The One That Got Away: Fishing Report 5-31-15

Hi,

My neighbor, Jim, wanted to fish some top water this evening so we waited until 4:30 and rode out to Walton. Lots of fluffy white clouds and wind. Today was the day the big one got away!

Fishing Report 5-31-15, Walton Scrub, almost 5:00pm. Very windy from Southeast with 2-3 foot waves, low tide incoming. Hot day almost 89 but it was cooling off some, water temp around 80.

It was a crazy night of fishing at Walton. We got there around 5pm and Jim was going to throw some top-water when it got late. There were three guys fishing near our spot on the 2nd weed-bed with live bait. We headed South and went around them and started fishing at the four poles-- at the edge of what had been "the dead zone" this last week.

I was fishing 1/8 oz Cal-jig with a DOA paddletail and Jim was fishing 1/4 oz jig before he switched to top-water. We were close to the 3rd weed-bed and the waves were pounding us as we tried to get out deep since it was low tide.

Jim was shallower and swung around to middle of the weed-bed while I fished the North edge. I wasn't used to the lighter jig-head and missed the first trout bite. One cast later I lifted the bait and held it there, then wham, fish on. This was no dinky trout, it fought and stayed down until I got it to me. Then it burst into the air, woah!!! nice trout, I grabbed my camera and pulled it up:

                                         First trout a whopping 23"er (Click to enlarge)

I held it in the air for a quick close-up:

                                       Smile for the camera, who's your dentist anyway!!!

Two casts later I hooked another nice trout, pulled it in and shook it off. "That's 2," I yelled over to him. I caught another nice one about 17" on the next cast but it was deep hooked so I went over and borrowed Jim's pliers (mine fell in the Lagoon a couple days ago!!!) and worked the lure out. Jim got a strike and lost a trout on the way in.

 I caught another trout deep and Jim also caught his first trout. That was 4 and 5 total (between both of us) in 10 minutes at the 3rd weed-bed. I proceeded to catch two more trout in just a few more casts. Here's the last one:

                                          Slot-sized Trout -Notice 3rd pier in background

At one point I had 8 trout and Jim had 3, then he reached for his secret weapon, the "electric chicken" DOA paddletail. And sure enough, he found a spot just South of the 3rd pier and caught 7 trout there- woah!!!

Meanwhile I moved South to see what he was doing and I caught a small trout too. We were counting and we finally hit 20 trout. Then Jim put on a Zara Spook and went shallow to get a snook while I went back North and caught this trout:


     Nice slot trout our 21st trout in the 3rd weed-bed.

Jim cast around the 3rd pier and I went shallow too and cast around the first pier- nothing. Jim walked along the sandbar and I went deep fishing North. I caught another trout (number 22) and a nice Jack before I  passed the three guys fishing who said they "caught some trout on live shrimp." They were fishing in the "dead zone" but I didn't say anything. They were now fishing with live pintails for snook, not sure if they caught any.

I caught trout number 23 when I got to our spot in the 2nd weed-bed. It was a real leaper and skied several times in the air.

A couple casts later I heard Jim yelling from the sandbar. I could see his rod bent double. "Big snook," he yelled. He was casting shallow in the weeds with a topwater lure, a Zara Spook. The area inside the sandbar was just three feet deep. I headed towards him with my camera:

                                    Jim, fighting a big snook he hooked on a Zara Spook
                                                    (Click to enlarge)

When I got close it was clear he had a monster snook, maybe not the size of "snookzilla," the 25+ snook I caught at Walton two weeks ago (see my post of 5-15-15), but it was big. And I'm sure as time passes it will reach legendary proportions.

I could see the water frothing and it reared its head briefly from the water. I was waded there as fast as I could without running. Just after I snapped the photo, the monster snook snapped his line. And so- that is the story (only true lies) of the big one that got away!!

I checked Jim's line-- it was frayed for 6 inches from where it broke!!! Snook have a very sharp gill-plate and sometimes it rubs the line and. . .you know the rest. What a fish, and what an evening at the Lagoon!

Our totals: 23 trout (Jim caught around 10 of those), 1 jack and. . . . .the snook that got away. A great day on the water!!!

Not 20: Fishing Report 5-30-15

Hi,

Went fishing with my neighbor Jim. We didn't get started until from his house until 10:30am and then when we got to Walton, a storm cloud with some rain was going to be passing through. We had to wait. He went and got gas for his vehicle and we got back around 11:30 am. It was beautiful out, the cloud had passed and it looked like mostly blue skies. Jim said at one point we could get 30 trout but we revised that to 20 but we didn't get 20.

Fishing Report: Walton Scrub 5-30-15, 11:40am Low tide, outgoing water temp high 70s air temp 87, breeze from the East- SE. Fishing 1/8 jigs with DOA paddletails.

 I'd just fished the out going tide so I knew what to expect. We went deep past the sandbar to the 2nd weed-bed. They were active here yesterday and today it was more of the same. The water was clear and the wind only about 6mph but it gusted at times to twice that.

I fished a little North and went fairly deep. On the 4th cast I felt some weight, hook-set, trout on. It came up and shook it's head and then I skated it across the water to me. It jumped before I could unhook it, a small slot, maybe 15".  Jim got some taps and missed a fish or two. I connected several casts later as I worked back South- trout number 2 a small 12" fish.

Jim caught a nice slot-sized trout and a small one, that was 4 for us. I caught a bigger trout as we worked slightly South:

  My 3rd trout, nearly 20" splashes the surface (Click to enlarge)

I was using my girlfriend Angelica's waterproof camera. I was having some difficulty using it and most the shots had an amazing likeness of my thumb in the upper right corner- which sometimes extended over the fish. I got a couple good shots- haha.

Jim hooked a small Jack and I got a pic:
                                
                          (Click to enlarge)

I caught another slot trout in the 2nd weed-bed before we headed North, fishing our way to the 3rd weed-bed and the piers. There was nothing going on all the way up - just as the last week. It was "the dead zone" and except for a roving Jack or two seemed to be "troutless."

We passed the 4 white posts and got to the edge of the 3rd weed-bed. I was fishing deep and my second cast I felt a tap and the weight of the trout, hook-set, fish on!! It was a larger slot trout and I hurried it back in so not to lose it. She was well-hooked anyway and I had no problem. Jim caught a small trout and we both headed shallow to fish the white pier. It was already too shallow and approaching low tide. We cast around the pilings- nothing. We worked to the 3rd pier- nothing. It was back deep to the 3rd weed-bed.

The tide was out now and we had to go way out to get to 3 foot of water off the 3rd pier. I caught my 5th trout and Jim his 3rd with the first few casts. Jim was getting bit regularly and he said we should aim to get 30 trout. I said, "I dunno about that, we gotta get 10 first." Jim and I agreed that we would try and catch 20 trout today. It seemed doable since the trout were here and also back at the 2nd weed-bed which we would return to before we got off the water. Jim got another small trout and I got a pic:

 Jim with a small trout, his 4th (Click to enlarge)

Jim caught another trout, his 5th and we were out from the 1st pier now working North. I caught a nice large slot my 6th and Jim caught his 6th before we went back past the 4 white posts into "the dead zone."

