My turn.
Kevin was waiting for me when I pulled up to the launch and as I got things ready, he quickly "branded" my kayak. Holes were drilled, rivets got popped and before I knew it, I had one of his big DVD quality cameras attached to my bow. I couldn't help but feel like it was part of a gang initiation :) I'm totally in!
Yeah, I know. I'm a dork. Anyway, we searched all around the Eastern Shore. The channels, the shoals, the flats, they all came up empty. 5 hours passed quickly and as the wind grew bothersome, the sun also neared the horizon. The last segment of the well calculated route had us near a drop off so we anchored up on the incoming tide. I threw out two carolina rigged whole crabs; one on a big conventional reel and the other on a big spinning set up. Normally I don't use my spinning rod for chunking bait, but I really wanted to double my chances. Not too long after, the loop I put in the line-clip of my spinning reel gets pulled out and my 50lb braid is flying off my spool. I close the bail and hold on tight.
After a few exhilarating runs coupled with the tell-tale headshakes, I released the anchor and quickly found myself on a bull red drawn sleigh ride with a nice sunset backdrop.
The 43"er is a welcome start to the red drum season. The cherry on top is that it was the first big fish I tagged for the Virginia Game Fish Tagging Program.
Kevin wasn't able to hook up but was happy none the less that I got on the board. I'm sure he'll be out there as soon as weather and work allow. Best of luck to him and whoever else decides to venture out in search of that infamous bullride.
Awesome fish, What was the water temp
ReplyDelete-Sammy
Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThe temps fluctuate considerably depending on the tide. We started up when the flats reached 60*.
Great looking fish Rob!! Thanks for the report.
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ReplyDeleteWow - thats a great Red! Congrats on the taggin as well. Good to see you on again on Saturday. I have been focusing on them flatties but one of these days I'll have to try that!
ReplyDeleteJoe
Well done Rob. Wish we could have had some luck on Friday, but that's the risk you take heading out there sometimes. I hope to get mine at some point.
ReplyDeleteawesome report as always Rob. Nice work! The smile on your face and the fist pumping says it all.
ReplyDeleteThanks Seth. I'm actually just holding the leader after landing the fish, but I see how it does look like I'm fist pumping. Regardless, I'm obviously one happy dude in the pictures...
DeleteRob, are you wearing chest waders in these pics?
ReplyDeleteYup. Chestwaders. I also bring a change of clothes in a drybag, just in case I take a swim while standing.
DeleteSweet. So you just wear the sock feet waders and nothing else while in your yak?
Deleteit depends on the time of year. Layering is critical in fall, winter, and spring. A dry top paired with the waders is good for winter. I even like a full dry suit. And pfd is mandatory.
ReplyDeleteSorry.. I mean do you wear no wading boots or sandels with your sock feet chestwader. My fault.
DeleteI wear wading boots at the launch, but once I get going I take them off. It's easier for me, to get in and out of the kneeling position (more height for sight casting). I also don't like the boots when standing in my kayak. Not everyone is going to feel this way though. Kevin wears sandals over his waders. Justin wears crocs. Some guys wear sneakers or boots. I think it's kind of a personal preference.
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