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From: Sunkist
Date: 3/24/2020
Time: 9:30:34 PM
A Real Shark Story
I've waded bars for close to 25-30 years...and..have seen dozens of sharks swim by,look me over and then go along their way..they/re just curious...
This shark encounter took place in the summer of '07 off the sandbars of the Eastern Shore (North end of The Chesepeake Tunnel Bridge)
Nobody fishes it so this day was no different..me & Warrior & LOTS of SUNBLOCK
June 15th 2007 Off the Va Capes
Left the house about 6:30,in plenty of tiime to hit the tide right.We stopped by Oceans East & stocked up on finger mullet & some bunker,picked up some frozen shrimp yesterday at Farm Fresh.Crossing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel(CBBT),the ocean was almost flat-calm,quite a few boats fishing along the bridge & around the islands.Been hearing reports of sheepshead,spadefish,flounder & cobia,works out great for me,keep's 'em in the bay,doubt anyone will be out around the shoals off Fishermans Island today.
Once across we made our way through the nature reserve to the small creek deep in the marsh & launched the Seapuppy,the tide high,just as planned,hit it perfect.In an hour there won't be any water in here until late this afternoon.The tide should be perfect just as dark settles in tonight.Got a new moon tide,the tide barely high in the morning but it should flood bigtime this afternoon allowing us to get in just as it gets dark.
Warrior standin' on the front of the Seapuppy,that dog LOVES fishing,already lookin' for fish.We made our way out to the main channel.The channel,about a mile & a half long,about a hundred yards wide,cutting through the undeveloped islands,part of the Intercoastal Waterway.There are some commercial fishin' boats anchored along the way.
Might as well fish for a while,the tide bein' high,the shoals will have to wait until later today when the tide goes out,plenty of time to kill.Bound to be some roundheads,(Here in the Tidewater area of VA,that's what we call seamullet)They are by far the most numerous fish in this area (& out on the shoals) along with croaker & a few spot.The air warm in the upper 70's,the wind almost calm,gently blowing from the NNW,maybe 5 knots max.Supposed to change over to the SE about 10-15 kts. later this afternoon.Perfect timing with the tide low & comin' in.All the stars are aligning today,should pick up some big reds this afternoon.The sky clear,not a cloud in the sky as far as you can see.Nobody else in sight,you know me,time to strip down to my speedo,perfect day to get some sun!
We fished the channel for a good hour,rigged up with my imfamous rig with # 2 long shanked bronze hooks & a round 1oz sinker.The light round sinker rolling along the bottom as we drift with the current,so light that any touch by a fish or crab can be felt.We're picking up some nice roundheads & some small croaker,both should be good bait later today out on the shoals when we go after the big reds.A couple other boats pass by,one had a dog,Warrior doesn't care about anything,(even anther dog),her mind only cares 'bout givin' me heck when I catch a fish."Chill-Out Dagone-it! Crazy Durn Dog!" As the boats go by I wrap a towel around my waist,don't need anyone crashin' their boat because of all the white reflection of my..well,you know...Better safe than sorry,probably sic the Va Marine Patrol on me!
Decided to head over to the bridge crossin' Fishermans Island Inlet,about a mile to the west..We made a few drifts,pickin' up some more small croakers.Warrior havin' a heck of a time stealin' them from me,before I can get them in the cooler she pulls 'em out & then drops 'em overboard.."Some Fish Dog you are!!"as she looks for another. It was really some crazy drifts under the bridge,the tide is goin' out (to the east of the bridge).As we drifted under the bridge in different spots I'll be durned if we didn't drift the opposite direction! Strange how currents can be goin' opposite of the tide.On the west side of the bridge there is a channel marker on a wooden pole,on top of it is an Osprey sitting on a huge nest,nervously barkin' a warning for us to not get too close.Last thing I need is a Pe-od' Osprey attacking us so we kept our distance.
The fishing kinda' slow,time to head for another spot.We made our way back under the bridge headin' east through Fishermans Islands Inlet,Fishermans Island to our right,Racoon Island to out left,we made our way to the southeast corner of Smith Island,a good 2 miles or so.The water a shiny silver/gold/green as the bright sun bears down on it.It's just so beautiful out here on the water,the Seapuppy jumpin' over each wave,Warrior on the front standing,leaning forward,who needs a hood ornament? Warrior loves ridin' on the Seapuppy as much as I do.For as far as we can see there's nobody insight,we have the entire area to ourselves, just like I like it!