We had caught 12 trout and 1 jack and we were going back to a good area to try and catch 6 more trout to make 20 trout total. I hooked an medium sized jack and pulled it in a released it. We saw several big fish chasing baitfish across the surface further North.

I cast out deep and wham- fish on!!! This was fairly big and my drag was loose and I couldn't even reel it in!! I tightened my drag and the fish came in and started winding around me- "Probably a Jack," I said. I wheeled it up and took a pic:

                                         Nice Jack- swimming in circles (click to enlarge)

When I got it in, Jim grabbed it's tail and I took a better pic:

                                             Jim holding my Jack (click to enlarge)

We made it back to the 2nd weed-bed and immediately Jim caught a small trout. "That's 13," he said. I cast deep and halfway in I got a terrific strike- trout on!!! This one was bigger, the best of the day and went around 20":

                                           Our biggest trout around 20" (Click to enlarge)

We worked out way North but the tide was now dead-low and nothing happened. It was clear we would not get 20 today.

I caught a nice Jack and tried to get another trout to reach number 15, while Jim headed off the water. I followed him a couple casts later. We were both tired, having fished almost 3 hours.

Our totals: 14 trout (7 each) and 4 jack (I caught three, and he one). If we had brought in half the trout we missed we would have easily reached 20, but today it was: not 20.

A great day on the water!!!

The Tale of the Fish: Report 5-29-15

Hi,

This tale of the fish brought to you by, yours truly, features another episode of: a windy day on the water. Fortunately, there were a number of fish tails to talk about, the exact number I can't quite remember!

Fishing Report 5-29-15 Walton scrub. 11:20 am. Low, outgoing tide. Windy 20-25mph out of the east. Cloudy was some scattered rain clouds through the morning. Water temp high 70s, air temp around 85.

I didn't go yesterday because it was so brrreeeeeeezzzy- the wind was just blowing. And today-- more of the same. I didn't drop my phone in the water today but I did lose a pair of needle-nose pliers. I headed south crossed the sandbar and fished deep. I was planning on fishing the piers but there wasn't much water on them. I'd need to do that soon since the tide was low, and outgoing.

Caught nothing shallow, then nothing deep past the sandbar. I moved South past the 4 white poles. No action, lots of waves, 2-3 feet high, water choppy and stained. I moved to the 3rd weed-bed, I was medium deep in 3 feet of water casting deep to 4 1/2. Felt some weight and a tap, hook-set- trout on. A nice 17" trout jumped, then came to the top. I started getting my phone (camera) out and reeled in. By the time she was close, she made another nice jump:

                                            17" trout first of the day!! (Click to enlarge)

This trout was hooked deep and when I got my pliers out-- I still had my phone in the same hand. The fish jumped and my pliers fell-in. I wasn't diving for them!!! I put my phone away ($2 pliers, $600 phone), used my scissors to get her unhooked (pushed the jig down) and she slowly swam away.

I cast 10 more times in the area- nothing. I moved South some and another tap- hook-set, 2nd trout on. This one was identical in size and also hooked well. Got her in and quickly released. Three more casts and I headed shallow for the piers. The water was already too low, but I've caught nice snook with it this shallow.

I cast on the North Side of the pier and worked my way down, skipping the bait to the other side. On the second parallel cast, a snook darted out and slammed my lure. Hit and miss!!! Usually there would be a fish on- but not today. Two more casts confirmed it, not snook on the white pier today.

I headed for the third pier, fished the deep end- nothing. I headed deep. After 10 casts I caught a small trout off the 3rd weed bed and had the tail pulled off my plastic lure on another cast. The fish really weren't here although I caught three. Time to head back to the 2nd weed-bed then off the water.

I fished my way back. on a deep cast as soon as my lure hit- fish on!!! I was reeling and then the fish pulled drag and headed South. It wasn't big but bigger than the last trout. I wheeled it around for a look- a nice little jack:

                                                A Jack, 4th fish of the day! (Click to enlarge)

The Jack had the tinged yellow fins and bottom side, which shows he's been in the Lagoon for a while. I got no more bites until I reached the end of the 2nd weed-bed. The trout had been here-- would they still be?

After my third cast as I started to lift the jig out of the water a nice trout swam up to it and slammed it- spraying water in the air. It was fairly big and on only 5 foot of line was a puller. I held it in place, then it pulled a little drag and I swung it around to me. When I pulled it out of the water, it shook its head and the lure popped out.. Wow!! That was exciting.

I moved North a couple steps and then halfway in about 25 feet to me I got a great strike- fish on. I it came up and jumped a nice trout around 20" and it was motoring!!! It pulled drag and came up and splashed on the surface then back down and around me. I reached for my phone (camera) and got it out --it came up and splashed, I took one pic before it flopped off right in front of me. Nice trout!!! (When I looked, I missed the fish in the pic. haha!!!) I put my camera back. Next cast another nice trout maybe 18" slammed it right in front of me only 15 feet away. Woah!!! I held it there and decided to leave my phone in my knapsack. This fish I unhooked. Next cast deep- tap pause, tap. tap, tap, hookset-- fish on! A little trout flew across the top and I quickly unhooked it. "3 fish in 3 casts!!" I thought. They are here!!!!

Nothing for the next three casts and I started moving further North. I cast shallower and lifted the jig, tap wham- trout on. Another nice trout jumped then skied across to me. Another keeper slot-- I was able to keep it on after it jumped, then, the insta-release: I shook it off. I cast deeper, nothing then only 15 feet away slammmmm- another trout. They were right in front of me!! I pulled it up and it was skitterwalking and jitterbugging. It pulled a little drag and I got it up and skated it to me. Another slot, maybe 16" and a heavy one too. I moved North and caught a small trout before heading back South for a few more casts before I left.

Another slot trout grabbed the jig. It leaped in the air and I saw it head for me. I turned it South and it shook it's head and went down and jumped again before pulled it on it's side and unhooked it. That's eleven I thought, or was it twelve??!! Haha, did I miss one?! I had caught so many so fast (in 8 minutes)-- I couldn't remember. Just another tale of the the fish!! Only true lies!!!

I headed in-- I had work to do. I cast on the way back - nothing.

My totals: 11 trout (or was it twelve- haha) and 1 jack. A great day on the water!!!

Fishing report 5-27-15

Howdy,

Today I knew the wind was bad but went anyway- it was an almost disastrous trip- since I dropped my phone in the water!! (More later) But in the end everything was OK.

Fishing Report 5-27-15 Walton Scrub 1:30 pm, bright sunshine with a few white clouds 87 degrees; windy 20-25 mph out of East. Dead low tide- incoming. Murky water, stirred up from the wind.

The windy was howling and in my face. I got on the water at dead low tide and started casting in the wind. The wind was at least blowing from the East this time so you could cast str8 out. I didn't bother to fish shallow. I started throwing "electric chicken" paddlebait on 1/4 oz. jig. It's pink and green and both John and Jim use that color. I caught a few fish yesterday on it since John gave me one to try.

