Third trip out and I decided to try Grissom Island and the little rock wall just beyond it. First time launching from the sand. The hike from the parking lot to the water wasn't fun. Launching in the minimal surf was uneventful.
I spotted some kelp paddies as I was kicking out, so I stopped to toss the LC around them, but no joy. I worked a 3in BH along the way as I kicked out to the island. It's really not very far. Just as I came up to the island, I got hit by a croaker and after a lively run, he came close enough for me to see him and then he was off. Cool! Definitely off to a good start!
Three hours later and not a friggin bite. Kicked out to the little wall at the outside of the marina and worked both sides of it, worked the whole perimeter of the island. Worked the LC, worked the BH, worked the Gulp minnow drop shot. It was strictly "Go Away You Knucklehead."
I worked places that HAD to be holding fish. Rocks, kelp, differing structure, the whole shebang. There was practically a neon sign, "Fish live here." No joy.
As I was going back in, I decided to follow the rocks coming off the end of the beach jetty - there are buoys marked "Shoal" showing where they are, - plus you can see them for most of the way - and while I was bouncing a swim bait around and trying unsuccessfully to avoid the greenery (learning the ins and outs of weedless rigging is in my future) I managed to pick up a small spotty.
So not technically a skunk, but there was definitely an unpleasant whiff of something very close to it.
Rookie mistake on the new video camera, I accidentally stopped the recording as I was positioning the camera on my head, so I didn't get the croaker on cam. I discovered that about 30 minutes later and then I have an hour and 20 minutes of me continuously not catching fish. Not exactly riveting entertainment. By the time I caught the spotty, the camera battery was long dead.
Lots of time doing this:
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I still felt like it was a good day. I got some time in on the learning curve, my "turn around" kick is improving and tomorrow is another day. Sometimes you strike out. Playing the game means stepping up to the plate and giving it your best shot. It wouldn't be a sport if you automatically hit a home run every time.
Happy fishing!
I spotted some kelp paddies as I was kicking out, so I stopped to toss the LC around them, but no joy. I worked a 3in BH along the way as I kicked out to the island. It's really not very far. Just as I came up to the island, I got hit by a croaker and after a lively run, he came close enough for me to see him and then he was off. Cool! Definitely off to a good start!
Three hours later and not a friggin bite. Kicked out to the little wall at the outside of the marina and worked both sides of it, worked the whole perimeter of the island. Worked the LC, worked the BH, worked the Gulp minnow drop shot. It was strictly "Go Away You Knucklehead."
I worked places that HAD to be holding fish. Rocks, kelp, differing structure, the whole shebang. There was practically a neon sign, "Fish live here." No joy.
As I was going back in, I decided to follow the rocks coming off the end of the beach jetty - there are buoys marked "Shoal" showing where they are, - plus you can see them for most of the way - and while I was bouncing a swim bait around and trying unsuccessfully to avoid the greenery (learning the ins and outs of weedless rigging is in my future) I managed to pick up a small spotty.
So not technically a skunk, but there was definitely an unpleasant whiff of something very close to it.
Rookie mistake on the new video camera, I accidentally stopped the recording as I was positioning the camera on my head, so I didn't get the croaker on cam. I discovered that about 30 minutes later and then I have an hour and 20 minutes of me continuously not catching fish. Not exactly riveting entertainment. By the time I caught the spotty, the camera battery was long dead.
Lots of time doing this:
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
I still felt like it was a good day. I got some time in on the learning curve, my "turn around" kick is improving and tomorrow is another day. Sometimes you strike out. Playing the game means stepping up to the plate and giving it your best shot. It wouldn't be a sport if you automatically hit a home run every time.
Happy fishing!