Yellowfin Topwater Bonanza

[keithj]

Fished between West Atlantis and Fishtails below the edge. Ended up bringing a dozen or so to the boat between 40 and 80+ pounds. We took quite a few on the troll but by far the most entertaining way to catch them was throwing poppers. I eventually torched one of my Fin Nors but it was well worth it. Hooked a dozen on spinning gear. Landed 5. One break off but otherwise pulled hooks. Had a lot of misses. They ate Ocean Lures and Got Stryper plastics. I have some incredible video of the yellowfins obliterating the baits on the surface. We did have one yellow come up with a nice bill slash down his side. A sign that there were bigger fish looking to munch the yellows. Also had one fish swirl on a popper that had a back that was three feet wide. Our buddy boat hooked an eyeball, we did not, but I assume that was what it was. Probably a good thing he missed. On the spinning rod, it would have been over quickly. Long and short of it, probably some of the best fishing I have ever experienced.

Oh and nothing on the night bite. Weather was great. Brain is pretty numb from having not slept in a couple days. Need a beer and then bedtime.

[southport05]

NICE!!!!!!!! Looks like a lake out there!! Sounds like an awesome time, and that's really cool casting poppers at them. Great early trip!

[backman]

Thrilled it worked out/semi jealous I couldn't go.

Questions - what was the water temp you found them in - the hot 74 degree water or the blended 68-70 degree water?

Blue green?

[keithj]

71-72 degree blue water.

[Bad Fish]

Nice Job Keith!

[keithj]

Thanks Tim. The ballyhoo are awesome quality. I stopped in a little late on Friday and missed you. Did you guys end up going?

[sportsman250]

looks like awesome, nice job

[Bill_N]

Great report! I'm re-rigging the riggers this w/e and hoping to make a run soon....

[keithj]

I've been told by fisherman wiser than me that the fish in the second to last picture is actually a small bigeye. Sorry about the misidentification. It makes sense given that I recall that particular fish looking a little different when we landed it. Pretty sure it was the only bigeye taken though. The rest were yellows.

So we did get an eyeball spincasting. not bad.

[backman]

I saw that elsewhere also. Over a dozen years down there I have probably caught 6-8 of those fatter stouter 60-80# yellows per year and have wondered how many of them were in actuality juvenile big eye.