The hot bite continues!
The past week has resulted in the hot bite continuing in the surf! We fished multiple locations and found fish of a variety sizes, with my largest of the season coming in at 48 inches and 41 pounds. Sure enough, she engulfed the old reliable 12 inch pre rigged sluggo and put up one hell of a fight. My VS200 was a beast during the fight and ensured for a quick battle, ensuring little stress on the fish. My picture was featured in the weekly OnTheWater report for the Cape and there were quite a few people with negative comments on how the fish should not be held out of the water, should not have had a boga grip on it’s jaw, etc. Although there was backlash, there was also a lot of support. I take the good and bad comments in stride, but just want to take the time to reflect on what I did right during the landing of this trophy, and also touch on what I could have done better.
48 inch, 41lb behemoth caught on a 12 inch eel skin sluggo
First and foremost, I fish with extremely heavy gear, starting with my VS200, 50lb PowerPro braid, 40lb flouro leader, 100lb barrel swivel, and a 125lb TA clip. All of these aspects of my gear, are to ensure that even with the largest fish, I am able to get them landed in a timely manner in order to relieve stress and tiring them out.
Secondly, I caught the fish on 12 inch pre rigged sluggo with single hooks. This ensures minimal damage to the jaw compared to treble hooks. Allowing the fish to properly feed throughout the season. Furthermore, the fish was unhooked in the water and a boga grip was applied. However, the fish was held vertical ensuring that the boga grip was not applying pressure damaging the gills or shifting the organs if it was held vertical.
Next, the fish was out of the water for a quick 4 seconds, minimizing its exposure to the air which could cause damage to the gills, eyes, etc. The fish was held in a horizontal positions with one hand holding its jaw and the other supporting her stomach.
Continuing on, the fish was returned to the water and properly revived until she was completely ready to swim off. She swam away feisty and ready to roll! There was no better feeling than watching this absolute behemoth swim away to continue her journey along the coast.
I will note, I will do my best to completely avoid using the bogo grip in the future, however, I do find it necessary at times, as it prevents the fish from thrashing and allows it to be unhooked quickly. I feel we can always do better in our efforts to handle these fish and I find myself taking note of this after every trip. We must remember that these fish are on the brinks of a collapse, and it is our individual efforts which can ensure this fish strives for years to come. I urge you to do your part and speak up when you feel others are not. At this point, constructive criticism is a good thing and take it as it is!
Another beauty safely caught and released!
Well, sorry for the rant, but back to the fishing!
We had big fish in the surf for quite some time, however, our most recent trip produced nothing but shorts. Fast action, just quantity over quality. The last 2 hours of the outgoing and the first 2 hours of the incoming continue to provide the best action. I will note, we were finding that the fish were feeding in a brief (25 to 45 minute) window during the early portion of the season. This seems to have changed as of late, with the action lasting pretty much for 3+ solid hours.
It seems we’ve downsized….
The top producing lures the past week or so have been a white SuperStrike needle rigged with a red gill teaser, a North Bar Tackle chartreuse darter, Yozuri mag darters, and of course 12 inch pre rigged sluggos.
Get out there and fish hard these next two weeks! I find my best fishing to be the last week of July and the first two weeks of August for big fish in the surf. Stay posted and as always follow along with my journey in the surf by following me on Instagram @stripedsurvival
CATCH, PHOTO, RELEASE
