I scoped 3 spots prior to walking down to the beach and when Squatch arrived, we decided on spot 4. Something a little different and it was the most weed free area so far.
It wasn't long before my clicker started screaming. It made some tough pulls before turning and heading right at me. I thought smedium leopard for sure, but we were surprised to see a big butterfly ray instead! I can't believe it was pulling the clicker so hard just being a butterfly ray!
Not long after and I see my rod bump. I put the rod in my hands just as the line starts to load up and swing hard. OUCH! Big Bat Ray on the other end! That thing was kicking my ass as I tried to keep it in our area instead of chasing it 100 yards down the beach! I buttoned the drag down and just started grinding and walking back to gain some ground. Probably 15+ minutes in and it hits a ledge. The tide was just low enough to leave a shallow flats area in which it is hard to slide any critter over it, but this batray felt the ledge and turned 180 at full steam. I thumbed my spool to stop it, but pulled the hook! Better off that way as it was starting to hurt to reel in!
Steve's rod still lay quiet using road-kill for bait.
I get my third and final hit of the night and have it solid! I thought it was another bat ray at first, but the tail slaps let me know it was a Soupie! It's been a while since I've got a Soupie and forgot how strong they are! I spent just as much time on this as I did the bat ray and got it in front of Steve. There was a stale mate where I couldn't pull it in anymore and Steve didn't go any further to grab it and "pull goes the hook". Steve reached down and tail grabbed it. 4 times to be exact as I ran down to assist. It was a really nice 6 footer and didn't want anything to do with us. It twists out of Steve's hands while walking it back and I grab it with my free hand and adversely dunk my rod and reel with the other hand. This happens 3 more times before realizing this shark did not want to come out of the water. A wave finally gives it enough water to swim off, but without a picture or a measurement. No way I'm holding my phone over the water to get a picture. All of this at dead low tide... so strange.
Oh well, it was still great to get a legit Soupie after a few months of quietness on my end as sharks are concerned. 10 after 11:00 and it was time to pack it in and get home. Going to bed after midnight and waking up at 4:15am just sucks the next morning.
