I fished just about everywhere I could today, including the secret spot twice: once at 5:30pm and then again with my buddy Kelly at 8:30pm.
I fished mostly with a Yo-zuri, and a bit with a Gotcha.
I don't know if this is how it will be over the warmer months, if the cold weather that was pushing in the fish will have the opposite effect as the cold turns to warm and then to hot.
I mean, not a bite. Not a nibble, not a missed hit, not a fish seen or heard over two and a half total hours of fishing. It was barren. It was frustrating.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Fishing, east coast style
The last two days I was on a business trip in the Palm Beach area of Florida. Knowing I would be around a lot of water, I left my two-piece rod and reel in the car in case a fishing opportunity should arise.
That moment came on Tuesday when I was in-between appointments and had an hour to kill. I was in Juno Beach proper, and decided to take the highway out toward the beach. Along the way, I came across a mangrove lagoon in John D. MacArthur Beach State Park:
The water was about 3 feet deep all the way across, and I could see fish hitting the water all over the place.
I parked my car, pulled out my gear, and walked over to the lagoon. On my first cast, I watched a large trout swim up to my Yo-zuri, take a sniff, then turn away. My heart almost stopped.
Several casts later, I hooked up with a trout, but like always, just as it got close, it came to the surface and threw the hook. I don't know what it is about me and trout, but I can't land a trout to save my life!
I did get one more hard hit from a trout, but couldn't make the connection.
I was a little disappointed at not being able to land the trout, which would have been my first east coast catch in Florida, but getting an hour of fishing in a foreign land was still nothing to complain about.
That moment came on Tuesday when I was in-between appointments and had an hour to kill. I was in Juno Beach proper, and decided to take the highway out toward the beach. Along the way, I came across a mangrove lagoon in John D. MacArthur Beach State Park:
The water was about 3 feet deep all the way across, and I could see fish hitting the water all over the place.
I parked my car, pulled out my gear, and walked over to the lagoon. On my first cast, I watched a large trout swim up to my Yo-zuri, take a sniff, then turn away. My heart almost stopped.
Several casts later, I hooked up with a trout, but like always, just as it got close, it came to the surface and threw the hook. I don't know what it is about me and trout, but I can't land a trout to save my life!
I did get one more hard hit from a trout, but couldn't make the connection.
I was a little disappointed at not being able to land the trout, which would have been my first east coast catch in Florida, but getting an hour of fishing in a foreign land was still nothing to complain about.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Wind + Cold = skunked
I started my morning at Demen's Landing. I decided to fish the spot where I had the big hook-up a few weeks back, security guard be dammed.
Overnight, the wind had picked up and had blown in some cold air. The result was some pretty aggravating fishing conditions. Even in the marina, the water was pretty choppy. After about two dozen casts, I gave up and started walking back to my car. I saw the security guard making his rounds, but I was out of his range before he came by.
Since the conditions were poor, I decided to do some scouting. I found two spots that I think will be good producers for me. I fished each one for a bit, but nothing was biting. The closest I got was when a big jack followed up my Gulp white mullet on a 1/8oz chartreuse jig head. He turned away at the last second.
Next stop was the Vinoy, a place where I can always count on a bite. Today: no bites. Not one. Not even a nibble from a pinfish!
I halfheartedly tried Coffee Pot Bayou over by the bridge to Snell Isle, but nothing was biting there, either.
It is still hard to believe that I fished a whole Saturday morning and not only didn't get a fish, didn't get a single bite. Bah.
Overnight, the wind had picked up and had blown in some cold air. The result was some pretty aggravating fishing conditions. Even in the marina, the water was pretty choppy. After about two dozen casts, I gave up and started walking back to my car. I saw the security guard making his rounds, but I was out of his range before he came by.
Since the conditions were poor, I decided to do some scouting. I found two spots that I think will be good producers for me. I fished each one for a bit, but nothing was biting. The closest I got was when a big jack followed up my Gulp white mullet on a 1/8oz chartreuse jig head. He turned away at the last second.
Next stop was the Vinoy, a place where I can always count on a bite. Today: no bites. Not one. Not even a nibble from a pinfish!
I halfheartedly tried Coffee Pot Bayou over by the bridge to Snell Isle, but nothing was biting there, either.
It is still hard to believe that I fished a whole Saturday morning and not only didn't get a fish, didn't get a single bite. Bah.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Catching some rays
Fished the Hillsborough river at lunch today. The river was teeming with fish--mullet were everywhere.
I also saw a few BIG jacks swimming around, so I was hopeful that I might hook up with one if I was persistent enough.
I started down by the docks and didn't get any action, so I started working my way down the seawall towards Kennedy Boulevard. About halfway down the seawall there is a submerged oyster bar. I usually don't fish near it because there is only 6-8 inches of water to work with, so it is snag hell.
I fished it today because the jacks I mentioned before were circling the oyster bar. There is also a tree on the seawall there, so I can cast in the shade for a bit. Still, despite the jacks and a hundred or so mullet, no bites.
I also saw a few BIG jacks swimming around, so I was hopeful that I might hook up with one if I was persistent enough.
I started down by the docks and didn't get any action, so I started working my way down the seawall towards Kennedy Boulevard. About halfway down the seawall there is a submerged oyster bar. I usually don't fish near it because there is only 6-8 inches of water to work with, so it is snag hell.
I fished it today because the jacks I mentioned before were circling the oyster bar. There is also a tree on the seawall there, so I can cast in the shade for a bit. Still, despite the jacks and a hundred or so mullet, no bites.
The oyster bar:
About 50 yards from the bridge, I cast out and hooked up with a real rod bender, but unfortunately, the giant fish ended up being a cow nosed ray that I had foul hooked through a fin. I was pretty nervous about getting the hook out, as the ray was thrashing its tail and stinger around like mad. Thankfully, just as I began to hoist it out of the water, the hook slipped out and the ray fell harmlessly back to the water.
After that incident, I worked my way all the way down to the bridge, but even there, I couldn't entice any fish to take a bite out of my Yo-zuri.
After that incident, I worked my way all the way down to the bridge, but even there, I couldn't entice any fish to take a bite out of my Yo-zuri.
The bridge over empy waters:
Back to work, but I was feeling better about the trip since there were actually some fish present.Thursday, March 19, 2009
The mystery Yo-zuri test
Had fifteen minutes to spare on the way home, so I stopped by the secret spot to try out the mystery Yo-zuri on the always available ladyfish.
