GISP Jack Attack -- 5/5/12

[Weekend Warrior]

Decided to do some kayak fishing near the Galveston Island State Park this weekend. My primary target was trout and reds. Around sunrise, the water was very calm with a lot of bait activity. I was throwing some live shrimp under a popping cork and catching some nice trout... that is until a school of jacks ruined the party.

After I made my cast, I saw the small school of jacks heading towards me. I tried reeling my bait in as fast I could but it was too late. Couldn't really tell how big the fish when it struck because it kept swimming towards me and around the kayak. It turned for deeper water and switched gears, removing 150 yards of 30 lb Sufix 832 braid off of my Citica in about 10 seconds. My anchor was already set so I was at the mercy of the knot at the end of my spool. Somehow it held long enough for me to pick up anchor. Went on a sleigh ride for about 30 minutes and finally landed it. It measured 41 inches and felt about 20 pounds, maybe a little more.

After releasing the fish, I tried fishing for some more trout and reds but no luck. Switched baits to Gulp pogy in pearl white and worked the geotubes before calling it a day. Ended up with a nice 21 inch flounder.

[KennyWayne]

Great day on the water and a good story !

[Texfish]

Great report. Nice fighter there and glad he didn't spool you.

[Ibtsoom]

Nice! Same thing happened to me in Dana the other day wading. I finally was able to get him to straighten out a hook on my topwater by putting my thumb on the spool. I was about 5 yards away from a bare spool and a 1/2 mile wade/walk back to the truck for a spare reel.

[Curmudgeon]

Those things are fast! Glad your knot held.