The OC Finally Has Something to Report..... (Composite/Late Report)

[TerraFirmaTackle]

Been on the sand alot the last month or so, rain, wind, and sun alike. Solo sessions for the most part, but Chip and Bill have been keeping me company quite a bit as well!

While it has been mostly quiet, the paddled baits are getting quite a bit of attention!

A couple weeks ago we got tight to this 111" monster female, ray chunk out deep. Broke the surface early in the fight and made me think it was the usual beasty. Until of course the arials started, at which point it was clear this was not a guero. Bystanders helped me drag her up onto the sand for photos and measurement and with a little effort got her back into the waves. Heavy fish to say the least, three grown men and I struggled quite a bit more than I'd like to admit to get her tamed and released, guess I need to hit the gym!



Thought we were dealing with a fluke until the following week, in between rain storms, and while my sand-hand was out in the kayak messing with rockfish, rod went off violently. Ran over, half asleep mind you, to set up on something else substantial. Again tail slaps on the initial run had me thinking usual winter time fare, until the goofy half jumps started in the skinny. Couldn't believe it. A second monster gill, this time male. Definitely not a heavy this time, but every bit as long, and with a bigger head! No tape on this guy but I'd put him north of 8 feet, closer to 8.5?



Been back a couple times since, had one really positive bite, but I was too groggy to get a proper hook set and lost the fish after the first head shake, my gut tells me it was another trophy gill.....

Managed a few smaller critters over the last few weeks too, but nothing to write home about, 4' leopards and legal bass don't exactly get the blood pumping this time of year haha

[sasquatch]

Well, shoot, those are some nice ones.

[xjchad]

Nice ones indeed, very big 7's!
Curious, in the first pic, it looks like that shark was way up the beach.  If it was so heavy and hard to maneuver, why drag it so far?

[TerraFirmaTackle]

I think my improvised sand hands got a little overzealous in the shark dragging department....testosterone and adrenaline. I was huffing and puffing back in the waves 

[BackBayMan]

I think my improvised sand hands got a little overzealous in the shark dragging department....testosterone and adrenaline. I was huffing and puffing back in the waves 

Still F'n Jelly

[Pinoyfisher]

Hefty 7gills!!!

[1morecast]

Congrats on the nice size 7gills! There seems to be quite a few being caught up and down the coast.

[WheresMyBeer]

G'damn those are awesome. Killer boss!!! 

[Latimeria]

Sweet Sevens indeed!  i love that they were daylight sharks too!  I only have a handful of daylight ones and the pictures come out awesome!

[Latimeria]

If you have the date, tide, surf size etc, I can add these to the list.