Arriving off the SE corner of Smith Island,the ocean currents create some swirly water right off the SE point,great place to pick up some more roundhead & maybe a puppy-drum or small blackdrum,cast the #2 longshanked bronze hook rigs out along the edge of the current.I use a 1oz pyramid sinker instead of the round one oz.,need a little bit better holding power in a spot like this.If you can find the right edge of the current,the rig will drift around the point towards the ocean & just as it passes around the edge,the currents will swirl around & actually spin the rig back around & back to the edge of the islands.(Very similar to fishin' the southeast/southwestern tip of Ocracoke Island & Hatteras Island when fishing for flounder.Knowin' how to fish a current really makes the difference between "good luck or bad luck".It's not an accident.There's always a reason that a good fisherman puts the bait where he does.Picked up some small flounders,some more roundheads & a small striper in the 20" range.(In the ocean you just never know! )No reason to keep the small schoolie,I doubt they're even in season,striper seasons change so much I can't keep track anyway! We fished a good hour,eventually the tide started to really race around the tip & outward into the ocean,the perfect swirls gone,time to pack up & head for the big sandbar east of Fishermans Island.
We made our way across the wide inlet towards the deep water channel that runs between the island & the big bar.Byron & I came out here a couple times in late March & early May,(didnt catch anything to write home about),so I knew the layout,very similar to last year.The channel has closed up a bit as there is only one way in & out,the south end shoaled up,might be able to cross to open ocean if done at an extremely high tide,but really no need to try.Pulled the Seapuppy up to the back of the bar,unloaded all my gear & then anchoring it a good ways out,when the tide goes out don't want to get caught high & dry unable to move like we did one trip last year.
Cut up some of the roundhead,croaker,finger mullet & bunker & packed it in a quart baggie,adding a good handfull of shrimp,placed it in one of my fanny packs(fanny packs..literally..:).Another fanny pack already packed with rigs,a roll of 50# test for replacing shock-line,pliers,knife,nailcutters & various snap swivels,all tied to a separate,short length of 50# line so they won't get lost out on the shoals.Also packed up my soft cooler with a few beers,a tube of 'sunblock 30' & water bottles(which were frozen over night,act as ice as they melt).Grabbed my bathing suit,just in case someone else shows up out here...it would'nt be very pretty!!
Grabbing one of my tall rodholders,one medium conventional & two light tackle spining rods,the two fanny packs,soft cooler & my "emergency baithing suit",Warrior & I walked across the wide bar to the east side.There are literally hundreds of sand dollars everywhere.(You couldn't pick 'em all up if you wanted to.)Truely we are much 'richer' for bein' out here,money can't buy the feeling that rushes through your mind & though your whole body,the stunning beauty of nature,the panoramic view & it's all to ourself as far as the eye can see.The waves comin' in are quite large,it's very very "drummy"..This past week the winds' been blowin' from the east/ north east,the ocean waves still big & rough considering there's almost no wind at all right now.
I planted the big rodholder & hung all the fanny packs & soft cooler & rods on it.Sharpened up the medium conventional's two 3/0 longshanked pacific bass hooks to razor sharp,hooks that are very effective with anything that swims out here.Baited it up & cast out.Started messing around with one of the light tackle rigs (#2 longshanked bronze hooks) baited with shrimp.Cast here & there,nothing,good cloudy water rushes back from the beach,perfect conditions but nothing each cast.Out here off Fishermans Island over the past couple of years I always find incredible conditions but there are very few small fish to be found.Caught about 45-50 nice drum out here & not the first one has been 'slot legal',they're either too big or nothin' at all.
The tide is a good ways out now & lookin' down the beach to the south it hit me like a freight train.."Holy Smokes!! I see the spot!" Rolled in the medium conventional,the bait all chopped up,no doubt crabs were very busy stealin' my bait.Hung the bait & rig-fanny packs & soft cooler on one arm,the rods & rodholder in the other,Warrior & I headed south along the bar a good 1/2 mile to the 90* corner, just where the bar turns back to the SE corner of Fisherman's Island.Sand dollars everywhere,we are rich beyond our wildest dreams! Arriving at the sharp corner there is a deep cut that empties out to the ocean about 30 yards wide,to the west it narrows down to about 3 or 5 yards & then gets wider as it goes towards Fishermans Island,another wide cut through the bar & back to open ocean.
