Up at the central coast again. Slept late. Got to Pismo pier at sunrise.
Little chilly.
Fished up and down the beach for nothing but numb fingers and decided to make a move.
Hit the beach at the second spot and saw four guys, two sets of two, fishing. More than I've ever seen at one time. Chatted with a couple older guys who reported no luck.
Gave them some room and started working my way down the beach. Hundred yards later I got bit.
Nice one.
Continued catching nice perch. 12 fish in 25 casts. All good fish. The dinks were 11 inches, most were 13-15 inches.
Then I got hammered. Pulled drag on 10lb line. Got it in and it was the biggest perch I've ever seen. I was in waist deep water so I headed to shore to get a pic. On the way I was trying to get the hook out when I should have been paying attention to my path.
Stepped in a hole and got pushed by a wave. Down I went. Tackle bag unsnapped, rod and reel went swimming. Caught myself with one arm. Sprained my thumb. Water in the waders. Complete fail.
Luckily the hook was still in the fish, the only thing I didn't drop, so I pulled my rod in, grabbed my tackle, and released the fish.
Called it a day and went home. Told the four guys I got a bunch of fish as I walked past. They are pretty sure I'm a liar.
Thought I was done for the year but my thumb feels sort of ok so I'm taking one last shot tomorrow before I hit the road.
