Multiple Bat Ray day from the beach.

[shoresurfer]

Today is my 1st post to the boards.
Showed up at 5am on the beach with Soul brother Jerry (Shark in the dark).
I had yet to get anything from the beach since I started this new venture, Jerry has been doing really well while I sat on the sidelines watching, but today that was gonna change.
First bait. 10 minute soak and I'm on.

The results, my first Bat and he measured in at 48"

Rebait and back in the water for next round.
30 mins or so later Jerry yells to me that drag is running.
On again.

The results. 51"ray

Tell Jerry to move in to my spot as he hadn't had a fish yet, He refuses so I rebait again and out it goes.
After a couple rebaits and nothing we are down to a couple chunks of mackrel. I take 1 and throw out.
Lines are now starting to get dragged around by kelp in the water. My line starts to move then stops and does it again and again. I finally see the problem, this big piece of kelp on my line so I decide to reel in and as I do I realize that I'm on again.

Jerry kindly removes the kelp and the results.
Another 48"Ray.

I could not believe what a day it turned out to be.
Jerry finally moved into my zone as I was going to get more bait. Bait hits the water and I start to leave and I hear Jerry say I'm on.
Unfortunately my beaching of rays still needs more work and this 1 broke off in the sand just before I could grab it.
This was a great day and can't wait to do it again.
Robert

[sasquatch]

Nice first post. Those are some good fish.

It is nice to have help landing large fish in the surf. 20-30 feet of heavy leader gives you or your helper something to grab onto for those last few feet of pulling. I use 80#.

Do all you can to turn the fish toward the beach and use the waves to your advantage, pullling as the wave comes in and trying to hold firm as it recedes. Getting a bat facing away from the beach and nosing down to the sand is very difficult as they have the waves on their side.

You are doing the most important thing already. Practice.

[Sharkinthedark II]

It was fun to see you get your PB and break it 30 minutes later...  That's the kind of Memorial Day crowd I'm good with 

[Latimeria]

Well hot damn! Congrats on your first post and spectacular surf session!
Bravo boss and happy memorial day!

[raychavez91]

Nice to see fresh faces, I'm looking forward to seeing more post of sessions in the future, or maybe even having a group soak

[lamnidae]

Beautiful session. What type of spinning reel were you using?

[Eric H]

No shortage of those in SD

[SurffishingSean]

Nice! i'm craving to hook up with some big ones again!

[vdisney]

Great first post, welcome to the forum.............V

[Pinoyfisher]

Great first post, welcome to the forum.............V

^^ what he said!!

[WheresMyBeer]

Dang more surf Bats

Caught all their babies in the bay on Sunday ... lol ...

[shoresurfer]

Beautiful session. What type of spinning reel were you using?

Thanks for the comment.
I use a Okuma Slate ST-68 with an 11' Okuma medium heavy rod.

[shoresurfer]

Nice to see fresh faces, I'm looking forward to seeing more post of sessions in the future, or maybe even having a group soak

raychavez91 a group soak sounds like a plan. Maybe we can hook up here in the near future.

[shoresurfer]

Thanks for the warm welcome to the boards.
I really appreciate all the comments and the tips to help me out.
Can't wait till I can get back out again this week.