It took about 10 casts, but I did hook up with a small ladyfish, so at least I know the lure works. That said, a true test would have involved me switching over to one of the trusty Yo-zuri colors and seeing if it out-performed the mystery Yo-zuri. Alas, I had no more time.
It took about 10 casts, but I did hook up with a small ladyfish, so at least I know the lure works. That said, a true test would have involved me switching over to one of the trusty Yo-zuri colors and seeing if it out-performed the mystery Yo-zuri. Alas, I had no more time.
The Hills is alive
Took my lunch out by the river today. As I walked to my fishing spot, I saw a lot of activity in the water, included a school of needlefish and three schools of mullet. One of the schools of mullet had three or four sheepshead swimming with it, something I've never seen before.
Curious.
I fished my usual spots to no success, so decided to try a more remote spot by the bridge that I hadn't tried in awhile. As I walked over to the bridge, I scanned the water for signs of life and saw a BIG snook hanging behind a little bend in the mangroves.
I walked further downriver of it, quietly got within casting distance, and tossed out my Yo-zuri.
I held my breath as I retrieved the lure.
No bite.
Tossed it out again.
No bite.
Repeat.
I don't know if I spooked the snook on the cast, or if it was the Yo-zuri I was using today. It was the 1/4oz size, in a white/orange/yellow combo. The color was garish, and I was a little skeptical when I tied it on, thinking it might spur a reactionary or defensive strike from a fish, but it didn't appear to be matching any specific real world bait fish.
Now I'm left wondering how it might have gone if I had strapped on my big 3/8oz Yo-zuri that I caught that snook on the other day. Or, it could be that the lure was okay and the snook either wasn't there anymore or wasn't feeding.
I'll have to test out the new Yo-zuri at the secret spot. If it doesn't work there, it won't work anywhere.
Curious.
I fished my usual spots to no success, so decided to try a more remote spot by the bridge that I hadn't tried in awhile. As I walked over to the bridge, I scanned the water for signs of life and saw a BIG snook hanging behind a little bend in the mangroves.
I walked further downriver of it, quietly got within casting distance, and tossed out my Yo-zuri.
I held my breath as I retrieved the lure.
No bite.
Tossed it out again.
No bite.
Repeat.
I don't know if I spooked the snook on the cast, or if it was the Yo-zuri I was using today. It was the 1/4oz size, in a white/orange/yellow combo. The color was garish, and I was a little skeptical when I tied it on, thinking it might spur a reactionary or defensive strike from a fish, but it didn't appear to be matching any specific real world bait fish.
Now I'm left wondering how it might have gone if I had strapped on my big 3/8oz Yo-zuri that I caught that snook on the other day. Or, it could be that the lure was okay and the snook either wasn't there anymore or wasn't feeding.
I'll have to test out the new Yo-zuri at the secret spot. If it doesn't work there, it won't work anywhere.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Blue Light Special
After my success with the snook yesterday, I decided to try the Hills, fully knowing that I wasn't going to catch jack shit. And while I'd like to use that first line as a way of throwing the reader off a blog that will ultimately be about some giant fish I pulled out of the river, I can't. I really didn't catch jack shit today.
I did have two passersby stop to chat me up, one a fellow staff member named David, and the other a student named Danielle. David talked about how he always saw fish in the river on the other side of this bridge:
Danielle, who actually knew a thing or two about saltwater fishing, said that she didn't see any fish in the river today. Advantage: Danielle.
After work, I ran by the Secret Spot to toss a few casts. The water was teeming with glass minnows, so I was hopeful that I could turn this one star day on the solunar table into a fish fest, but it wasn't to be. I did catch this little ladyfish on my 3/8oz Yo-zuri (the same one that caught the snook yesterday).
I saw a lot of ladyfish and trout following the lure up to the dock, but none of them were biting. My reasoning on this one is that the big Yo-zuri I was using didn't match the small size of the glass minnows in the area.
I made a quick switch out at the end of my twenty minutes and fished a Gulp mullet, which promptly had its tail bitten off, rendering it useless. I switched over to a rootbeer DOA shrimp, which I cast right into the middle of the glass minnows. A ladyfish picked it up and ran, but when it jumped it tossed the DOA out. Still, it felt good to hook a fish on a non-scented plastic lure.
About that time my phone rang. It was my friend Kelly, who was at the local Kmart. He said that the store was closing and that the fishing isle was all 50% off.
I jumped in my car and drove over, and bought six Yo-zuri's (two 3/8oz and four 1/4oz) and some wire leaders (for Spanish mackerel fishing) for a grand total of $28.14 after tax.
Six Yo-zuri's alone would have cost me sixty bucks, so this was a hell of a deal for me. I spread the news to a couple of other fishermen I knew and drove home with a overflowing tackle box.
I did have two passersby stop to chat me up, one a fellow staff member named David, and the other a student named Danielle. David talked about how he always saw fish in the river on the other side of this bridge:
Danielle, who actually knew a thing or two about saltwater fishing, said that she didn't see any fish in the river today. Advantage: Danielle.
After work, I ran by the Secret Spot to toss a few casts. The water was teeming with glass minnows, so I was hopeful that I could turn this one star day on the solunar table into a fish fest, but it wasn't to be. I did catch this little ladyfish on my 3/8oz Yo-zuri (the same one that caught the snook yesterday).
I saw a lot of ladyfish and trout following the lure up to the dock, but none of them were biting. My reasoning on this one is that the big Yo-zuri I was using didn't match the small size of the glass minnows in the area.
I made a quick switch out at the end of my twenty minutes and fished a Gulp mullet, which promptly had its tail bitten off, rendering it useless. I switched over to a rootbeer DOA shrimp, which I cast right into the middle of the glass minnows. A ladyfish picked it up and ran, but when it jumped it tossed the DOA out. Still, it felt good to hook a fish on a non-scented plastic lure.
About that time my phone rang. It was my friend Kelly, who was at the local Kmart. He said that the store was closing and that the fishing isle was all 50% off.
I jumped in my car and drove over, and bought six Yo-zuri's (two 3/8oz and four 1/4oz) and some wire leaders (for Spanish mackerel fishing) for a grand total of $28.14 after tax.
Six Yo-zuri's alone would have cost me sixty bucks, so this was a hell of a deal for me. I spread the news to a couple of other fishermen I knew and drove home with a overflowing tackle box.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Luck of the Bri-rish
Today I decided to toss out the ol' fishin' plug on my lunch break.