I had been catching fish in the North edge of the 2nd weedbed, which is almost str8 out from Scrub. On my second cast, trout bite-- fish on!!! A nice 17" trout grabbed my lure and took off. It jumped and while I was pulling it in I grabbed my phone from my backpack. It jumped:


      Trout on!!!! (Click to enlarge)

I got a couple photos and pulled it to me. Well hooked, but I'd have to get my pliers out to release her. I put my phone back in my knapsack which I left open, hanging on one shoulder. When I got the pliers on the jig head I shook the fish but it didn't come off!! I moved my arm down quickly and it flipped off. When I moved my arm my open knapsack fell off my shoulder and turned upside down. Some leader line, a package of plastic baits and a pack of unopened jig heads were sitting on the water- the package of baits started to blow away. Then I remembered, "My phone!!!!" I reached in but my phone was not there- it had fallen in the water. I had just started taking my phone when I put a new waterproof case on it. I quickly grabbed the line and jigs (they floated!?! not sure how but they were in an unopened package with cardboard backing) and put them in my knapsack and closed it up. Now I had to go diving for my phone!

The water was only 4 feet deep but there were 3 foot waves and no visibility. I took a gulp of air and went to the bottom- my fishing pole in one hand while my other hand groped for the phone. There it is!!! wow- first try. I pulled it up and looked at it- it still worked! I stuck it back in my knapsack which locks shut- the knapsack wasn't that wet either- lucky. I looked for my bag of plastic baits- they floated about 20 feet away and I got them and stuck them in my pocket.

Back to fishing!! I cast where I thought I caught the fish then went North. on my third cast I got a hard strike and had a fish- it went down and really pulled. "Big trout or a Jack," I thought. I wheeled it around so I could see it- Jack, not a big one about 2 lbs. I got no more bites North so I went back South again. I felt a tap and the fish didn't take it. I cast out felt a tap- trout on!! This was smaller around 14" and had it hooked well again. I got it unhooked without pliers but it wasn't easy- they were so hungry they were swallowing the paddlebaits!!

I worked my way South to my main spot past the 4 white posts. I was fairly shallow and I couldn't figure out how deep to go, but nothing was happening. I went deeper and on my second cast got a tap and the heavy weight on my jig- I set the hook. Trout on!!! This one came up and shook on the surface and I pulled him quickly across the water to me. Well hooked again- I got him off and tried again- nothing. More casts -nothing. They just weren't here or weren't biting.

I went South to the third pier then went deep, tap, nothing, tap, nothing-- I lifted the jig slowly, tap- hook set- trout on- this was the only small trout- around 12" and it was well-hooked and I got him off quickly this time. I fished a little more South then changed bait colors to opaque white- that was 3 trout on the "electric chicken". I started fishing back.

When I hit my spot on the 3rd weed-bed I got a great trout bite- set the hook and had the fish for two seconds but it just came off. It felt like a good fish. I keep going North and got a hard strike- the fish leaped wildly i n the air almost sideways, then took off again doing a somersault-- ladyfish!! This was well-hooked and I got her off by shaking the jig.

I fish all the way back to Walton Scrub before I got another bite. Tap, tap, pull- hookset, trout on!! It jumped three times before I pulled it to me. I gave the line some slack and it worked the lure loose I still had to unhook it by hand- 15" at least. That 5, I thought. Two cast later I caught another trout which was about the same size as the first around 17".

I was anxious to check my phone out, to see if it was ok. I headed off the water after fishing almost 2 hours. When I got to the car I pulled my phone out and checked it- still working, but a little water was in the case. At home I cleaned it out and put it back together- hopefully I won't need the case again!!! 

My totals: 6 trout, 1 Jack, 1 ladyfish. A great day on the water!!!

To Be or Not To Be, Fishing Report 5-26-15

Hi,

One of the best young fisherman in the South Indian River Lagoon is John Wayne of Moon light Charters; (call John Wayne at 772-209-2391 or visit him on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Moon-light-Charters/888305327866622?ref=br_rs). John whose middle name is Wayne became named after "the Duke" at an early age.

The Duke is not Shakespeare but he did say “Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.” And Shakespeare must have been a fine snook fisherman to have fishing rods and reels named after him.

John grew up here and learned to fish from local fishing legend Squeaky Kelly. John was kind enough to take me out this morning and show me some spots to wade. And although we didn't have much luck (I didn't have a bite) I learned something and sometimes that's more important than catching a fish (John did catch a nice almost slot size snook).

John specializes in Kayak fishing so if you want to try it or just want to catch fish from a kayak- give John a call.

Fishing Report 5-26-15 Walton Scrub. Low tide 9:45am. Water muddy. Very windy, 25mph, from Southeast. I thought I'd try my luck at Walton, since it was on the way home, after learning about some spots on the East side.

View from West side of the Lagoon at Walton Scrub from sandbar showing 20mph wind, with breakers


The wind was crazy and it was almost not worth fishing. There were 2 foot+ waves and breakers. The water was churned up and dingy. The only way you could fish was casting in the wind- with very little distance. I went deep and  fished past the sandbar in the wind. I started further North so I could work my spot on the 2nd weedbed. When I got there - some fish were there, just like the last few days. I missed my first bite but on the next cast caught a trout, a small slot around 15" and I got a photo but not a good photo.

A couple casts later I caught a 12" and without moving caught the nicest trout I'd hooked in a while-- easily 20". This fish leaped completely out of the water, usually they just shake their heads and come skiing in on top. I wanted a pic and immediately started taking off my knapsack while playing the fish. Meanwhile the trout went by me towards the shallow water and pulled a little drag. I got the camera out and took a shot- missed the fish completely (haha!!). I took another shot but the trout went down and away- missed it. Then when it jumped- I took another shot with my camera I missed it again- this time when the fish jumped, it came unhooked. What would Shakespeare say???!!!

I turned back around. "Where was my spot?" I thought. I had moved some 10 yards South towards the sandbar. I went back out and cast- nothing; 5 more casts- nothing. I moved South- nothing. Decided to keep going South and some nasty clouds started moving in- they were coming right at me. I could see some rain behind them.

I was tired, didn't want to fight the wind- or get soaked. I headed back in and made a couple half-hearted casts shallow. I had just fished for 45 minutes and never made it to my best spot.

Totals: 3 trout with one nice 20+.

Fishing Report 5-25-15

Hi,

I waited for my neighbor to get up- but he didn't so I went fishing for 80 minutes before my girlfriend Angelica and I went to Sandprit Park to the Paddleboard Festival to see lucky Dogs Band. It was Memorial Day so I figured Walton would be heavily fished.

                                                     Angelica at 21-C in Louisville

Fishing Report 5-25-15, 9:50am, Low tide, outgoing. Air temp around 88, water temp in low 80s, very windy from SE at 20 mph. Heavy boating and lots of people wading.

There were four people wading in my area went I got in. There were two different people fishing shallow and two people fishing together deep, with live bait. I headed South. There were three more waders fishing South but they were far pretty far away and going South. I stopped at the first pier-- no one was around. It was almost too shallow to fish. Nothing at that pier, went to the third pier- nothing.

