Corpusfishing.com

[gulftrout]

It was like a boat parade headed out the Port Aransas Jetty's this morning. Lots of boats, large and small were taking advantage of the calm seas. Every day offshore is different and today was no exception. The seas were a lot calmer, less than 3 foot, the current had slowed down and the water inshore was a lot clearer. The inshore ships were in very clear water and there was a few kingfish there today. Our catch per bite ratio started on the slow side. The first ship we tried, we had five bites, three hook up's and only one king in the box. We trolled out to the next ship and the guys up on the ship's deck motioned that they could see fish swimming around. We immediately had a strike and a solid king ran over 50 yards of line off the reel in a few seconds. After a few minutes we had our second king in the box. We slow trolled to the other side of the ship and had a double hitter, landing both in a few minutes. The action slowed as the ship started picking up it's anchor, ready to head into the Port of Corpus Christi. We headed out to the next ship, a green one, never getting a bite in 15 minutes of fishing. [/img]

[gulftrout]

The captain said reel em' in and headed to the south. We ran for a good 20+ minutes before stopping at a double shrimp boat. One boat had anchored and the next boat had tied to his stern. I think this might steady both boats and this method used to be fairly common. As we were pulling up to the back boat, the crew started shoveling over the remaining cull. I could see lots of small sharks hitting the floating fish that have been shoveled over. At that very moment, everything is fighting for the same thing, the seagulls, fish and dolphin all compete for an easy lunch. One trick I learned many years ago is throw a floating plug right in the middle of the cull. I have never tried a true top water lure. I have always used a floating diver, usually a Rapala or a large Cordell Redfin. I quickly tie on a large blue-back Cordell, make a long cast and wait for an explosion. I miss the cull by several yards so I start cranking it in for another try. Just as the lure is about to reach the boat a group of hungry jacks come out of nowhere and slam the lure, right before I can get it out of the water. That was fun to watch and after 10 minutes of fighting this fish, the angler quickly realizes why I called it a "Battle Jack!". In one short pass, we catch our limit of "Atlantic Sharpnose" sharks and quickly leave the area looking for kingfish so we can finish out our limit.

[gulftrout]

We start trolling inshore and as we approach the next shrimp boat the Cordell get's slammed again. After a short fight, we land our 5th king. As soon as I put the Cordell back out it gets slammed again. That pretty much fills the limit of kings so the captain heads inshore to try a few pipes and rigs inshore, looking for a ling. I would imagine every spot we were about to try had been hit numerous times this Saturday. We made a pass around a couple rigs six miles out and I did not even see a bait on either spot. Captain Gary said he wanted to try the bouy's off the jetty's before heading to the house. I really thought this would just be a formality, going through the motions. I could not imagine there being a ling within 10 miles of the Port Aransas Jetty's that had not been caught or at least harassed enough, that catching it would be impossible. As we neared one of the bouy's I looked down in the water. Much to my surprise I could see 4 or 5 dark brown shadows deep in the water. I hollered up at the captain that they were here! As they neared the surface I could see that three were under the size limit, one was close and one was a definite keeper. I quickly hooked one of the small ones. I handed if off and asked the angler to leave it in the water beside the boat. After a few minutes I realized that the remaining ling wanted no part of our hooks. We tried everything in the bait box and several lures. The closest I came to the large one biting anything was working that Cordell in figure 8's right beside the boat, similar to what I have seen on fishing shows from up north, with large "Pike or Muskie." I did notice that they would eat small pieces of ribbonfish of cigar minnows when they were thrown in front of them without a hook. I have always said, "If a ling will stay around the boat long enough, there is a pretty good chance we will eat it for supper!" Well, this time was no exception. I have no idea why he finally ate my cigar minnow, after trying to catch this guy for over 20 minutes, but he did. I watched him slowly swim up to it and to my amazement the bait disappeared. I flipped the reel into freespool and let him swim around for a few seconds. As soon as he turned and started swimming away from the boat I put the reel in gear and set the hook as hard as I could with that Peen 210 and 30lb. test line!

[gulftrout]

As we headed back in the Port Aransas Jetty's we passed the "Pilot Boat". They were headed out so they can drop off a pilot on a ship to make that 16 mile journey to the "Port of Corpus Christi." Also, this simple rig is one of my favorites for ling and just like the one that tricked this ling today into eating.

[shallowsport]

Another great report GT.

[gulftrout]

Here is a picture of the Coast Guard doing a fly-by on the ship we were fishing. It's nice to know they are always there if needed! I always enjoyed being buzzed by their super quiet jet that they fly. You never hear a sound until they are going past!

[Drunkswimmer]

We are big brother and we are always watching!!!

[gulftrout]

[FishBites]

Looks like you all had a blast! Nice report.

[gulftrout]

[shallowsport]

You've added to this post.....Impressive!

[ladyfish]

very nice report, and a beautiful day