Soup du' Jour (3/18)

[Latimeria]

Weekend plans crumbled before my eyes and had to get out fishing somehow.  Steve called up and said he wanted to hit the surf.  We flipped a coin and headed to the Kitchen.

I cast a big rod out and a critter rod out, both with Sputniks.  Reffed up on both and lost 2 rigs on my first cast.  This is not starting out well...
I rebounded and tied some new rigs.  I get a huge hit and the rod starts dancing and line was singing out.  I get to my rod and soon as I grab it, it falls off.  CRAP!  I decided to give it a 5 minute rule since i had a bullet tuna head on and 3 minutes later, it came back!  HOOKED UP!

I forgot how strong these Soupies are.  They never cease to amaze me on how they could fool you on the size of them.  Mine only managed to measure out as a cookie cutter sized 68" and was extremely well fed.  Soupie pics also don't do the fish justice sometimes.



A little later and Steve misses a big hit, but felt that he wasn't going to try the 5 minute rule and reeled in a nice bait.  He baited up and recast for nada, so that means I am 1 shark closer to 40 now!
I did lose 2 other sputniks to reef or whatever and lost a bunch of critters on the critter rod.  Damn circle hooks don't work for sh!t!  LOL
I did manage a small calico though, so I count that as a multiple fish night.



Well, another one for the list and a good night indeed. 

Until Next Tide!

[sasquatch]

Glad to get out. I would have let the bait sit a little longer after that hit but I figured the chunk was gone. Surprised to see it was still there.

[SevengillTheVC]

Very nicely done! I agree, I don't like circles at all except for catfish. I like that feeling of slamming the hook home on the sharks!

[Tim524]

Another nice one for the books

[Pinoyfisher]

I share the same disdain for circle hooks! I do like offset hooks though. Anyhoo, nice soupie Tom, and you're totally right about their fighting quality! Tough sharks!! I gotta get out tonight with my fresh grinner candy.

[Eric H]

I love circles, guess I'm the only one that knows how to use them

Nice soupie Tom, that will feed the addiction. For a few hours   

[Fish Jerk]

I love circles, guess I'm the only one that knows how to use them

Nice soupie Tom, that will feed the addiction. For a few hours   

Your not the only one, Eric. I use circles exclusively when after sharks and rays.

[xjchad]

I love circles, guess I'm the only one that knows how to use them

Nice soupie Tom, that will feed the addiction. For a few hours   

Your not the only one, Eric. I use circles exclusively when after sharks and rays.

Me too, I love circles.

[Latimeria]

Testing the theory soon. Expect​ing the J-Hooks to be victorious, but will publish all data.

[sasquatch]

Offset, or inline circles?

[Pinoyfisher]

Offset, or inline circles?

Offset for me

[Fish Jerk]

Offset, or inline circles?

I use inline circles, although I gap mine about another 1/8"

[vdisney]

Awesome Tom, I am going to start trying your "five minute" rule.  BTW, although I've never seen one in person..............I think soupies are awesome looking animals.   Verne

[LONGCAST JOE]

I love circles, guess I'm the only one that knows how to use them

Nice soupie Tom, that will feed the addiction. For a few hours   

Your not the only one, Eric. I use circles exclusively when after sharks and rays.

I've been using offset circles exclusively as well for a few years...but I'll have to admit, I do miss the thrill and feeling at that initial hook-set you get using J hooks.