Headed out deep. I had been catching trout there consistently but the wind was completely wrong and the tide was wrong too. The wind was very strong and there were breakers everywhere. I couldn't fish my spot from where I was, I tried deep and had to fish into the wind. I got a tap and lost a fish. I cast across the best spot but the wind bowed my line. I got a strike but couldn't feel the jig and when I pulled it in the tail was bit off my paddletail.

Finally I decided I'd need to cast into the wind and back across the spot. I cast deep as I could- fish on! The trout came up and I pulled it across the water and unhooked it- small, maybe 11". It's a start. I slowly worked my way North. I got a tap and just let the jig stay in place- nothing. I moved it slowly, felt some weight and lifted the rod tip- I hooked another small trout who came all the way in and flipped off when it jumped as I pulled it to me. "That's 2," I thought.

I worked my way to the 4 white posts. I cast out and when I pulled my lure out of the water I saw a trout following it. I tossed the lure out about 10 feet- as soon as it hit the trout took it. This one was bigger and splashed around then jumped twice as I pulled it in front of me. On the second jump, it got off. I questioned whether I should count it but if I had a net I might have got it since it was so near me- "That's 3," I thought. I fished my way North until I got to the two waders who were fishing with shrimp and weights. One of them caught a catfish while I watched and they threw it back. They showed me a nice flounder they caught and I moved around them and continued fishing North- with no luck at all.

When I got the my best spot on the second weed-bed, I noticed a tap, then another tap- I didn't set the hook. Just reeled in and threw back in the same spot. Tap, tap - hook set, trout on. A cast later I pulled in another small trout maybe 12" and unhooked it and let swim free. Both trout were fairly shallow, only 25 feet from me. Two casts later I got a strike deep, and set the hook. Fish on- bigger this time. It jumped but I couldn't see it and I reeled it in and pulled it around me- bluefish! It jumped again and pulled out some line. I grabbed my camera from my back pack and took a shot of it jumping a third time. Then I pulled in and released it. I was about 2 lbs and was the smallest bluefish I've caught in the Lagoon. The largest was about 3 1/2lbs. I've only caught 6 of them so far.

                                        Bluefish jumping (click to enlarge)

I caught one more small trout in the 2nd weedbed. I had to go soon and went over the sandbar to the shallow water. I made two more casts, didn't get bit, then headed off the water.

My totals: 6 trout (lost one trout on top of the water), 1 bluefish in 80 minutes. A great day on the water!!!

Fishing Report: 5-24-15

Hi,

Got some pics with my new waterproof phone. Not great, but it's a start. Unfortunately getting the phone which has a camera out of my back-pack in deep water while I'm playing a fish is not easy. And I lost a fish doing it :) and I forgot to take a pic of my neighbor's grouper, which I could have done- even tho a storm was coming!!!

Fishing Report: Walton Scrub 5-24-15, 12:40 pm, water rough; wind 20 mph out of East. Air temp around 89, sunny; water temp in low 80s. Water was churned up deep with waves from wind and boats. Fishing 1/8 jig with DOA plastic paddletail- see pic below.

We went past sandbar to fish deep. I let my neighbor go first he usually stays in shallower. I went North for a bit and followed behind him. He caught a 10" small trout right off and followed it with a 12" trout.

I got a hard bite and then a trout tap- neither took it. I got a hard hit (Jack or ladyfish) a few casts later and it took off the tip of my plastic paddletail. I re-baited and a few casts later, slowed the bait down. As I picked it up of the bottom I hooked a nice 16" trout. I decided this would be a good pic so when I got her in close I slipped my phone in a new waterproof case out of my backpack. I took a couple pics. Here's the first one:

                                         The first speckled sea-trout of the day!!! (Click to enlarge)

This is about average size and there are some big ones in the Lagoon. My buddy, Jim Bohrer has caught a 12.2 lb. trout. So here's the other pic- you can see the lure more clearly:

                                                         (Click to enlarge)

We fished South past the 4 white posts and I was expecting my neighbor to start catching trout in the 3rd weedbed- he didn't. I cast deep and finally got a strike, trout on- this one came up and shook his head. I pulled him over to me and released him. The 2nd trout was about the same size, a 15" fish. I caught a third smaller trout and then hooked something heavier-- I pulled it up a 2 1/2 lb catfish!!! Oh well!! My neighbor started ribbing me about catching catfish.

He hooked another trout, the biggest so far about 18" and it took a while to get it unhooked. He went shallow to fish the 3rd pier and I stayed deep and caught my 4th trout. I moved down shallower and landed my fifth trough a small one about 13".  My neighbor caught a snook near the 3rd pier and I went down and fished it with him. We fished shallow around the 2nd pier- nothing. There was a storm coming so we decided to fish the 1st pier and head back - maybe it would miss us. Dark clouds were forming in the East and moving across the water just South of us.

I got to the 1st pier and cast two good casts on the South side then crossed under the pier and cast on the North. There was a huge strike and a swirl- fish on. It was a slot snook!!! I pulled it way from the pier and headed away so it wouldn't wrap the line on a piling. It shook its head, not huge but over 5 lbs. It jumped completely out of the water. I pulled it to me and it took line out and tried to go under the pier. I turned it and brought it back. I asked my neighbor if he would take a pic- he said, "Sure." I started taking my back-pack off and as I pulled the fish around while I was opening my backpack up- it jumped and the lure popped out. Haha!! Next time I'll catch the fish --then get my camera!!!

We started back fishing deep, but the storm was overtaking us. Some of the dark clouds had disappeared but the wind was really blowing and more clouds and rain were on the way. We went across the sandbar and cast the shallow water. My neighbor hooked a small ladyfish, then a few casts later he had something fairly big. It bend his rod double and when he brought it up we couldn't believe our eyes- it was a 5 lb grouper. The storm was almost on us and I forgot I had a phone-camera. We quickly got off the water and didn't even get wet. It rained some on the way home- but there was no lightning.

Totals: 8 trout, 2 snook, 1 catfish, 1 ladyfish and 1 grouper. a great day on the water! We only fished for 80 minutes.

Let It Rain: Fishing Report 5-23-15

Hi,

There were thunderstorms moving through the area this morning. My neighbor invited my to go fishing with him in the Lagoon. I went over to his house at 10:00am- a few bad storms had moved through the area already. My girlfriend gave me her waterproof case for my phone - so at last I could take pics!!!

Fishing Report: 5-23-15; 10:30 am; Walton Scrub, Low tide, incoming. Very windy NE with rain clouds in the distance; air temperature 87, water temperature low 80s, water visibility clear, to murky.

Out of the many times I'd been fishing in the Lagoon, I'd only encountered a bad storm once and the wind blew and I could see the rain coming so I got off the water-- this was December, 2014. There was no lightning, just a torrential downpour. And, I got wet getting off, but that didn't bother me. The problem is lightning and if there's lightning near you or coming to you- get off the water.

Today we went at the perfect time, low tide, incoming. We went out deep past the sand bar and there were two giant black clouds with some clear sky in between. They were being pushed by the wind right at us. We could see there was some rain falling- but they didn't look like thunder clouds, just light rain. I good thing was behind the clouds there were no clouds, just blue skies! It looked like sunshine in 15-20 minutes. The clouds were about 10 minutes out, moving quickly.

