Report submitted by 'TJ'

High Island Surf/Kayaking Report High Island, TX October 2nd, 2004 Tweet

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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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