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I fished the Jamaica Beach surf this morning getting in the water before dawn. It was flat as it gets which surprised me after going to sleep with a 10 +mph SE wind.
Started out throwing a pearl skitterwalk from the sand as I walked out and immediately hooked up with a keeper trout. Bait was everywhere in the first gut and fish were blowing up around me in the dark. At dawn I could see it was trout green to the beach and pretty as it's been all summer. I continued to have hook-ups, mostly small 14-16" fish and changed to a chartreuse/gold shedog in hopes of bigger trout.
I strung three or four 17-18" trout and on my next cast something really big EXPLODED and missed but immediately came around and slammed the lure. I was bowed up and line was peeling off the reel fast. I tightened down a bit and tried to turn the fish but nothing was stopping this dude. I've turned big Jackfish bull Reds, and even a Ling once on a trout rod, but not this fish. First time in a long time I've been spooled. Never saw it but I'm pretty sure it was a kingfish. I had to go to the house and re-arm for more action. When I got back in about 10 minutes( probably 7:00) the bait had almost vanished as had the trout. I caught a few more on my trusty 51MR black/chrome.
I decided to wade to the next bar and deeper water to see if the trout had moved. First cast with the 51 I have a good hookup, 26" Mack. I took of the hard bait and tied on a red/white Corky thinking I might not attract more Macks(duh). There was another under-employed guy out next to me and we were talking and I was just letting the Corky float when I had a hit so hard it almost took the rod out of my hand. I'm thinking BIG TROUT but it was another BIG MACK. I can't believe it didn't cut the line.
Called it a day and went and cleaned a few fish. By 10:00 it was getting choppy and sandy. A memorable morning this summer.
Started out throwing a pearl skitterwalk from the sand as I walked out and immediately hooked up with a keeper trout. Bait was everywhere in the first gut and fish were blowing up around me in the dark. At dawn I could see it was trout green to the beach and pretty as it's been all summer. I continued to have hook-ups, mostly small 14-16" fish and changed to a chartreuse/gold shedog in hopes of bigger trout.
I strung three or four 17-18" trout and on my next cast something really big EXPLODED and missed but immediately came around and slammed the lure. I was bowed up and line was peeling off the reel fast. I tightened down a bit and tried to turn the fish but nothing was stopping this dude. I've turned big Jackfish bull Reds, and even a Ling once on a trout rod, but not this fish. First time in a long time I've been spooled. Never saw it but I'm pretty sure it was a kingfish. I had to go to the house and re-arm for more action. When I got back in about 10 minutes( probably 7:00) the bait had almost vanished as had the trout. I caught a few more on my trusty 51MR black/chrome.
I decided to wade to the next bar and deeper water to see if the trout had moved. First cast with the 51 I have a good hookup, 26" Mack. I took of the hard bait and tied on a red/white Corky thinking I might not attract more Macks(duh). There was another under-employed guy out next to me and we were talking and I was just letting the Corky float when I had a hit so hard it almost took the rod out of my hand. I'm thinking BIG TROUT but it was another BIG MACK. I can't believe it didn't cut the line.
Called it a day and went and cleaned a few fish. By 10:00 it was getting choppy and sandy. A memorable morning this summer.