The wind was blowing Northeast and even though it was low tide, the water was higher than usual. My neighbor caught a nice Blue Runner (type of Jack) on his third cast. We headed South to the 3rd weed-bed where the trout were biting the last few days-- we were casting as we went. I didn't get a strike before we made it to the 4 white posts. We were getting close to the trout spot and you could see the rain coming. The wind whipped up to 25mph and one black cloud missed us to the the South but behind it came the rain.

"Here it comes," I shouted back to him as I was wading out deeper. It rained but not that hard at first. I cast out to the third weed-bed, I could barely see through my sunglasses- it was dark and now pellets of rain darted off the surface in a white froth. "Fish on," I yelled. It was a nice trout and she came to the surface- I could barely she her jump as she skated over to me, I unhooked the 15" trout and flipped her back in- I looked at my neighbor - he was only 30 yards away but I could barely see him, it was raining so hard. He didn't see me catch the fish. Next cast- fish on, a smaller trout. I pulled it in and jiggled it off so I didn't have to release it (which I call an "insta-release" -- it keeps you from touching the fish and getting hooked, toothed or finned).

It was poring!!! I noticed that the wind had slowed, and that the waves were smaller. Next cast I lost a fish and reeling it in quickly to check my bait,  caught one close to me- this too was insta- released. I called to my neighbor, "That's 3 trout." He heard me but could barely see me. I saw him catch a small trout and then I hooked a nice one and jiggled him off, 19" at least. I lost a trout on the hook-set and hooked another one on the next cast. It came all the way in and jumped off. That's 5, I thought.  The rain slacked a little and it looked like it might stop soon. A very nice trout probably 23" hit and I fought it for a minute on the surface before it came to me and splashed around me. "If it wasn't raining I could take a pic," I thought. I pulled the fish to me and it flipped off-- "Woah, what a trout!!"

Behind us, 1/2 mile to the west the clouds that had blown by had somehow become bigger and a bolt of lightning and loud thunder could be seen and heard. Woah! My neighbor headed off the water and I stared back at the clouds in the sky. This was bad but the wind was blowing the whole mess away from us and it wasn't near us- not the best rationale but it was sure it wasn't coming our way. The band of rain was half way though and had slacked off some- behind it was blue skies. I yelled, "Go ahead I'm staying for a while and watching it." He yelled back, "I wait by the Mangroves and be back when it passes."

I caught a small trout but another thunderclap echoed over the water. The violent storm was far in the distance but still loud.  I moved shallower, away from the fish, in case I needed to leave. I started to get off the water but it was clear that storm was not coming our way and the dark rain cloud had almost passed. I stopped there and cast shallow for a while. "The sun will be out an a couple minutes," I shouted over to him. 5 minutes later, my neighbor came back on the water and the dark clouds and rain looked like they where almost through. But the dark sky stayed and blocked  the sun, and the wind was nearly howling as the edge of the storm moved through. A boat came and two guys fished the second weed bed South of us but moved out when the rain started again. I was raining hard just South of us, North of us was sunshine. The North East side at the Power plant was all sunshine.

 "In a few more minutes there will be sunshine," I said to my neighbor who replied, "Yeah, that what you said twice before." He told me he'd caught three trout in the rain (I had caught six), I just couldn't see him catch them- I was busy myself. The action was hot but the rain was not.We were both soaked and his knapsack wasn't waterproof.

"Let's move North-- there's sunshine there now," I called to him, "I am going North," he said. On the way I caught a ladyfish, who struck crazily 3 times on the surface before grabbing my jig and sailing through the air sideways. 'Ladyfish,' I yelled. I unhooked her and wiped the slime from my left hand.  We worked our way North and more clouds popped up but eventually the sun came out.

I caught my 7th trout as we neared the beginning of the 2nd weedbed. By now, more storm clouds appeared but they were far away- heading near us but probably going South of us. The wind, however, would not let up, 20mph with stronger gusts. "Too windy," he said, "maybe we can come back later if this passes." We got off the water. No pics today- too rainy--maybe next time. I left my phone with my new waterproof case in my backpack which is water-resistant (when I opened it later, there was only a small bit of condensation on my phone case).

Our totals: 1 Blue Runner; 10 trout (I caught seven, lost three and missed two), 1 ladyfish. We fished for around 2 hours, in terrible conditions.

Fishing Report: 5-22-15

Hi,

I wanted to go early, but took my girlfriend's prescription in for her (I found out Walgreens was not open yet- when I got there!!!), then spent some time with her at home and took her prescription in around 9:15am. I had to wait two hours so I decided I'd go fishing for 2 hours and then pick the prescription up on the way back.

Walton Scrub, 5-22-15, 9:30am, incoming tide, very windy from NE, 15-20mph, temperature almost 90, water temp in low 80s. Water clear but getting cloudier.

I went deep since the tide was low and fished out from Scrub past the sandbar- nothing. The waves were big and boats would come through and chop the water more. The boats created some 3 foot waves!! I went South toward the third weed-bed (See: Anatomy of Walton Rd.)- I couldn't go as deep because it was so rough. Didn't get a bite.

When I go to the edge of the 3rd weed-bed I stopped and cast in all directions. I got a hit and missed the fish. I got another hit and lost the tail. I re-baited and cast deep, felt a tap and lifted up- trout on!!! This was a nice slot around 16" and I released it and checked my line, it was very frayed- need to retie but not sure if I should since my leader was so short and I didn't feel like tying a leader on too.

I cast deep missed a fish and then cast a few times in all directions- nothing. I got a strike 10 feet away when I pulled the lure out, missed it. Next cast I hooked a trout and lost it on top of the water. I cast shallow and had a small trout on- pulled it to me and it flipped off before I could unhook it- number 2!!!

I went deep the wind was blowing my line side-ways and it was hard to fish deep and have any feel. My third deep cast I got a strike and set the hook- nice trout - it came up and shook. I got it over to me - about 18" but it swallowed the hook. I tried twice to get the hook out but had to get my pliers- hook loose- fish ok, it swam off quickly.

There were a few schools of baitfish that were occasional under attack and I could see fish feeding on them in the distance. I was having trouble fishing deep and the tide was coming in strong. I turned and fished into the wind- trout on- another slot. I had an insta-release and decided to move through the weed-bed fishing into the wind. I moved down 50 yards and hooked another trout- number 5, then the next cast I hooked one as I pulled the jig up ten feet away- number 6. I lost another bait and was out so i used my fork-tail and caught the biggest trout of the day, around 20".

I had to get more baits from my knapsack so I retied and used a Chartreuse jig-head this time. I only had 7 inches of leader left. I cast a few times around the third pier- nothing. The water was too shallow still, so I went back deep. I caught a trout in the third weed-bed and then a small one near me that grabbed the lure in a wave- number 9.   I needed one more to get double-digits. I was fishing my way back --to get off the water.

