pescadocompadre
07-10-2006, 09:02 AM
Fished the beachfront on Sunday morning. Arrived armed with live shrimp and various artificials at 0600 sharp. The water, at that time, was calm with breakers at the first bar. I started with a Top Dog with a couple blowups, nothing for the box. I switched to soaking shrimp under a cork. Caught one trout at 18 inches. There was a lot of activity about 150 yards off the beach. Saw something jump out there that looked larger than anything I have ever caught in the surf. Didn't really worry about it, just hoped they would come a little closer! Caught a 3 ft blacktip who bit off right at the net. I decided to throw one more cast before switching to wire. The shrimp got a workout as soon as she hit the water. I knew something was happening when that shrimp does a tail dance on top of the water going,"AAAAAAAaaaahhhh." I love that. It never gets old. The fish grabbed her and headed south. All I could do was hold my rod up and pray the fish slowed a little. At first, I thought it was a Spanish Mackeral. It wasn't as fast as a Mackeral,though. Whatever it was, it was draining the line off my spool and I had to make a decision on what I wanted to do, and quick. The fish seemed to slow a little, but was still taking line without permission. Having a monofilament leader on, I felt like I brought a knife to a gun fight. I started to tighten the drag slightly, but it didn't really slow the fish down much. I was on my last 20-30 foot of line. I had to try something. I started walking towards the fish, and clamping down on the drag at the same time. I stopped walking with about 10 foot of line left and made a stand. At first, I thought I was going to be able to turn the fish. Hope, false hope. Whatever toothy species of fish it was, it bit through that mono like a knife to butter, capping me from 200 feet away. Some people get angry at this point. I don't. What an adventure and experience! It keeps you coming back.
The porpoises started working the beach shortly therafter, so between sharks and porpoises, I didn't think there were too many trout around. I tried one more spot down the beach with no success. Tough day at the office for catching.
The porpoises started working the beach shortly therafter, so between sharks and porpoises, I didn't think there were too many trout around. I tried one more spot down the beach with no success. Tough day at the office for catching.