As I walked down to the seawall, I could see seagulls feeding off bait fish about 200 yards away. Since the tide was flowing toward me, I figured it would only be a matter of time before the bait school (and the fish feeding on it) would reach me.
In the meantime, I casted out into my usual ladyfish spots without a bite. At some point I was so bored waiting for the bait fish that I just stopped fishing and watched the seagulls dive bombing the school.
After about 30 minutes, I realized that the bait fish were not coming toward me. In fact, they seemed to be going the other way. That reminded me of something my father-in-law once told me: bait fish always swim into the wind.
The wind was blowing into my face, which meant the bait fish were going the opposite way.
Bah.
I was about to pack up in disgust when I heard a fish hit the water behind me. I decided to investigate.
I walked along the seawall, looking into the water with my super-spy polarized glasses. I saw a few mullet, and then what I took to be a larger mullet, but which was in fact a snook. Right there. I jolted to a stop and the snook saw me and swam off.
I walked further down the seawall and waited about 3 minutes to see if the snook would come back. I couldn't see any wake in the water or any other obvious signs that he had returned, but decided to cast in anyway.
First cast, nothing.
Second cast, FISH ON!
With the first leap from the water, I saw that I had caught the snook. Three more leaps later, I had it up against the dock and hoisted it toward me. Right as I got it over the dock, the snook thrashed and broke off the line, fell to the planks at my feet, and then froze. I reached down, pinned the snook to the deck, and pulled out the Yo-zuri.
I'm afraid that I don't have any photos to show you, but the snook had an amber tinge to it, perhaps from inhabiting the Hillsborough river. I did have my tape measure along, and the snook came in at exactly 19 inches total length. Yes, I've caught bigger ladyfish, but it felt so great to land my first snook of the year. This catch was especially meaningful to me after losing two big fish in a row. I knew there was a reason I wore my green tie to work today.
I tossed it back, and shook my head. The Hills never ceases to perplex me. I guess this means I'll have to keep fishing it.
For the record, the Yo-zuri I caught the snook on today was the "Blue Tiger" which has a top of blue tiger stripes and silver sides. I was using the 3/8 oz size, which is one size larger than the one I normally use.
One more thing: for comparison's sake, the snook I caught today barely pulled any drag off my reel. That just gives you an idea of how big the fish was that I lost last Saturday, the one that peeled half the line off my reel before I could turn it around.
Yes, it still burns.
As I walked down to the seawall, I could see seagulls feeding off bait fish about 200 yards away. Since the tide was flowing toward me, I figured it would only be a matter of time before the bait school (and the fish feeding on it) would reach me.
In the meantime, I casted out into my usual ladyfish spots without a bite. At some point I was so bored waiting for the bait fish that I just stopped fishing and watched the seagulls dive bombing the school.
After about 30 minutes, I realized that the bait fish were not coming toward me. In fact, they seemed to be going the other way. That reminded me of something my father-in-law once told me: bait fish always swim into the wind.
The wind was blowing into my face, which meant the bait fish were going the opposite way.
Bah.
I was about to pack up in disgust when I heard a fish hit the water behind me. I decided to investigate.
I walked along the seawall, looking into the water with my super-spy polarized glasses. I saw a few mullet, and then what I took to be a larger mullet, but which was in fact a snook. Right there. I jolted to a stop and the snook saw me and swam off.
I walked further down the seawall and waited about 3 minutes to see if the snook would come back. I couldn't see any wake in the water or any other obvious signs that he had returned, but decided to cast in anyway.
First cast, nothing.
Second cast, FISH ON!
With the first leap from the water, I saw that I had caught the snook. Three more leaps later, I had it up against the dock and hoisted it toward me. Right as I got it over the dock, the snook thrashed and broke off the line, fell to the planks at my feet, and then froze. I reached down, pinned the snook to the deck, and pulled out the Yo-zuri.
I'm afraid that I don't have any photos to show you, but the snook had an amber tinge to it, perhaps from inhabiting the Hillsborough river. I did have my tape measure along, and the snook came in at exactly 19 inches total length. Yes, I've caught bigger ladyfish, but it felt so great to land my first snook of the year. This catch was especially meaningful to me after losing two big fish in a row. I knew there was a reason I wore my green tie to work today.
I tossed it back, and shook my head. The Hills never ceases to perplex me. I guess this means I'll have to keep fishing it.
For the record, the Yo-zuri I caught the snook on today was the "Blue Tiger" which has a top of blue tiger stripes and silver sides. I was using the 3/8 oz size, which is one size larger than the one I normally use.
One more thing: for comparison's sake, the snook I caught today barely pulled any drag off my reel. That just gives you an idea of how big the fish was that I lost last Saturday, the one that peeled half the line off my reel before I could turn it around.
Yes, it still burns.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
The macks are running!
I decided to go over to Demen's landing again this morning for two reasons:
1) Yesterday I only fished a small portion--albeit the best portion--of the landing. I thought it couldn't hurt to try the other 200 yards or so of fishable seawall.
2) The security guard approached me yesterday while I was wrapped up in trying to catch the biggest fish of my life. I wanted to scope out the area a bit more to see if he was doing regular rounds or how in general he patrolled the area, because there is no way in hell I'm not fishing that dock again!
There is a nice channel that runs from the bay to the docks that is deep and has a nice current. I saw a bunch of sheepshead working the area, so I figured there was probably other life around. I tied on a green top/gold sides Yo-zuri and got to work. I think it was about three casts in that I hooked up with a good fight. At first I thought it was a ladyfish, but absent any jumping, I started to think it might be a small jack. Imagine my surprise when I pulled up a Spanish mackeral:
I knew the Spanish macks would be moving in soon, due to the glass minnows I've been seeing in the area, but I had no idea it would be this soon. The only drawback to catching the mackeral is that I need to now reconsider my leader situation. I've been fishing without a leader all winter, but if there are going to be mackeral in the same areas where I'm fishing for trout and ladyfish, I have to put on a leader or I'm going to go through lures far too fast. Those macks have some nasty teeth.
After fishing Demen's landing a bit longer, I packed up and drove over to Coffee Pot. I wanted to toss the Yo-zuri a bit and see if I couldn't find a snook somewhere in the bayou.
