My Diary
08/31/03
Had a great trip down PINS Sunday. “ Yes Nils, the fishing was slow” My objective was to hit the jetty’s and get me a Tarpon. I hit the end of the black top at about 7am and pointed the truck hard south. Ignoring the perfect trout spots and the mullet that was thick the length of the beach. Driving was good and the water was like gin. (Little murky in spots, but mainly very clear.) As the waves crested over the first bar the mullet could be seen easy by me and the Pelicans that where nailing them in every pinch and closed gut. I arrived at the jetty’s at about 10.30. Charlie and his son Chris were able to tell me those immortal words that fishermen learn to hate. “You should have been here earlier.” Although I hate those words, they were on the money. I did not get even a blow up in 2 hours of fishing. After a bit of lunch I decided to go north and fish the beach for Trout and Reds with live mullet. I had only gone about 3 miles when over the radio came Nate saying, "is anyone on PINS?". This is how the conversation went.
“Yes Nate, this is Nickaway”
“ Were are you Nick”
“About the 57”
“Get here as quick as you can, the biggest school of Bull sharks is hitting the beach in the first gut.” He was at the 51.
“I’m on my way, I increased my speed to the legal limit of 25 mph” I slowed to inform Charlie and Chris of the action North and they followed.
When we got there Nate and his friend were standing out of the water with trout rods pointing at the action.
It was a cloud of Rain minnow about 100 yds off the beach and about 200 yds in length.
The Bulls were working the inside of the cloud and the Ladies were busting up from below. What a great site, it gets better. The Tarpon arrived and went to work with some great aerobatics; leaping high and doing cartwheels as they busted through the cloud. ( I think they were chewing on the Lady fish It was nothing to see two 6 ft Tarpon in the air at one time. Charlie and Chris had 5 hook ups whilst I was there. Me I had a nice run with a Bull who bit through the mono leader on a pulley rig after about 30 seconds. I stood there with my 10ft 6in Breakaway cursing myself for leaving my big guns at home. “I was at the party, just not dressed for the occasion”. To be honest, I was glad that I was able to see this plus I was able to do a good deed. Three chaps pulled up to us and started fishing with us, no invite. I watched as they targeted the working birds and proceeded to walk out to the bar then start to swim across to get closer to the action. Since I don’t drink anymore, I decided to warn them that they would soon be on the menu of the frenzying Bulls in the murky water if they did not get back. He was relieved I had warned him and left. On another angle I did get these shots of a fire south of Bob Hall, Its amazing what friction will do.
Brenda did pick this trout up in the 50s me " No trout, no reds but I did have a lot of fun catching ladies on my fly rod.
Looking good on the Atkins isn't she.
Regards Nickaway.
Quiz of the week. What is the location of this landmark on PINS. which has a few local names.