Baited up the medium conventional & cast it out to the eastern corner of the outer bar where it dumps out to the ocean,the current flowing out,the rig is sitting right on the outer edge..right where a large gamefish would be waitin' in ambush..only now the tables are turned,an ambush waitin' on the big gamefish..very sneaky I must say..There's always a plan & a reason where a good surf-fisherman places the bait..Always think ambush,ambush ambush,ambush... BUT...,the spot that I walked all the way down here that has my mouth watering is the tight,narrow spot only 3-5 yards wide,maybe 20 yards north/south,remember,ALWAYS look for the deep spot where the bar formation narrows down the path for a fish to get through.Cast out the light tackle rig(#2 longshanked bronze hooks/one oz. pyrimid sinker) to the outer bar,roll it back a bit as it drops off the bar right in the deep area that is narrowed down.Keep the rod in your hand & keep on searching,slowly,deliberately,rollin' it back in,casting the rig to the corner of the small cut,cast it to the south corner,to the north corner,try the inside edge,the outside edge of both the north edge,the south edge.Look for the cloudy/sandy patches of water that crosses the inner bar we are standing on.Sandy/cloudy water is THE KEY to catching puppy-drum,black drum,various small fish & pompanos in the summer surf,the cloudy water could be in front of you for a couple waves,the next moment it could be south of you,the next moment it could be north of you.Constantly move up & down the beach,cast the rig to the outer edge of the sandy cloud,reelin' it in slowly untill you catch the outer edge.Sooner or later you'll find the fish if they're there,sometimes it takes a while,remember.ambush ambush ambush ambush..I can't say it enough! Picked up some more roundheads,let 'em all go,we have enough bait for the day.
Wham!!, A huge hit on the light tackle rig..!! "Here we go!"...I just knew when I was a 1/2 mile away something would be down here & sure enough we're hooked up! This fish heads north to the outer gap & around the corner(right where the medium convetional bait is sitting) towards open ocean..this fish is gonna' be tough as it now heads south,momentarily crossing the line of the big rig,untangling it,now we're heading south on the outside of the bar.I hauled butt(literaly!),getting in front of the fish,all the while holdin' the light rod as high as possible to avoid a cut line from it's tail.We beat it to the south gap of the cut & durned if it did'nt come back through the gap & ending up back in the small cut where I hooked it in the first place!! The fish is 'bumping like a drum but at the same time is very hard to 'turn'.."gotta' be a sheepshead or a black drum or a foul hook pup.."..as it has that ' wide ' feel to it.Playin' it slow,not in a hurry & sure enough the fish tires & comes right to the beach.."Holy Smokes!! ".A good 10# black drum & a tremendous 20 minute battle!! .."Dinner tommorow night!!" Warrior all in the way as she has been the entire fight,I grabbed the fish & brought it up onto the dry beach..a durn good fight!! Tied it to the 10 foot wire wrapped on the tall rodholder.With a puppy-drum you can make a small slash with a knife just behind its bottom jaw-bone,tie'n the wire to the jaw & it will stay alive all day & then some.With a black-drum you must run the line through it's mouth & out its gillplate,bein' carefull not to get the wire between the gills,their jaw so soft the fish will break loose in the rough waves,the black-drum much harder to keep alive for a long period of time.
Time to get a beer !!...I'm getting a Heck of a lot of sun out here today,we're pretty close to Fishermans Island & a couple Green-Head Flys want a chunk out of me! Don't have any bugspray but 'sunblock 30' works just as well..They don't seem to like ' Banana-Boat' too well,durn my butt is gettin' a bit warm..LOL...There's a truck movin' up & down Fishermans Island,no doubt the refuge ranger,stopping here & there,gettin' out & lookin' over the beach.If they have binoculars,they're getting quite a show! This bar ends up on the island,don't want to get too close,lord only knows where the 'restricted area' starts & ends..
