| High Island Surf and Kayaking Report
High Island,
TX
October 2nd, 2004
Report by TJ 'Jolly ROger' |
Had a beautiful sunrise saturday morning as we were preparing for
the day. People started showing up early and everyone was getting rigged.
I got two rods out and waded out to cast them. While I was still in neck
deep water, the second rod got hit hard. I managed to get to shallower water
and stuck the fish, handing the rod off to Paul.
We got that one back out ok. Oscar also hooked up about the time we were
releasing Paul's.
With the reds hitting this good I knew it was going to be a good day.
Got the yaks rigged and ready for fishing. Hit the surf around eight
and paddled about six to seven hundred yards off the beach. I was watching
some poggies hit the water when a three foot spinner shark free jumped. He
knocked the poggie about five feet in the air and spun around four or five
times before splashing down. I threw my anchor. It did not take long for
everyone else to anchor up. We didn't have to wait very long until Sergio
was hooked up. I have to apologize for not getting a picture but me and my
anchor were not getting along at this point. He landed a three foot shark.
From where I was, it looked to be a Sharpnose. I forget some of the details
but I Think Oscar and his boy Anthony were next with a double. I was watching
them as my wife radioed me, "Is that a water spout to the East?" Sure enough
a water spout had formed to our east, but luckily it was headed away from
us.
Oscar with a Bull Red
A few minutes went by and Paul tells me he has a fish. He is fishing
with bass tackle so I knew it was going to be fun. As he starts to fight
the fish my clicker goes of and I too am hooked up. I ditch the anchor and
the fight is on. I land the fish and go to take a pic. He bites me and flops
out. Oh well, he wouldn't be the last one of the day. All this time Paul
is still fighting the same fish. He is a good hundred yards from me. I paddle
over and laugh as the monster red has his way with the bass tackle. Paul
finally wins the battle and brings in a good 40"+ red on light tackle
Paul with bull red
As we get back to the anchor buoy a very cold, very strong ENE wind
hits. It is blowing 20+ so we picked up and started to head in. The trip
back was slow but not to bad.
Oscar and Anthony
The rain started as we got to the beach. I got in the truck and decided
to eat an early lunch. The rain only lasted for twenty minutes. While we
were out in the yaks playing with the bull reds, everyone else was on the
beach catching fish.
Bryan with a Big Ugly
The wind had calmed a little but the surf was still rolling good. We waited
about an hour for things to calm down. Me, Oscar and Anthony headed back
out. It was rougher then before but we were not going to give up. We anchored
about three hundred yards off the beach. It did not take long and Oscar was
hooked up. He was on fire Saturday catching fish almost at will.
Oscar with a bull red
Did not take long and Anthony was hooked up also
We were bobbing up and down just talking when I get a screamer. I
knew it was a shark from the speed. I let him get away from me a little and
then tightened down on him. Then it happened, my favorite thing about fishing.
A three to four foot blacktip tail walked for twenty to thirty feet, 50'
from me. This gets my blood going, I do not care what kind of fish it is.
If it jumps I want to catch it. He puts up a good fight.
Jolly Roger with a Blacktip Shark
We all catch a few more reds and a few more small sharks before we
get hungry again and need a rest from the cork action.
We get back to the beach to find hot dogs ready. Take a break eat
a good second lunch and rest some more. The wind had all but died and the
water was starting to glass back over. Two foot rollers were all that was
left. Me and oscar decide to give it one more try before dark. I was a little
tired so I was napping on my yak. I got woken up by a clicker going off in
my ear. The fish were still around and more than happy to pull us around
some. Both me and Oscar were getting nailed and having trouble getting pics
of fish because most were doubles. So the pics of fish in the boat means
someone else is hooked up and to busy to take a pic. Too many fish is always
a good thing!
We make it back to the beach in time for Oscar to get picked up before
dark and for me to help Karen get the tent ready. It was a on and off day
of fishing but we still caught many bull reds.
Sunday morning brought perfect conditions, go figure. I slept a little
late, for some reason I was tired. Got back on the water around nine, paddled
out a few hundred yards and anchored up. Started catching small sand trout
on fishbites. Put a chunk on the big rod and let her fly. Did not take long
before I was getting nailed. The first few were small sharks but the reds
were not far away. Ended up catching six more bull reds and two sharks. Gonzofish
had made it down and was trolling a diving bait, hope you got something.
I was worn out so I got back to the beach around twelve. We picked up and
headed home around twelve thirty. Buckeye and Gonzo were still hard at it.
It was a fun weekend, great to see so many friends at the beach. We
braved water spouts, gail force winds, and blinding rain to catch BIG fish
out of small plastic boats.
-TJ
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