After about fifteen minutes and not a bite, I packed up again and drove over to the Secret Spot. I fished the Gotcha first, and was getting several very tentative bites. I don't know if the fish were undersized, or if somehow there were some larger pinfish around, but the lure was getting hammered (though no hook-ups).
At some point I cast out and my Gotcha just kept sailing, and I knew that the line had snapped. I hate it when that happens. Gotta check the line regularly when fishing with that heavy Gotcha!
I switched back over to a gold sides/green top Yo-zuri and on my first cast hooked up with a big trout! It was a keeper for sure, and was fighting me like a champ. I kept the slack out of the line and the drag light and worked it slowly to the dock, taking every possible precaution to no lose the fish.
It didn't matter. He thrashed and spit the lure. My quest to land a keeper trout continues.
I couldn't coax any bites out of any other fish after that, so I decided to go try the shallower water, and hooked up with a big lady right away, so big in fact, that I couldn't get the whole fish in my viewfinder while kneeling down to unhook it. Here is a close up:
Shortly after I hooked up with another lady:
And another:
A manatee cruised right by me:
I landed a small lady after that, then the school must have moved, because the bite turned off.
1) Yesterday I only fished a small portion--albeit the best portion--of the landing. I thought it couldn't hurt to try the other 200 yards or so of fishable seawall.
2) The security guard approached me yesterday while I was wrapped up in trying to catch the biggest fish of my life. I wanted to scope out the area a bit more to see if he was doing regular rounds or how in general he patrolled the area, because there is no way in hell I'm not fishing that dock again!
There is a nice channel that runs from the bay to the docks that is deep and has a nice current. I saw a bunch of sheepshead working the area, so I figured there was probably other life around. I tied on a green top/gold sides Yo-zuri and got to work. I think it was about three casts in that I hooked up with a good fight. At first I thought it was a ladyfish, but absent any jumping, I started to think it might be a small jack. Imagine my surprise when I pulled up a Spanish mackeral:
I knew the Spanish macks would be moving in soon, due to the glass minnows I've been seeing in the area, but I had no idea it would be this soon. The only drawback to catching the mackeral is that I need to now reconsider my leader situation. I've been fishing without a leader all winter, but if there are going to be mackeral in the same areas where I'm fishing for trout and ladyfish, I have to put on a leader or I'm going to go through lures far too fast. Those macks have some nasty teeth.
After fishing Demen's landing a bit longer, I packed up and drove over to Coffee Pot. I wanted to toss the Yo-zuri a bit and see if I couldn't find a snook somewhere in the bayou.
After about fifteen minutes and not a bite, I packed up again and drove over to the Secret Spot. I fished the Gotcha first, and was getting several very tentative bites. I don't know if the fish were undersized, or if somehow there were some larger pinfish around, but the lure was getting hammered (though no hook-ups).
At some point I cast out and my Gotcha just kept sailing, and I knew that the line had snapped. I hate it when that happens. Gotta check the line regularly when fishing with that heavy Gotcha!
I switched back over to a gold sides/green top Yo-zuri and on my first cast hooked up with a big trout! It was a keeper for sure, and was fighting me like a champ. I kept the slack out of the line and the drag light and worked it slowly to the dock, taking every possible precaution to no lose the fish.
It didn't matter. He thrashed and spit the lure. My quest to land a keeper trout continues.
I couldn't coax any bites out of any other fish after that, so I decided to go try the shallower water, and hooked up with a big lady right away, so big in fact, that I couldn't get the whole fish in my viewfinder while kneeling down to unhook it. Here is a close up:
Shortly after I hooked up with another lady:
And another:
A manatee cruised right by me:
I landed a small lady after that, then the school must have moved, because the bite turned off.
Not a bad day on the water!
Saturday, March 14, 2009
They should have called it Demon's Landing
Got out before first light this morning to try out a spot where I had sighted a few snook swimming around. It wasn't quite light out yet, but there was a bright moon and some dock lights to cast around.
I started casting out my She Dog topwater lure, but as enticing as it looked to me, the fish weren't biting. Oh, and the fish were there. I saw three snook in the 20" range cruse by the dock, and three big jacks working around the dock too. I knew in my heart it was only a matter of time until I hooked up with something.
I walked back to the car and switched out the She Dog for a 1/4oz Yo-zuri (green top/gold sides). I was a little hesitant to put it on since it was the hero of this day. Also, since the lure technically belonged to my dad, I was afraid of losing it. But, seeing the most productive lure in my arsenal just sitting there, I tied it on anyway.
I tossed out a couple of casts, but nothing took it. On the third cast, I dropped the lure right in a little school of glass minnows, and just as the lure hit the water, I got a big hit that immediately went slack. I reeled in the line and there was nothing attached.
While I walked back to my car for a new lure, I snapped this photo.
I started casting out my She Dog topwater lure, but as enticing as it looked to me, the fish weren't biting. Oh, and the fish were there. I saw three snook in the 20" range cruse by the dock, and three big jacks working around the dock too. I knew in my heart it was only a matter of time until I hooked up with something.
I walked back to the car and switched out the She Dog for a 1/4oz Yo-zuri (green top/gold sides). I was a little hesitant to put it on since it was the hero of this day. Also, since the lure technically belonged to my dad, I was afraid of losing it. But, seeing the most productive lure in my arsenal just sitting there, I tied it on anyway.
I tossed out a couple of casts, but nothing took it. On the third cast, I dropped the lure right in a little school of glass minnows, and just as the lure hit the water, I got a big hit that immediately went slack. I reeled in the line and there was nothing attached.
While I walked back to my car for a new lure, I snapped this photo.
My lure options were difficult again. I had a larger Yo-zuri that had yet to catch me anything, and one of my most productive lures, a black top/silver sides Yo-zuri from this day. Though the prospect of losing another heroic Yo-zuri was not high on my to-do list, I knew the lure could catch fish, so I tied it on.
I was on my fifth or sixth cast when I tossed the Yo-zuri into a shallower spot by the dock light. I had a quick hit, and I pulled up to set the hook. What happened next shot adrenaline through my body as the fish pulled my lure in a 50 yard bee-line in the opposite direction.
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzZZZZZZZZZZZzzzz.
I finally stopped his run by tightening down the drag and then started the process of pulling what felt like a log back through the water. Pull, reel. Pull, reel. Pull, reel.