As the tide comes in the tight spot is gettin' a bit wider,all the advantage of the narrow cut is rapidly dissappearing right before my eyes.It's very important to 'roll with the flow', just because a spot is producing,the angler must be flexable,as the spot 'drys up' don't spend all day fishin' it,the magic is only gonna' be good for a short time when the tide comes in & then goes back out,the condition that allowed you to pick the very area or cut only lasts' for a short time,then it's time to refocus on another spot,another cut,another formation,another sandy cloud of water rushin' out from the beach.I just can't stress enough,the surf-fisherman needs to be flexable,always be lookin' for the next bar formation that's ' hot now ',keep movin' up & down the beach/bar.It changes constantly with the tide.........
Lookin' up the beach..WAY-Way back beyond the first spot I tried first this afternoon I can see the 'new hotspot'. Time to head back up the bar to the north.Pulled up the rodholder,all the packs & rods,dragging behind the black-drum,the Warrior constantly tryin' to grab it.."Get away from that fish !!!" She waits until I'm not lookin' & grabbs it again carryin' it along as we walk back up the bar."Sure wish sanddollars were worth something! Don't think I've ever saw so many in one place in all my days fishin'..."
Arriving north up the bar,there's a walkway/shallow area we need to cross to get out on the shoal & the bar formation looks really,really good.Couldn't see it earlier this morning but it's crystal clear now.I stuck the rodholder high & dry,untied the nice fat blackdrum,Warrior & I walked back across the bar back to the Seapuppy,earlier today I tied a plastic bag to the top of my other medium conventional so I could 'keep an eye' on her from the far distance.Arriving at the Seapuppy the tide is way out but she's still afloat,the water a couple feet deep.Put the black drum in the cooler & cut up some more cutbait,added some more shrimp,refilled the soft cooler with water & a few more brewskies.Put on a longsleave Tradewinds shirt,tie'n the bottom up high up to my chest & put on my rainjacket.If I can keep my top warm,cool water doesn't bother me too much.Once we walk out on the shoal I'm sure it will be a bit cooler,a speedo by itself just ain't gonna' cut it out there! Slipped my tennis shoes on,grabbed the 2nd medium convention,all the now-refilled fanny packs & we headed back across the bar.
Got Warrior.suited up in her lifejacket,attached a long rope & tied it to my waist.Picked up the tall rodholder,& all my other gear,we walked across the shallow spot out onto the rough shoals.The wind has now shifted to the SE about 15 kts.,the air a bit cooler now,clouds are beginning to move in,kinda weird,the wind from the SE,the clouds from the NW..sometimes things just don't make sense.One thing I can feel is Big Reds,the wind is right,the waves are comin' in right on cue, just as we hoped this morning,preperation meet opportunity,it's not always luck,it's planning at home in the backyard that catches fish consistently.
The ocean is gettin' more 'drummy' by the minute.If the big reds are here we WILL nail 'em..sometimes you can feel it & my whole body knows,they're here.We waded out as far as we could,a good 200 yards or so off the big bar.There's a good wide cut to the north,too wide in a way,put one of the medium conventionals out to the far edge,there's really no 'edge' to the cut but it is right on another edge that I can't cast to,just too far to hit the 'right' spot but who knows?,,gotta' try it.Now to the south there's the most beautiful,tight spot that cuts right through from the inner bar & the outside bar leading to open ocean,another spot about 10 yards wide.If they're here,this is the spot.All those years walkin' all through & all over the shoals of Ocracoke Inlet pays off many times over & over,it's just something I can see,nothing you could write in a book, just something that you can feel & By Gosh I have it..too bad my body is so durned worn out..by the time you get good at something your body starts goin' south! (I'm sure LeeRoy O'neal can attest to that...These reports are for you LeeRoy,I'm sure you can picture it,I'm so glad to bring it back too you Bud. Hold a spot for me on the porch of your summer home on Lighthouse Road,my time is runnin' out pretty quickly..)
