Went to the panhandle on a family get together for a couple of days last week. Got out on the beach Wednesday afternoon. Beach was beautiful an the water was good, 1 to 2 foot waves. Spent the afternoon rounding up some bait, in a mad dash to get lines ran out before dark. Managed to catch some catfish, croakers, and a jack.
Rigged up 3 yaked baits and 1 cast bait. Got them all out right before the sun went down. Normally would not have 4 lines by myself, really too much to manage, but, since I was alone I didn't want to yak baits out after dark with nobody watching, so decided to go ahead and set them all out and hope I had to deal with multiple lines going off at the same time.
First rattle out of the box, got a Bonnethead on the casted bait, measured 37 inches. Amazing how hard a fish of that size can fight on light tackle, hope to feel what his cousins, that are 10 feet longer can do, someday, hopefully. As the moon was getting up good, about 1130, the diawa 900h, with a big catfish, clicks twice, and about 2 seconds later, acts as if it was shot out of a cannon. I have never seen line come off a reel that fast before. Got belted up, got the rod out of the holder and began tightning the drag, bracing for the fight to come. Just as the drag begins to come tight , nothing, goes limp. First thought was he dropped it. Waited and picked up on it, nothing, began reeling to get tight again on the weight, nothing. Reeled it in, had been cut, probably shells on the first bar. Disappointing to say the least. Now one rod out of commision but the night is young. Kept telling myself, things are about to pop.
All quiet till early morning, the other 900h begins a slow steady growl, nothing like the previous. I'm thinking tiger, and wishing he had bit the big rod. Get belted up, just as I pull the rod out of the holder it stops. I wait and nothing, come tight again and feel my weight. Well at least I'm not cut off agian. Leave out out in the hopes there is still bait on it.
About 0800, have to leave for more family obligations. Reel in the 900h and the bait is gone. Reel in the big rod and bait and hadn't been touched. Oh well, gave it all I had and spent a beautifull moon lite night on the beach with excitement. Sorry, no pictures, by the time I remembered the camera I was already set up and could'nt leave.
Sarge
Nice try going solo...........at least you got to fish and hear the great sound of the clickers going off. I sure do hate it when you start getting harnessed up and start tightening the drag and then nothing.
Thanks, Smokinya.
thats cool,better than stay at home hahahah great job