Joined: 25 May 2009 Posts: 615 Location: somewhere on 130 miles of beach
Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 9:15 am Post subject: PINS 11/15-11-20
Whatsup everyone? As I sit here writing this, I just got done eating yet another late dinner of half rotten hamburger meat on the grill, and I'm tired as heck from about a week of solid fishing every day... And I'm wondering, who else has ever been so mad at everything around them that they didn't care what or who, they just had to go and get away? Yep, I mean me. This fall has sucked in a major way. I've hated all the people who can't drive their cars, I feel like they need to get outta the way before I fall apart. I hate how I have to work, I would rather sit around get paid. I hate all the girls in traffic that flip their hair and roll their windows up when I look their way. And I really hate the Sharkathon was slow fishing wise! Seems like there's always some kindof excuse to go fishing, is this why we do what we do!? THIS week it was. I knew from friends, from 5,000 facebook peeps, and from checking the NOAA and the NWS and NOS relentlessly for weeks that this week was going to kick ANYONE in the Arse that chose to be foolish enough to venture south on down the Island. Me being me? OH WELL!!! Gotta go, even in the worst conditions, fine....I wanna see what the Island has to offer, kick me and beat me.....but I"ll learn SOMETHING from you.....so after getting home Friday from 3 weeks at work and making a lame trip to Yarborough to hopefully kayak fish on Sunday that got winded out, I went home, loaded up, geared up, rigged up, baited up....from the SUPER deep freeze of death....and did NOT take off on Monday! My doctor sucks, and had me come in for a physical that he could only do THAT day.....am I 80 already? Argh. I was dying to hit the sand. Even though the wind was howling and the seas were in full Hawaii Five-O effect, I was in full-on please salvage this fall mode. You know....when we all hit the point where our lives hit the point of reading NOAA's relentlessly....staring at swellinfo....reading every fishing forum we know how to....that we are obsessed. And I would like to think it is only me that remains nailed with this disease but I've realized from reading and studying all these forums, that it isn't just myself, that it isn't just some nutty people with no lives....but it is plain ordinary people like me....that experienced ONE time a place so great...a beach so long....so empty.....and so natural.....that we will never be the same. That is me. I can't help it anymore, I'm basically living to hit this beach we call PINS....I work in state after state for weeks so that I can come home and discover something new about it. Catching fish? That's a bonus...I know better than that when my days are limited to ten days a month, which sounds like a lot but weather wise in a marine way....really isn't. But none of it matters as long as I am down what I consider a beach the greatest I will ever experience...and a beach capable of inflicting massive pain and massive pleasure, all in the same day. I've gone to PINS alone since I started all this, and because of my schedule....I remain the only soul down at the 36 on a Tuesday morning at 8am, and I'm starting to see that maybe that was meant to be. I love the beach alone, I love the crashing waves writing a story that it remains up to me to decipher, and I love the challenge of an ocean that stretches all the way to Florida, Cuba, and the Islands with nothing between me and it but opportunity. Does anyone feel this? Or is it just me. Because if it is, I surrender, I'm nuts! But if I am, it's been since I was young that I've been that way. Because when everyone else wanted to be juvenile delinquents, all I cared about was fishing...I knew I had an issue. And before I could understand what was going on, I was only in high school and spending all of my holidays somewhere in brown crashing waves offshore, almost sick, missing my family, with no communication (in those days a cell phone was a luxury), on a shrimp boat. Next thing I knew I was going away to school to be a seaman....and years later I began that voyage....and here I am approaching 30 wondering what the @#$% is wrong with me...............
Could it be the greatest beach in the world randomly hit me in the face with a wake up call??? It think for me....it probably has. Maybe I like the isolation, it definetely feels like offshore fishing by the feeling of solitariness....and no one can deny the beauty. So with no choice but to go down the Island even in the red tide and high seas conditions, I scooted out on Tuesday morning early as I could with a main goal of getting shark drops out as long as safely (for me that means a lot) possible, and doing a secret reef recon and depth sounding trip to boot, with absolutely no timeline on getting home, but as long as I felt like it.
Tuesday morning brought unsettles condtions, and windy skies.
My only consolation was the gear the shrimpers had been dropping/losing....hopefully they would be gone.....and the sharks would be scouring the beach....
The beach was desolate....and nobody but me was on her.....
But my net I almost picked up a month ago, remained...but about 3 miles south.
And eventually I stopped to get up on Green Hill...I've never been there...
