Woke up Friday morning to see the spanish moss vertical. Decided to make a solo run to a local spot to try for some reef fish. Leaving the inlet the wind and tide were in tandum making for a slick ride out.
Arrived at the spot about 9:00 and was absolutely shocked not to see another boat around. How could this be on a long 4th of July weekend? Sweet.
Get anchored up and deployed the chum. Had the spadefish rig hooked up. The reef was very active. Spanish were missling around me but wouldnt take the clark spoon. Spades were off my bow but out of casting range. Not wanting to chase the spades yet decided to sit tight. Had the Barracuda prowling around the boat. Managed a small reef fish and hooked him up on a king mackerel float rig. As soon as he hit the water the cuda pounced and put on some acrobatics. Got him to the boat and decided to chase the spades. Hauled up anchor and proceeded to put 6 spades in the boat while drifting.
Having difficulty staying on top of the spades I redeployed the anchor on the spot where the spades where circling. Had a few other boats show up and they proceeded to work on the spades pretty good. One center console had a young boy on it and he looked like he was having a good time.
Anyhoo bout to call it a day and try to pull up the anchor but it aint bugding. Haven’t lost an anchor all year but life is too short to f around with an anchor so I cut the rope. As I am packing up shop a cobia appears off the stern. Its odd because I didn’t see him until I cut the anchor loose. I take a handful of shrimp and throw him in the water. He goobles them up. Then light bulb goes off. I throw him my spade rig. He swallows the shrimp. He starts going but does not realize he is hooked. He looks annoyed. Then he realizes whats going on and proceeds to work me over pretty good for 20 minutes. Being solo makes for a fun time trying to gaff a cobia. Finally stick him and haul him into the boat. Prolly about 30 lbs.
Dinner last night was fried cobia, grits
