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Decided to head out with a buddy of mine last night to see if the reds were running. Got out to Sykes at around 9pm. The bridge wasn't too crowded, although some folks had what appeared to be a small shanty town set up! Tents, canopys, generators, rice cookers and such. We were greeted by what I think was the mayor. Anyway, we make our way through and find us a spot. The wind was picking up but we were on a mission. Toss out a couple of baits and notice some fellas about 30 yards from us hook up and loose what appeared to be a decent fish. Shortly after I hear the sound that I love so much.....screaming drag. My big a$$ runs over to my rod and hooks up! FISH ON! I make short work of this fish as I was using 20lb line. David nets it in the increasing wind and we have our first fish of the night!
33 inches, quick pic and she was released to get bigger. High fives and baits back out. 30 minutes or so go buy and again, drag is screaming. Same routine, mad dash, hook set, FISH ON! This one gave more of a fight even on the 20lb line. She was determined to head under the bridge. What she didn't know is this fat guy can move. Got her up top and after she made one last dash for a piling David had her in the net! 39 inches, more high fives and she's released.
Our neighbors start hollering so we run over with the net to help them both land two nice reds. Heck yeah! Back to our rods, rebait and wait! We didn't have to wait much longer as my rod starts to scream within 30 minutes. This one runs right towards the other lines. With a little dancing and a spin move that would make a running back jealous we were in the clear. This fish wasn't done yet though, she was determined to go under the bridge but I managed to change her mind. Got her to the net and wouldn't you know, as David is pulling her up my second rod starts to sceam! Holy donut! Mad dash, hook set, feels small. Nevermind feels big! Put the muscle to this one as we have one on deck now that needs to be sent back. Netted, pictures taken and both reds swim off when lowered in the net. David is holding the second one. I gotta give props to David. That wind was howling and he did awesome netting those fish!
Our neighbors hooked up shortly after with a stud! What a night!
The bite died off and after giving it another hour or so we packed it up. We were now the only ones on the bridge. Apparently the small shanty town couldn't handle the wind. There was nothing left but the twisted frame of a canopy. No doubt the mayor declared a state of emergency and ordered an evacuation!
Not a bad way to spend 4 hours. Now before anybody gives me grief over landing the second red before releasing the first, I am aware that it wasn't the best decision. However in the heat of the moment I had a one track mind...land that fish. Both fish swam off just fine!
TIGHT LINES!
33 inches, quick pic and she was released to get bigger. High fives and baits back out. 30 minutes or so go buy and again, drag is screaming. Same routine, mad dash, hook set, FISH ON! This one gave more of a fight even on the 20lb line. She was determined to head under the bridge. What she didn't know is this fat guy can move. Got her up top and after she made one last dash for a piling David had her in the net! 39 inches, more high fives and she's released.
Our neighbors start hollering so we run over with the net to help them both land two nice reds. Heck yeah! Back to our rods, rebait and wait! We didn't have to wait much longer as my rod starts to scream within 30 minutes. This one runs right towards the other lines. With a little dancing and a spin move that would make a running back jealous we were in the clear. This fish wasn't done yet though, she was determined to go under the bridge but I managed to change her mind. Got her to the net and wouldn't you know, as David is pulling her up my second rod starts to sceam! Holy donut! Mad dash, hook set, feels small. Nevermind feels big! Put the muscle to this one as we have one on deck now that needs to be sent back. Netted, pictures taken and both reds swim off when lowered in the net. David is holding the second one. I gotta give props to David. That wind was howling and he did awesome netting those fish!
Our neighbors hooked up shortly after with a stud! What a night!
The bite died off and after giving it another hour or so we packed it up. We were now the only ones on the bridge. Apparently the small shanty town couldn't handle the wind. There was nothing left but the twisted frame of a canopy. No doubt the mayor declared a state of emergency and ordered an evacuation!
Not a bad way to spend 4 hours. Now before anybody gives me grief over landing the second red before releasing the first, I am aware that it wasn't the best decision. However in the heat of the moment I had a one track mind...land that fish. Both fish swam off just fine!
TIGHT LINES!
