We can count our blessings for days like these. Good fishing and good company.
Started the morning up with Doug B., Sully, and Jim B. on the beaches way up north. Surf was up but the schoolie action was non stop. Lots of fish and smiles. We all got pounded by waves and a few rain drops. Once we were satisfied we went on for a break with a good breakfast. What a great cup of coffee a smile along with it.
We parted ways and I headed down that long ride south on rte 95. Well, I decided to take 128 out to Cape Ann for another couple of hours of fishing. After hitting the various coves and beaches I noticed little bird activity and lots of other truck fishermen. The very last cove on the loop had birds in tight. Some fish were strafing juvis in the weeds and surf. What a mess! 3-5 foot seas were crashing on the rocks and weed was thick to 20'. After a few weedfull casts and soakings from dangerous surf on the rocks I somehow managed to hook up. But this guy took off for Ireland. I went way into backing. After a great fight the fish came up and I figured I might die trying to land it but gave it a shot. I brought it in on a wave but the weight of the fish broke the hook at the shank the bugger was free! I pinned it against the rocks with my knees. But now I'm down in the surf zone and needed to get out fast. At this point the fish was in water pinned and I was trying to lift it out by it's tail. Too slippery.
So I decided time to go, reached down grabbed the head and heave-ho 2 handed heav up into higher ground and then ran like hell!!! Crash, wave just misses me.
All told, this is the first time I've taken a fish since the limit was 16". It weighed in at 20lbs and was 35" long. The hook was a 1/0, fly was a juvi pattern, and my tippet was 15 lb mono. I don't know how it all held up. I thought you guys
would enjoy the story.
Started the morning up with Doug B., Sully, and Jim B. on the beaches way up north. Surf was up but the schoolie action was non stop. Lots of fish and smiles. We all got pounded by waves and a few rain drops. Once we were satisfied we went on for a break with a good breakfast. What a great cup of coffee a smile along with it.
We parted ways and I headed down that long ride south on rte 95. Well, I decided to take 128 out to Cape Ann for another couple of hours of fishing. After hitting the various coves and beaches I noticed little bird activity and lots of other truck fishermen. The very last cove on the loop had birds in tight. Some fish were strafing juvis in the weeds and surf. What a mess! 3-5 foot seas were crashing on the rocks and weed was thick to 20'. After a few weedfull casts and soakings from dangerous surf on the rocks I somehow managed to hook up. But this guy took off for Ireland. I went way into backing. After a great fight the fish came up and I figured I might die trying to land it but gave it a shot. I brought it in on a wave but the weight of the fish broke the hook at the shank the bugger was free! I pinned it against the rocks with my knees. But now I'm down in the surf zone and needed to get out fast. At this point the fish was in water pinned and I was trying to lift it out by it's tail. Too slippery.
So I decided time to go, reached down grabbed the head and heave-ho 2 handed heav up into higher ground and then ran like hell!!! Crash, wave just misses me.
All told, this is the first time I've taken a fish since the limit was 16". It weighed in at 20lbs and was 35" long. The hook was a 1/0, fly was a juvi pattern, and my tippet was 15 lb mono. I don't know how it all held up. I thought you guys
would enjoy the story.