I had discovered Shimano Waxwings (unique zigzagging swimming lure) in the Spring of 2015 and everything seemed to wanna crush them. I even hooked an oio from my surfboard in the white wash on one!
In July 2015, I was casting literally from the sand while my friend Kris’ Yozuri Crystal Minnow was snagging limu in the very shallow water. The upturned double hook of the Waxwing proved snag proof and the bite really turned on for both of us as the sun went down.
You can read about the action here.
I haven’t whipped from shore in years since I’ve been doing the kayak thing but during Tiger Shark season, maybe my feet should be on the sand.
How many of you guys still throw the Waxwing?
I remember these! Summer 2015 was around the time I first stumbled across your blog, and when we first met and started exchanging fishing reports. IIRC, this was the year we had an unusually strong El Nino and there were still tailing oio EVERYWHERE at the “spot” you caught the papio at. Things have changed a lot since then, a mere 8 years ago.
Yep, I had a couple Waxwings, and in fact, it was through Googling “Waxwing” that I found your blog. I had just gotten back into fishing after a nearly 10 year layoff earlier that summer, and it was maybe 6 months later that I decided to become a dedicated fly-rodder… so i guess, the answer is “no, i don’t still fish the waxwings” ;~) However, if I was still spin fishing, I’d probably still be fishing them in certain situations. I loved their action in the water.
Hi Jason,
I didn’t realize Waxwings were the reason you stumbled upon my blog. 2015 and 2015 were phenomenal inshore years. Hope we experience that again, but without the hurricanes.
-scott
Let’s hope!! As you know, I too am a “crazy conspiracy theorists” who believes El Nino conditions bring better fishing. Fly fisherman know that fish are more active when water temps rise, up to a point, of course.. Trout only rise when temps reach high 40s to about 50, and bones are most active above 75.
Given that metabolism and water temperature are provably tied together (google it!), it stands to reason warmer ocean temps = hungrier fish! We shall see…
I think a number of factors come together during the El Nino period. Warm water pushed by currents that hit our shoreline bring nutrient and plankton that builds the food chain.
You’re right, it’s probably a multitude of factors. Let’s hope the fishing is as hot as the weather this summer.