bachiboy
12-03-2013, 04:23 PM
So, I decided to go blow off some steam in the surf this morning, after dealing with some unexpected drama. I got off to a late start after dropping off the kids and dealing with some construction being done to the house. I decided to go back to the “scene of the crime”. Back in March, I lost a 30ish” striper right at my feet on this particular beach. I “affectionately” named this fish Kimble...after Richard Kimble from the movie THE FUGITIVE, since he was an escaped jailbird. Well, Kimble’s been ducking me ever since, but he's been on the back of my mind anytime I fish the area. Word has it he’s been sighted in the neighborhood so I decided to give it a quick look.
By the time I got to the beach it was close to 11am. The water was littered with surfers but the break was mostly on the outside with an inner trough to fish. I start working my way down to some surfer-free waters and manage a few bsp bumps along the way. For all the “tap, tap taps” I was getting, I only managed to land three (not pictured). Once I hit my turn-around point, all the perch taps ceased. There was still some fishable holes but I wasn’t getting any love. I figured the tide had retreated a bit and so had the fish. I ran across a guy fishing perch on light gear and he showed me pictures of a striper he had landed a few days prior. Well, more evidence that Kimble was in the area. I keep working toward my starting point and was pretty close to calling it a day when I get a grab. I feel decent weight and at first I’m thinking, “Okay, round 2...here we go”, but it doesn’t seem to be making any significant runs that I’d expect a striper to take. It’s definitely a fish but I begin to suspect Mr. Wiggles or a thornback. Much to my surprise a flattie pops up in the whitewater at my feet...and he’s lookin pretty dang close to legal. I get him beached take some measurements and sure enough, he tapes out right at 22” (YES, the tape was stretched out). Doesn’t matter cuz I dont’ keep fish anyway. Took some quick shots and sent him back on his way with a hearty thanks. I’ve always thought there’d be flatties in this area but didn’t expect to see any round this time of year. Guess I just got a little lucky.:Wink:
Enjoy...
Don
http://i1175.photobucket.com/albums/r627/bachidym/legal_zps1cc856b3.jpg (http://s1175.photobucket.com/user/bachidym/media/legal_zps1cc856b3.jpg.html)
By the time I got to the beach it was close to 11am. The water was littered with surfers but the break was mostly on the outside with an inner trough to fish. I start working my way down to some surfer-free waters and manage a few bsp bumps along the way. For all the “tap, tap taps” I was getting, I only managed to land three (not pictured). Once I hit my turn-around point, all the perch taps ceased. There was still some fishable holes but I wasn’t getting any love. I figured the tide had retreated a bit and so had the fish. I ran across a guy fishing perch on light gear and he showed me pictures of a striper he had landed a few days prior. Well, more evidence that Kimble was in the area. I keep working toward my starting point and was pretty close to calling it a day when I get a grab. I feel decent weight and at first I’m thinking, “Okay, round 2...here we go”, but it doesn’t seem to be making any significant runs that I’d expect a striper to take. It’s definitely a fish but I begin to suspect Mr. Wiggles or a thornback. Much to my surprise a flattie pops up in the whitewater at my feet...and he’s lookin pretty dang close to legal. I get him beached take some measurements and sure enough, he tapes out right at 22” (YES, the tape was stretched out). Doesn’t matter cuz I dont’ keep fish anyway. Took some quick shots and sent him back on his way with a hearty thanks. I’ve always thought there’d be flatties in this area but didn’t expect to see any round this time of year. Guess I just got a little lucky.:Wink:
Enjoy...
Don
http://i1175.photobucket.com/albums/r627/bachidym/legal_zps1cc856b3.jpg (http://s1175.photobucket.com/user/bachidym/media/legal_zps1cc856b3.jpg.html)