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Port Aransas south jetty & mustang island July 25 & 26

Posted By: TOO

Port Aransas south jetty & mustang island July 25 & 26 - 07/27/22 09:57 PM

Fished the south jetty in Port Aransas Monday, July 25th from first light to 8:30. Decision was made due to tide forecast. Forecast was wrong by a bunch. Being at the jetty & waiting for the tide, fished a top water, a twitch bait & a spoon for 2.5 hours with one blow up & one bump on the twitch. That's it. Mostly frustrated at the tide not doing as forecast. Did get to see some really huge ships come out the channel. There were several oversized reds caught towards the end later in afternoon, mostly fishing on bottom with cutbait.

Should have brought a camera.

Fished east Mustang Island shoreline in an area have not fished for couple years. Drive up & wade spot. Based decision on forecast & wind direction, tide, etc, but not excited by the conditions.

Waded out towards the targeted area found a few trout, mostly 14" & under w/one about 17" a Skippy & the smallest red I've ever caught. About 6 trout in that area. Moved to another area thigh deep very similar to targeted area fished for a while with no results. Yuke.

Moved back to the earlier spot picked up 2-3 more trout again all 13-15", then moved out to the location of the plan. Had about 1 hour to fish by then. Missed a couple of strong hits, then picked up a doozy of a trout 22-23" solid 3lbs. Missed another fish.

Next hit was like getting hooked in the sea grass, not a pull just the line stopping. felt like hung up on grass as mentioned, but not the same...........started thinking possibly stingray, then it started running & taking drag. straight out not to side at all. 3 times pulled drag & took about 30 yds each time. Thinking Red, but no circling........... fish finally comes a bit close & starts to circle then straightens out & makes another run about 20 yd. Get that line back, get it close enough to view, see a long upper tail fin & shorter lower fin. Shark! In 2-2.5ft of water. Runs again another 20-30 yds then with me cupping the spool get it close enough & tired enough that I can keep it from running but not over doing it to bring it in. Finally get the leader in hand & a tired Bonnethead shark right in front of me trying to swim away, I'm getting a saltwater splash bath like no ones business, fully drenched in face and upper body. Thought about grabbing tail but been there, done that.

Finally brought leader up to grab the back of head & lift up. Whoa he's a bit heavier than I figured...............gonna cut line at hook if not in good place, turned it over, hooked right in corner of mouth. Hemo's popped the hook right out so ready to release all the while wishing for the phone or a camera. Figure 8-10 lbs, might have been more.

Remembered to measure on the rod.......whoops, shark is longer than the last mark of 30"..........Got a good tight measurement w/nose up past the 3rd guide wrap that is 41" from the handle so at least 43" tail to snout. At least an 8 minute fight. Best work out on that spinning rig in a long time. First shark fishing CC bay shoreline for me.

Missed one more fish before time head in.

Final tally 9-10 trout, one itty-bitty red, 1 solid Bonnethead and the mandatory Skippy. No great but considering the wind, direction, etc not bad for 3.5 hours fishing.
Posted By: Jig Man

Re: Port Aransas south jetty & mustang island July 25 & 26 - 07/28/22 12:02 PM

Dang TOO, sounds like you had a tiger by the tail. Thanks for the report, may come down early and give it a go...
Posted By: banker-always fishing

Re: Port Aransas south jetty & mustang island July 25 & 26 - 07/30/22 11:53 PM

Nice post. thumb
Posted By: Bob A

Re: Port Aransas south jetty & mustang island July 25 & 26 - 07/31/22 03:31 PM

Great report. My first post here and boy do I have a dumb question. What the heck is a Skippy? Thanks in advance.
Posted By: tunatamer

Re: Port Aransas south jetty & mustang island July 25 & 26 - 08/01/22 12:35 PM

Great report Willie!
Posted By: TOO

Re: Port Aransas south jetty & mustang island July 25 & 26 - 08/01/22 02:02 PM

Originally Posted by Bob A
Great report. My first post here and boy do I have a dumb question. What the heck is a Skippy? Thanks in advance.


SkipJack also known as Ladyfish

JM, it's a fact my skin isn't shark tooth proof & it's a quick reaction if grabbed by the tail
Posted By: F4 Gator

Re: Port Aransas south jetty & mustang island July 25 & 26 - 08/02/22 01:52 AM

Cool report! thumb
Posted By: Gordonthefisherman

Re: Port Aransas south jetty & mustang island July 25 & 26 - 08/02/22 12:50 PM

Good report ! I love PA !
Posted By: CHAMPION FISH

Re: Port Aransas south jetty & mustang island July 25 & 26 - 09/30/22 06:57 PM

Great report
Posted By: Zebco Queen

Re: Port Aransas south jetty & mustang island July 25 & 26 - 10/12/22 11:20 PM

Great description Your story was fun to read.
I use to fish down little shell and big shell out of Corpus.
Over the years I just got more and more chicken **it about fishing in the surf.
The sharks we would catch between the first and second sandbar .
It was SCARY. 10' Lemon shark. Hammerhead s Nurse. You name it .
Somebody needs to invent a 'Potato Gun that can shoot a big old weight with claws and a chunk of bait
Way the heck out there.
I'm hearing drones can do it but I've not seen that yet.
Drones are to smart for me to figure out.
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