Encounter in East Bay
I awoke earlier than usual to make sure that I caught
the 5:30 ferry to Bolivar from Galveston Island. As the ferry made it's ritual
run across the channel, I felt excited as the winds were very light and the
water in the channel was very smooth. It was one of those mornings when
inside, you feel like everything is right with the world. After putting the
kayak and gear together at the ramp, I launched and made my way across the ICW
to the Rookery Islands in East Bay just northwest of Rollover Bay. The area
behind the islands was alive with bait and activity. I started my morning
ritual as usual throwing a T-Dog jr. and soon hooked up and landed a nice 20"
Trout. After an hour or so and several more blow-ups, I decided it was time to
switch to an all time favorite. I soon had the Johnson Sprite tied on and
started working the spoon with great anticipation. I managed several hook-ups
but, the fish were managing to continuously spit it back at me. Just as I was
about to give up on the Sprite, I hooked up with an extremely nice Trout that
just didn't want to give any lee-way in it's pursuit for freedom. I had left
my landing net in the truck and had no choice but to really wear this fish
down before I tried to land him by hand. As I slid this fish along side the
kayak, I was mesmerized by it's length. I slid my hand into the water to start
the landing process when out of the corner of my eye, I spot a 4' Blacktip
Shark closing quickly. I immediately pulled my hand from the water just as the
shark latched unto my Trout. A quick tug-o-war ensued and I soon had what was
left of my Trout back at the kayak. I didn't want to let that shark have
another chance at any more of this fish, as I really needed a few fillets for
the freezer. Swiftly, I reached in and grabbed the Trout's lifeless body and
flopped him into the kayak. I was simply amazed. I have heard of these things
and seen pictures but, to have it happen along side of the kayak in 2' of
water in plain view was a sight I'll never forget.
The Trout on the bottom was the 20 incher
that I caught on the T-Dog earlier that morning.
"Big Mike"
