Louisiana Shark Fishing November Report

Sunday, November 16th, 2008

Our trip started on Friday Oct 31 2008. I left my house around 12:30 and picked Travis up from school about 2:30, went to his place and packed up his things, and hit the road around 3:30. We had a long drive that evening. We got caught in some serious traffic and lost a couple of hours. We finally reached our fishing destination around 10:30pm!! Well we were excited to be there and went straight to the beach to set up camp. First thing we noticed—The WIND blowing out of the East hard and Cold!! Second thing we noticed—The HUGE waves!!! Third thing we noticed—the beach was half the size it use to be!! Guess the last hurricane really took a toll on this section of beach. We decided to do some recon of the beach and drove around for about an hour looking for a fishable spot. We finally find and area we felt half way comfortable to put casted baits out. We sit on the casted baits for several hours with no bites. The cold and fatigue set in and we call it a night, reel in the untouched baits and head for the truck. We drive back to a parking area along the beach and pull over and get some much needed rest. We awaken at dawn shivering in the truck to a 40degree morning. Neither of us was motivated to get out of the truck until we noticed the calm surf and how luck would have us placed in a spot that was only 20 yards from the water!!! The conditions had changed for the better. We put two casted rods out and began preparing the yak rods. By 9:00am we had 4 yaked baits, 2 casted baits and two bait rods in the water. It was still cold but warming up fast. I left Travis in charge of the reels and headed to the store for some hot breakfast and 2 big cups of Hot Chocolate!!! After enjoying the morning meal and talking with a nice retired couple for a while we began respooling the Penn 80 and 12/0 with new line in preparation to run with a large bait–if we could get lucky enough to catch one. Around 12:30 it had warmed up greatly and we were feeling good about the weather but were starting to second guess our fishing location. We had not turned a click–heck we couldn’t even give a shrimp away on the bait rods. Just as we were discussing the “dead sea” a large school of fish erupts on the sandbar! Travis takes off in the yak to go beyond the breakers to catch what ever it is. He gets hooked up several times but never lands the fish. After a solid hour he comes back frustrated and explains the type of fish and their behavior. Bonito!! So off I go for my turn. FINALLY when i was about to give up I hook one and have a blast getting pulled around by the fish. When I finally get the 3lb bonito in the boat I paddle as fast as I can to beach!! Now we are rejuvinated and excited. We grab the penn 80 and get the bonito about 250 yards out! We hope this changes our luck! Then we put the penn 12/0 about 500yards out with a nice stingray. We settle back down in the beach chairs and talk about the last couple of hours. Travis saw a HUGE turtle and schools of bonito, I saw big school of cownose rays and schools of bonito. We were feeling sure the bite would start. Towards the end of this conversation the Penn 80 takes a couple of clicks and slacks up. I jump up– fish on. It was an interesting battle with all the lines in the water but we landed a nice blacktip and now we felt we had made the right decision. We rebaited the Penn 80 and dropped it back out about 250yds then rebaited the Penn 50 and dropped it out about 125yds. After this I went to change into some warm dry clothes as the sun was dropping and the evening was getting cool. While I was changing clothes I hear some kid yelling Dad! Dad!!! DAD!!!!! I thought thats not Travis thats the other kids on the beach. I took my time. When I come out of the bathroom I see Travis with the 12/0 FISH ON!!  I was so happy for him. He told me how it was a very slow click, click, click then while he was putting on the belt it was just steady ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ. The battle ensued and after about 20 or so minutes Travis lands his first shark on the 12/0 and his biggest bull shark yet!! It was so fat and healthy it put up a great fight and swam away fine. We were so pumped now we didn’t even feel the cold!! Travis rebaited the 12/0 and set it back out about 500 yds. The next several hours is to hard to put into words. It was unbelievable. Hit after Hit. Good Hard FIGHTS! On short dropped baits. Finally the cold, fatigue, the growing surf(which threw me for one good toss and possibly caused a broken foot!! I will know after todays doctor visit), and lack of bait made us slow down. It was decided to leave the 12/0 and the penn 80 out. We took the rods and set them up in the back of the truck . Got in the truck, turned the heater on and ate the best sandwhich I think I ever had  After our bellies were full we settled in for some much needed rest. Well, that didn’t last all that long because close to midnight the Penn 80 goes of. It Travis turn and before I knew it he is in the harness and fighting his first shark on the Penn 80. This was a nice battle and again Travis largest bull shark yet!! It measured close to the same as the others but was obviously the thickest of all the sharks we caught that night. The rest of the night was very quiet with no more action. At daylight we reeled in the 12/0 with the bait being untouched.

It has been many years since I have seen this many good sharks in one night. We payed our dues fishing in the cold and wind for nearly 16hours before getting the first bite but the next 6hours were unbelievable!!! We will always remember this special night!!

A beautiful sunrise

20 yards to the surf

5ft 6in Black Tip landed Nov 1 at 4:55pm

Travis in Battle with 12/0

6ft 1in Bull Shark landed Nov 1 at 6:13pm

6ft 0in Bull Shark landed Nov 1 at 6:58pm

Travis in Battle with Penn 50

6ft 2in Bull Shark landed Nov 1 at 9:28pm

6ft 3in Bull Shark landed Nov 2 at 12:10am

JULY FLORIDA SHARK FISHING TRIP PAYS OFF

Monday, November 3rd, 2008

Trop Coppel and son had a banner tip to Florida this July. Here are some of the pictures from their catches. They fished the Florida Panhandle.

First Night there. Not the best pic but we do have full video of this catch. 6ft plus bull on 25lb line

Travis 6ft even black tip caught on a catfish


Bull 6ft 6in

More Black Tips


Atlantic Sharpnose

Navarre beach black tip

Just a cool shot