I’ve been saltwater fishing in my kayak for years now, but I got invited to go fishing in an area I’ve never been to, mainly because I didn’t think it was possible! When Blake Abbey asked me if I wanted to fish the Jetty off Ponce Inlet, I thought he was inviting me to join him on a boat. When he started explaining that the weather will be good for us pedal out of the inlet, down the channel and into the deep blue ocean off the Jetty, I quickly realized this was a kayak trip! So, I convinced my kayak buddy, Amy Brown, that she should join us. I suited up in my Striker fishing apparel and met my friends at a local bait shop, Donald’s bait and Tackle. We launched our kayaks next to Hidden Treasure right after sunrise and started peddling out to the tip of the jetty. We were in a convoy of Skiffs, Flats and other offshore boats, mainly being driven by guides. At times, the wakes from the boats were making a washing machine effect as we were trying to set up in our kayaks to begin fishing.Thankfully, our Old Town Sportsman ePDL and 106 PDL are so incredibly stable which allows us to safely steer, and ride waves hands-free while casting our lines. This is when I noticed the boaters looking at us like we had lost our minds… It didn’t take long before we were in competition with boats getting hooked up on some very strong fighting fish. To my surprise and vocal excitement, we were hooking up with Permit! This was the predominant bite off the Jetty as I could see several other anglers in the boats hooked up all at once. I commented to Blake that I thought my line was going to spool or break since I was using 30-pound braid with only a 20-pound fluorocarbon leader. He had already caught several Permit, so he quickly grabbed my rod and told me to use his set up which was a 9ft PENN rod and a 5000-reel spooled with 40lb braid, 40lb liter and a 1-ounce weight on a swivel with a small circle hook presenting a live shrimp. I remember thinking this seemed awfully big for the size reds, snook or even trout that I’m used to catching but I squeezed my way in between some boats and slung this massive set up out there anyway. I felt a tick on my shrimp and before I could get my hand on the reel, it started screaming and spooling. I pulled back and felt the weight of something HUGE! I was so caught off guard that my kayak was turned sideways, and the fish was dragging me to the point I thought I might tip! Blake reminded me to turn my rutter to face the fish and to go get him! The fight was on, and I was going for a ride! Between my screams and Blake cheering me on, the people on the boats around us all started watching in amazement and disbelief. Blake screams, “Oh my God dude, it’s a freaking Bull! It’s a STUD Bro!” My arms were starting to shake and wear out and I think I forgot to breathe because I told Blake to please help me land this giant with a net.After a couple minutes of trying to redirect the Bull Red, Blake was able to net my fish. It crushed my PB as we estimated it was around 40-45 inches and weighed 30lbs. It was so big and beautiful with its distinct drum spot markings. Thanks to Amy’s iPhone skills, pictures and videos of a giddy girl and proud guy ensued. A day I will never forget! Trust me, if you have the opportunity to get into an Old Town Kayak PDL, head out to the Jetty. You will not regret it! There is nothing cooler than taking a sleigh ride on a kayak getting pulled around by a giant bull redfish!
