Saturday in The OC 1-27

[BackBayMan]

Hit the sand Saturday night around 5. Met up with TFT, Matt, SoCal Bill and some new friends. TFT and Matt had been there since 5:00am with nothing to show for it but a Para Glider. Yeah, they caught a Para Glider. The last couple of times there have been 3 or 4 guys buzzing the sand and water really low in para gliders and we've yelled and waved at them to go up. This time there was only one, but he managed to snag all the lines, pull out 500 yards of braid, get all tangled up and had to make an emergency landing on the sand. Darwin almost had to hand out another award

Anyway, we straightened out all the lines, rigged up and got back in the water with a variety of baits both longlined out by yak and shore cast. Didn't matter as we got absolutely nothing but clean mac heads back. Critters were doing a great job of cleaning out all the meat and leaving hollowed out heads. We fished until 10:30 before finally deciding it just wasn't going to happen and calling it.

Oh well, we got intel on a couple of new spots we can fish for Bat Fight that look promising. They're smaller, and can be covered by 3-4 guys with 1 rod each, so we'll start checking them out in the coming weeks

[Pinoyfisher]

You guys are still hitting up that same spot we fished last time?

[1morecast]

You guys are still hitting up that same spot we fished last time?

Sounds like it.

[BackBayMan]

You guys are still hitting up that same spot we fished last time?

Sounds like it.

Yes. Couple of guys were in another spot just south of us, couple more in another spot just north, no difference, dead

[Latimeria]

So how many "sharks" have you caught off the beach recently?

Has the Fathom with straight braid held up? Are there any rub issues causing break offs?

Glad you're still getting out Chip. Thanks for the report.

[BackBayMan]

So how many "sharks" have you caught off the beach recently?

Has the Fathom with straight braid held up? Are there any rub issues causing break offs?

Glad you're still getting out Chip. Thanks for the report.

I haven't caught any yet 

But I've seen at least 6 caught myself and have pics of at least another 6. I can't bitch though, it's still freaking January and I've only been on the shark sand 3 times this year while others already have 15 to 20 trips, and they will fish 12+ hours per trip. Pattern is when they're around, you can catch multiple, when they're not around, enjoy the beer and company. As any shark fisherman will tell you, sharks are never a sure thing

As to deploying baits, so far the evidence points to drops of 100 to 150 yards out producing shore casts about 2-3 to 1. You can catch them from shore, but it's harder and the bigger models are going to destroy you on a surf rod even with a harness. Some of the smaller 5-6' models will banzai the beach and you can get them in under 15 minutes. But most of the time you're going to watch 300+ yards of line disappear with your drag maxed out and be there for awhile

Fathom with straight braid plus a rub leader has held up really well so far as using and casting go. Got a lot of faith it will handle a shark to 8'. Still trying to figure out the Hatteras cast, that 45-55 degree release point and arc takes some getting used to

[WheresMyBeer]

[BackBayMan]

Nice Bat! From 2013.....