As the fish got closer, I looked for a spot lower to the water where I could land the fish. I knew the fish was far too heavy to hoist out of the water using just my rod. As I turned back, I couldn't find my line in the water. By the time I located it, I realized the fish had started swimming toward me and toward a dock off to my left. I reeled back in as fast as I could and started pulling against the fish, but it saw its salvation and took it.
As my line wrapped around the dock piling, I knew it was over. If I was thinking straight, I would have released the bail and waited for the fish to swim out. Instead, I tried to horse him off the piling, and ping! the line snapped.
I cussed my heart out.
When I turned around, there was a uniformed security guard there. "Sorry, bud, but you can't fish here."
%$#*&#
Folornly, I packed up my gear and drove over to the Vinoy basin. I caught a ladyfish on a Gulp mullet, which at least got the skunk off, but my heart just wasn't in it. As you can see in the photo, I didn't even bother taking the photo in focus.
Losing that fish is tough to stomach. Losing the fishing spot is even worse.
Friday, March 13, 2009
The hits keep on coming at the S.I.S.S.
Made a quick 20 minute stop at the Snell Isle Secret spot (on the dock side) on my way home today.
I tied on the 5/8oz Gotcha that was killing them yesterday and got right back to work. The hook issue that I mentioned yesterday was even more apparent today, as I jumped six ladyfish before I could hook one securely enough to land it on the dock.
I ended up bringing in three ladyfish in the 15" range and and a 12" trout before calling it quits. The trout stripped about half of the bucktail off the Gotcha, so I'll be curious if it continues to catch fish tomorrow. I should also note that the trout was the first fish that actually took the J hook at the rear of the lure, so at least I know it is possible.
The only other notable point was that one of the ladies I jumped was in the 20" plus range, and it felt good to have a nice tug on the line after catching all these small fish the last couple of days.
I tied on the 5/8oz Gotcha that was killing them yesterday and got right back to work. The hook issue that I mentioned yesterday was even more apparent today, as I jumped six ladyfish before I could hook one securely enough to land it on the dock.
I ended up bringing in three ladyfish in the 15" range and and a 12" trout before calling it quits. The trout stripped about half of the bucktail off the Gotcha, so I'll be curious if it continues to catch fish tomorrow. I should also note that the trout was the first fish that actually took the J hook at the rear of the lure, so at least I know it is possible.
The only other notable point was that one of the ladies I jumped was in the 20" plus range, and it felt good to have a nice tug on the line after catching all these small fish the last couple of days.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Quick Hit at the S.I.S.S.
I tried the Hills at lunch today, and though the tide was incoming and strong, the bite was absent. I'm going to skip the drawn out explanation of how and why I didn't catch any fish and just say that the highlight of the hour I spent fishing was when I found a slip-bobber floating in the river. I scooped it up and headed back to work.
Yesterday I stopped by my local tackle shop, "Minnows & Monsters" and picked up a couple of rods I had left to be either repaired, respooled with 10lb braid, or both. While I was there, I picked up a couple of 5/8oz Gotcha lures. These were slightly different than the others I've bought in two distinct ways.
1) Instead of two treble hooks, the rear was replaced with a J-hook, and
2) There was a white bucktail tied on to cover the above-referenced J-hook.
See below:
Yesterday I stopped by my local tackle shop, "Minnows & Monsters" and picked up a couple of rods I had left to be either repaired, respooled with 10lb braid, or both. While I was there, I picked up a couple of 5/8oz Gotcha lures. These were slightly different than the others I've bought in two distinct ways.
1) Instead of two treble hooks, the rear was replaced with a J-hook, and
2) There was a white bucktail tied on to cover the above-referenced J-hook.
See below:
I was chomping at the bit to toss this little sucker out, but my skunking on the Hills got me thinking that perhaps this modified Gotcha was still on the shelf at the tackle shop for a reason.
To further test out the lure, I ran by the Snell Isle Secret Spot for a quick thirty minutes of casting.
On my first cast, I hooked up with a big trout, and from what I could tell, it was going to be my elusive first keeper of the season. In my excitement, I horsed it a bit more than I should have, and the hook slipped when the fish was still 10 yards out from the dock. Damn.
My disappointment didn't last long, though, as my next cast netted a 15 inch ladyfish. There were a couple of guys fishing from the seawall, and the lady caught their attention. When I reeled in another ladyfish on my next cast, they packed up their stuff and left. (Sorry guys, didn't mean to rub it in your face.)
In the next twenty or so minutes, I would land three more ladyfish and another trout, bringing my total landed to six fish.
I worked the Gotcha in a variety of different retrieves, from a fast pop-pop-reel to a slow pop-pause-reel. Both caught fish, and neither seemed to have a particular advantage over the other.
The most interesting thing to come up today with the new Gotcha was that I caught all six fish on the front treble hook. Not one took the J-hook at the back of the lure. I did have several hits without hook-ups, so I wonder if the fish weren't having a hard time latching on to the rear hook. Or, it could be that all the fish were going for the kill shot and hitting the lure in the head, therefore getting the front treble. It's a headscratcher.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
The tides of March
Many people don't know that I have a fake tooth. I do. It is connected to my mouth with a "Maryland bridge." This morning, upon having a snack of pretzels, I felt an odd sensation in my mouth. I reached up and my fake tooth fell out into my hand.
Damn.
I called the dentist for an emergency visit, and they were able to fit me in.
Excellent.
By 2:00pm, I was free. I went home, checked my email, and then drove off to the fishing circuit.
I started the circuit at a new spot, which I will not yet reveal, since I didn't catch any fish there. But I did spot four snook cruising the area, so I shall return, armed for bear.
I also spotted a snook at my next stop, at CPB, southwest side near the bridge. I tossed out my Yo-zuri and the snook circled back to the lure, got close enough to sniff it, then turned away.
Damn.
Jumped a ladyfish a few casts later.
Damn.
With the stench of the skunk on me, I headed to my last location: the Snell Isle Secret Spot.
The secret spot...it did not disappoint. With a full moon on the horizon and a high outgoing tide, the secret spot was boiling.
Here are the fish I caught, all on a 1/4oz Yo-zuri Crystal Minnow (gold sides/green back) that I gave my dad for Christmas, and who consequently left it in my car last weekend. Merry Christmas!
I led off with a spotted trout, which is an unusual fish to catch on a hard-body artificial:
Much to my surprise, my second catch was another trout. This one I measured at 12".
Next up, a lady in the 15" range:
Then, another lady:
Damn.
