Report submitted by 'Oz'

PINS Surf Report Padre Island National Seashore, TX November 19-21st, 2004 Tweet

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Moose and I headed out Friday afternoon in hopes to get some baits out just before dark. Although the forecast was quite different from the actual weather during the entire weekend, we had to go out and try our luck. We get down the beach and finally setup camp with about an hour of sunlight remaining. Barely anyone on the beach and very peaceful.

Moose has a good run on his 9/0 and brings it in to find a torn up leader for about an 8' stretch. I have a good bait out for the night. While we were running baits out, Stuart and his budRyan were runningbaits out several hundred yards down from us. Not long after he is hookedup on a monster shark..

"At about 5pm something bumped my 12/0 and I put on my belt and grabbed the rod and waited. About a minute later the fish took the bait while the rod was in my hands. As I set the hook the shark jumped over 15' out of the water pulling every bit of mono out of the water. The fish then made about six more jumps and spins about ten feet out of the water. We both knew we had a mako but said nothing to each other. After jumping he pulled about 200yards. It took about 30 minutes to bring him to the second bar where he turned and stripped about 300 yards nonstop making more jumps with the drag almost locked. About 20 minutes later I brought her to the beach.."

"My 16/0 straight hook was in her belly with 5' of a 10' drop and the fish had no life when it hit the beach. Usually would of released this fish but there is no way it would have ever lived. We planned on staying til sunday but left then so we could get the shark home and cleaned. No meat was wasted and the mako steaks are awesome. Taste nothing like shark but more like a mix of a Tuna and AJ. Catch of my lifetime."

Congrats to Stuart for an exceptional 10' 1" Shortfin Mako. Despite all intentions to release the shark, I myself agree the shark would never have made it. Much of the 30' leader got wrapped around the shark when it went ariel. The shark came in dying and from the point where it hit the beach, observations with the circumstances told us there was nothing anyone could do. Still wanting to release it, Stuart cut some of the cable that was wrapped up that sliced into the shark around the pectoral fin.

However it was too late, the shark had died (whether it was from the fight itself , gut hooked, or from the tangling of the leader is unknown). While the shark was unable to be released, it certainly did not go to waste. The guys cut their weekend trip short to transport the fish back to ensure the meat did not go bad and be a waste.

All things aside, having been one of the handful of people along with Stuart to land a Mako from the surf, I could instantly tell the sense of achievement he felt. While unfortunate that it was unable to be released, it within itself is an amazing accomplishment and the source of what dreams are made of. Stuart is no stranger to big sharks.. or conservation either. Having caught and released MANY sharks along with and impressive Hammer and Tiger to his credit, he said this one certainly tops the list. Congrats bud, you deserve it!

After an interesting evening, Moose cooked up some great beef n bacon on the grill and we feasted like kings. We called it a morning and woke up to less than hopeful conditions. The wind was calm however there was a continuing supply of breaking waves and swells. We started to catch bait and while constructing a leader one of his rods goes off and ask me to grab it. Several minutes later and down the beach I land us a nice Jack.

Mullet were running pretty good early and fished exclusively with them in hopes of more Jacks. While we couldn't connect anymore on the Jacks, I did get my 2nd slot Red.

The wind started to pick up and surf was murking up. The 2nd gut was absolutely beautiful and clear, but interestingly enough before and after that was murking up pretty good. Anyhow we attempt to deploy baits. Moose gets battered on several attempts by some waves you would expect to see on the North Shore of Oahu. I spent time and rigged one bait and exclusively planned to have it out no matter what it takes. I run a Jack out and get the perfect window during and interval of swells allowing me to deploy it around 400yds.

Not long after - Spur, Clint, ShawnQ, Moose's bud Mark, and Moose's fiance Allison show up. We get talking a bit and they cast out some baits in hopes of Spanish or Reds. About an hour later the 'ozinator' gets slacked up and I finally catch up to the fish about 75yds later then I hit him.

Coming in like a stubborn log, I already knew what it was. Down the beach from the strong current, I eventually get her in. Ends up being a 6' 8" Bull Shark. Quickly took some pics then tagged and released it.

By now it was practically suicide to run baits out. Attempting to get past the 2nd sandbar was a daunting task that we did not want to take part in. We soon decide to pack it in and meet up with Curmit and Henry (btw, thanks for the custom bait needle). We get there to find the Golla's and Curmits crew Slamming the Macs, Reds, and Bluefish. Moose and I stealthily sneak into Curmits ice chest and grab a couple Reds to cook on the half shell. While our food was grilling, Henry's 12/0 goes slack. After a while we figured there was a shark on it and he brings it in. Out of the darkness comes a 6'3" Bull.. Henry's largest to date, congrats! Henry then walks the shark out and him and Curmit assure its complete revival.

We soon went back to the food sector of the camp and chowed down on some of the best tasting Redfish on the halfshell I've ever had.. a job well done chef Moose. After a few drinks and a visit from the tainted fruit gods, we call it an evening.

Morning came to the sounds and sights of the Golla's continuing their assault on the Spanish and Blues. One after another they were all tearing them up. Shortly after we get into the groove and take part in the action. We end up landing some of the largest and fattest Spanish I've seen this year.

This took our interest the remainder of the day. Going through Mullet left and right, we pull in an amazing catch. Monster Spanish and for the first time in several years, a heavy concentration of Bluefish invade PINS.

When all said and done for the afternoon, Moose and I along with ShawnQ and his bro take part in a very successful harvest. Monster Spanish fillets would await us when we got home.

Despite the weather and marine forecast being far off and not getting a drop of rain, we still had a very exciting trip. And Moose and I were lucky enough to see Stuart's massive and rare beach Mako. This has indeed been an interesting and misunderstood fall fishing season. These past 3-4 years ecologically rival anything that has happened during the past century. New and questioning weather patterns along with strange water conditions have affected the marine ecosystem along Texas coast bringing in different uncommon species of fish and birds and pushing out populations of some select regulars. After the next major cold front, the 'fall' fishing atmosphere will likely kick in hopefully activating the Jacks in large numbers.

Great trip everyone and see you on the beach for Turkey Weekend.

And a final congrats to Stuart Richardson on his amazing Mako catch!

Til next time..
-Oz

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