Well I promised my wife that I wouldn't go out that far, and frankly going that far by my self was a little scary since I usually don't even go that far on the lakes! So off shore outside Rollover Pass a little would have to do.
(more pics below if you want to skip the story)
I took off after work on Tuesday Oct. 7th. Due to having obligations Friday evening I had to head back on Friday morning. This gave me 2 days to fish.
To get ready I knew my regular tackle wouldn't cut it. I hear the Red Drum are good fighters and their scales are rough and can cut through regular line and braided line. So I got myself a Ugly Stick Tiger by Shakespeare. I needed the strength. To top that off I got 50 lbs braided line with 1 foot steel leader. Not going to let these big fish off the hook!
So I loaded up my kayak and gear and off I went. Luckily I have an aunt who lives in League City who let me stay at her place for a few nights. So I got off easy when it came to cost of staying down there. With only a 30 mile drive I could be there relatively early and hit the water. After getting there closer to 11pm then 10pm I went to sleep ready for the morning.
Bright and early I took off after some coffee and donuts (thanks Aunt Carol) and headed to Rollover Pass. I had heard that rollover pass presented good opportunities to catch flounder and Red Drum. There was no way that I wasn't going to give myself the best opportunity to catch what I had planned over a month to do. About the time I started checking directions, I saw that the way that I was going wasn't connected by land, nor did I see a bridge that connected Galveston Island to Bolivar Peninsula. Hello Ferry! I had to put my brand new truck on a boat and take it over the water. That was pretty fun but a little worrisome since I had never done that before.
(pic of the yak & truck on the ferry)
Next thing on my list was to get bait prior to getting to the pass. I first stopped at the main Galveston Pier that you basically run into when getting to the Gulf side of the Island. I got out and made my way to the shop only to be told that they didn't have any finger mullet. So I had to find another place before getting too far along. So after the ferry, I stopped at a little place called North Jetty Bait Camp. The place is run by a very friendly guy. I had to ask for a a couple tips and got to talking to the guy. The shop has had a rough history from getting demolished in the hurricane to the overrun seaweed that has a very strong odor. After a bit of talking and grabbing some finger mullet, I parted ways. Thanks North Jetty Bait Camp for the help and hospitality.
(even tho they didn't have my bait, it was still a pretty cool view in the morning)
Nothing stopping me now from hitting the water. I pull up to Rollover pass around 9.30 and quickly got unloaded and on the water.
Now this is my first time on the ocean, with waves and wind and I was a little nervous. I had no idea what to expect and I never read anything about getting out past the breakers on a kayak (nor getting back, but more on that later). So I push out till about mid thigh deep hop on and start paddling my ass off. I could not stop paddling till I was past the waves otherwise I would quickly be turned around. After what felt like 10 minutes of straight paddling I was finally past the waves and was coasting. The water felt more rough then I thought. A lot of ups and down. I was probably moving more then 2 feet up and down due to the swells the whole time. I was probably less then a half mile from shore, but I don't know for sure. I was working in about 12-14 fow.
Well I hooked up the mullet and threw my first cast. All I could do now was wait.
AND POW! Less then 20 minutes later I was hooked! YES! After all the planning I had caught something and was not going to be skunked. Was it my Red Drum was it a shark was it a flounder or a stingray. I didn't know, but I had something. It ended up being my Red Drum. I had accomplished my goal to catch a Red Drum. I hooked up with 2 of these bad boys during my trip that day (catch and release).
(first Red Drum Caught)
After the wind started picking up and the current starting to push me towards the shore and I couldn't fish and keep my place. So time to pack up and head in. I took my time to head in, mostly just letting the current and wind move me in. I started getting close to the waves and tied down my gear as best as I thought would be needed. Boy was I wrong.
I paddled through a few waves but I was quickly grabbed by a wave and I basically started surfing a wave (ya know, hang ten!) for about 4 seconds. What was I supposed to do when this happens? I didn't read this part in any of the off-shore stories I had read. Well before I knew it I started going off to the side and bam! Flipped my kayak. I lost my NRS Co-Pilot that I had just bought, my fish finder holder, had my 2 freshwater reels dunked in the salt water (rusted bearings by day 2), and lost about 3 beers.
I didn't care. I had had an amazing adventure and caught some fish on the Gulf of Mexico. It was a blast.
(Striking a pose with #2)
(Rollover Pass from where I was at off shore)
On my way out of Rollover Pass I was greeted by some guy saying that it cost $5 to park at the pass. I was in good spirits so I paid him the $5. He looked official so I didn't second guess it too much and it was only $5 even though I was about to leave. Started talking to him about being from Dallas and telling him of my red Drum triumph. And about a problem I was having out on the water with my bait. My problem was that I was starting to feel my bait being eaten, but the hook was never catching anything. Well I had no idea what was going on. This guy tells me "It is probably the croakers." Without giving it too much thought I was on my way.
Part 2 to cover day 2 in the next post.
Over all I give the experience 2 thumbs up!
Thanks to my wife for letting me make the trip. I was safe the whole time I promise.