It was windy....and letting me know the Island would be dealing with me shortly...
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But the scenery was georgeous....
And soon enough, I was sailing towards the south....
And the red tide was in my nose...and my throat....and I could hardly breathe...but once again, deal it mother nature!
And finally found my favorite shell, the Lightning Whelk..and a big one to boot...
And found a canoe that some fools brought down this summer....saw them carrying it on the roof...guess they decided to just "throw" it in the dunes....
And hit the motherload of nets/buoys...and rummaged it clean...
Who can guess?
After setting up camp for the night 50 miles since seeing my last humans, the chaos of long rodding began...but only after exploring a washout laden with shells and other cool gear...and of course...
And the wind shifted and it got cold quick...and the fishing was pathetic...
And due to ridiculous nutty seas (as forecasted) that night.....I never even tried to yak a bait out. I feel I've been there and done that last year, and don't need to retry drowing again this year. So i fished long and short rods until 230am that night, live bait, dead bait, ugly bait, pretty bait, with even 5 rods at a time my reward was one bluefish and the coughing of an unmistakeable red tide in my throat and nose...soon I would bury myself in the tent cot and pull the sheets over my head...and the next morning after making a quick run to the jetties to find it inhabited....I ran back north and jetted offshore to make my reconnassaince mission.
And offshore I went...not really caring for the NE breeze....
And I trolled lures for a few miles....
And I didn't like the results....
It didn't take long...and I found my reef....and I got sick...seasick...from the 6-8 foot swells....oh well...what we ask for...we get...
And I laughed...and said please... SUCK IT UP....deal with it and make at least 2 hours of fishing out of this....
And I marked fish....again....and again...and again...the finder was LIT UP.....but I couldn't MAKE em bite...drift after drift after drift...cast after cast...and all I could think, was if only I had Keager here with me....that dude is a BTB master! And honestly, I pretty much stink. So in I went, because I started tasting gatorade in the throat and I wanted to die, meaning the sickness was upon me bad...and if you haven't done it, you don't know the pain when in the yak, and the only way you're getting back in a NE flow is to paddle, when all you want to do is lay down against the backrest and hurl....but you can't because the closer you get...the tougher the conditions....and to those who say you should never go alone, I say that is always always always right, but you know what, should we not run baits alone? Should we get a 10 person group to go to the 50 something during mid-week? I say no! Know our limitations, and our capabilities, and at least look like a dork like me with amost two lifejackets on and enough safety gear to make Steve Urkel look cool.
And still not a soul around but me, which was enough to make me happy...
And I stumbled on a really cool victim of red tide, a pretty large blowfish...
And as the sun set, and the water remained relatively calm before the evening blow and the increasing tide brought larger swells over the bars, it was time to run baits.
Dinner is served!
Suited up and ready to be thrown out and dragged across the bar backwards...
And during the last bait run, I was politely thrown 7 feet towards the beach out of the yak, then being quite literally run over by my own yak, grabbing onto the paddle, and holding my breath while being dragged underwater like a seal at 20mph, I found myself standing on the 2nd bar waaaay off the beach just to have to get back in the yak and repeat said process. So cool....errr not?
So I took pictures.
The big guns are out!
Custom work nicely done by Buddhahead Custom Rods...
Love this shot.
And once again, for the ladies, as tradition dictates..
And strangely enough, the night long rod and short rod fishing was abysmal yet again, and the first drop of the night would be cut off, leaving me with two deep and one short...
And in came the Laguna weed from what was pouring out of Mansfield channel all day...and it really...really....messed things up!
And the 2nd rod of the night would get a run, but after being broken off there was yet another weed disaster on the line...
And after a while, I regrouped and decided to see if any of my gear floated in so down the beach I went again after crawling back out of my funk..
And sure enough, the norther I had been expecting came earlier than thought....in the middle of the night! Needless to say, every last one of my remaining deep drops was broken off, I'm out 300 bucks in gear, floats, leaders, hooks, tracaes, ARGHHHH!!!!!! And as far as the rest of the night goes, I was getting wind gusts of around 60 mph, which was what caused a massive current shift and broke me off. The next morning brought massive pain, cold temps, and a horrible 35 knot wind that wouldn't even allow opening of a truck door with gusts up to 40. It was time to roll out and search for some of my lost gear that the sea took away from me...
And to ease the pain, out came the "Rancho Grande!" A song everyone should at least jam on a minimum of once!
And immediately, things got better! Roger Creager RULES!
