Thornbacks are Killing me!!!!

**Flipper** · 07-09-2003, 09:01 AM

FISHING REPORT
Date: Tuesday, July 8th 2003
Time: 6:00pm till 8:15pm
Location:Mandalay Beach Power Plant (in front of plant)
Conditions: Very Nice... Warm and calm winds. Water was clear and waves were nill (calm). Current was a bit strong though.
Bait: Squid, Mackerel, and casting jig.
Catch:More thornback rays than you can shake a stick at!!!
Comments: The power plant was running and the waters were calm and warm... thought it would be a good day for fishin! Balonie and I ended up getting skunked though. We caught nothing but thornbacks. Balonie caught about 15 thornbacks. I gave up on the squid after pulling in 3 thornbacks. I hooked my 15 footer up with a shark rig, and small mack head (in hopes of being too big for a thornback). Well I didnt pull in anymore of them, but also didnt catch a thing after that. I guess Im glad... sick of those things taking my bait, and having to reel in every 5 minutes for skate. I then tryed my casting reel, but with only a couple hits (no catch). I saw about 9 other anglers at the power plant, but they seemed to be getting nothing but thornbacks also. Seems like the skate are dominating the surf! (all thornbacks thrown back)
Question: Is it that bad at the other fishing spots, or is it just that bad at the power plant? Ive noticed it getting worse and worse over the past month. Are they breeding now or what? Is there another good fishing hole I can hit up that can match the way Mandalay used to be? Im ready for a new spot till these skate go away! (Gerrrrrrr!)
Mike "flipper" Thompson

JohnB · 07-09-2003, 09:27 PM

flipper, just south at fifth st last weekend, it was the same way but with shovelnose, they ate anything you put out there...JohnB

Batman · 07-09-2003, 09:31 PM

Try a bigger hook with a nice chunk of mack hope fully one of those 4ft power plant batties with benice and give you a ride.

Batman

**Flipper** · 07-10-2003, 08:30 AM

Thanks guys,

I was using avery largehook with a bunch of bait. They seemed to be able to take anything but the mack head. I was going to try 5th street though this saturday morning. I like guitarfish! Thanks guys![img]smileys/smiley14.gif[/img]

Mike "flipper" Thompson

**Joey805** · 07-10-2003, 08:30 AM

I guess Im not missing to much at the power plant since I haven't been back..hehe [img]smileys/

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**Flipper** · 07-10-2003, 08:33 AM

yeah Joey,

Ive been keeping an eye out for ya, but havent seen ya. Getting my car broke into would make me sketchy on going back too. Try 5th street this weekend though. Safer parking and less thornbacks according to JohnB. I will be there early Saturday morning. Maybe see ya around!

Mike "flipper" Thompson

**Joey805** · 07-10-2003, 08:44 AM

I wish I could go this weekend but Im moving. I got the whole apartment packed up, including all my fishing stuff. Im moving into a huge house so I'm pretty excited. As soon as I get settled in, I'll be out fishin again.

Til then, good luck guys!

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