Did NOT have a good morning.
First I lost yet another (2nd in three days) battle with a large bass to the same barnacle-laden bridge piling. Thought I had this one bested but it got one last burst of energy and headed straight to the only place it could to keep swimming without me releasing her first. If anyone catches her I will take my pink sluggo back, please.
So I decided to stop playing suicide in this tricky big-fish-holding spot and headed for the rocks where I at least could have a chance at tiring out a fish. I was delighted to see a vast display of frothy white weedless water when I arrived.
Surf was manageable. First cast with the bone jumping minnow and a 26" fish grabbed it in tight. A quick run and I had it holding on a ledge waiting for the next wave to wash it up to me when the hook came loose and shot at me like a missile, lodging into my calf. Of course I had just replaced the stock hooks with 4X VMC's so the barb was buried. I know this happens often but it took almost 40 years of fishing to happen to me. Yep, I am grateful it did not hit me in the face or eye.
So I limped back to my truck, took a call about a beach blitz that was happening elsewhere, contemplated going with the lure attached to my leg but ultimately decided to go to the ER and get chuckled at as everyone there pointed at my leg. I got lucky and got in and out in less than two hours (strokes and shortness of breath trumped my minor issue, I was told)
So tomorrow morning I will try again, with a longer and stronger leader and shin pads
