2/24 leopard shark trip

[havoc1114]

left for oceanside at like 3, and started fishing around 4, set out my heavier outfit for leopards and the bat rays, and set another lighter one out for hopefully some sandies or disc ray.

lighter outfit had some chovies on it. no fish at all....

the heavier outfit, my tidewater, got a decent hit early on in the trip. im thinking a leopard, but ill never know. i counted three mississippi, then set the hook... with the reel still in freespool. no hookset=no fish
freespool upon hookset = monstrous backlash, even with the clicker. took me an hour to fix it, because it was deep.

i had fun actually gettin out there, but now i feel like a darn rookie.

[sourcreamnjive]

Better luck next time my friend........atleast you tried!

[Brad100]

Originally Posted by havoc1114

freespool upon hookset = monstrous backlash

or = bad thumb burn!!

[Carnivore]

Open spool hook set? Well your in good company here I know of at least 4 people on this board that have done it. ME? No N E V E R LOL!!!

[havoc1114]

i cant wait till this summer. the leopard bite should be better. i just wanna get some leos, and at least one to keep. im goin again this sunday, but im goin prepared with a backup outfit for leopards, so i dont waste time picking out backlashes and respooling. i doubt ill freespool hookset again, buttt...... knowing my look ill probably manage to do it still.