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08-09-2021, 09:17 AM | #1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Sebastian, Florida
Posts: 238
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Florida fifth report - baby sharks
Yesterday we got out for some more near shore fishing along the Treasure Coast. The sun was hot at 8am, and the launch was easy.
I was in the mood to paddle, so I spent the day trolling and left the bait and live bait hooks at home. I had a Rapala X-Rap 10 on one rod and a Rapala X-Rap 12 (front of the package says Slashbait) on the other. We paddled outside the outer edge of reef where it drops from 16 ft to 20-25 ft. My X-Rap 10 got picked up by a juvenile shark. I circled around and trolled the same stretch and got hit again. Another shark. They're either blacktips or spinners. I'm not convinced one way or the other, but from the people I've talked to there have been more votes for blacktip, so I won't count spinner as a new species. Spinner sharks are supposed to have black tips on all their fins, including the anal fin. My second one had a black smudge on its anal fin. Not sure if that's enough to call it though. I caught a third shark but didn't bother taking a photo. They were definitely schooling that day. My X-Rap 12 also got hit by something, and whatever it was towed me for about 200 yards. It was hugging the bottom and shaking it's head. I was patient, but eventually I had to get it to start moving upward, and when I put a little more pressure on it, the treble hook pulled. I'm guessing it was a grouper, but I suppose it could have been a larger model shark. I had one more hit, again on the X-Rap 12. Something very fast was on the line for all of 1 second, and then leader got cut. It was too fast to be a shark, and they all bit the back treble of the lure, so I'm guessing it was a king mackerel or cuda. Ally didn't have any luck trolling, so she pulled out her bag of shrimp and jigged the bottom. She caught a mutton snapper and a big sheepshead. Landing was pretty easy, but coming in backwards was key. There was a small sandbar with a trough right against the beach where the waves really wanted to turn and roll you. Miles: 8.7 Hours: 4:47 Water Temp: 81 Next time bottom fishing! That reef drop-off looked pretty interesting, and I saw some nice boulders in 20-25 ft. We'd like to see what else is down there. |
08-09-2021, 10:05 AM | #2 |
www.TheKayakLaunch
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Orange County
Posts: 237
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Thanks for the report. Very interesting. I miss kayak fishing Pensacola much more interesting than the Pacific.
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David P YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thekayaklaunch https://www.instagram.com/thekayaklaunch |
08-09-2021, 10:26 AM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Rancho Cucamonga
Posts: 609
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Man I am envious of the weather every time you share you excursions
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IG: @blackflag_fishing Youtube: Blackflag Fishing 2014 Ocean Kayak T13 SOLD 2020 Hobie Outback SOLD 2021 Stealth Fisha 500 #StealthTribe |
08-09-2021, 12:59 PM | #4 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Sebastian, Florida
Posts: 238
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Quote:
Yeah, but the afternoon storms with lightning here are legit. I wouldn't mind fishing through some rain, but when you here the thunder in the distance you have to pack it in. |
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08-10-2021, 06:46 AM | #5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Fort Lauderdale
Posts: 1,945
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Nice Report! I always wonder about fishing off the Treasure Coast, your reports confirm some of what I expected.
As for your first big bite: Sharks normally just feel like dead weight, but then they will usually shake their head a couple of times just before making a run. The groupers that I have taken shake their head the entire time until they get the bends or swim understructure. I sometimes see big tarpon taken by kayak off the beach up that way, so that might be in your future. They usually jump when first hooked. As for your second strike, My guess is the same as yours, first being a King, second a Cuda, but sometimes a big shark will run hard also, so ya never know. Very true. If I see it flashing in the distance, I am still fishing. If I didn't, I would rarely get out. When it gets to be close enough to hear the thunder within seconds of the flash, I pack it in Or if my rods start buzzing. The last time out the rods started buzzing. When that happens, stow them horizontally and the buzzing stops, and it is time to head for the beach. |
08-11-2021, 01:01 PM | #6 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Sebastian, Florida
Posts: 238
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Quote:
I'm replacing all the trebles with Owner 3x inline singles. Next big fish that nails one of my trolling lures is going to stay on! In other news, a shark expert from FSU says the ones I caught are indeed spinners. |
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08-10-2021, 06:53 AM | #7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Fort Lauderdale
Posts: 1,945
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Pensacola is awesome! Only fished there once, but was able to cross a big Redfish and Keeper Red Snapper off the kayak bucket list. Night fishing under the bridges in the bay was incredible. Easy peasy catching live bait off the beach there. Not as many big blue water species, but an amazing variety and a great fishery.
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