Messages

16

Salt Water Shore Fishing Reports / Re: The OC Finally Has Something to Report..... (Composite/Late Report)

« on: March 07, 2018, 04:27:42 PM »

I think my improvised sand hands got a little overzealous in the shark dragging department....testosterone and adrenaline. I was huffing and puffing back in the waves 

17

Salt Water Shore Fishing Reports / The OC Finally Has Something to Report..... (Composite/Late Report)

« on: March 07, 2018, 02:24:51 PM »

Been on the sand alot the last month or so, rain, wind, and sun alike. Solo sessions for the most part, but Chip and Bill have been keeping me company quite a bit as well!

While it has been mostly quiet, the paddled baits are getting quite a bit of attention!

A couple weeks ago we got tight to this 111" monster female, ray chunk out deep. Broke the surface early in the fight and made me think it was the usual beasty. Until of course the arials started, at which point it was clear this was not a guero. Bystanders helped me drag her up onto the sand for photos and measurement and with a little effort got her back into the waves. Heavy fish to say the least, three grown men and I struggled quite a bit more than I'd like to admit to get her tamed and released, guess I need to hit the gym!



Thought we were dealing with a fluke until the following week, in between rain storms, and while my sand-hand was out in the kayak messing with rockfish, rod went off violently. Ran over, half asleep mind you, to set up on something else substantial. Again tail slaps on the initial run had me thinking usual winter time fare, until the goofy half jumps started in the skinny. Couldn't believe it. A second monster gill, this time male. Definitely not a heavy this time, but every bit as long, and with a bigger head! No tape on this guy but I'd put him north of 8 feet, closer to 8.5?



Been back a couple times since, had one really positive bite, but I was too groggy to get a proper hook set and lost the fish after the first head shake, my gut tells me it was another trophy gill.....

Managed a few smaller critters over the last few weeks too, but nothing to write home about, 4' leopards and legal bass don't exactly get the blood pumping this time of year haha

18

Salt Water Shore Fishing Reports / Re: Gonna take up badminton

« on: December 25, 2017, 01:04:22 AM »

I keep hearing "wire" leader. Are you saying single strand wire or are you using multi strand cable? Single strand will fatigue as it is bent back and forth, like s paper clip. Multi strand Cable won't fatigue and it is harder to cut thru.

Definitely not single strand for fish like this. Too much potential for jumping and twisting during a multi-hour slugfest =  too much potential for fatiguing the rig.

However multi-strand cable eventually wears through one strand at a time on really long fights.

Best bet if you dont need flexibility is a 1x7 product rather than the popular 7x7 49-strand stuff, kind of the bet of both worlds

19

Salt Water Shore Fishing Reports / Re: All Quiet at the IRS Office

« on: December 11, 2017, 08:08:28 PM »

Nice to link up with you Chip.

After you left we had a solid connection on the dropped baits. Good 10 minute tug of war with what felt like a 7+ class fish before pulling the hook in the wash, heart break but it is what it is, still havent found a hook that really sticks these fish reliably, so thats par for the course.

Tried the Mustad Ultra point Demons circles? I have some in 10/0 and 12/0.

Should be up there Thursday is I have any say.

Jim

Havent tried any mustads that small, although we did wind up beaching one on the 18/0 Mustad.

So far out favorite hook has been the Owner 16/0 Super Mutus, seem stickier than other hooks for these fish, but theyre terribly expensive and tend to break off points/dull points relatively quickly with repeated use.

We're currently using a heavily offset Owner copy out of china that on paper seems perfect, except that we keep pulling hooks with it as well, not sure how much that is the hooks fault or if something else is at play here....I really do wonder how often we are just "flossing" these fish, catching the hook eye behind the dental work like that fish Matt landed earlier this year....

I might be there thursday as well, depends on the session tomorrow really and other irons in the fire....

20

Salt Water Shore Fishing Reports / Re: All Quiet at the IRS Office

« on: December 11, 2017, 06:24:55 PM »

Nice to link up with you Chip.

After you left we had a solid connection on the dropped baits. Good 10 minute tug of war with what felt like a 7+ class fish before pulling the hook in the wash, heart break but it is what it is, still havent found a hook that really sticks these fish reliably, so thats par for the course.

Dropped another bait out the next night for nada, but they are like that.

Will be back at it tomorrow night if the surf conditions permit, as long as I can get one bait dropped out Ill be happy!