Late Report from 5/16/08
Inspired by Behdad's epic report, I squezzed out a little time on Friday afternoon to take a whack at the corbina. Got to the beach about 2:00 in the afternoon on Friday (5/16). Crowds of beach goers doing their best to stay cool on the hot sand...never did understand that one, but whatever. Lots of people on the beach, but not too many in the water. Also lots of sites to see if you know what I mean.8) Tried to dig for some crabs but couldn't find any of useable size. Gave up after only about 10 minutes as I only had about an hour and 40 minutes in the meter. Tide seemed to be up, but not really moving either way, though there was pretty good movement along the beach from south to north...strong enough to move a 1/2 once slider along the bottom. The water was gin clear and the sun was high and bright...made it easy to see the bottom structure of which there was lots. Started out probing the deeper water along the edges of stirred up sand while I visually scanned the inner two troughs for "the right kind". Got hammered on the outside on about the third cast, but missed that one due to being distracted by the afore noted "sites".
Finally, visual comfirmation of corbina in the troughs...two just sliding along facing into the current. Tried a short cast up ahead of them and let the grub drift back into them...keeping contact with the sinker with a few slow winds. Got a tentative but short bite...no hook-up. At least I knew they were interested. After about another 20 minutes of quick little jabs with no hook-up, I finally get one to stick. This fish was in close and I watched the whole thing from cast to hook up! Cool! Fish bolted straight along the trough before turing for the outside. A couple of good drag rippin' runs later the farmer in me came out and I pulled the hook!:z Not so sure I ever really had a solid hook up, but so it goes. Dropped down to a smaller hook (#8 from #6) and a smaller grub (1" pumpkinseed). Also slimmed down to 1/4 ounce of lead. That was the ticket. Got five more hook-ups and got three to hand. Didn't have a tape, but would guess the biggest went about 20".
These fish wanted to play. If you go, get some crabs and I think you'll get them to go.
Inspired by Behdad's epic report, I squezzed out a little time on Friday afternoon to take a whack at the corbina. Got to the beach about 2:00 in the afternoon on Friday (5/16). Crowds of beach goers doing their best to stay cool on the hot sand...never did understand that one, but whatever. Lots of people on the beach, but not too many in the water. Also lots of sites to see if you know what I mean.8) Tried to dig for some crabs but couldn't find any of useable size. Gave up after only about 10 minutes as I only had about an hour and 40 minutes in the meter. Tide seemed to be up, but not really moving either way, though there was pretty good movement along the beach from south to north...strong enough to move a 1/2 once slider along the bottom. The water was gin clear and the sun was high and bright...made it easy to see the bottom structure of which there was lots. Started out probing the deeper water along the edges of stirred up sand while I visually scanned the inner two troughs for "the right kind". Got hammered on the outside on about the third cast, but missed that one due to being distracted by the afore noted "sites".
Finally, visual comfirmation of corbina in the troughs...two just sliding along facing into the current. Tried a short cast up ahead of them and let the grub drift back into them...keeping contact with the sinker with a few slow winds. Got a tentative but short bite...no hook-up. At least I knew they were interested. After about another 20 minutes of quick little jabs with no hook-up, I finally get one to stick. This fish was in close and I watched the whole thing from cast to hook up! Cool! Fish bolted straight along the trough before turing for the outside. A couple of good drag rippin' runs later the farmer in me came out and I pulled the hook!:z Not so sure I ever really had a solid hook up, but so it goes. Dropped down to a smaller hook (#8 from #6) and a smaller grub (1" pumpkinseed). Also slimmed down to 1/4 ounce of lead. That was the ticket. Got five more hook-ups and got three to hand. Didn't have a tape, but would guess the biggest went about 20".These fish wanted to play. If you go, get some crabs and I think you'll get them to go.
