Report submitted by 'Oz'
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PINS Winter Surf Report
Padre Island National Seashore, TX
February 7th-9th, 2008
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This winter has been very harsh
for us Texas fishermen. Very cold conditions with excess winds blowing non-stop.
Water temps along the coastal bend have been as low as 53deg in the surf.
But there was about to be a change on the horizon. With fellow Rockstars
in Panama creating an epic report of their own, Curtis and I decided the
open weather window was not to be missed. We packed up the gear the night
before and come 6am we were up and on our way. We hit the beach right at
sunrise with little wind, but yet a very chilly morning.
Driving was rather good and our goal was to make it down south looking
for clear water. The low tide had the water level out quite a bit and noticed
some structure that normally not out of water being exposed. With the water
not clearing up like we hoped we kept driving and driving and wound up all
the way at the Jetties, with no good water in sight.
The Pomps were looking to be in question this trip. After hanging
out at the jetties and talking with Sandifer for a bit, Curtis and I rolled
back up the beach to a place where the color change came closest to the beach.
Just past the 2nd bar, it was just barely out of reach. The Pomp gear came
out and we tried like hell to hammer some bait. Hours past and only to show
for are a bucket of live hardheads and a couple small Whiting. Water temp
had surpassed 60deg for the first time in a while. I had a thermometer with
and kept a keen eye on the water temps the entire trip. Around 4pm the bite
finally picked up. I eventually started getting some bait... a few nice Whiting
and a decent Pomp. Water was calming down and couldn't resist getting a few
baits out before sunset. With a Jack already thawing, I rig half of it along
with a Pomp and Whiting and yakked them out.
It did not take long and the Pomp got hammered. After a few minutes
we get the fish up to the bar and Curtis goes out and leaders it. A nice
Sandy, first of the trip. Rockstars on the board!
The shark had swallowed the Pomp, circlehook and all so we cut the
leader and gave her a souvenir.
A few minutes later the 2nd bait goes off, the Jack on the 12/0. All
baits this trip were deployed very far. From 300yds away we could see the
shark on the surface. After about 10 minutes I get her to the first bar and
Curtis goes out grabbing the leader to tailrope. As I get the leader to the
tip of the rod I hop on the sand to see Curtis chasing the Shark around in
the wadegut as it spit the hook. With one hand on its tail he doesn't have
enough time to configure his secret rockstar tailrope. This Sandy, looking
quite fat and healthy and over 7', evades Curtis and swims off. While we
can't count it for the rodeo since no pic, you have to consider this a nice
catch.
Meanwhile, during the chaos I look back up at the last remaining rod
as it gets hammered. When the quick release is over, I hop up grabbing the
rod only for the bait to be dropped. I leave it and wait. Just after dark
the bait gets picked up once again (actually several times) and I finally
get in the culprit... another Sandy, the 3rd of the day.
Curtis takes off for a Doc appointment in the morning and I stay and
head to the rocks to sleep. The next morning things are a bit warmer and
the seas slightly calmer, however the SW wind is present. While light to
begin with, it is going to pick up so I immediately rock back north to get
baits out.
Once again, I run 3 baits out including the leftover of the Jack from
the day before surgically rigged for one more deployment. All baits are out
by 9am. Come 10am, spaced out about 200yds, a six and a 12/0 go off at the
SAME EXACT MOMENT. I immediately hop on the 12/0 and begin dragging that
fish in. As I get it close to the bar I jump down off the truck to go leader
it. Just then and I look up and the 3rd rod is going off! I leader the Sandbar
on the 12/0 and bring her over the bar to the shallow wade pool and let her
swim around until I get the next fish in. After 5 or so min I have the 2nd
Shark at the bar and pull her into the tidal pool. Both quality Sandbars.
With both sharks on the beach and the 3rd dropping the bait, a guy passing
by stops and I get a quick picture. I quickly get the hooks out and measure
and release both sharks without any problem. Very Cool.
I leave the last rod out for about 30min and bring it in baitless.
By now the wind is cranking hardcore out of the SW. On my last deployment
I had a hard time kayaking back to the beach into the wind and cross current.
