Report by Rick Underbrink
The wind was howling and we had to attend the Big Shell Beach Cleanup on Saturday morning at 6:00AM. I phoned Oz and said we need to get some fishing in. How about lets target some big drum in the ICW? We need some Kayak Wars points. I just know they have got to be out there. He agreed and we planned to hit the water at sunset. I had talked to Kevin “keager” earlier and we had set this up earlier in the day no matter what the wind was going to do.
Brad aka “Crusty Hobie” of Team Alpha Anglers had planned to meet us out there. So, we have three members of Team Rockstar (Me, Oz and keager) and one member of Alpha Anglers (Crusty Hobie) out on the water battling it out for Kayak Wars points. Oz had swung by the bait shop and picked up the bait for the evening. We all met at a secret location ready to launch at sunset and headed out to a spot where the ICW had some interesting geography.
Loaded up and ready to rock. Before we leave I gave Brad a few lessons on tying some simple drum leaders before we headed out.
Bait of choice. Live blue crab. Ready to be fed to the lions.
First night fishing trip to test out my 360 Gear mount for my 360º light needed for boating at night. Can be purchased at the following link. Awesome for pictures too! ( http://casttheflats.com/360-gear-mount )
The action was slow initially. But I strike first! I hook up to a large fish that puts some hurt on my Ambassadeur 7000. At the same time, my second rod goes off and I’ve got TWO fish on! Then, wouldn’t you know it, a rod I tossed out with shrimp gets hooked up. I have a triple in my kayak. The second drum gets off and I am hooked up with the abu 7000 while some fish on shrimp is just dangling on my 3rd rod. Now, I’ve caught large drum before but this one was really taking some serious drag. I told Kevin this has got to be a new Kayak Wars record. I get this fish in and I reel in a small redfish on my third rod while Kevin comes over to take my picture. This drum was large but not large enough. She taped out at 45 inches. But hey, at least I get the bonus! I get the fish back in the water and she swam off nicely.
Next, Kevin gets a nice fish. My turn for the camera man. His fish taped out at 36 inches. Meanwhile Oz is out in the distance fishing for god knows what. I call his cell to tell him I had a triple and Kevin just landed one. He says, “Damn, I am coming right over”.
Oz joins the party and we have 4 kayaks lined up along the ICW with fresh crab being picked away by the pinfish. Crab after crab I am beginning to think pinfish are overpopulated. At $1.50 a piece pinfish are starting to cost me an claw and a leg!
Finally, Kevin breaks the silence and hooks up. He gets this fish and hooks up again! Wouldn’t you know it, Oz finally hooks into a decent fish. Double! I help out Oz to take some pics and Brad runs over to Kevin to take some pics. Oz’s drum taped out at 43 inches and Kevin’s two fish were in the 40 inch range.
Brad decides to call it quits and heads in. I am following him in. The beach cleanup comes early and I need some rest. Kevin and Oz duke it out and catch two more fish over 40 inches. Oz gets one that lands right at the 40 inch mark.
After the beach cleanup we decide to do it again. Kevin decides to run to the bait shop and get some crabs before they are gone. We have the same game plan ready to go but this time James another fishing buddy joins us. We hit the water all lined up along the ICW soaking crab. The bite was slow. 3 hours goes by without a click.
Finally, Brad gets a nice fish. He gets his first drum of the weekend. I peddle over to take the pictures. We tape it out to find that its just an inch shy of 40. Shucks! 39 inches is the same points as a 16 incher. It is what it is sometimes.
Our spirits are now high because Brad gets the “skunk” off the evening. 30 minutes later Brad’s clicker goes off again. I reel in and detach for picture support. I yell to him “THIS BETTER BE BIGGER CAUSE I AM TIRED OF UNLCIPPING FROM MY ANCHOR!” Brad gets the fish boatside and is grinning. He knows this fish is over 40 inches. This drum tapes out at 46 inches. Nice fish Brad! Biggest of the weekend! Brad says thanks for taking the pictures man. I said, “No worries, when I get my big fish……you know who will be taking the pics?” He laughs, “ME!”
An hour goes by….silence. Oz gets a small “Channel Catfish” that swims and tangles into my drum rod. I fight the little devil and manage to get him untangled. As I was re-baiting my previously tangled rod my Abu 7000 starts to sing. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ….I turn the handle and engaged the reel. I got her!! Yeah Baby! She swims over towards Oz and manages to get tangled in his line. He unclips and comes over for support. The fish comes to the surface after a short fight. I say “Holy Smokes, that’s the biggest drum I’ve ever seen!” Oz says, yeah its probably upper 40’s and goes back to fishing.
Meanwhile, Brad comes over as he is ready to take my picture. I lift the fish from the water and I knew this fish had to be the new Record. We put the tape on her. YES!!! 50.5 inches! New record! Brad helps me take the pictures which turns out to be difficult. But, nonetheless I’ve got a witness that is unbiased. He is on the opposing team! Booya! Brad watches his team mates record go down in flames. Sorry Manny you held it for a long time though.
Shortly after, the shrimp boats show up ready to drag their nets along the ICW and force us off the water.
New friends and new records, thanks for the fun weekend Boys and girls.
Final Score.
Alpha Anglers - 40 points
Team Rockstar - 220 points
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