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.