Kiptopeke VA StriperGanza

[Hobie Wan]

Holy crap. That's a hell of a fish from the yak. Then again, that's a hell of a fish regardless of what you're fishing from.

Congrats!

HW

[BIGMAX]

I don't have any more striper pictures, but here is some pictures from a shark fishing trip I took. One is of my ride rigged to go out for the day, and the other is the fruits of my labor. I caught about five sharks that day, with this being the biggest at 7ft. It's not a sport for everybody. The big X-Factor I fish off of is a large enough platform to carry all the gear you are gonna need. I often pack a small tent and gear to shore camp a day or two while I am out on the VA barrier islands. I am trying my hand now at some big Blue Catfish on the James River. There have been numerous cats over sixty pounds pulled from the river. Should be fun.

Tightlines
BIGMAX

[fishsmith]

Man I missed the boat when I was stationed in Norfolk by not fishing.
Nice pics keep em coming.
- Looks like the hard work you put in pays off.

BIGMAX - how far did the shark pull you?

[Raven]

you freakin ROCK man....

i was wondering about your rig... since it's more loaded
than most i've seen and it looks ever so orderly...

how much gear weight do you think you carry...
and your weight combined... =equals _____.

you could keep us entertained by talking about
the method to your madness...
all winter... i think...

excellent photo's too ! great catch .... Congrats

and a big Welcome to S-B

[BIGMAX]

The shark didn't tow me too bad as I was anchored in for most of the fight. I didn't unlease the anchor til I saw the tail at the yak. I was worried he might make a hard dive and flip me which is when I unhooked him. Held the tip at the bow and let leverage do the work.
I am about 3bills myself, so I have to say I have about 400-450 total on board.Your scupper holes will let you know when enough is enough. My max limit is 600 on the X, and I just got a Prowler Big Game which holds 600 as well. I am dressing it up for the spring, and my son will get the X. I am by no means the fastest yak in the water, and I am jealous of those faster and sleeker units...but If you tote the gear I do (including myself)...then your choice is already made.
My motivation comes from all the local hazing I used get about kayak fishing. It seems that all the kayak jokes have settled down for the time being. Sure there's lots of places I'll never be able to go to in a yak, but I am going to give the big guys a run for thier money with the places I can go. My advice to you is ...DO IT! ...as this is'nt a dress rehersal and you only go around the block once.

Tightlines
BIGMAX

[fishsmith]

The only thing I'd suggest is a radar reflector.
Last year while trolling off p-town(where it goes from 10ft to 180ft real quick) the fog rolled in, the radar screen was clear, but then ... poof, out popped a yak, and he looked like this --> (or Reche Caldwell).

GO PATS!!

[BIGMAX]

While I have experienced this situation in the fog, I thought a series of horn blasts was the correct protocol while being underway in a fog. This is helpful to all boaters to be aware of each others presence to some degree when you cant see them. When I was out in the fog, I had a VHF radio, GPS (which funtioned well in the fog), and a loud horn to hail to others. It was a circus out there, as three boats didn't even have a compass or functioning radio, and not enough seamanship skills to to figure the shore's location by the flow of the tide. My horn saved me when boaters got close, and I even helped two crews to find thier way. They are proposing (but they have tried to before) to make it a requirement for all boaters to pass a seamanship/safety skills test in order to operate a craft on the water. I think we all could benefit from this, especially the little guys like us. I don't ask for any special treatment while on the water due to my size, but the standard courtesy and safety rules being observed correctly would greatly be appreciated. I am sure everybody on the water has had an experience where they can appreciate this. I just would like to see everybody return home safely to thier friends and families. Sometimes my safety gear overwhelmes me, but I wouldn't be on the water without it.

Tightlines
BIGMAX