I went looking for redfish and had only found one after 3 hours. It was a 26 so I was happy enough.
Before I made my paddle back to the landing I re-tied my jig. I only did it because it had been on most of the day and as soon as the thought crossed my mind I knew it would bother me too much if I didn't. When it seperates or the hook straightens out I know who's fault it is.
I was using 20lb flouro, 10lb PowerPro, and a 2500 Stradic. I've been using 14lb leader most of the winter but I sized up because of the cloudy water. I always use jigs with strong hooks and this time it was one of the new 1/8th oz Strike Kings they have at WallyWorld. Nice jigs. My favorite jig though is MIkes 1/16th oz. Maybe Advantage will get some because nobody else has them closer than Half Hitch.
I had on a pink sparkle Redfish Magic plastic tail. They're the same as the old 3X Strike Kings that aren't around anymore. Great baits with great action. They suspend on 1/16oz jigs like a 52M MirroLure. They'll also hold up for hours against a pack of Spanish. Wally usually has white ones but the pink came from Cabelas.
The fish.
I returned to what I thought would be the best spot but the 2 previous passes hadn't produced.
I'd seen small baits intermittently all day and never did figure out what they were (~1inch).
I cast toward the shallow edge of a bar in less than 2 feet and it was on. First guess was a big red but after 20 seconds and my drag still screaming I started to guessing what else it could be. I wondered if I'd adjusted my drag too light for some reason but no, the fish was just strong and fast. Then I saw it break water and knew it wasn't a Red. I considered Rinosaurus. At one point I had to put a lot of pressure on it to turn it back away from the bar. Fortunately it did turn.
Most of the fight was in 2 feet of water and it took about 15 minutes to get it close enough to see that it was a Cobia. It took 15 more minutes to get it in. By then it was wore out so it wasn't a problem in the kayak. I got it in by wrapping my fish towel around its tail. There was another boat nearby and they were nice enough to take a picture.
I've caught Cobia but it's usually with a big stick out of a big boat.
The odds were a little more balanced this time.
Balanced enough to add up to 100 percent kick ass fun.
Just shy of 40".
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