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I've not really been a big surf fishing guy...it seems that every time the surf conditions are "cherry" I can't resist the call of a smooth bay.
Saturday morning I decided to give it a go as the forecast looked perfect. Hit the beach solo in front of Jamaica Beach around 5:45a. Was greeted by a slight north breeze and smooth conditions...Just me and 50+ people who had the same idea. It was literally elbow to elbow as far as I could see in both directions.
Started by throwing a pink and chrome Super Spook...had one slap at it but that was it. After about 45 mins of nothing, I switched to a soft plastic on 1/8 oz head and started catching a few sand trout. Hooked 1 trout that might have been a keeper but lost it at hand. Called it a day around 8:30a. Saw a couple of people pull some stringers out...but nothing more than 2 or 3 fish and most people I saw didn't have anything.
At least I got out there and gave it a go.
Crazy thing happened to the guy next to me who was also fishing solo...I saw him catch what looked to be a gafftop. He was fishing a mirrolure. I look over and see him heading back in to shore and thought maybe he had a keeper trout and was taking it in. A few mins later I look back and see the dude laying in the water's edge not moving. His rod was in the sand next to him and I thought for sure he had a heart attack or something. So I make my way back in to the shore, he's now moving a little but still doesn't look right. I walk up on him and ask if he's ok...he rolled over and was white as a ghost. Blood running down his hand, barely able to speak. Long story short...the gafftop got him right in the meat of his thumb. He was in shock and just kept asking for water. He finally got out that the pain in his arm was unbearable. He was in bad shape.
I called JB EMS who were there in minutes. They checked him out pretty good and talked him in to a trip to the ER. I hope he's on the mend.
I go fishing by myself quite a bit...that experience was a reminder that crazy things can happen on the water. I'm just glad I was there to make the call for him.
Be safe, y'all.
-FP
Saturday morning I decided to give it a go as the forecast looked perfect. Hit the beach solo in front of Jamaica Beach around 5:45a. Was greeted by a slight north breeze and smooth conditions...Just me and 50+ people who had the same idea. It was literally elbow to elbow as far as I could see in both directions.
Started by throwing a pink and chrome Super Spook...had one slap at it but that was it. After about 45 mins of nothing, I switched to a soft plastic on 1/8 oz head and started catching a few sand trout. Hooked 1 trout that might have been a keeper but lost it at hand. Called it a day around 8:30a. Saw a couple of people pull some stringers out...but nothing more than 2 or 3 fish and most people I saw didn't have anything.
At least I got out there and gave it a go.
Crazy thing happened to the guy next to me who was also fishing solo...I saw him catch what looked to be a gafftop. He was fishing a mirrolure. I look over and see him heading back in to shore and thought maybe he had a keeper trout and was taking it in. A few mins later I look back and see the dude laying in the water's edge not moving. His rod was in the sand next to him and I thought for sure he had a heart attack or something. So I make my way back in to the shore, he's now moving a little but still doesn't look right. I walk up on him and ask if he's ok...he rolled over and was white as a ghost. Blood running down his hand, barely able to speak. Long story short...the gafftop got him right in the meat of his thumb. He was in shock and just kept asking for water. He finally got out that the pain in his arm was unbearable. He was in bad shape.
I called JB EMS who were there in minutes. They checked him out pretty good and talked him in to a trip to the ER. I hope he's on the mend.
I go fishing by myself quite a bit...that experience was a reminder that crazy things can happen on the water. I'm just glad I was there to make the call for him.
Be safe, y'all.
-FP
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