I called the dentist for an emergency visit, and they were able to fit me in.
Excellent.
By 2:00pm, I was free. I went home, checked my email, and then drove off to the fishing circuit.
I started the circuit at a new spot, which I will not yet reveal, since I didn't catch any fish there. But I did spot four snook cruising the area, so I shall return, armed for bear.
I also spotted a snook at my next stop, at CPB, southwest side near the bridge. I tossed out my Yo-zuri and the snook circled back to the lure, got close enough to sniff it, then turned away.
Damn.
Jumped a ladyfish a few casts later.
Damn.
With the stench of the skunk on me, I headed to my last location: the Snell Isle Secret Spot.
The secret spot...it did not disappoint. With a full moon on the horizon and a high outgoing tide, the secret spot was boiling.
Here are the fish I caught, all on a 1/4oz Yo-zuri Crystal Minnow (gold sides/green back) that I gave my dad for Christmas, and who consequently left it in my car last weekend. Merry Christmas!
I led off with a spotted trout, which is an unusual fish to catch on a hard-body artificial:
Much to my surprise, my second catch was another trout. This one I measured at 12".
Next up, a lady in the 15" range:
Then, another lady:
And another...
And, another:
And another!
Back to the trout:
And another:
My fishing buddy heard all the commotion and showed up for a free snack:
My 10th and final fish was a sea trout, and then I decided to call it quits:
The hero of the day:
$10 well spent.
For the purposes of memory, I was fishing the Yo-zuri very different today than usual. On the retrieve, I had the rod tip low off the dock--almost to the water--and found a pop-pop-pause-pop seemed to bring in the heavy bites. The lower I got the lure into the water column, the higher the probability to picking up a trout. The higher part of the water column belonged to the ladies.
I didn't mention the number of ladyfish that I jumped at the secret spot, but it was at least as many as I caught. This might have been my career best day of saltwater fishing, and proof positive that big days on the solunar table equal big days of catching.
Hoping to get out on the Hills tomorrow, but if not, this trip ought to hold me for a few days.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Can always count on the ladies to get the skunk off
I was home from work today with laryngitis and a general ass-kicking cold. I did make it out for a little vitamin D today, and frankly, when I was fishing, it was the best I felt all day. Nothing like fishing to clear my mind (but not my sinuses).
Today was a top-rated day on the solunar table, but the fish weren't biting at 2:00pm. I worked Coffee Pot over pretty well, but only managed one tentative hit from a ladyfish.
Later, when I went to pick up Reilly, I stopped by the secret spot to make a few casts. The fish were hungry and acting like it was a top-rated day on the solunar table; namely, by rabidly attacking my Yo-zuri.
I jumped three ladyfish on back-to-back casts, and then landed the fourth before running out of time.
I picked up Reilly at school, and after a stop at the playground, we headed home. For dinner tonight: spotted sea trout.
Today was a top-rated day on the solunar table, but the fish weren't biting at 2:00pm. I worked Coffee Pot over pretty well, but only managed one tentative hit from a ladyfish.
Later, when I went to pick up Reilly, I stopped by the secret spot to make a few casts. The fish were hungry and acting like it was a top-rated day on the solunar table; namely, by rabidly attacking my Yo-zuri.
I jumped three ladyfish on back-to-back casts, and then landed the fourth before running out of time.
I picked up Reilly at school, and after a stop at the playground, we headed home. For dinner tonight: spotted sea trout.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
St. Pete seawall fishing circut
Picked up my dad at 6:30 this morning and headed over to the Snell Isle condo dock to start our Saturday morning fishing circuit. The tide was dead low.
Dad tied on a 1/8oz red jig head with a white Gulp in the mullet pattern. I tied on a 7/8oz gold Gotcha. Though it was too heavy, it gave me good casting distance, and besides, after slayin' the fish on Gotcha's yesterday, I couldn't resist tying another one on.
Dad got a couple bumps, but couldn't get the distance necessary to reach the deeper water. On my second cast from the dock, I hooked up with a silver trout.
After that catch, I thought we'd have a shot at pulling a few more fish out, but the boat traffic leaving the canals was very heavy. The boats were so continuous that I couldn't get a cast out before having to reel in to keep my line out of somebody's motor.
We packed up and headed over to the secret spot. It was on my dad's first or second cast that he hooked up with a real rod-bender. He ended up catching a 15.5" spotted sea trout. As you might imagine, I was pretty psyched--the elusive keeper trout had finally been landed.
I ran to the car, grabbed the fish bag, and tossed him in. I think I was more excited than my dad. Shortly after, he was able to hook up again, this time with a ladyfish. I kept casting the Gotcha, and finally came up with my first fish, a nice ladyfish.
The details are a little fuzzy after that. I recall hooking and losing another fish, and I'm pretty sure my dad jumped another ladyfish. There was a ton of seaweed in the water, so eventually we decided to pack up and head over to CPB, but first I walked over to the baitshop at the secret spot and bought a bag of ice for our trout.
The kid working there was nice enough, but also tried to tell me that I wasn't allowed to fish the seawall there. He told my dad the same. We both told him in the nicest way possible that we could give a shit what he thought. That said, I think it is time to cool off on the secret spot again.
Coffee Pot skunked us again. I don't know what happened to the ladyfish that used to hang around there, but they are gone.
We headed over to the Vinoy Basin and started getting bites right away. As we fished the area, a big snook cruised through the water, but spooked when I tried to toss the Gotcha over by him.
My dad ended up pulling a big ladyfish out of the water a few minutes later, and I managed to hook the smallest lizard fish imaginable on my Gotcha.
Dad worked his way around to the channel at the basin and had a big bite that ended with a break off. By then it was 9:00am anyway, so it was time to pack up and move on. I stopped by Kahwa coffee to pick up a cappuccino for Shawn, dropped off Dad, then headed home.
Just one more thing to do:
Dad tied on a 1/8oz red jig head with a white Gulp in the mullet pattern. I tied on a 7/8oz gold Gotcha. Though it was too heavy, it gave me good casting distance, and besides, after slayin' the fish on Gotcha's yesterday, I couldn't resist tying another one on.
Dad got a couple bumps, but couldn't get the distance necessary to reach the deeper water. On my second cast from the dock, I hooked up with a silver trout.
After that catch, I thought we'd have a shot at pulling a few more fish out, but the boat traffic leaving the canals was very heavy. The boats were so continuous that I couldn't get a cast out before having to reel in to keep my line out of somebody's motor.