And three miles south, I found one of my floats. YEAH! Problem was....with a solid 7-9 foot sea the water was up, the waves were up, and obviously, the currents in what we would normally consider the wade guts could now be considered level 20 whitewater. You can see my wonderful prize just sitting for the taking...and it wasn't the gear or the expense that bothered me, it was the fact that this drop held the mystery of my breakoff. Because most curiously, I have been breaking off regularly right near where the top shot ties to the leader top swivel. And I've been wondering...could it be the knots failing???
I had to get this doggone leader back.
AHA! Light bulb on! Durrrr let's throw a Bruce claw anchor at it! Great idea!!!
Immediately, the Bruce hung up, and yep, the line tangled badly on the throw out, so here I am hanging on to my dear old precious Bruce Claw with a tight line, an anchor set so hard in the bottom I need a helicopter from NAS to come lift it out and next what would occur? Ahhh yessss....the good old cold water down the waders event....After getting totally soaked in my previously warm and cozy waders, I was so mad I scared the pelicans with my linebacker manuever pulling towards the dunes....to nothing. Finally, a swell sucked out, I scooted out deeper, got a vertical angle and freed it. Now what? I wasn't leaving my gear. Aha! I got the long rod, chunked a "Lil Puppet" aka Dig on Me cast out there...and snagged it. Now for the true test of the sealine 30. Passed with flying colors. I got my 3.5 pound weight back in, my float, and my leader and bait. And wonder of all wonders.....this jack head floated for miles down the beach in the night, untouched. Sooooo awesome.....argh....I was hoping for at least a bite mark.
Well, at least now I had my answer to questions that bothered me so....my topshot was broken at the knot. Trial and error resumes, and life continues for a fisherman...
And I quickly realized that things could always be worse and life is short, and I was thankful just to be on the Island, norther or not, rough fishing or not, lost gear or not. Because once we're gone, that's it.
So I took a look around and decided to head off, and finish out the week day tripping until such a moment as I actually caught more than one bluefish and 15 thousand hardheads!
And I stopped at the Nic for lunch and grabbed a quick shot for Rudy, who remains "El Nicaragua Guru Galore," with his own little compilation of such. Complete with pirate avatar...
http://alamoareaanglers.yuku.com/topic/1910
And like everything else on the Island, conditions changed, the sun shone once again, and I knew that I was coming back. A quick regroup at the house I spend about 3 weeks at a year, and back I would be...
And for the second time that day, I was thankful for all I am blessed with, and realized once again, it could always be....not the same?!
For once again, the Island let me sail her waters, make a few memories, and gave me promise of more to come....
Not willing to give up, I would come back again Friday loaded for bear minus shark gear, to catch something substantial or go down in flames! There are no pics, I forgot the camera...but things were again slow, with only a few bluefish to show. Dejected, I went home at the end of that day and albeit a quick stop at "Club Macaw," I was almost shanked and realized some sailors belong on the water and got home and to bed for another early start. Saturday brought a SE flow once again, and finally....a red! 39 inches. 39 inches of victory for such a hard fought week...
I immediately went home! Victory was mine. I got in bed at 4pm. Was supposed to be with some folks later for normal reasons....no fishing involved. And sure enough, when I woke back up it was 530 am the next day??!! What?? With nineteen missed calls/texts, there was obviously and truly only one available option remaining a young man such as myself. Back to the beach!!! Argh!!!
And the Island chose to smile on me, and this poor obviously people fed beggar showed up pronto at 730 am to hang with me. Actually....to beg for mullet....the birds are alllll the same up north in tourist country PINS!
I would love to feed him but he has to know how to hunt for himself....
Annnnd before long I started hitting fish right and left, and what a smorgasbord it was...It was almost like the red tide was pushing them closer in to the beach where I could get to them with baits.
Sorry for the bad pics, but honestly....I was about "pictured" out at that point!!
The day started with rat red after rat red, then a single whiting, then a quality black drum, then a pompano from 12 inches of water?? What! Then another pomp again in 12 inches of water...interesting. Dirty water to boot...I've caught them before in filthy water but never THAT close. Be quiet people when getting out of your vehicle to try a spot you never know what's there close that can hear you! Spanish mackerel were caught, and even some qualitity keeper reds. But the bluefish were unreal, run after run of them!
