PB Leo on a bean

[LONGCAST JOE]

I fished all weekend long at alot of different AOs and a variety of gear. Most of my results belong over on SC but the highlight of my weekend is for here...
Finished up a morning light rod session around LA/VC county line ending it with about a 12" juvi corbina that I wrapped in a wet sock and headed north into VC up PCH with no where particular in mind. Conditions had deteriated now with the wind and mid-day crouds approaching so I just wanted to kill some hours until an evening sesh.Drove by a spot I had surprisingly never fished,was uncrowded and thought what the heck and pulled a u-turn. Strung up my longrod with a pulley rig and pinned the fresh little bean on a 12/0 circle hook through by he lips.
After about 30 minutes I picked up my rod to see if it had been fouled by a piece of eelgrass as the tip started bobbing a bit differently then it had been in the heavy shorebreak and WHAM!, my bait got plowed hard and my reel started screaming. I counted to 5 and then tightened down the drag and let it run against it to set the circle but it didnt slow down its run. After a quick 15 seconds pr so it slowed and paused, and I felt tail slaps on my line and thought, YES! its NOT a bat!...After some bruising runs I got it in close on the steep beach. Luckily a lifeguard came over to see what I was hooked into and asked if I needed any help...before she could finish her sentence I spun loose my drag, put the rod in her hands , said "hold this", and jumped into the pounding shorebreak and came out with a firm grab on its tail and back peddled up the slope dragging it out of the suds. Ran and got my tape and measured it out at 57", beating my old longstanding PB out by a couple inches. Had the lifeguard snap some pics before she dragged it back past the pound to release it...and it swam off strong into the depths...It might sound like Im excited over just a Leo, but I was to finally break my bat curse streak😛
Thanks for looking
JOE

[Pinoyfisher]

I'll take a leo any day over a surf bat!! Cool to see you got it on 'local" bait.

[Eric H]

Leo's are something to get excited about, they're feisty and purdy

Congrats on your PB

[xjchad]

Congrats on that big bruiser Joe!

[vdisney]

Gotta hand it to ya Joe, you put in your time on the sand.  Congrats on the PB 

[Latimeria]

Awesome Leppo Joe!  Man, I can't even remember my last one that was of any consequence!

Bravo-Beano sir!

[Latimeria]

BTW, 2 days too early for the contest.   

[BenCantrell]

Awesome shark!

[lightline21]

Nice Leo! Congrats!

[spideyjg]

No shame in a big Leo. Beautiful fish!

Jim

[SevengillTheVC]

Nice Leo Joe!