bachiboy
04-28-2015, 04:08 PM
So, it’s been a while since I’ve put up a report, Not that I’ve had anything to report anyway. :Rolls Eyes: With a little coaxing from Lt. Bones, here it goes...
I’ve been working some long hours and through weekends and finally decided to take a breather and get in a session. Decided on an AO that I haven’t visited in a LONG time in a galaxy far, far away...paid the price in traffic and my dang feet didn’t hit the sand till 10:30. So, walked along without a tap for quite a while. Came up on some rocks that, since it was low tide, I was able to walk out on for a bit and reach the edge of some structure...or at least where it dropped off.
The whole layout in front of me was rock, covered in eel grass, probably only about a foot deep, two at best. Even looking at it, I was thinking that I was just ASKING to lose another LC...something I’m very good at.:Wink: So, pitched out a cast, kept the rod over my head to keep the lure from diving too deep and three cranks in, feel the LC stop. I kept tension on for a second or two and when I didn’t feel any tugging from something live, hit freespool to wait for a swell to rise the lure off the structure. Only thing was, as soon as I hit freespool, the rock started swimming hard. I engaged the reel, swung for the fence and started horsing as fast as I could...for about 7 or 8 cranks. Because I had him in freespool, the fish found home. I could still feel him thumping on the other end so I slacked way off and tried to wait him out. After a minute or so, I came tight and only felt rock, no thumps. So, decided to bite the bullet and just start walking backwards. Every couple steps I would stop and see if the hooks would straighten or, if it were kelp, just have some break free so I could save the LC. To my surprise I finally felt the line start to give like kelp was breaking off. Started cranking but hung up again. Repeated the process and it broke free again, only this time I feel a bunch of weight. I figure there’s a big wad of salad on but as I look out on the surface of the water, I see shiny bronze!:EyePop: The fish then starts to charge left, and there is no safe way to guide him. I had clamped down my drag before I started the break off process so he wasn’t going to take any line. I’d be dead anyway if he did cuz of all the rocks. It was do or die, either he was coming in or I was gonna break him off from pulling too hard, but I was not letting him back in the structure. Fortunately, I won. Got him over to some sand so he wouldn’t get hurt flopping around on dry rocks. took a glory shot and remove all three trebles from him...which were all bent. He swam away with a big thank you. Gave it a few more minutes and managed another rat 11” checker and called it a day.
http://i1175.photobucket.com/albums/r627/bachidym/Cali20_zpsw8pm1fyn.jpg (http://s1175.photobucket.com/user/bachidym/media/Cali20_zpsw8pm1fyn.jpg.html)
Hope you all enjoyed the read!
Don
Side Note:
You may have noticed the absence of Arthur (Wingnut) from the boards in the last few months. I am sorry to say that he has been dealing with family matters. Back in February, Arthur lost his longtime canine companion, Wingnut Pug. Then, a few weeks ago, his father took a turn for the worst and, after a long battle with cancer, passed away last week. Our deepest condolences, Commander. You and your family are in your thoughts and prayers, and your S.W.A.T. family is here for you if and when you need us.:Sad:
I’ve been working some long hours and through weekends and finally decided to take a breather and get in a session. Decided on an AO that I haven’t visited in a LONG time in a galaxy far, far away...paid the price in traffic and my dang feet didn’t hit the sand till 10:30. So, walked along without a tap for quite a while. Came up on some rocks that, since it was low tide, I was able to walk out on for a bit and reach the edge of some structure...or at least where it dropped off.
The whole layout in front of me was rock, covered in eel grass, probably only about a foot deep, two at best. Even looking at it, I was thinking that I was just ASKING to lose another LC...something I’m very good at.:Wink: So, pitched out a cast, kept the rod over my head to keep the lure from diving too deep and three cranks in, feel the LC stop. I kept tension on for a second or two and when I didn’t feel any tugging from something live, hit freespool to wait for a swell to rise the lure off the structure. Only thing was, as soon as I hit freespool, the rock started swimming hard. I engaged the reel, swung for the fence and started horsing as fast as I could...for about 7 or 8 cranks. Because I had him in freespool, the fish found home. I could still feel him thumping on the other end so I slacked way off and tried to wait him out. After a minute or so, I came tight and only felt rock, no thumps. So, decided to bite the bullet and just start walking backwards. Every couple steps I would stop and see if the hooks would straighten or, if it were kelp, just have some break free so I could save the LC. To my surprise I finally felt the line start to give like kelp was breaking off. Started cranking but hung up again. Repeated the process and it broke free again, only this time I feel a bunch of weight. I figure there’s a big wad of salad on but as I look out on the surface of the water, I see shiny bronze!:EyePop: The fish then starts to charge left, and there is no safe way to guide him. I had clamped down my drag before I started the break off process so he wasn’t going to take any line. I’d be dead anyway if he did cuz of all the rocks. It was do or die, either he was coming in or I was gonna break him off from pulling too hard, but I was not letting him back in the structure. Fortunately, I won. Got him over to some sand so he wouldn’t get hurt flopping around on dry rocks. took a glory shot and remove all three trebles from him...which were all bent. He swam away with a big thank you. Gave it a few more minutes and managed another rat 11” checker and called it a day.
http://i1175.photobucket.com/albums/r627/bachidym/Cali20_zpsw8pm1fyn.jpg (http://s1175.photobucket.com/user/bachidym/media/Cali20_zpsw8pm1fyn.jpg.html)
Hope you all enjoyed the read!
Don
Side Note:
You may have noticed the absence of Arthur (Wingnut) from the boards in the last few months. I am sorry to say that he has been dealing with family matters. Back in February, Arthur lost his longtime canine companion, Wingnut Pug. Then, a few weeks ago, his father took a turn for the worst and, after a long battle with cancer, passed away last week. Our deepest condolences, Commander. You and your family are in your thoughts and prayers, and your S.W.A.T. family is here for you if and when you need us.:Sad: