Wrightsville Beach, NC Report...8/7-----Camel Toads and Turtles???

[Squid]

On Wednesday, my roommate from college (and one of my best friends), Jesse and his wife Amber came down to join myself and Miss Squid for a couple of days. Wednesday night found us at cheap ($2.50) margarita night at the local Mexican joint which ultimately lead to a not so early start to a day of flounder fishing on Thursday.

Ended up getting on the water around noon, caught two livewells full of bait and stopped in to Airlie Grill for a Buffalo Shrimp sammich---one of the best I've ever had.

Finally made it out the inlet as the tide was beginning to fall and down the beach to our spot. Fished hard most of the afternoon but the flounders didn't want to cooperate. Caught 1 keeper but decided to let him go.

As we were bumping bottom, a turtle surfaced about 30 feet from the boat and looked us right in the eyes. Didn't take him long to realize we were ugly and down he went. Within 30 seconds of seeing him, Amber says "I think I'm hung up." Jesse grabs the rod, a Calcutta 400 on a Teramar 7'0 MH, and tries to free the rig from the "rock". About that time, the "rock" starts moving and he jokingly says "Honey, I think you caught the turtle." Well sure enough, about a minute later here comes the turtle flopping around on the surface with Amber's hook in his jaw. Took some quick pictures of him and cut him loose as close as we could. No clue exactly how big he was but a good 4 foot across his back.

Ended up with a plethera (wow, big word) of species---6 in total. Flounder, the almighty toad, lizardfish, bluefish, some kind of eel, and a seaturtle. (Miss Squid and Amber put the hurting on the toads yesterday! )

Pictures below of the "headslappers" along with the turtle and eel. Anyone know what kind of eel that is??
All in all, a great day on the water with some even better people. We'll have revenge on the flatties soon.

---Bryan

[HOLWACHAGOT]

I am in love. Bikini clad toadfish slayers! OMG Squid, you are my hero. Great writeup. Sounds like a lot of fun.
Holwachagot

[Reelscreamer]

Great write up and better pictures. Hot women fishing just don't get much better than that.

Jeremy

[BOTTOM DWELLER]

Hard to tell in the picture but that "Eel" almost looks like a "Ribbon-fish",aka "Cutlass fish". If that's the case, when you add that into the catch a Toad fish and Lizard fish, I'd say you guys and gals had a true Carolina "Trash Fish" Slam. And if you were in the Bahamas that turle would have been a prized catch! Maybe next time them flounders will be a little more cooperative!

[Squid]

Hard to tell in the picture but that "Eel" almost looks like a "Ribbon-fish",aka "Cutlass fish". If that's the case, when you add that into the catch a Toad fish and Lizard fish, I'd say you guys and gals had a true Carolina "Trash Fish" Slam. And if you were in the Bahamas that turle would have been a prized catch! Maybe next time them flounders will be a little more cooperative!

Definitely not a ribbonfish----I know my "Cutlass". Did catch one of those last time out though. Could have made a mackerel fisherman's day. Is there another species of ribbonfish that I've never heard about? This was a dull gray color and no teeth (that I could see anyway). The shape was a lot like a ribbonfish but more round.

[bigfish4me]

Squid....that looks like a small conger eel. Camel toads.....i wasnt sure what to expect with that one Looks like a dam good time, nothing like being out on the water with family and friends.

[HOLWACHAGOT]

Squid....that looks like a small conger eel. Camel toads.....i wasnt sure what to expect with that one Looks like a dam good time, nothing like being out on the water with family and friends.

I think bigfish4me is right. Looks like a Conger eel.
Holwachagot

[Squid]

I think bigfish4me is right. Looks like a Conger eel.
Holwachagot

I think y'all are right. There definitely wasn't going to be any "out of the zipper" facial pictures from that guy!

[HOLWACHAGOT]

I think y'all are right. There definitely wasn't going to be any "out of the zipper" facial pictures from that guy!

CHICKEN!
Holwachagot

[Finesse]

Sounds like a good day !!! flounders, toads, lizards, turtles and a great looking crew

I think y'all are right. There definitely wasn't going to be any "out of the zipper" facial pictures from that guy!

Oh that would have been a double dawg dare !!! Seeing that "out of the zipper" could put many in therapy



Had a run in with one of those things. Seems it was wrapped around the shaft of a boat I was under ... almost no vis, grab the shaft. Why is the shaft slimy, soft and moving?? nasty eel slithers right past me haven't been right since