Row, Row, Row Your Boat ...

This year was sketchy as hell, as far as any kind of regular expedition schedule goes. Tackled a lot of other $*it, though, so we'll fool ourselves into thinking the trade-off was worth the sacrifice.

Recently, we did finally take some time to scout new locations off the beaten path for next season. Getting there and back is more than half the fun, and even without scoring a decent fish, every trip is still a privileged opportunity to live on the wild side. Without fail, every single time, you see and experience something worth remembering. Bagged one mini-monster and killed a few birds while we were at it by getting tight with some new gear, testing a few strategies, reconning spots, and generally having a hell of a good time. Next season, fish-wise, has ass-kickin' written all over it.

Club Member, Dave Kops (bringing up the rear), was just back from Cali and we promised him a shot.

Row, row, row your boat ... till it looks good.

Thanks to Jeff Knox, we had some fresh meat on short notice.

Dave workin' the flat

And he scores

Runnin' low on rations, but there's nothin' like a little head

After a blistering run on the 14 that peeled off line with 75% drag applied, we lost that mystery meat to a breakoff. Lots of abandoned pots around here after the hurricanes. Eventually, though, Brooks makes up for some of it with this little bait stealer.

No skunks on this beach

Sean, Brooks & Dave at the playground. It's late October. This spot will produce in warmer months. Definitely prime lemon and bull territory. On the way back to the launch, in the dark, Brooks was in the lead. Dave & I watched while Brooks paddled quickly up on a fin cutting a wake just in front of his yak. The shark turned broadside just in time for Brooks to ram it. Lots of bangin' and splashin' from a decent sized shark that was up prowling the flat at dusk.

All in all, it was a productive recon trip with something to show for it. Dave had no complaints, but his arms sure did.

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A week later, it's time to push further south

Grabbed a little something on the way

Way in advance of the tide here, but it's a good chance to snorkel the dropoffs and see what we're up against.

A 30-minute paddle later and some deeper water

It's late in the year, but you never know. Sure looks sharky and it definitely beats watchin' the Discovery Channel.

Sunset of the last long day before turning the clocks back. Can't believe it's time to start XMAS shopping. We had some interest in our baits with a couple runs, but with temps dropping quick and about an hour paddle home we started the wrap party.

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In and amongst everything else that's flying around, we got in a few shots earlier in the year. Funny looking back -- we fished the spring and fall. Just the way it worked out, but we're looking forward to tagging a few sandbar sharks over the winter and licking our chops for the late spring and summer season of 2009.

New teammate, dive buddy and videographer, Al Randisi (middle).

From one of Sean's last-minute solo trips in April ...

My home for the day

The best part of these Malibu Yaks is what you don't see. Inside, I've got a 14/0, a 12/0 and some other BS.

Almost stepped on this when I got out of the yak, but smelled it 50 yards offshore on the wind.

Then a few steps up the beach, this.

Anatomy class was in session. Check out the fibrous strands over the cartilage and just under the skin.

Stomach contents looked like a bait-sized chunk fillet to me, but I was also wondering if there was a red tide brewing. This was one of four dead sharks within about 50 yards of camp. Some without heads. Why not kill some time performing an impromptu necropsy? The heads were cut off. No hooks to be found, but conspicuous holes in the backs near the dorsal fin. As Hooper would say, 'This was no boating accident and it wasn't Jack The Ripper' ...

It's just a guess, but it seemed likely they were used for live bait and discarded by pier anglers not too far away. To each, his own.

Where's the Corona?

Time to row, row, row the boat ...

See you Soon. Till then -- Good Luck & Tight Lines,
The Bros