[sand flea]

I had plans to take off Friday and hit the beach mid-afternoon, then fish through till Saturday morning. Then I took a look at the weather report and realized Saturday was going to be a blow-out--high rain and wind all day. So I decided to do something I'd never tried before: a single in-and-out trip starting super early and leaving before the weather turned. I was on the road by 4 AM Friday and had a spot just south of 26 by 9:00 AM. The first fish came after about an hour or so and put up a pretty good fight. But once I got her on the beach I realized she was one of those weird humpback stripers. When I saw a nasty sore/tumor on her back I made a quick decision to put her back. For any of you who remember the mycobacterium/pfiesteria outbreaks about a decade ago, you know that getting that crap in an open cut is bad news.

A few minutes later I picked up a decent sized blue, which I kept for the smoker in the hopes that I could land more. But unfortunately I hadn't brought a fireball rig and spent the rest of the day getting my bait stolen. And my early optimism about how I'd pick up another striper was misplaced. I didn't catch squat the rest of the day. But honestly it was great. The ride home was exhausting but I made it in a little after midnight. I might have to do more of these one-day trips. I don't think I can hack those overnights again without feeling like I've been kicked by a horse.

 

[Thrifty Angler]

I had plans to take off Friday and hit the beach mid-afternoon, then fish through till Saturday morning. Then I took a look at the weather report and realized Saturday was going to be a blow-out--high rain and wind all day. So I decided to do something I'd never tried before: a single in-and-out trip starting super early and leaving before the weather turned. I was on the road by 4 AM Friday and had a spot just south of 26 by 9:00 AM. The first fish came after about an hour or so and put up a pretty good fight. But once I got her on the beach I realized she was one of those weird humpback stripers. When I saw a nasty sore/tumor on her back I made a quick decision to put her back. For any of you who remember the mycobacterium/pfiesteria outbreaks about a decade ago, you know that getting that crap in an open cut is bad news.

A few minutes later I picked up a decent sized blue, which I kept for the smoker in the hopes that I could land more. But unfortunately I hadn't brought a fireball rig and spent the rest of the day getting my bait stolen. And my early optimism about how I'd pick up another striper was misplaced. I didn't catch squat the rest of the day. But honestly it was great. The ride home was exhausting but I made it in a little after midnight. I might have to do more of these one-day trips. I don't think I can hack those overnights again without feeling like I've been kicked by a horse.

Hehe....getting up there in years eh??? That'll get you every time.
Congrats on being able to get in some time to fish. Congrats on getting a bluefish. Hope it's the first of many. Sometimes those short times on the water pay off well. It'll be cool if you can get in more of these type trips. I wouldn't call em quickies .....although they are just as satisfying as putting in longer time.

 

[sand flea]

TA, yeah I'm old and busted The major downside here is it's so far away that I spent almost as much time in the car as I did fishing. But I'm glad I'm not out there now. It looks craptastic.

 

[TunaFish]

Thanks for the report and good catch. Talking about getting old, the days of taking a quick nap in front of Bev's store to get more bait and back onto the sand is over. Man, it felt like it was just yesterday.

 

[andypat]

That's a pretty good picture. Who took it for you?

 

[fish-on]

I must have passed you on the beach, I would have stopped to say hi had I known. you should've stayed a bit longer and fished the second low tide, plus the weather hadn't turned yet. I was also doing a single day type trip. I was going to fish km27 because I caught fish there last week, but two red suvs were already there. So I tried a couple other spots on the beach without any luck, around 7pm I decided to make a last move. I ended up catching 3 and losing 2 between 11pm-1am.

 

[sand flea]

Andy, my very patient wife made the trip with me and shot a quick video as I was bringing it in. This was a framegrab.

Thanks for the report and good catch. Talking about getting old, the days of taking a quick nap in front of Bev's store to get more bait and back onto the sand is over. Man, it felt like it was just yesterday.

Ain't that the truth. I had no problem fishing for days straight, exhausted and filthy and burnt out and ready for more. Now I come back achy and banged up. My throat muscles are sore from casting. How the hell are my throat muscles sore from casting?

I must have passed you on the beach, I would have stopped to say hi had I known. you should've stayed a bit longer and fished the second low tide, plus the weather hadn't turned yet. I was also doing a single day type trip. I was going to fish km27 because I caught fish there last week, but two red suvs were already there. So I tried a couple other spots on the beach without any luck, around 7pm I decided to make a last move. I ended up catching 3 and losing 2 between 11pm-1am.

Damn. Wish I'd stayed. Glad you got into them though. Drop by and say hi next time--gray Xterra, a tall goofy looking white dude in a boonie hat not catching fish in front.

 

[Thrifty Angler]

My throat muscles are sore from casting. How the hell are my throat muscles sore from casting?

Could be because of all the gasping for air...and I'm not talking about the fish.
Or from all the grunting from having to dig your heels in on each cast.
Or maybe all your other muscles were so tired...the only ones left to pick up the slack were in the throat.
Or just maybe it was a good old dose of salty air that got to ya.

I would suggest gargling with salt water for a couple days....but I have a feeling you've had all the salt water you care to for a while.

 

[cocoflea]

Keep the reports coming I hope to have a few this week

 

[JollyJimbo]

I was planning on doing the same thing this weekend.