On the earth of a fisherman, what does the time period “final solid” actually imply? Is it really your literal final solid of the day? Is it your final solid right into a sure zone earlier than transferring down the seaside? Perhaps it’s what you inform your spouse when she calls questioning the place you’re and if you’ll be residence. The final solid is a thriller, however let’s be trustworthy… it’s greatest that means.
These previous few weeks have provided two… really three situations by which I used to be grateful for having thrown my one final solid only a few extra occasions after the primary “final solid”. Right here’s the primary one.
The Story of the Session
A few grunion runs in the past, I went out with a buddy with hopes of catching seabass and halibut throughout the grunion run. We checked the predictions for the 2023 grunion run (test this schedule for when the following rub is), deliberate our outing and hit the sand. Upon arrival, situations appeared good. A bit kelpy, however nothing we couldn’t fish by.
By means of the primary hour of the anticipated grunion run, solely a pair “scouts” could possibly be seen darting again into the water after an occasional giant receding wave. In the meantime, the chunk was sluggish.
In the event you’re interested by fishing throughout grunion runs, take a look at the linked article and remember to learn one among my current articles on predicting when the grunion run and which evening of the grunion run is greatest.
Gear and Deal with Used
I used to be utilizing the next rod and reel and for my lure, I used to be utilizing a Keitech Fats Swing Affect paired with a Mustad KVD Grip Pin Swimbait hook (5/0 | 1/8 oz) by way of the Texas Rig – see the hyperlinks beneath within the lure choices.
The Grunion Present
A bit greater than an hour in and the grunion started to indicate up in numbers. Earlier than we knew it, they have been actually in all places! One downside although. The place have been the fish? Nonetheless no bites but, and as tempting because it was, we couldn’t use the grunion for bait. We have been restricted to utilizing lures as a result of grunion are observational solely throughout the months of April, Might, and June.
It was almost 1 AM and I had determined my evening was over. I gave it a go and the fish have been seemingly not right here or not biting at the very least. It’s humorous. On any given day, an angler’s mentality, confidence and persistence are at totally different ranges. On this evening, my buddy had extra of all of these issues. Whereas I packed up my gear, making ready to depart and get some sleep, he continued casting.
I really stood there for about 5 minutes, totally packed up, watching him solid as I waited for his remaining “final solid”, till I made a decision to drop my bag and provides it another solid. I’m glad I did too, as a result of a pair seconds later, I obtained slammed by one thing good!
The Battle
“I’m on! I’m on! I say.
My buddy asks, is it taking drag? Is it good? It appears good.
It positive felt good. After a pair good runs, I had the fish in shut however there was a deep trough the place the surf was washing ashore and each time I attempted to seaside it with a wave, the fish would flip and use the trough to its benefit. One remaining wave would do it although as she washed ashore. Nothing loopy however a white seabass at 26 inches to beat the skunk felt good.
Apologies for the horrible photograph. We have been in a rush to get the fish again into the water.
In fact, I can’t actually say that was my final solid as a result of after that fish… why would any angler cease fishing. The place there’s one, there are lots of. So, we continued casting and lengthy story quick, we finally referred to as it with no additional luck.
The subsequent two final casts that I used to be grateful for making occurred on the identical day of a session earlier this week. It was halibut insanity! Keep tuned, I’ll need to let you know about that subsequent week.