A huge school of fish was chasing baitfish way down on the first weed bed- I was so far away, didn't know if I should try and cast there some instead of stopping and going in. I got no bites, then a bump on a deep cast, "Maybe a ladyfish," I thought. I was almost back -I saw two waders fishing very shallow below the 1st weed-bed.

I was out about 40 feet casting deep when behind me by the sandbar I heard and then saw some bait jumping away from a fish. I cast over there and in two foot of water had a strike --fish on!! I didn't really expect it but whatever I had was bigggg!!!!! I had re-tied so I laid into it-- whirrrrr went my drag. I could do nothing- I couldn't slow it. The fish went deep; whirrr went my drag. All my 8 lb. white Fireline (75 yards of line) spooled out and I couldn't turn the fish. Then a funny thing happened. It was tied to 10 lb. green Spiderwire and that started going out- but somehow it was snarled. The fish kept going and I went after it, deeper and deeper- unwinding the Spiderwire by hand. I could unwind it but it wouldn't go out. The water was getting deep and the waves were crashing into my chest. I pulled hard- the fish stopped- but it wouldn't come in- it was a stand-off, for 10 seconds. I looked at my reel --only 20 yards of Spiderwire left and then there was mono under that. It looked like the line was getting caught under the knot that tied the two together. I tried to move the fish, nothing. The fish took off again, the Spiderwire went out some and then it caught- snapppp!!! my line broke. A few more yards and it would have spooled past that knot!! I fought the fish- and the fish won!!!

Whatever it was it didn't jump, which makes me think it was a big jack, but it could have been a snook, a big redfish or even a tarpon, as unlikely as it sounds (I've never seen a Tarpon but occasionally they come through). Losing the fish and my line was enough for me- I headed off the water.

My totals: 9 trout and one big fish lost. A great day on the water!

Fishing Report; 5-21-15

Hi,

Wanted to go early before it got too hot, woke up late around 7:30 had coffee and pie with my girlfriend and left to go fishing around 8:15. When I got to Walton/Indian River, I noticed someone was already out there. I went to Walton Scrub and brought my stringer- thought I might keep a few trout for dinner.

Fishing Report, 5-21-15; 8:40am, Walton Scrub; started out no wind, then a NE breeze then wind over 15mp- it was really blowing with 2 foot waves when I got off. Low tide getting ready to come in. Water clear to hazy.

I got on the water and it was dead low tide. The North Shallows (see last post for description) were dead - not enough water to fish. I went past the sandbar and fished deep with a plastic paddletail on 1/8 jighead (see photo below). The water was like glass- no current, no wind. UGGHH!!

I cast for a bit then went deep as possible- nothing --no bites, taps, strikes. I headed South fishing slowly and had no luck at all. About 35 minutes after starting I had a strike- and a good one- this fish (probably a Jack) smacked the lure but missed. Looks like one of those days!!!

The wind was starting to pick up there were a few ripples and it was blowing from the North. Then I cast deep and wham-- fish on-- this was no dink- my rod bent double and after pulling it in some-- it pulled drag!! "Not another 15 lb Jack," I thought. But it certainly wasn't that big and eventually it came in. "What was it?" I thought, staring into the water. The fish circled around and then I pulled her up- a 5 lb Jack. Woah!! What a fighter!!

I released the Jack and I crossed past the 4 white poles over on the sandbar. I was now getting close to the 3rd weedbed. The trout had been here the last 3 times- would they be here today? I hadn't even had a trout bite in 45 minutes. The tide was coming in now and the wind was picking up- "Perfect," I thought, "nothing worse than no wind."

I was out pretty far, maybe 80 yards from the 1st pier. I could almost reach the middle of 3rd weed bed and could fish the edge of it. I cast deep, got a tap but not enough to set the hook. The wind was at my back and I cast way out over the weed bed- tap- hook set- trout on! This was a nice trout, no dink and I thought about keeping it but decided not to. I didn't want to have just one fish to cook so I decided I'd wait and see if the fish were there.

Next cast- tap, hook set- miss, another tap, fish on. The trout came up and shook-- another nice one but smaller, about 15"- I let it go. Next cast, tap, and miss. Pulled in- got the tail of my bait. Re-baited, cast a little deeper, tap- pull, trout on. It shook it's head as I pulled it skating across the surface. "Smaller about 12" but they are here!!!"

I cast 60 yards with the wind, twitched rod tip fell pressure, trout on. This one was about 17" and I decided I'd keep a few and we'd have fresh trout tonight. I pulled the metal stringer out of my pocket and attached one end to my belt loop. With some difficulty I strung up the first fish but it managed to splash around and my reel slipped a little and went under the water. I pulled my reel up, unhooked the fish and dropped the stringer down- one trout on the stringer and a few more to go!! We could eat about 5 or 6 fish (since 4 of us live here).

They were still active and it seemed like almost every cast was a strike, a fish or a lost fish. I quickly put two more trout on the stringer, one I caught 10 feet away. It just went airborne a few times and splashed me good. Then I got a big one around 20 inches, it was heavy and after thinking a second -decided to let her go- I'd rather keep the medium small ones around 15". I caught two that were under 12" that I released, I think the legal limit is 15" to 20" with one over 20".

                                           Some Speckled Trout I Kept (Click to enlarge)

The action was getting slower but every 5-8 casts I'd still get a fish or a bite. I didn't move from that spot in over an hour!!! I caught 14 trout today and the 2 biggest were released as well as the two smallest. I caught three before I started to keep them. I didn't count them but I had caught 200 trout this year before I kept these- and I guess I could have kept 60 -70 by now. I just kept enough to eat for one meal.

When I left to go in they were still biting. I went back quickly- the wind was blowing at least 15mph, now from the SE and the waves were breaking. I got one more bite, it missed, and I got off the water.

My totals: 14 trout (lost about 3 that I had on) and 1 big 5lb jack. A great day on the water!!!

5-21-25, 6:20pm Report 2- Walton, very wind 20mph from SE. Water muddy, almost low tide.

My neighbor got me to go with him and we left around 6:00pm and were on the water around 6:30pm. The wind was blowing hard. We put in at Walton Scrub. There was a guy fishing there so we went around him to the South. We fished on the other side of the sandbar- the tide was very low and still going out.

I got a couple strikes and missed the fish, one was a trout that struck when I pulled the paddletail out. My neighbor followed me and caught a small snook, shallow. I was out about 10 yards deeper. We went past the 4 white poles to the edge of the 3rd weedbed. I was 0-5, missed all five strikes so far. I got a trout bite and missed it (0-6) then hooked a decent Jack, he splashed me good and I released him. A big school of jack were chasing bait near me- I cast in and hooked one (I guess a Jack) but it came off. I caught another nice Jack and released it.

My neighbor caught a trout. I had been catching trout there all week. This was the first trout he'd caught in the last month- it was a nice one too (troutless no more). I caught a good trout and lost a trout on the surface. I cast into some feeding jacks (probably 50 fish in a feeding frenzy!!) and caught another Jack.

It was getting dark- still very windy, we cast on the way back. I caught a big ladyfish, that leaped 4 or 5 times. I lost a fish deep that I had on--not sure what it was. We go off the water with the setting sun.

