Kayakfshr and I decided to try for sheepies today as he heard reports that they are catching a lot out over the offshore reefs. The recent cold water temps have slowed just about everything down inshore here but warmer temps lately had our hopes up. So we braved the cold (launched in 41º temps) and went to one of our sheepie grounds...



For the first hour or so nothing was happening at all with the exception of Jamie catching an occasional yellow-tail perch. He was using clam meat and I was fishing with fiddlers and shrimp on my rods. Things weren't looking too good when all of a sudden I hear some noise from Jamie's yak and looked up to see his rod wrapped around a piling and his drag screaming...



Whatever it was had taken his bait and was headed for deep water... fast. After a few minute fight Jamie hauls in this 10-15 lb black drum...



We decided to move form this location as nothing else was biting and went to a second spot further down. Fished that for thirty minutes or so without an inkling of a nibble so went to spot #3. As soon as we got to this spot on my first drop down my rod tip slowly gets pulled down towards the water. I set the hook and my rod dip doubles over going into the water. I can feel a nice one on when all of a sudden I can tell it has my line hooked up on the bottom... fish gone. Drop another fiddler down and immediately hook up with this little guy (at least it was a keeper)...



In the meantime Jamie had missed one or two when he finally hooks up with this one...



He ended up catching two more and then nothing. I had like five nibbles in a row, missing the hook set on two, having two come unzipped, and bringing one.

It was a slow day but at least it showed some signs of life in our holes. Now all we need to do is find those offshore wrecks and reefs where it seems most of the fish are in warmer water. I'm going back to chasing reds till the water temps come up some more.

Catch of the day...

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WTG Guys!!!
Awesome Blk Drum Jamie!!!!

Still a bit too chilly for me.........................

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Nice catches guys!

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2011 Native Ultimate 14.5 Solo | IRISHWATERDOGS Fishing Team | Heroes on the Water

Nice drum!

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Native Ultimate 14.5 Tandem Yellow

how do you guys, anchor under the bridges? Do you have anything to prevent your kayak from rubbing the barnacles on the pilings? I wouldn't want my kayak getting deep gashes on those things, did you guys have any fenders or anything like that?

Hey BNZ and Jamie - Wow, that's a big Drum! Nice report and photos as always.

Didn't anchor at all in this spot. You basically just position your yak so the current holds you up against the pilings. No bumpers. Have you seen the side of my yak (not to mention the hull)? I don't worry about rash on it, my yak was made for fishing and holds up to it just fine. Besides, it adds character to it. Been doing it for five years and it's still going strong.

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I have been banned from this site because I acted like a jerk too often and show a total lack of respect to others and the management of this site.

Nice catch, gentlemen!

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Nice catching Bill. Been too cold for me. Looks like Jamie brought his yak out of retirement Looking at the forecast for this coming weekend, doesn't look any better.

Some cold work that was well worth it from the looks of the fish. Nice job guys!!