I couldn't sleep well last night and was not really wanting to go into work since everything would be slow with the holiday weekend upon us. I checked the tides and came up with a solution... Head to the bay and topwater fish... Stop off to do a little fossil crab hunting.... and proceed to work to just "show my face" and get a few minor things done.
Got down to the bay at absolute dark. Saw swirls everywhere and heard the telltale sounds of mullet jumping.
I kept getting hit, but couldn't stick any.... Then one happened to stick and from the sound of the spook jiggling, I knew I had a needlefish.
(https://i.imgur.com/b4jJw1o.jpeg)
Lots of smelt around also, but I didn't see any typical "V-Wakes" from vampires. I moved around a bit and my arm was getting tired. I hit the Alpha Spot, NJSC, and SJSC for nothing but last stop was KDP's.
Twitch, twitch... pause. Twitch, Twitch... Pause.. Twitch... BOOOSH! It startled me since I was kinda daydreaming when it hit. Not big at all but I forgot what a dangerous vina face was when it was whipping around a spook full of trebles!
(https://i.imgur.com/k5kGSGe.jpeg)
I also forgot how much mud and water they can throw at you when trying to release them!
In any case, my shoulder was sore from all of the casting, so I packed my gear and hit the road. I stopped at my fossil crab spot for some really nice specimens.
(https://i.imgur.com/Qbx9yH6.jpeg)
Went to work to see an empty office, so I read through a handful of trainings that were due soon and decided to head home and finish my day back at the home office.
That's about as close as I want to come to the beach this weekend. My buddy wants to Bluefin fish, but the seas look terrible, and it was already crowded as hell down there this morning in cool and overcast conditions.
If you do get out, be sure to post up some pictures!
Nice session! Spooks are one of my favorite baits, I wish the corvina came up this far. Nothing more than fables of them round here...
I did see the wind for the weekend. That wicked SE wind. Warmer days ahead but tomorrow looks like nothing but trouble. Maybe I'll shore pound Sunday morning with Jared but we will see.
Almost as much mud as a Bat Ray but still fun stuff !
Bad conditions and large crowds, perfect opportunity to stay home this weekend ;)