Totals: 1 snook, 3 jack, 2 trout and 1 ladyfish, in 80 minutes

Anatomy of Walton Rd.

Hi,

I've only be fishing for about five months but I have a pretty good idea of how Walton Rd. works. Walton Rd. is on the West side of the Indian River Lagoon between Stuart (Jensen Beach) and Fort Pierce. The defined area is mine, technically Walton Rd is just the intersection of Walton Rd and S. Indian River Drive. There are 7 piers from Walton Scrub down the the last pier past the Walton Rd./ Indian River Dr. intersection (not counting the 4 fallen ones that just have pilings). The distance of the Walton fishing area is over 1 1/2miles. There are two piers North but they are almost a half mile north so it would be hard to include those.

Walton Road is heavily fished. Some people start at Walton Rd. and fish up to the 1st pier near Walton Scrub. I've heard fish stories of the big snook and trout at Walton. I've see a photo of a 6 lb. trout; talked to a guy who landed a big 15 lb snook. I've be told by a pro redfisherman that it was one of the best spots in the area to catch redfish. I have my own accounts, which you can read about here- of a 25+ lb snook and a 15+ jack- pulled from these waters. In my accounts I refer to these locations- these piers and weed-beds, and perhaps if this helps someone else- so be it.

Walton North: There is parking at Walton Scrub about 1 mile North from the Walton/Indian River intersection.

 

Directly East from Walton Scrub is a shallow weedy area then a sand bar (the 1st sandbar), then the edge of the 2nd weed bed.

If you go North there's a shallow flat, then the sand bar disappears for about 70 yards then forms again and goes up near the two piers which are 1/2 mile away. Just past Walton Scrub, there is parking on the right side on along Indian River Dr.- if you want get to the water here, the bank isn't as steep. It's possible to wade North and fish those two piers 1/2 mile away- I haven't done it-- yet! The shallow flat extends between the sandbars and out into the Lagoon proper.

 If you go North from Walton Scrub out deep, it's shallower than the Walton Scrub area and although I've caught fish there,  the slightly deeper Scrub area is better. The map below (not in correct proportion- click to enlarge) starts at Walton Scrub which is in the top left corner and is a parking area.

Walton Scrub

Walton Road Overview (click to enlarge)

If you look at the map, directly out from Walton Scrub is the 1st sandbar and 2nd weed-bed which runs into the Lagoon. If you go down 1 mile you'll see Walton Rd. from the bottom left intersecting with S. Indian River Dr. There's a steep bank, an incline from the water up to the road. In many places it's too steep to climb. There are some houses and you can't park in some spots. Be careful if you're climbing up or down- it's easy to fall and hurt yourself!!!

North Shallow: The shallow area from Walton Scrub is not that shallow unless it's low tide. At high tide it's 4-5 feet deep. It extends South to the 1st pier and it become very shallow and holds fewer fish. It extends North where it goes into the shallow flat and from there into the Lagoon proper. There are times when the fish are there, and surprisingly, not caught elsewhere. Usually there are small snook, Jack, flounder, sheepshead, small black drum, Jack, catfish and trout. If you fish with lures you can catch Jack, trout, snook, an occasional flounder, and sometimes ladyfish, when they move in there.

North (deep) in the Lagoon proper: On the other side of the sandbar at Walton Scrub is the main Lagoon. This deeper area is what I call the 2nd weedbed. It is sparsely weedy in the winter and more weedy in the summer- there are clumps of weeds and they hold fish. It's slightly deeper (1 foot) than the 1st weed bed. There are less weeds as you go South. There are 4 white posts (which I call "the cut") that mark the end of the 2nd weedbed. At the white posts it is deeper and they mark the division between the 2nd and 3rd weed-beds. Big fish cruise up and down this area and trout move in with the tide. There are few snook and redfish but they may be big- like the 25 pounder I caught- you never know. Schools of Jack go up and down the area and it's not unusual to catch Jack and trout here. There are also Ladyfish at times, but usually they aren't around.

Central Walton: I'm starting at the first pier and going South to the 6th pier, which is located just North on the Walton/Indian River intersection. Besides the piers, there's two open areas with mangroves which can be fished on high tide.

Central Shallow: The 1st, 2nd, 4th and 6th piers are good if there's enough water present. There are holes, muck, underwater objects and deep spots so watch your step. Some waders just cast along the shoreline and under piers for snook, sometimes redfish, Jack and an occasional trout. Small snook are usually around and they like to hang out around the piers and under them. On the other side of the first thee piers is a shallow flat. The 2nd sandbar is on other side of the 4th and 5th piers. You can fish on the Lagoon side of the piers (West of the sandbar) and the water is 4 feet deep on high tide and the fish move back and forth through that area. It's not as good as the piers and shallow weeds and structure but it can be good. It's a staging area before the fish can move shallow.

Central Deep: It gets shallower when you reach the sandbar or shallow flats, then it gradually gets deeper as you go out into the Lagoon itself. The third weedbed is the thickest and holds fish- it is located out from the first three piers. It's shallow for a long ways in front of the third pier and you can wade out over 100 yards at low tide. Sometimes the trout are there when you can't catch them anywhere else (this is true for other fish but mainly trout). I've caught and seen redfish caught, as well as trout, snook, Jack and ladyfish-- all from this area. After the third pier there is a sandbar that runs almost to the 6th pier (it stops before the fallen pier). Then there are some weeds but it's a mostly a shallow flat.


         1st Pier (White posts) Click to enlarge-- photo taken from South part of 3rd weed bed. The first pier is deeper in the middle part, which is where it holds fish.


   3rd pier (slightly longer) Click to enlarge -- photo taken north of it in the 3rd weed-bed. See the shorter 2nd pier on the right. The 2nd pier usually holds no fish. There needs to be at least 3 1/2 feet of water (near high tide) on the piers to hold fish.

South Walton: This area begins at the intersection of Walton Road/Indian River Dr. where there is a fallen pier (with just white pilings left) and a clump of tall pine trees on the shoreline. This stretches all the way down to the last pier and is mostly open water with a sandbar.

South Walton Shallow- If you get in at Walton Rd., you are there. Some good fish come in after the January cold and feed in the shallows, which are over 4 feet deep at high tide. You can walk along the sand bar and cast near the shoreline and work all the way to the last pier. On good days I've caught half a dozen snook and some slot sized ones too. I also caught an 8 lb Jack there earlier this year. The pier is one of the best and it's isolated - a regular fish magnet.

South Walton Deep: At the end of the white (fallen) pier pilings is a swallow flat. I've seen boats come and stop just to fish there. It's three feet deep at low tide so it's not too shallow, and gradually goes deeper. There are some weeds so I call it the 5th weed-bed. If you go South from there you're on the other side of the sandbar. There are thin weeds and it's featureless and gets deeper as you go South.

Conclusion: This is the basic Walton area just under 2 miles long. Just think- it's only a small stretch of shoreline between Fort Pierce and Jensen Beach. I'll know more about it as time goes by and will update this when I can.

Fishing Report 5-20-15

Hi,

I decided to go early this morning before it got hot. I went to the Snook Nook but they were out of the baits I use, then I drove to Walton around 7:15.

