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Man I wanna see stripes so bad, a nice Tiger is on the top of my sharking bucket list.
Really though I just want to put some nice sharks in these guys hands.
Its not just the fight, its the handling of the fish in the surf that really gets my heart going.
Especially on a big shark, better be on your toes.
And a healthy tagged release is very satisfying.
DAY 1
OK, the beach access in Florida fell through due to hours of access, i.e. closed 9pm-5am.
Back to the plan of hitting the second beach access on the right going East over Perdido Pass.
Looking at 5pm tomorrow afternoon, call me if ya wanna meet up... PM for PH#.
We ended up down Fort Morgan off Cortez St/Beach Blvd at the Beach House JHatch was staying at.
A good group of people, Jhatch & family, CJW and his crew and my son and I.
And we had another forum member wander into or camp, Mav72, he was staying just a few houses up from JHatch... Small Town.
We set some really nice baits out.
Half a Jack at 400-450 yards, whole Southern ray at 300 yards out past the second bar, Cownose wings at 150 yards on the front of the bar and Spanish Mack at 75 yards in the middle of the gut.
The Jack got a nibble, the Spanish got a hard run but the line got tailwhipped and that was that until...
Until the damned Gill net boats that kept running up and down the bar finally wrapped into my farthest drops and started to take my lines.
He knew what he was doing this was his third and closest pass on us, 150-200 yards tops, he'd stop and yell back at us.
I don't think he liked my spotlight as we tried to wave him off each time.
I cut my lines to contain the damage, but he got half my spool of JB HC 130# braid on my 9/0 and several hundred yards of 100# mono on my 12/0.
I hope the 130# braid eats into his shaft seals and he sinks... No really, I hope his boat sinks... Ahole.
This will cost me a pretty penny to respool or at least splice new line on.
Leaders, weights, baits and line, I figure he took me for over close to $125. or more.
Back to the good stuff, everyone was great to meet, everyone seemed to have a good time.
Missing a couple of faces,but people were all over the place.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...psahutwpxi.jpg
The Spread
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...pskcesklrg.jpg
There was some nice scenery in the huge Thunderheads scattered around, this pic doesn't do the colors justice.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...pseeoqhnac.jpg
Thank you Lord for allowing us to come together and enjoy each others company and nature.
Great looking scenery and crew there John!
Sorry to hear your plans went awry and of your bad encounter.
Most of those gill netters have NO consideration for other anglers and less then zero for the environment as they murder, rape and pillage the coast.
Yeah, not my first encounter with Gill Netters.
I think some of the guys thought I was a little crazy at first when the boats kept running up and down the bar and I was yelling at them.
Then they finally got into my lines and that ended those two sets right there.
Hate to hear that it was a bad experience. He will get his somehow Karma is a B. Looks like some great people and a good time though.
Hope today goes better. Darn netters
Small world you could see my house in the back ground. I couldnt make it out yesterday because we went off shore fishing with a friend. I hope to meet up with you guys today. Ill send you a pm or text to find out where you are going. I believe its against regs for gill netters to be out on the weekends if that makes any difference to you.
Day 2
My son and I hit the Alabama Point East beach access at 5pm and set up camp.
A lot of people on the beach, but almost nobody in the water.
Great, lets run some baits!
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...pse6dqqwq5.jpg
Not much happened until the sun was headed down and my buddy Justin came down to join us.
As the sun dipped below the horizon we started getting hits, strong jerks and very short sharp runs, making the clickers go off loudly for just a second or two each time.
But nothing wanted to commit, finally later in the evening we checked baits and found that we were dealing with some smaller sharks unable to take our large baits.
But they could take some nice chunks out of them.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...psf7cohhra.jpg
We ran some nice fresh baits out, and were greeted by more of the same.
Then we both had a couple of nice strong runs, one that I had was the fastest & hardest run I've ever seen.
I tried to get the hook set after about 30-40 seconds and was greeted by a violent tug and snapping line.
Reeled in and was greeted by a heavily abraded foot long section of mainline, the entire leader was gone.
I can only guess that it was some unknown obstruction or the shark itself... Dang'it!
And to top things off, about 11pm, as the wind had died and the Gulf was a smooth placid lake with barely ripples upon it, out came the Flounder boats from Perdido Pass.
Here we go again.
One guy was a jerk, he drove no less than three times through our line sets, cutting Justin off once.
I was slacking my lines and letting them sink, it worked.
He was not more than 50 yards off the beach and closer, ignored our lights and shouted pleas to steer clear. Nope, drove right through us each time.
When he cut Justin's line it got caught up in one of my leaders and they became so tightly entangled and twisted together as to ruin my section of cable.
It must've been caught in his prop, fouled mine, prop twisted everything together and then cut it all loose.
Again, I hope Justin's braid is eating his shaft seal and his gear case is trashed.
After the tide changed the bite completely died, nothing but Hardheads on casted bait rigs.
We stayed till first light then slowly packed it up, leaving the lot as the sun was breaking the horizon.
Not a bad way to spend the night, it was absolutely beautiful out.
The moon, the water, perfect temps, no insects eating us alive and good company to talk to.
At least one of our crew got some sleep.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...psrimvtmg3.jpg
One leader and two spider weights left, frozen baits are gone & nothing fresh caught and we didn't want to go begging bait.
Not worth spending money on frozen baits.
Had to check out of hotel so no place to crash after all nighter, didn't want to wait for nightfall to try again anyways.
And no one else who wanted to shark... It's a team sport.
So here we are at home again.
We did have a good time, even if we didn't catch anything but a few bug bites.
Chile,
Thank you so much for setting this trip up for us. The Atlanta boys learned so much about sharking from you.
You are a true southern gentleman.
Chuck