Headed out with MM, Toothless, and brad (sorry brad, I don’t know your handle) this am in search of some ajs. Both toothless and brad were up first as it was their first crack at AJs on fly. The ride out was far more exciting than some of the amusement park rides I have been on.
Once we found some fish cruising the surface, some fish that were actually tailing in the open ocean (a pretty cool sight), Brad began casting and hooked up with a nice fish right as the bottom dropped out. We watched him fight the fish in the rain for a long while and he seemed to be winning the battle when the 10wt snapped just above the cork. By this point the fish was pretty well exhausted (if you can ever say that about a Jack), and all four of us worked with the multi sectioned rod and reel to land the fish. Due to the rain I only snapped a few pics of brad and the fish with a point and shoot as I was afraid to risk the SLR to the elements. Next up was toothless.
Toothless had several spectacular takes, but the fish gods were determined to make him pay his dues. After his dues were paid in full with some credit forwarded, the reel was screaming for mercy and those of us not battling the fish could only hope our last remaining 10wt held up. As the battle reached about the 20 minute mark we finally saw color. Soon thereafter the fish was brought in the boat and Toothless collapsed on the front deck holding his prize. After several quick shutter snaps the fish was released and swam away strong.
With what looked to be a rather foreboding storm fast approaching, we tried a several more casts before a quick run back to shore. I can’t wait to get back out.
I will post more pics of Brad’s fish when I upload them from the camera.
[IMG]http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n67/shadowgrass/jaj4.j
Sounds like fun!! How far off did you go???
Awesome fish and story! Care to shar what y’all were throwing at them?
I wanna go.
I have caught them by big towers, r7 r8 etc, but nothing close to throwing a fly at.
Pretty cool. I can only imagine the fight. I had a aj kick my tail one day at r7.
Chris.
They come into Port Royal Sound in the summer. I wonder if you could chum them up and get them to eat?
I have seen shows about GT’s, I would have to thank that a 30lb aj is more than anyone would want to tackle on a flyrod.
Chris.
Sorry about the rod but hey, that’s one helluva story to tell people for years to come. We were surprised to see you guys out there yesterday
S rough as it was. You guys are hardcore ; I wouldn’t have tried that in a flats boat. Congrats on the AJs eating the flies. We saw some cudas and schools of reef donkeys but not much else. Turned into a nice day after about 10 or so.
I once had a dog and Bonzo was his name-O!
B–O–N–Z–O
B–O–N–Z–O
B–O–N–Z–O and Bonzo was his name-O!!
Aw cmon’ now, it wasn’t that rough out there… take your time, put the tabs down, and enjoy the ride…
sorry to hear yall did’t hookup… they should be out there for a while yet…
Mad Mike
As promised, Brad’s fish:
“Fishing is alot like sex…when its good,it’s really good, and when its bad, its still pretty good.”
I heard AJ’s were pretty good grilled… Any truth to that?
“Paddle faster boys… I hear banjo music!”
Charleston Director- SCKayakfishing.com
Tarpon 160os
I think they have worms real bad. I am not sure if the flavor comes from the worms or the fish itself.
Chris.
AJ is good, but all the ones I have pulled out of the Atlantic have lots of worms. All of the AJs I have pulled out of the Gulf have not had worms and tasted great fresh.
“Fishing is alot like sex…when its good,it’s really good, and when its bad, its still pretty good.”
That is a huge Donk on the long rod!! I can’t imagine. I would have ex[ected a t least an hour. Great work!!! Fly pattern?
Chartreuse bait fish the size of a small kitten.
“Fishing is alot like sex…when its good,it’s really good, and when its bad, its still pretty good.”
Very nice guys…I am envious as my home has become a baby factory as of late and $5000 worth of longrods are collecting dust!
I have been wanting to hit the reefs in search of big takers too but ■■■■ the weather and work!
I did kill 4 longbeards though…