Cast out the second medium conventional just inside the southern outside corner edge of the tight,funnelin' cut(say that 5 times real fast!), just where a big red would hang lookin' for an easy dinner...they don't know that it's them that are gonna' be 'dinner' ! (please don't get all worked up,they will be released,without a 'dissclaimer' I would be pounded by all the politically correct..happy now???)) I grabbed one of my light tackle rods with the.....Ohhh OK, I'm sure you guessed it,,the long-shanked #2 super sharp bronze hooks baited with shrimp.I'm always playin' with this setup,a quick way to survey a spot & sometimes a BIG FISH will latch onto it,in the ocean you just never know..I hadn't made 3 casts with the light rod & the rod just inside the southern outside corner edge lit up,drag just a-screamin'.;."Right on time,did'nt take long" & it's a drum,the powerfull slash of the tail,the powerfull bumps ,classic red drum.Hooked on my larger outfits with 450 yards of 25# test with a 50# test shock,the rigs tied with 100# mono & the sharpened hooks that drum is in deep-______,the result will be in the anglers' favor.Catchin' big drum on strong surf-tackle is rather easy,you have 'em outmatched (Unless it get's tangled up with your other line or with someone up the beach,the latter no problem out here on this deserted beach).Only thing bein' out here on the outer bar we can't chase it & must bring the fish back to our small island perch back across the outer bar & against the current.Fifteen minutes later we have a beautiful 40" or so big drum,first one I' ve caught this year.Who would have believed it would take until mid June??? This spring things came up,some things are more important than fishing...(can't believe I just said that!).Pulled the big fish's head out of the water,"Get off that fish!",Warrior wants it bad,removed the hook,let it go,it slowly swims off,doubt that fish will want another piece of finger mullet anytime soon!
Recast the medium conventional to the same area,if there's one,with drums there's usually another.Before I could get the rod into the rodholder another strike!! We must've landed right on top of them,the big fish durn near jumped out of the water as I tightened up the line,a red tarpon! Don't see many jumpin' reds around these here parts..The battle lastin' anouther 20 minutes I brought the big fish up to the narrow perch we are fishing,Warrior all in the way,got the fish unhooked,pressed it's body up against my leg & the fish makes no attempt at all to swim off.This phenomenon I discovered a few years ago.When you catch a big drum in waist deep water,after unhooking it lightly press it's body to the side of one of your legs,the big fish will hover right there besides you & make no attempt whatsoever to swim off.The fish completely underwater,you can gently pet the top of its body & marvel at how absolutely magnificent these big fish really are,a very special moment in time that most anglers never get to experiance.Gave the big fish a light push & it swims off into the gap & back out to the open ocean.
Recast the medium conventional back out to the exact spot that has nailed 2 straight big drum,set the drag real loose,drank a beer.Grabbed my light tackle rod baited with big chunks of shrimp,started to cast besides & behind us searching for another roundhead,black drum or puppy drum,a little to early for the pompanos to show,they'll be here in about a month when the water gets into the 80* range.Cast here,slowly rolling in,cast there,I love searching an area,you'd be surprised at just how many fish are right around you so close.Got a couple bumps,feels like another black drum again..light,little bumps,a roundhead would hit the bait hard,a black drum takes it's time as it chews on the shrimp.I let the line go slack & slowly tighten it back up."There!,nailed that dude!",the fish suddenly finds itself in the battle for it's life,really makin' a run around to the shallow water behind me,turning east & passin' right by our feet as it trys to head for open ocean.I got all day,this fish won't break the light 10# line as long as I take my time.Fifteen minutes later I got a really nice 5# black drum to go with the larger one already in the cooler.Tied it to the long wire hooked to the tall rodholder.If I catch another I'll let 'em go as I can't stand frozen fish,,I know "if you freeze 'em right they will last six months or more.."arguement,Heck in six months I can catch a lot more fish,only keep what I can eat in the next couple of days.
Noticed the big rig to the north is slack,HHMMMmm..? Somethings moved it somehow.Rolled in the slack,slowin' down just as the line tightens up,quickly pullin' out the slack while at the same settin' the hook.This is another big fish but in a few short moments it is no doubt a big ray,they were everywhere in the early spring.Those big dudes are very dangerous out here in waist deep water,not to mention the waves breakin' over the bar & Warrior in tow all in the way.It's another 60#/-a good three & a half foot wide Southern Stingray,the same type that injured Warrior last summer out here."Stay the Heck away girl !,Backup!Backup!" Warrior finally gets the message & backs up behind me,I think she learned her lesson last summer when it took surgery & countless Vet visits to heal her 3" jagged,deep wound in calf of her right leg.I got the big fish nearby,it's long deadly tail breakin' out of the water, & then cut the shockline.Those dudes can have my $2 rigs...Don't need another $1500 vet bill this year!