We packed up and headed over to the secret spot. It was on my dad's first or second cast that he hooked up with a real rod-bender. He ended up catching a 15.5" spotted sea trout. As you might imagine, I was pretty psyched--the elusive keeper trout had finally been landed.
I ran to the car, grabbed the fish bag, and tossed him in. I think I was more excited than my dad. Shortly after, he was able to hook up again, this time with a ladyfish. I kept casting the Gotcha, and finally came up with my first fish, a nice ladyfish.
The details are a little fuzzy after that. I recall hooking and losing another fish, and I'm pretty sure my dad jumped another ladyfish. There was a ton of seaweed in the water, so eventually we decided to pack up and head over to CPB, but first I walked over to the baitshop at the secret spot and bought a bag of ice for our trout.
The kid working there was nice enough, but also tried to tell me that I wasn't allowed to fish the seawall there. He told my dad the same. We both told him in the nicest way possible that we could give a shit what he thought. That said, I think it is time to cool off on the secret spot again.
Coffee Pot skunked us again. I don't know what happened to the ladyfish that used to hang around there, but they are gone.
We headed over to the Vinoy Basin and started getting bites right away. As we fished the area, a big snook cruised through the water, but spooked when I tried to toss the Gotcha over by him.
My dad ended up pulling a big ladyfish out of the water a few minutes later, and I managed to hook the smallest lizard fish imaginable on my Gotcha.
Dad worked his way around to the channel at the basin and had a big bite that ended with a break off. By then it was 9:00am anyway, so it was time to pack up and move on. I stopped by Kahwa coffee to pick up a cappuccino for Shawn, dropped off Dad, then headed home.
Just one more thing to do:
Friday, March 6, 2009
Got yer Gotcha, part II
My buddy Kelly was able to cut out of work early today, so we battled the traffic and met up at the secret spot to see if we could catch some damn fish.
In short, we slayed 'em.
I started off with a DOA rootbeer shrimp, and got a couple tentative bites, but nothing was cooking there. In the meantime, Kelly was fishing with a 1/4oz Yozuri Crystal minnow (gold sides/green top). This is my go-to lure, but it wasn't getting any bites either.
I switched to a Gotcha lure that I picked up at Monsters & Minnows tackle shop today. It was a 5/8oz silver body with a red head. First cast, I pulled in what Kelly thought was a sheepshead, but it turns out it was a female black sea bass.
Second cast I caught and landed a 20" ladyfish. What was unusual about the lady was that it never once jumped. I can't say that I've ever caught a ladyfish that hasn't jumped. Odd.
Wanting to get Kelly on to the fish, I swapped rods with him. He kept the skunk off with a quick catch of a ladyfish, followed by another lady.
After jumping a couple of ladyfish, he had a nice hit which broke off the line. Gotcha gone. I tied on the other Gotcha I picked up today, also 5/8oz, but this one with a chartreuse head. Kelly quickly picked up a nice Gulf Kingfish and another ladyfish in the 20" range.
Next up he got a powerful hit from what turned out to be a monster lizard fish. It might have been a world record. If they kept records for lizard fish.
It was an angry lizard fish, and wrapped itself up in the line something fierce. It took Kelly and I a few minutes to get him loose.
By that point the sun had gone down and the bite had slowed.
Kelly hooked up with another nice fish that jumped free, and I hooked up with what I think was a nice trout that pulled free. Kelly had the knot give on the second Gotcha, so we packed up our gear and called it a night.
Not bad for an hour of fishing.
In short, we slayed 'em.
I started off with a DOA rootbeer shrimp, and got a couple tentative bites, but nothing was cooking there. In the meantime, Kelly was fishing with a 1/4oz Yozuri Crystal minnow (gold sides/green top). This is my go-to lure, but it wasn't getting any bites either.
I switched to a Gotcha lure that I picked up at Monsters & Minnows tackle shop today. It was a 5/8oz silver body with a red head. First cast, I pulled in what Kelly thought was a sheepshead, but it turns out it was a female black sea bass.
Second cast I caught and landed a 20" ladyfish. What was unusual about the lady was that it never once jumped. I can't say that I've ever caught a ladyfish that hasn't jumped. Odd.
Wanting to get Kelly on to the fish, I swapped rods with him. He kept the skunk off with a quick catch of a ladyfish, followed by another lady.
After jumping a couple of ladyfish, he had a nice hit which broke off the line. Gotcha gone. I tied on the other Gotcha I picked up today, also 5/8oz, but this one with a chartreuse head. Kelly quickly picked up a nice Gulf Kingfish and another ladyfish in the 20" range.
Next up he got a powerful hit from what turned out to be a monster lizard fish. It might have been a world record. If they kept records for lizard fish.
It was an angry lizard fish, and wrapped itself up in the line something fierce. It took Kelly and I a few minutes to get him loose.
By that point the sun had gone down and the bite had slowed.
Kelly hooked up with another nice fish that jumped free, and I hooked up with what I think was a nice trout that pulled free. Kelly had the knot give on the second Gotcha, so we packed up our gear and called it a night.
Not bad for an hour of fishing.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Got yer Gotcha
Even though the salinity was low in the Hillsborough today at lunch, I decided to fish it anyway. The day was simply too nice to not be outside.
To my benefit: the incoming tide. To my detriment: the incoming tide was slow and the water was very clear--too clear.
I was fishing with the same 5/8oz Gotcha from yesterday, and it produced a nice hit on my fifth or sixth cast. Unfortunately, the hit broke off my line, and as if to rub it in my face, the ladyfish jumped out of the water and flicked my untethered lure tantalizingly close to where I was standing.
The lure sank out of sight.
I went back to my car, tied on a big Yo-zuri (I can't think of the weight, but it is about twice the size of my usual Yo-zuri's). I figured that the larger Yo-zuri would raise the possibility of a ladyfish biting the lure instead of the line.
I did get two nice hits from very large ladyfish, but each time the ladyfish let loose of the lure before I could set the hook. That is one of the disadvantages of using a larger lure--with the treble hooks further apart, it lowers the possibility of a fish getting hooked on the first bite.
So I was skunked, but it was a great way to spend the early afternoon. The sun was out and for once the wind wasn't howling down the river.
To my benefit: the incoming tide. To my detriment: the incoming tide was slow and the water was very clear--too clear.
