Onshore
02-19-2008, 09:42 AM
Well the weather report was for 70's with a north wind 15 - gusting over 20 and a surf ankle to knee deep.
I headed over to Melbourne Beach at dawn but never got there so, I can't vouch for the surf report. However, as I got on the Melbourne Causeway by Harry Goode's - the wind was gusting well into the 20's - maybe higher.
And the birds were working on the Melbourne side just north of the causeway - Pelicans, Gulls and Terns - probably 500 of them.
So, I crossed the bridge and reversed my course, went back over and pulled off the road. Grabbed my light spinning rod that was rigged with a small jig for Pompano and began to cast.
The wind must have piled the bait into that corner cause the birds were going wild - right up to the shore. I didn't pay much attention to the bait but noticed it was from three to five inches mostly and in big schools.
First hookup was a Jack of about five pounds, followed by a couple nearer to ten. Then, I broke off a nice Trout right at my feet and my jig was gone. Went back to the car and tied on a 3ox Hopkins shorty.
Just about every cast was hit four or five times on the retrieve. I took two more Jacks - well over 10 lbs. but the major bird action was about 100 yds to my left so, I headed off in that direction.
As I stepped out onto the rip-rap my sandal caught on something and I fell. Broke the rod tip and really gashed both ankles and an elbow on the broken stones.
That ended my fishing as I didn't have another light rod with me and I was bleeding profusely. I washed my ankles as best I could and came home where I washed with an antiseptic.
Learned a couple things this morning:
1. Always have a backup rod
2. Always check out that cove when the wind has
been north over night.
3. Never fish rip-rap in sandals.
4. Rember to use the first aid kit I keep in the car.
It could have been worse but, it wasn't bad fishing while it lasted. Now, if I can get my
Hiking boots over the bandages; I'm going back.
I headed over to Melbourne Beach at dawn but never got there so, I can't vouch for the surf report. However, as I got on the Melbourne Causeway by Harry Goode's - the wind was gusting well into the 20's - maybe higher.
And the birds were working on the Melbourne side just north of the causeway - Pelicans, Gulls and Terns - probably 500 of them.
So, I crossed the bridge and reversed my course, went back over and pulled off the road. Grabbed my light spinning rod that was rigged with a small jig for Pompano and began to cast.
The wind must have piled the bait into that corner cause the birds were going wild - right up to the shore. I didn't pay much attention to the bait but noticed it was from three to five inches mostly and in big schools.
First hookup was a Jack of about five pounds, followed by a couple nearer to ten. Then, I broke off a nice Trout right at my feet and my jig was gone. Went back to the car and tied on a 3ox Hopkins shorty.
Just about every cast was hit four or five times on the retrieve. I took two more Jacks - well over 10 lbs. but the major bird action was about 100 yds to my left so, I headed off in that direction.
As I stepped out onto the rip-rap my sandal caught on something and I fell. Broke the rod tip and really gashed both ankles and an elbow on the broken stones.
That ended my fishing as I didn't have another light rod with me and I was bleeding profusely. I washed my ankles as best I could and came home where I washed with an antiseptic.
Learned a couple things this morning:
1. Always have a backup rod
2. Always check out that cove when the wind has
been north over night.
3. Never fish rip-rap in sandals.
4. Rember to use the first aid kit I keep in the car.
It could have been worse but, it wasn't bad fishing while it lasted. Now, if I can get my
Hiking boots over the bandages; I'm going back.