Walkin' back to the rod holder (about 50 foot behind us) & it's shaking violently,"Holy Smokes!!!" there's a 6-8 foot shark stealin' my 5# black drum !!! Its' fin & tail on the surface of the 2 foot deep water,definately a BlackTip as the fins are black on the points.When a big shark wants your stringer out here there's not a whole lot you can do about it !! Just pull Warrior back to you until the sharks is happy & goes on it's way.Only this time it swims right in our general direction,gives Warrior & I a short look-see & then disappearin' into the deep water of the southern cut-though out to the open ocean.Very exciting to say the least,I just held my breath as it went by no more that 3 foot away."Wow!!!,,," as I stood there,slowly gettin' ahold of myself.Words just can't describe the feeling!!!! I see plenty of sharks out here on the bars I fish,somehow you never get "used to 'em"..BUT..I firmly believe they let me & Warrior fish out here,if the ocean was clear it would probably scare the heck out of you,good thing we can't see what's right in front of us out here!! Walked back to the rodholder & there's nothing left of the black drum,all of it is gone !! Be keepin' a good sharp eye out here the rest of the day to say the least.....
About that time the big rig to the south lights up,drag justa' screamin' out.We rushed over to the rod holder & pulled the big conventional down,tightened up the drag,setting the hook.Only this time the line just keeps on pealin' out. "it can't be?No..It just can't be...I think I've hooked the blacktip that stole my black drum!!..Poetic justice if there ever was! This fish is really pullin' line.I let a ton of line off the reel & backed up to the shallow bar behind us.I'm almost runnin' in knee deep water chasin' this big dude.Where's a cold beer when you need one ???!!! Finally caught up with it,gained a bunch of my line back.Warrior & I are a 1/2 mile up the beach,almost back to the area I landed the 10# black drum earlier today.Slowly..slowly I gained line,this is one big fish,more than a match for my medium conventionals as I'm puttin' it to the test no doubt.Thirty minutes later I pulled it up onto a shallow bar.I don't have my knife or pliers as they are in the fanny packs back at the rodholder.I managed to get the hook free,grabbed the blacktip by the tail & pulled it back to deeper water...Ain't gonna' play the "pet the shark phenomenonhere" !!,but who knows,maybe it's done somewhere but not here! The blacktip did a circle as if to 'wink' at me & then disappeared into the ocean.Would've loved to tag it but the tags are back at the Seapuppy a good 1/2 mile away,no way I could get there & back in time,sharks must move to breathe as they don't have gills,they need the water constantly flowin' in & out of their mouth,exiting in it's gill-plate like openings.Beside's I'm thirsty as Heck now & really spent. "Paid that shark for steallin' my black drum..Wow !! "again..This is turnin' out to be a day to remember.!!
Looked up the beach & my other convetional is still high up in the tall rodholder.Warrior & I walked back to the Seapuppy gatherin' sanddollars as we come up the beach.I must have picked up a dozen,so many I can't pick up anymore.The girls back at the office & my beautiful massage BABE,Lindsay loves this kinda' stuff...never hurts to have a happy,beautiful massage Babe let me tell you..! Arriving back at the Seapuppy I got some water for the Warrior-FishDog,poped the top off a Corona,"Durn that tastes good"..never hurts to have a cold one after gettin' the crap scared out of you & then on top of that fightin' the very shark that stole the black drum off the stringer! Really KOOL!..
Gathered up some more bait,some water & some more brewskis,Warrior & I headed back across the bar & out to the shoal we've been standing on for the past couple hours.The tide is really comin' in now.Make one last cast on each of the big rigs,set them in almost freespool,pulled up the tall rod holder & we retreated back to the big sandbar.Sank the holder again & set the big rigs up with very loose drag,the clickers on.Pulled off the raincoat & the Tradewinds T shirt,boy am I burnt! & not just my arms & legs either ! May have a hard time sittin' for the next couple of days...Rubbed a ton of Banana-Boat 30 sunblock ALL over.This stuff repels the green head flys also.Grabbed the light tackle rig baited with shrimp,"Some dude out in the ocean owes me a black drum!!!" Funny how you will talk to yourself when no one else is around..a shark swimin' by mere feet away will do that to 'ya!!!.