And I would eventually meet up with Cindy and Cary, Mr and Mrs Underdog, and we would leapfrog back and forth finally settling down towards the place everyone fears is so haunted. Let it be known! If a ghost attacks anyone on PINS, I volunteer to be the first to get assaulted!! I've got bigger problems than some doggone ghost coming out of the dune, my house scares the crap out of me, the beach is the least of my worries!!!
Eventually after run after run after run of bluefish...Cary and Cindy would jet off leaving me to the wind and the waves. Yet again, another peaceful sunset on PINS would be mine.
And with my top secret "Buddhahead Custom Rods" casted bait shark rod outfitted with a righteous Sealine 50 that is guaranteed to put up with my crap, use, and abuse....for the 9th hour straight I kept live whiting or other available critters out in the deep deep wade guts...
And as the sun went down yet again and I was left alone with my thoughts, I realized how much this past week on the sand has meant to me. I went out yet again to the sea for adventure, and found it. I chalked up many a mile with discouragement ringing in my ears, but found my personal success in the end. And while I probably should be embarassed to tell my stories that aren't so full of tales of big fish and larger victories, I remain proud to have just put forth what I can guarantee you all is nothing less than my best, than 100% all of the time. And I found the greater treasure that I was looking for. I found the truth that every day won't be a great one, and every week won't be filled with fish, success, or other such things. But what miniscule things I learned this week from Mother Padre will remain with me the next time, and as always, I would rather get knocked down 100 times and get back up than ask a friend, a friend of a friend, a stranger, a professional, or any other person in this life or the next to give me the information, tips, or advice to make me better at this sport. After all, what fun would this be without the totally ridiculous mistakes and errors? Lol. As for the future, where this all ends, like Jimmy says, "I can't fathom my friend, if I knew I would drop out my anchor." But I can guarantee you this. In three weeks, this record will be put on repeat, and once again I'll venture forth to enjoy once more this beautiful Island that we should all take pride in and protect.
Best fishing wishes,
"Towboat"
P.S. If you don't like Van Morrisson, put yourself in a box and ship yourself to Pakistan! Van Rules!! Beach tunes for sure... _________________ Protect Padre at all costs for future generations to use and enjoy and never forget our freedoms aren't free.
Awesome read, even if it wasn't filled with fish after fish. Sounds about like my trips to the surf though..Time will payoff and we will all be reading in jealousy about the monster you catch.
Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 8:40 pm Post subject: Time will pay off!
Nice write up Colin!
The time you spend on the beach will pay you back. If you're not there you have no chance at all to have the trip of a lifetime. It will happen.
I can tell you how many days I have spent on that beach with nothing happening but I can remember the days on that beach I will never forget.
We have one of if not the greatest beach right at our fingertips to spend as much time as we can to enjoy and fish in the country. The time will come when you have that perfect day/trip of your lifetime. Just remember to enjoy the time you do get to spend on the beach doing what you love.
Thanks for sharing such adventurous week with everyone.
There were a few times that a little Prozak would have made it a little less depressing.
But remember the law of averages. It rules and you will have a lot of more fruitful trips in the future. _________________ "OVER A MILLION SPECIES ON THIS PLANET AND HUMANS ARE THE ONLY ONE THAT CREATES GARBAGE"
Joined: 20 Apr 2010 Posts: 27 Location: San Antonio
Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 9:36 pm Post subject:
I always look forward to reading your posts. After giving this a thorough read today at work, I'm completely convinced, you should write a book based on your adventures and experiences on the seashore.
Your trials and tribulations are inspiring and aspiring to say the least.
My GF and I are planning a permanent move to Corpus before spring, I hope to trail in your footsteps along with some of the others that I follow in this great community.
I hope someday to be one of the awesome people on this forum, that everyone can learn from, bring an air of wit and humor, and utmost, pass along what I've been taught.
Collin, Save your reports. You are writing a book and don't even know it. I wish I had your days off. You would not be the only one on the Island. Thanks again for the great report. _________________ SALTYDOG AKA Cliff McKay
#1 fishing partner since 1981 is my wife, Lorna
Member SFCCI and NAFC
USMC '70-'74
nice report.. maybe david sikes will pick it up, or pm him..
thanks for the report..
heading down with the mrs for turkey fishing.. told the family have fun, kidnapping the wife and running away..
been working to hard and too long .. so need some quality time the with mrs and no better way than on the beach, with a cold beer and sand in the toes.. and if we are blessed, fish in the ice chest.. oopps that is work again.. oh well..
great report again. _________________ Fish and Hunt Baby.... so tight lines and clear scopes.
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