Since solo and not wanting to risk danger, I decide to pack it up and head
towards the rocks hoping for some bait. Bait is still near impossible to
obtain. Endless amount of shrimp and fishbites went in the water with little
results. Water temp right now 61 deg. I finally get a Stingray and couple
small Whiting. Right before dark I run out 3 more baits just north of the
jetties as the wind finally lays down. Slow at first, a couple hours pass
and have a rod go slack. I keep an eye on it and see a small bump here and
there. By now I know exactly what it is. Anyway, I bring it in and sure enough
it is a fat Female Sharpnose I get a quick photo of release.
Another hour or so pass and while sitting down in the chair making
leaders and rigging up baits for in the morning, a rod gets slack and then
takes off for a sec. A bit interesting but I let it sit and decides to move
a few more yards. At least this shark is big enough to move the weight but
know its not the wild stallion sandy i'm looking for. I reel in the fish
and leader it and too my suprise it is slightly larger than I thought, but
a fair Sandbar at best. Regardless, I get a quick auto pic and release another
Sandbar, my 6th Sandy for the trip.
I leave that final rod out for a while. Already being hit several
times by something of the smaller variety, I leave it out for another hour
then bring it in baitless. 10 baits deployed in 2 days, 10 baits nailed with
7 Sharks landed. I pack up and rest the remainder of the night with a pre-rigged
bait or two for in the morning.
Come sunrise I wake back up and drive back north a while once again.
The water is looking fantastic. Calm, no wind, water is clearing up. This
will be an interesting day. I immediately run 4 baits out between 300-700yds.
I think I ran 3 of them much further than the should've been since the good
clean water came in very close finally. Still the conditions were too nice.
I sit and wait.
The next 2-3 hours I sit and wait. Not much happening. Whiting/Pomp
bite is not going off either. Very slow. During those couple hours I have
a couple baits get picked up by small toothys but are raping the bait.
Nonetheless, I keep everything out sitting watch taking a needed nap here
and there. With conditions this calm, activity will likely be to a minimum.
Right around noon I see a truck rocking down the beach headed my way.
Then here it is and low and behold it is Curtis, back to take advantage of
the 'too' beautiful day. I bring in what was left of 3 of the baits and run
fresh baits out including a stingray I gigged in the wadegut with a rigging
needle. Curtis sets his own rods up and begins to catch Whiting and eventually
gets a Pomp. I offer to run a couple baits for him and around 4pm he gets
hooked up on a bait this side of the 3rd bar.
After a short fight he gets in fat lil Blacktip.
After a quick photo the shark is released. The first (and only) Blacktip
of the trip taken on a Hardhead.
After about 30 min the other bait I ran for him gets picked up. Fish
on!!! Curtis hooks in and begins the fight on a better fish.
After about 10 minutes he has the shark in close and I go out to leader
it. Finally another decent Sandbar!
A quick pic and she swims off with a vengeance.
It is around dark and I run a couple more baits out for Curtis. 3
days on the beach and staying a day longer than expected, I am worn out from
the sun and in much need of a Whataburger and shower, I begin to pack it
up slowly and reel in the lines. 2 were hit by sharks. The 12/0 bait placed
about 700dys got crunched and saw when it happened earlier in the day but
the fish must have been more careful than curious.
Ready to leave I take the water temp on final time. At sunset on Saturday
it reached 64deg hence the arrival of the Blacktips. I packed it up and head
off the beach while Curtis stays a bit longer waiting for his precious to
get hit. And sure enough it did. Curtis eventually beaches his 2nd Sandbar.
All in all, not a bad weekend. Infact, other than the slow baitfishing,
the trip was badass! Comfortable weather. Winter can be one of the most fun
times of the year to fish if you get the conditions just right. You may get
only a couple weather windows a month and when you see one, you have to hop
on it! Thanks to Curtis for coming down and hanging out along with seeing
Keith and David(?) down during the weekend.
Final weekend total for the Rockstars: 8 Sandbars, 1 Blacktip, 1 Sharpnose,
and 1 Bonnethead.
See you on the Sand hopefully once again before the weed comes and wreaks
havoc!
Til the next great fishing window...
- Rockstars Out!
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