Early Friday morning had Ozella on my target venue again even though the numerous, measurable daily rain/wind events would diminish conditions. After catching candy(tiny pinfish, pigfish, sandperch), I continued with my usual routine of dropping the hook(anchor). 10-15 knot winds prevailed most of the day with one undersized 20" Cobia that slammed an Albino Bass Assassin that easily displayed the Cobia "fight for life" genetics. Numbers of trout, seabass, ladyfish, one keeper Flounder, porgy and then the odd fella made his cameo appearance...a striped burrfish...aka-Porcupinefish, spiny boxfish, oysterfish(I initially thought it was a spiny puffer). After my Google research revealed its identity, I was somewhat amazed that the max size is 25 - 30 cm(I know, tell me in English) is 9.8 - 11.8 ". This prehistoric, armor-plated beauty(only a mother could love) taped out at a solid 12". Just "shows to go ya" that a saltwater fishing trip=a distinct chance @trophy class fish specie.
Legal trout ranged from 15.5 - 18.5" with the largest being fooled by a live sandperch fished below a float on a 3/0 circle hook. Water temp. was 78 degrees and somewhat clouded from recent conditions. Also witnessed 2 jumbo-sized aerial acrobatic Sting Rays going airborn 3 - 4 feet!
I actually foul-hooked the burrfish when I saw him bird-dogging my albino Bass Assassin @boatside and I subsequently freelined it to the bottom and set the hook after 3 seconds. With his air/water inflation he felt like he weighed 3 lbs. Enjoy the photoshoot. By the way, I plan on eating him just like his cousin the pufferfish for the last 50 years!! Chicken of the Sea!!
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