Another Great Week of Surf Fishin'

[CrabMan]

This week’s surf fishing can only be described as: It doesn’t get any better than this!

Fortunately, the week started off with a decrease in the South swell, light afternoon winds, clear water and great tides. The water temp has gone down a couple of degree and there is a bit of kelp in the surf but other than that the conditions seemed perfect.

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii148/bvloans/HBCONDTIONS092308.jpg

I decided to go down in the evening to catch a nice high tide. Late in the season it’s best to try to catch sand crabs at the highest tide and it’s also a good time for perch and other critters that cruise the shore.

I found sand crabs in just a couple of spots on the beach. I didn’t find a lot but I did have a nice collection of different sizes. It hard to know what size the fish want and I’m always stoked when a can get a variety.

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii148/bvloans/AFEWCRABS.jpg

With crabs in hand I made my way to a favorite rock jetty in Newport. The days this week were perfect in the evening with light winds, mild surf and great tides.

Once on the beach I made my way to the spot and got ready to fish. I could see that the water was pushing out and around the rocks creating a nice off colored eddy. I cast out my bait and watched it as it ripped down and out around the rocks. At some point it passed between two rocks and came tight.

Wham! Fish on what was it—oh yeah, a nice spotfin croaker.

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii148/bvloans/SPOTFIN092308.jpg

Went four for four on the croaker


http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii148/bvloans/SPOTFINCLOSEUP092308.jpg

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii148/bvloans/SPOTFINANDFOOT092308.jpg

Then I took on the perch and caught a bunch of these.

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii148/bvloans/PERCH092308.jpg

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii148/bvloans/PERCH092408.jpg

I used the sand crab on the Carolina rig. Even near the rocks the Carolina works but it’s smart (you can see it in the picture) to fish a very light sinker 1/4th or less and if you get snagged let your line loose, then shake it loose. You’ll catch more fish and loose less gear.

Well, this next week looks like another great shot at the surf fish. Good tides this weekend, clear warm water and the last sand crabs should make for another memorable week. :EyePop:

P.S. I would like to thank my fellow FNNers for the great response to help me field test (such a tough job!) Gulp! Baits. Although I wish I could enlist all of you, those who have been chosen will be notified by email. Thanks again for your help.:Big Grin:

[britheguy]

Way to go man! Nice Spotties :Thumbs Up:

[JSAUCE818]

thanks for the report and pics. Nice fish!

[BassEngineer]

Very, very nice!!

[Wingnut]

Darn it, the tide looks great this weekend, great swings...
But I'm committed to the fresh, oh well. :Wink:
Nice report Bill, those Spotfins sure love you! :Cool: :Big Grin: Or the Sand Crabs :LOL:
I picked up a copy of The Fish Taco today... thanks! :Wink:

[Troutman65]

I have not dug for them Sand Crabs since I was a little troutman:LOL: Those spot fin sure got trippy mouths.

Thanks again for your fishing report on FNN. They are always nice to read.

[boxl0bster]

great report bill, the only thing i hate about reading your reports is that they make me want to hit the surf so bad! i think im just going to jump in my car and just go this coming week. :Envious:

[fishmaniac]

Great report! Gotta hit the surf....!

Nice spotfin!
How big were the other 3?



[COLOR="Blue"]
Wham! Fish on what was it—oh yeah, a nice spotfin croaker.

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii148/bvloans/SPOTFIN092308.jpg

Went four for four on the croaker


http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii148/bvloans/SPOTFINCLOSEUP092308.jpg

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii148/bvloans/SPOTFINANDFOOT092308.jpg

[Sinjin Kim]

Nice Spots Bill.

[CrabMan]

Thanks guys for the nice words. They were all about the same size--20-24". When they go on the bite I almost always catch roughly the same size as I think they probably school in like size. Do you think that's because if they were smaller the big ones would eat them?:???:

They do have some big lips don't they. Another thing about their mouth is that it's very hard. If you hook one its not popping off the hook. Sometimes when you're taking the hook out their internal croaking mechanism goes off and it sounds and feels like they've swallowed a frog. Pretty cool and freaky at the same time.:EyePop:

[legacy1]

Great report, and thanks for always sharing techniques.

[fishhard22]

Awesome report once again. Thanks

[flyngby]

Great report again Bill!!!!!!

I miss those Spotfin. Since I have been fishing on the boat I have not been able to get one this year as I have been targeting other species.

Thanks for sharing valuable info as always!!

I have also heard the Spotfin have either teeth or another mechanism in their throat to help them crush open clam and muscle shell to get to the yummy parts and then spit out the shells. Is this true?

Steve

[chivo]

sweeeeeeeeeeeeeet

[fishshep]

Great Report and great pics!!!
How do you post the Big type
letters? Is that some type of
software you have ?