This week I had two trips with Ed and Nick. It was my first trip with a couple of full bred Irisman. These two guys made this a fun and great couple of days out on the water. I have always heard you drink like an irishman, but I never really knew what that meant, until I fished with a couple. I think they both had hollow legs. When I picked them up they talked and talked about the night they had and how much liqour they pounded down. After hearing all of the war stories I was sure they would be hung over and beat a couple of hours into our full day trip. But not these guys, they just opened up a couple of Coronas and had at it for the entire day.
First, I thought about taking the fellas to fish some holes in the middle of a shallow flat. Well not only was it shallow, it was empty of fish too. We decided to run to the mouth of the river where I had some nice trout an ladyfish on the day before. Nothing wanted to play though so we headed back towards the Causeway and tried a grass ledge. Neither one of the guys was having much action so I decided to see if I could do something. Sure enough I managed a nice 15 inch ladyfish for the baitwell. Howver, we didn't put another fish in the boat after that one.
Next, I decided to give Ed a shot at the big Jewfish. We baited up the 30 to 50 Man O' War Cape Fear with Trinidad 30 spooled with 130 Fins Braid and an Eagle Claw 10/0 Tuna hook with the ladyfish from the well. I gave Ed his instructions and we began to fish the structure. At first nothing seemed to want to play but once we anchored the story changed. Ed dropped his lady down and "Thump" He's got one!!! Ed pulls the rod tip up in the air as high as he can and then reels down perfectly, just like I showed him. When the fish dashed back towards the structure Ed turned his head and kept him out of danger. Ed reeled down once more as fast as he could and then pulled the huge Jewfish all the way to the surface of the water. Everytime the Jewfish would try to escape Ed would put the power of the Cape Fear on him and halt his progress. I put the boga on the fish and picked it up, what a beautiful site.
Next, Nick had several shots at fish but they kept busting him off on the rocks. Once we ran out of bait we tried for some ladyfish and threadfin but struckout on both occaisions. At this point we were all a little tired and hungry. It was time to grab a bite to eat at the waterfront. I had the Chicken Fingers with mashed potatoes and gravy, good stuff I tell ya. Nick had the Stone Crabs and Ed had the Mahi Mahi sandwhich blackened. We all agreed it was a great meal. As true Irishmen would do they bought a 6 pack of Corona's to go.
Back to the bait catching duties. We tried for an hour or so to get just one ladyfish but couldn't seem to get one in the boat. We then tried for white bait. No luck there either. Eventually we finally managed a ladyfish and 40 or so whitebait. Armed with bait in the well and a penchant to see Nick get jerked in by a big fish we headed back to the structure. After 15 minutes or so Ed lands another Jewfish in the 11 pound range. We couldn't leave until something ate Nick's ladyfish. 20 minutes later Nick's bait is inhaled. Nick then proceded to get pounded right into the structure and busted off. We kept joking with him that we wanted to see him get jerked off the boat. Time to head back in now that Nick had his bell rung.
Lastly, we stopped at one final place. There were snook all over the place. We were as quiet as we could be as we approached them. I began to chum with white bait before we made our first cast. Nick and Ed both casted and we made several more casts before there was any action. Then Ed gets smacked by a nice snook in the 26 inch range. When he got him to the boat the hook pulled. I hate when that happens. Finally it was Nick's turn. He tossed his bait out and a huge swirl boils up behind it. Fish On!! The fish heads right for the structure and I tell Nick to bare down on it that Cape Fear can take it. He was able to turn the fish that time and several more before we were able to land it. Can you believe Nick's first Snook ever was a 16.5 pound Snook. I told him jokingly that he didn't deserve it, he hasn't paid his dues.
To conclude, we had a great day. One of our best ones in a while. Almost 50 pounds of edible fish in two casts. That is alright with me. The water temp keeps rising everyday and the Snook are getting more active. Be sure to hurry up and book because all of my days for the next 3 months are nearly gone. Book Now if you can!
Until next time may you have line singing, leader fraying, and
tackle busting action!!!!
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