Americanman28

I was fishing on my kayak again yesterday outside Dana Point, and went north to Salt Creek beach where there are some kelp beds. Calico Bass and other species are the target. I caught some bait - sardines and small mackerel - on a sabiki rig, and then started fly-lining with one of them for the larger species. I've been able to catch some bonito using this technique as well. Abnd, while I have not done so, I have spoken with some who have caught yellowtail doing this. So, optimistic anticipation.....

After about 5 minutes of trolling (peddling my kayak) I get a big takedown, and after letting it run for a bit, gave it a tug to set the hook. As it took off, I thought I had a decent fish on the other end.

After about 15 to 20 seconds of decent fighting, the "fish" surfaced and it turns out it was a cormorant that grabbed the live mackerel I had been trolling!

Figuring that if it was hooked, I would need to try to unhook it (without getting bit), I continued to pull and reel it in - it was really pulling hard! Finally it was within about 5' of the kayak and I could see that it wasn't hooked - it just had a strong grip (bite) of the mackerel and did not want to let it go! So, I gave it a really big tug, and it pulled out of the cormorant's mouth.

The bird swam a bit - probably disappointed - and then ducked under water.

I waited about 5 minutes and then tried to resume fishing, but within about 30 seconds of putting another live mackerel into the water, that same bird grabbed it again, and the game was on - again!

That doggone cormorant harassed me for about a half hour before I decided to switch over to lures and leave that area.

Ended up being a slow day - you might say, "it was for the birds". (sorry - I couldn't resist)

I'd love to know if anyone has had this diving bird problem and how they solved it.

Big dog Loc: Bayshore, Long Island, New York

Next time get the bird to fly. You’ll have the coolest kite ever flown !🤣

Americanman28

That would have made it even more exciting. Any idea what the limit is on cormorants?......

FixorFish Loc: SW Oregon

Cormorants and seals....if they both were legal to shoot, the salmon population would be stellar ! As it is, the ODFW is providing a fine "food assistance program", for those damn birds, in the form of stocking smolts. And of course, what salmon fisherman at the coast, hasn't had a hooked fish chased or stolen by those greedy sea lions.
Not a gun-toter, but can't tell you how many times I have wished I had one, and nobody around, so I could take some target practice. Rubber bullet/bangflash patrols are now present in many estuaries, regarding the sea lions, but have heard nothing about concerted efforts towards abatement of the smolt-munchers. Some knowledgeable guides and such folks (no scientific study types....yet) estimate that HALF of the baby salmon never make it to the salt..... our money, wasted on feeding birds !...... dammit....feed ME ! (Or just let us shoot 'em, I'll gladly pay a "permit fee" for either species !)

flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

My buddies' wife caught a loon while walleye fishing. That was an experience.

JohnG Loc: Long Island NY.

Amazing it held on thru all that. I had a gull pick up a surface popper once but fortunately dropped it without getting hooked.

Tom Wasz

I un was told Minnesota had a major Cormorant problem and opened a hunting season on them because the fishing/tourist season was taking a huge hit because of many people not returning to Mn for perch because they were getting so scarce. Maybe someone from MN can elaborate on this. I was told it took about 5 years to see a fish population increase

Oil scout Loc: Slidell, LA

Here in South Louisiana I have had pelicans grab a lure in mid flight. Big heavy birds with talons on those big webbed feet. Finally get them in and throw a towel over them. Try to keep them in the water and get the hooks out without hooking yourself. Had to take one in the boat to unhook it. Hooks in top and bottom part of its beak. Got it unhooked and he thanked me by crapping in my boat. Think about what a diet of nothing but fish smells like. I had to pressure wash the interior and clean the area with pine oil.

ripogenu Loc: norfolk, MA

fishing salt can be an experience, I have hooked :seagulls, shearwaters, pelicans, osprey. fortunately have been able to release them all without injury. I always carry a towel with me so you can cover their eyes, makes it easier to dehook if it is at all possible. two of the seagulls however really got it stuck in the bill so I just cut the line as close as i could. (I now carry a pair of pliers that can cut the shaft of the hook....just in case)

Americanman28

all great thoughts - ideas. In a kayak, some of those larger pelicans could capsize me! I was hoping for some secret to get them to avoid me, but I guess as long as I am a potential food source, I will be their buddy.

Good info on the pine oil. Nothing worse than pelican crap on the boat. I have a plastic kayak so it doesn't absorb odors, but if I get any on clothes, towels, etc. they go into the trash. Before getting into the house!

USAF Major Loc: Sea Bright, NJ

Although a nuisance, don't dispatch them. They are covered under the Migratory Bird Act and you can get a lot of grief from the game wardens.

agatemaggot Loc: iowa

Have hooked both Gulls and pelicans, every time in the web between the toes. have to agree that when you get the fool things in the boat it's GAME ON !

Americanman28

Roger that. I know that cormorants carry a $250 fine for their demise. We were getting on a duck hunter who was bragging - he kiddingly said they taste horrible. So we looked it up.

greyghost

I have caught pelicans, cormorants, and seagulls, and yes they cut into the salmon numbers, but the real killer is what we have done to the habitat with dams, siltation from development , mining, bad logging practices, etc. All these (development , mining, logging,) are necessary, but with real controls as opposed to the "drill, baby, drill" approach we have seen recently.
Oh, and the pelican wins the title, hands down. The last one I caught had eight lines hanging out of its bill. They don't learn, either.

Big dog Loc: Bayshore, Long Island, New York

Back in the market hunting days a hundred years or so ago, cormorants were known as ‘Greese Geese’, and cost as much as 2 birds for a penny.