Wished upon a different star 12/8/16

[xjchad]

Got out again for a short session last night (2 nights of fishing in a row!)
Conditions were great again.  Very low surf, almost no wind, and ZERO SALAD.
Had a bit of cloud cover that helped keep it a bit warmer too. 
Had plans to meet with Joe and try a new spot, but traffic screwed that up so I went to a different new location to soak some bait while I waited for him to get there.
Not bites or molested bait in the hour before he got there so we moved to a different spot he suggested.  I had to leave by 8:00 because I told my wife I'd pick us up some dinner on the way home so once we got set up I only had time for one soak.  Tossed out a big chunk of mac on a new style of rig I've been wanting to try and walked over to check out Joe's tripod rod holder while he got set up.  (That rod holder is nice, I'm working on putting together my own version.)
So as we're talking I see my pretty pink glow stick start dancing around and then my rod goes bendo!
I run down the beach to grab it and get pressure on it to set the hook which gets the drag screaming pretty good.  At first I thought is was a medium size bat from the strait run out to sea, but then as I got it turned I started feeling the tail slaps and head shakes, shark!
Knew it wasn't a sevengill because of how good it was fighting and how fast it ran.  Once it finally got into the suds I could see the saddles of my first big Leopard!
Joe dragged it up on the sand and took a few pictures for me.  Measured at 52", so stoked to finally get one over 2 feet!



As I'm releasing it, Joe saw his rod start bouncing and pulled in a small bat.
I had to get home, but I think Joe got another one after I left.
Great to finally fish with you Joe, we need to do that more often!

[sasquatch]

I'd love to get a nice leppo like that about now.

[LONGCAST JOE]

That pic came out epic!
Don't know if it shows in the pic but the dorsal fin on this leo was so pale it was almost white, just the dorsal. Made me think it had been swimming around with it's dorsal out of the water for a while, dunno....
After Chad left I got another 40 somethin" bat. I bailed around 9 because a constant "more than a mist" was starting to get me wet and I didn't have rain gear with me...
But no, & I mean zero, not one shred of salad, and 1-2 surf...how nice.
  Real nice kitty Chad!...We'll be back
Joe

[Latimeria]

Hell yeah Chad!  Congrats on your first legit leppo!

Very cool that you and Joe got out fishing and got some bats and a nice leopard.  Man, I'd take some of that action down here as we have not even had a bass bite in a few locations.  Bravo sir, well done!

[SevengillTheVC]

WAY TO GO CHAD!!!! Looks like I missed out  ! Glad you and Joe got something to tug on your lines, that spot produces some bruiser leos!

[BenCantrell]

Nice fish!!

[Tim524]

Nice Leo 

[Eric H]

Nice chad

Leps are so fun and Purty.

I wanna get one on the bass set up.

[Pinoyfisher]

Leos that big get you thinking it's the other kind. Teases!!!

[WheresMyBeer]

Thats a good one! 

[vdisney]

Stoked for you Chad, been a long time since I've had one on the end of my line.