| Surf Shark Report
Chandeleur Islands, LA
June 30th - July 2nd, 2009
Report by 'HWK' |
After counting down the days for months, just waiting to get back
out the Chandeleur Islands, Tj, Wilbo and I finally pulled into the Hardrock
parking lot around 2PM on Sunday to find everyone else hanging out in the
parking garage and pumped to get to the Islands. The beers started flowing,
and around 4pm we all loaded the Double Trouble and headed out into the gulf.
After a buzzed ride out, we arrived at the islands around midnight
and hit the sack. With a few hours of sleep and everyone hung over, we all
left the mothership to scout for a prime spot to fish for the week.
When Tj, Wilbo, Late start and I got to the beach, we saw that it
had been washed out from all of the storms and hurricanes that had come throught
the past year and we were fishing 30-70 yards back from where we were last
year. At the tide line there was a lot of mud and brush, and the water was
dirty and shallow. Spirts were still positive even with the crappy conditions.
No time was wasted getting all the baits out. We started casting baits past
the first bar, and within the first few minutes we beached several 4 to 5ft
blacktips and a few small lemons in the mix.
Around 2PM a stiff north west wind picked up and we had high hopes
of a rain shower to cool things off. No luck on the rain, but the surf layed
flat, and we got all of the long rods out with some baits ran out past the
second bar. No big fish were caught, but the action was nonstop on casted
baits. We ended up landing 20 plus fish the first day and headed back to
the mothership for a much needed shower.
The next morning, well rested and with more energy we took a ride
down south to a great looking spot to catch bait. The water cleared up a
little over night, and we loaded up on bluefish and several ladyfish. Most
of us were buzzed by sharks while standing on the first bar, and at one point
TJ turned around to find a blacktip right behind him checking him out.
Late Start hooked up with a big jack on a light trout rig and got
walked down the beach several hundred yards. Now with enough fresh bait,
we headed back to camp and got baits in the water around 9AM. TJ got his
first bait out and set it to the rod holder and got hit by a acrobatic BT
that completely flew out of the water several times.
After quite a few BT's, Late Start caught the first lemon of the day.
The captain and his boy showed up before lunch and started walking
the beach looking around for treasures. While they were down the beach we
landed 6 nice lemons.
His boy wanted to reel one in and his wish was granted.One of TJ's
rods got blasted and the rod was handed to the Captain's boy. A perfect 4ft
lemon for the little guy. The boy was stoked and reeled one more in before
they had to go.
Wilbo hooked up to a feisty lemon, and then lunch showed up and we
all took a much needed break.
While cooling off, TJ got a run and the shark would pull slow and
steady drag heading straight offshore. A few minutes into the fight, TJ was
down to the backing and getting worried that he would get spooled on the
grandwave 50. The fish finaly turned, and he gained a little line back. After
a 30 minute fight, the shark was at the first bar, and before we could get
out and leader it, the line got cut off on the bar and everyone was left
wondering what beast just escaped us. Was it a 9 or 10ft lemon,a big bull,
maybe a hammer? Fresh baits were ran out, and lemon after lemon were reeled
in. Now that the BTs had moved out, we were covered up in lemons. Just what
I was looking forward too. These lemons have a rank attitude and are a blast
to catch. We fished till dark and then headed back to the mothership to see
how the other 2 camps had done.
On day 3 we headed straight to the beach to get baits out at first
light. TJ flung a spoon out and got hammered by a big jack. The bait was
not as thick at camp as we had found at the other spot that we had fished
the morning before.
After a few casts I was rewarded with a fat surf trout.
The morning started out a little slower than the previous day. TJ
landed a blacktip or two, and I got a good run. It turned out to be a large
sting ray that would not budge off the first sand bar. After getting him
in, a fresh bait was thrown out and got hit again by another big stingray.
Gene headed out past the third bar and started to troll various lures
and baits. With our bait supply runnning low, we were all stoked to see that
he had several blues and ladyfish for the cooler.
Wilbo hooked up to a nice lemon before calling it a day.
We headed back to the mothership around 11 or 12 for a hot lunch and
a shower. After a quick nap we head back off to fish into the night. With
Curtis landing a big lemon the day before were all excited about what the
night might bring.
A jack head and a few cownose were ran out long and the casted baits
were thrown past the first bar. The cownose would get picked up and dropped
several times, and then the 12/0 took off. It ended up being a small lemon
with a big appitite. The jack head was walked out to the first bar and tossed
in the gut. Wadding in the dark out there is not something that I enjoyed.
Six or seven 5 to 6ft lemons were caught through out the night. At some point,
everyone fell asleep and Gene woke everone up before we were all washed out
to sea.
Day 4
We loaded the gear and got back to the mothership for the ride back.
While passing Ship Island the water cleared up and Shindle wasted
no time getting lures in the water. Everyone took turns reeling in spanish
macs and making sure none of the beer went to waste on the ride back.
Even with crappy conditions, this was once again a trip of a lifetime
that will not be forgotten. We have a rowdy group of guys and you can't beat
the comradery.
Congratulation Curtis on the big lemon and winning the big shark pot.
- HWK
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