I was fishing with the same 5/8oz Gotcha from yesterday, and it produced a nice hit on my fifth or sixth cast. Unfortunately, the hit broke off my line, and as if to rub it in my face, the ladyfish jumped out of the water and flicked my untethered lure tantalizingly close to where I was standing.
The lure sank out of sight.
I went back to my car, tied on a big Yo-zuri (I can't think of the weight, but it is about twice the size of my usual Yo-zuri's). I figured that the larger Yo-zuri would raise the possibility of a ladyfish biting the lure instead of the line.
I did get two nice hits from very large ladyfish, but each time the ladyfish let loose of the lure before I could set the hook. That is one of the disadvantages of using a larger lure--with the treble hooks further apart, it lowers the possibility of a fish getting hooked on the first bite.
So I was skunked, but it was a great way to spend the early afternoon. The sun was out and for once the wind wasn't howling down the river.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Down on the Bayou
I was watching a fishing show the other night that featured a guide who was willing to go out in any weather to catch fish. He would get a call from a customer on a rainy day who was wondering if they would still go out or if they should cancel. He would tell them that if they were willing to get wet, he would make sure they caught fish.
I think it takes a lot of guts to make that promise, and I think that that is the true test of a fisherman--being able to catch fish in even the worst of conditions.
Today I stopped by Coffee Pot Bayou on the way home to test out my ladyfish spot with my small Gotcha lure.
As I was fishing, a man with a white beard loped up and asked me if I was catching anything. I told him that I hadn't, but that I thought I'd be able to in a few minutes.
He stopped and started to shoot the breeze with me, and at first, I was annoyed. I think of fishing as a solitary activity, something to quiet my mind, so when this old chap was chatting me up, all I could think of was how long it would take for him to move on.
Instead, he stayed. And when I caught my first ladyfish, he told me that it just made his day to see me catch a fish. He was a little emotional about it, then told me about his two tours in Vietnam, and how all he wanted to do was to go fishing, and then he proceeded to tell me four or five fish tales in a row, the last one culminating with him and a friend catching 200 bass and 150 perch.
In one day.
Overall, I caught four ladyfish and a lizard fish over the course of our conversation. Each one he lauded like it was a champion snook.
It was a unique and special moment to share a bit of my fishing with this man, who watched me fish for thirty minutes in the blowing wind, with the water choppy to the point of zero visibility, on a day that even the castnetters stayed home.
I was glad to help him get back to his old memories, to guide him back to happy days of bass and bream.
I think it takes a lot of guts to make that promise, and I think that that is the true test of a fisherman--being able to catch fish in even the worst of conditions.
Today I stopped by Coffee Pot Bayou on the way home to test out my ladyfish spot with my small Gotcha lure.
As I was fishing, a man with a white beard loped up and asked me if I was catching anything. I told him that I hadn't, but that I thought I'd be able to in a few minutes.
He stopped and started to shoot the breeze with me, and at first, I was annoyed. I think of fishing as a solitary activity, something to quiet my mind, so when this old chap was chatting me up, all I could think of was how long it would take for him to move on.
Instead, he stayed. And when I caught my first ladyfish, he told me that it just made his day to see me catch a fish. He was a little emotional about it, then told me about his two tours in Vietnam, and how all he wanted to do was to go fishing, and then he proceeded to tell me four or five fish tales in a row, the last one culminating with him and a friend catching 200 bass and 150 perch.
In one day.
Overall, I caught four ladyfish and a lizard fish over the course of our conversation. Each one he lauded like it was a champion snook.
It was a unique and special moment to share a bit of my fishing with this man, who watched me fish for thirty minutes in the blowing wind, with the water choppy to the point of zero visibility, on a day that even the castnetters stayed home.
I was glad to help him get back to his old memories, to guide him back to happy days of bass and bream.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Big ladies, little ladies--I like 'em all
Took my lunch out by the river today. I tied on a 1/4oz Yo-zuri with silver sides and a green top, went down to the dock, and started casting. On my first cast, I had a tremendous hit, and a large ladyfish burst through the surface, shook its head, and tossed my lure.
Second cast, I got a hit and then the hardest pull of my drag that I've ever put my reel through. I thought it would start smoking. I dug my rod butt into my stomach and held on, wondering what kind of fish I had on, when a huge ladyfish launched itself into the air and--predictably--tossed my lure out of its mouth.
Now, I ask you: What should I have done next?
What I did was cast out again, and hook another monstrous ladyfish, which jumped, shook its head, and snapped my line.
What I should have done before casting out again was check for weakness in my line after that second ladyfish put so much stress on my 10 pound braid.
So, my lunch break ended prematurely.
Later in the afternoon, I stopped by Coffee Pot for a few quick casts. I hesitated to even bring out my gear as it was so windy. I tried casting out with my Yo-zuri, but couldn't fling the lure more than twenty feet, which was not far enough out to reachthe ladies. Second, the water was so rough, it would have been hard for the ladies to see my lure in that chop anyway.
So, I walked back to my car and switched to a Gotcha lure to see if any of the ladies were hiding deeper in the hole. Cue superhero music:
Second cast, I got a hit and then the hardest pull of my drag that I've ever put my reel through. I thought it would start smoking. I dug my rod butt into my stomach and held on, wondering what kind of fish I had on, when a huge ladyfish launched itself into the air and--predictably--tossed my lure out of its mouth.
Now, I ask you: What should I have done next?
What I did was cast out again, and hook another monstrous ladyfish, which jumped, shook its head, and snapped my line.
What I should have done before casting out again was check for weakness in my line after that second ladyfish put so much stress on my 10 pound braid.
So, my lunch break ended prematurely.
Later in the afternoon, I stopped by Coffee Pot for a few quick casts. I hesitated to even bring out my gear as it was so windy. I tried casting out with my Yo-zuri, but couldn't fling the lure more than twenty feet, which was not far enough out to reachthe ladies. Second, the water was so rough, it would have been hard for the ladies to see my lure in that chop anyway.
So, I walked back to my car and switched to a Gotcha lure to see if any of the ladies were hiding deeper in the hole. Cue superhero music:
I casted my Gotcha back into the same spot and started slayin' em. I reeled in three small ladyfish and jumped about six others in about 15 minutes. The 5/8 Gotcha is the smallest size they make, and really the only one light enough for my tackle. It was easy to fish and got fierce strikes toward the bottom of the water column.
Thinking about trying it out again tomorrow if the tide is right.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)