Started castin' here & there again followin' the sandy clouds of water up & down the beach.What an incredible sight,the bright sun startin' to get blocked by the ever increasing dense clouds,the ocean in all it's majestic glory,the warm sand under my feet,nobody else in sight,the 15 kt. SE wind blowin my hair back..so durn lucky to be out here.I think the older you get the more you appreciate the simpler things in life.I'd rather be out here than doin' anything else(OK,not anything...BUT real close! )The tide is getting higher by the minute,the countless sandflowers bein' picked up,pushed further up the beach by the light waves as the ocean is recapturin' the bar,only to let it go again when the tide shifts back later on.Playin' with my light tackle rod,picked up a couple more roundhead,one of them pretty big,but I have enough,"Got lucky there bud,good thing I did' catch you this morning!".. as I let them go.
The clicker on the big rig sittin' in the narrow cut south of the outer bar starts a slow click..clickclick......click click...Easilly I lifted the rod out of the rodholder & dropped the tip as I slowly rolled in the slack.Something's playin' with the bait..another light bite & YANK!!!,Hooked that dude!..The fish now alarmed took off straight out to open ocean.I must have at least 250 yards of line out after the last cast out on the shoal & then walkin' back a good 200 yards.Now I have to pull this fish through two bars! Could take awhile.Slid back to the rodholder,grabbed a cold bottle of water,stuffin' it to right side of my speedo..don't know how long I can stand this! But I ain't gonna' chase a second fish down the beach again without something to wet my whistle.The fish is bumping a lot & you can feel the tremendous thrusts of its tail,another big drum for sure.It took a good fifteen minutes to get the fish back over the outer bar as these fish always fight hard whenever they near the whitewater.I dropped the cold bottle of water & kept kicking it south as we moved along the beach,got a little too cold there for awhile!! A few minutes later pulled the big drum up to the shallow water of the big sandbar.Even when I can pull a fish up on the beach I still go out in the wash,removin' the hook & sending the great warrior of the sea on it's way..nothing like it...nothing like it...
The tide is really comin' in a hurry,out here on the VA Capes the bar formations are very flat so the tide really covers a lot of ground in a short time.Ocracoke inlet & northern Portsmouth Island have much deeper & more numerous cuts,way better than here...with gas at $3 a gallon,I'd just as soon come out here !! The sun starting to sink low in the southwestern sky,time to head in.Rolled up the other medium conventional,pulled up the tall rodholder with all the bait,rig & ice bags,Warrior & I headed back to the Seapuppy.Lots of water back here now,almost neck deep,gettin' Warrior aboard is always tough,especialy when the water's deep & when we are both very tired.Fired up the engine ,we headed down the deep water between the bar & Fishermans Island,a group of pelicans swoop down,each one almost surfin' the waves as they break,the pelicans glide efortlessly in the tunnel of each crashin' wave.How a bird as ugly as a pelican can be so smooth & gracefull from a distance is beyond me, just another special sight out here along the wide pristine seashore.We found the narrow channel where we began this incredible odyssey early this mornig,found the tiny ditch,the water just high enough to get to the dropoff,only Kayaks & very small boats can be launched here.Green head flys & skeeters are thick,all of them tryin' to get their last meal off me & Warrior! Backed the trailer over & pulled the Seapuppy out of the water quickly tying' everything down we headed out along the dirt road deep in the marsh.I'll get everything together once I get on the bridge,there's a rest stop & an observation pull-off just before the CBBT starts to go over the mouth of the bay.We stopped at the observation post & tied every thing down good & tight,boy this truck feels good with the AC blowin' the cold air of my tired,beatup,burnt body!
To say today was incredible would be a total understatement! Caught some nice big red drum,a couple of nice black drums & even the BlackTip shark that stole the 2nd one from my stringer.Throw in a small striper,small flounders & a couple dozen roundheads & croakers & you got a heck of a good,long day.As we head across the CBBT the ocean is rough,a good 3-4' chop,what was so peacefull & tranquil this morning is now completely opposite.I'm burnt up from head to toe,that hot tub is gonna' be painfull tonight!!
Be back in a couple weeks & we'll try it again!!
It's Not a Fishin' Trip ! It's an Adventure!
Pup & The Mighty MysticWarrior