eaten! .

[middleofnowhere]

Scary!
I hate to say, but it is just a matter of time before people start getting bitten or worse by those seals. I've seen some big bulls that looked like they were a thousand pounds or more. I've also seen them bite very large yellowtail in half. I would hate to be the guy that gets his arm or leg taken off by a sea lion, or worse, one of my kids get bitten.
There should be a hunting season for sea lions with at least limited take. Would put the fear back in them and maybe thin out their overpopulation?

[Sherm]

I've had sealions bump me when hoopin on the yak at night. Not fun at all. I know the big knothead SOB that you are talking about in LJ. He has no fear. I try and keep iron to toss at him close by. Try and see where he is going to come up and toss the iron where you think that will be.

It doesn't sound like that would have helped in your situation. I have seen it make him move to someone else though.

[Spyder]

Yep, that sounds like your "buddy" Scott.

It does seem like the dogs are getting more & more agressive the past couple years. It doesn't surprise me when I hear things like this. Like Sherm said, we have had them bump and charge the yak at times.

I scared one good the last time we were hooping though huh Scott.

[marlyn]

if a bear or mt. lion attacks you have every right to kill it in self defense or in defense of your property,i would think it would apply to seals too.

[carl]

Originally Posted by marlyn

if a bear or mt. lion attacks you have every right to kill it in self defense or in defense of your property,i would think it would apply to seals too.

I wouldn't want to be the test case...