Fishing Report 5-20-15 Walton Rd. Wind Southwest at 5mph. Low tide incoming. Water clear. Throwing 1/8 red jig-head with different DOA plastic swimbaits.

The tide was very low and although it was incoming there wasn't much movement. There was almost no wind and the water was clear. I went deep past the sandbar, got a tap on the first cast. Got a swirl as I pulled out of the water on the second. Third cast I lifted the tip and felt some pressure-- I set the hook and a trout came up and shook its head then jumped twice. It was small, about 12", but well hooked. I cast back out and got a tap, then nothing. A few casts later another trout struck and I pulled in another small trout, maybe 2 inches bigger. Suddenly all the action stopped, not sure why-- maybe I had scared them since it was so calm. I stayed 5 more minutes then moved South.

I switched baits after not getting any action to a paddletail- still nothing. I was working my way South toward the first pier. It was still very shallow on the deep flat and nothing was biting. I passed the 4 white posts and eased into the area where they were biting last night. I got a tap, then another. I held the lure in place and he took it. Fish on, another trout leaped to the surface and jumped --splashing me, very well hooked but small, about 12". I cast out and got another strike, missed and then another strike as I pulled my bait up. The tail was gone so I re-baited and the lure dropped into the water while I put my baits in pocket- I got a strike!!! I missed the fish but it took the tail off!!!

I went out as far as I could and cast to the weeds towards the shore. I got another strike and lost a fish when it came up. A few casts later I caught another small trout, released it then went deeper. I got a tap and caught another trout. After about 5 more casts I caught a trout that struck 10 feet away and I landed that one and released it. I had caught about 6 trout, 4 were scattered in  the 3rd weedbed.

I decided to go shallow and check out the pier. The water was very clear and I could see it was too shallow to have much luck. On my third cast to the pier I caught a small snook, who jumped a few times before I pulled him in and unhooked him.

I walked shallow and watched-- you could see anything that moved and I looked for fish but aside from the schools of glass minnows, there wasn't much activity. Since there are glass minnows here now I know there will be more action when the tide is up and more action when the minnows go out past the sandbar. This should spike the fishing for a while. The minnows are very small but I'm sure trout, reds, snook and Jack will be chowing down as much as possible. They are like appetizers and it would take many gulps before they would add up to being a meal.

It was getting hot and the tide was finally coming in. I went back deep and caught a trout then started fishing my way North to go in. I saw two guys wading near where I put in and I caught a trout near them but I don't think they were paying attention to me. They had usually their backs turned and were fishing North in the shallow water. I saw one of them catch a small trout too.

I cast deep and got a good strike then set the hook, the trout came up and it was twice the size of the others- a good 20" - but I lost it on top when it shook its head. That was enough for me- I didn't want to fish near the two waders so I headed in before I got sunburned.

Total: 9 small trout and one small snook- a great day on the water. I had fished for 2 hours and 40 minutes.

Fishing Report: 5-19-15

Hi,

Today is my fishing day. I spent the morning with my girlfriend then decided I'd head to Walton around high tide.

Fishing Report Walton Road, 5-19-15 at 12:15 pm, high tide, ready to start coming in soon. Wind 12 mph out of the East. Water clear. Fished 1/8 oz jig on plastic DOA swimbaits on 8 lb braided fireline.

The tide was up, I had planned to fish shallow and head South to the piers. When I got there I went across the sandbar to fish deep for a while. I was fishing the edge of the 2nd weed-bed. My first cast I got a strike as I pulled my swimbait out of the water, it missed. Second cast I got a tap but nothing took it. My third cast I got a tap and felt some weight, I set the hook- fish on. A nice trout came straight up and shook its head then skated half-way to me before heading down. I pulled it by me and it splashed on the surface several times before I unhooked it.

I took a couple casts North then started South. I made a few casts when - bam!! There was a violent strike and a splash then I set the hook-- Woah fish. I held my rod tip up and my rod was bent double and my drag just whirred. The fish took 10 yards of line, then 20 more, then 30 more, all my Fireline spooled out and it was starting on my Spiderwire. I pulled back and turned the fish --what a fish!!! She headed back North then went straight out pulling drag again. She was still 80 yards away and I turned her and she went South, stopping before the shallower water. This was a strong fish, I had just caught a 25 lb snook and this fish was stronger. I couldn't move her and finally she started South and I got her to go shallow. She went across the sandbar and ended up moving in a circle back out across the sandbar to the deep water. 15 minutes had passed and I had no way to move the fish closer.

She was still strong and started going out - I turned her South and she went across the sandbar, I kept the rod tip high to avoid letting her drag weeds, like the big snook I had a few days ago did. She went shallow and went in a circle again heading back to the deeper water. This time when I turned her she came right at me and I reeled back to my Fireline and kept her 50 yards away. I was by myself, no camera, no help. If this was a snook it was bigger than 25 lbs- I just didn't know- could be a Jack or a big redfish. I was hoping a boat would come by. I didn't know what to do so I took the metal stringer in pocket out and attached it to the belt loop on my shorts. At least I could lip hook it, decide if it was OK, hook the end on a mangrove branch and then go get my phone from my car. The fish would probably live and I could get a pic.

I tried to bring the fish to me, at least close enough to see it. No go- she took out line and swam across the sand bar to the shallow side. I couldn't move her and after pulling she headed back to the deep water- circle number 3!!! I was getting tired but the fish wasn't; it had been 30 minutes plus!!!

I looked again no boats, not people around, I thought about taking her in shallow but couldn't move her in - she circled around again back to the shallow water- I still couldn't see her, then back to the deep-- circle 4!!! Then I tried to pull her in for another look, no go- circle 5!!! It was now about 50 minutes. The fish was too strong to pull near me I was getting worried.

She was deep and pulling more drag then this time she came toward me- I frantically reeled to keep tension on my line. She turned and I pulled her up a bit- she was a giant Jack!!! I was disappointed but I had never caught a Jack this big- ever. She went to the shallow side of the sand bar and I went after her. I tried to get her shallow and beach her but she started for the mangroves and I turned her and she circled around. It was now about an hour- the battle was not over- I didn't want her to break me off now.  I tried to beach her again but she swam towards the other mangrove and back out. Then I pulled her shallow and when she got in very shallow she was through- not enough water to navigate. I took my metal stringer and secured her then I unhooked her and took her out in deeper water so she could breathe. She was still pulling- and hard.

I decided I didn't want to have Jack for dinner and although I wanted a photo, I didn't want to hurt her so I let her go. I'd say she was 15+ lbs and almost twice as bid as any Jack I'd caught. She swam away- no problem - she was OK. That was good. She out fought the big snook I caught except for the first run.

I was worn out my arm ached and I was frazzled after an hour battle. I cast shallow and went to the first pier. The tide had gone out and there wasn't much water under it. I cast around the pier anyway- nothing. I skipped the second pier and went to the third pier- nothing. I was still a bit frazzled but decided I'd go deep and fish my way back. 

The third weedbed is fairly shallow and I immediately got some taps on the first two casts- I lost the tail of my swimbait and re-baited. Then the next tap I set the hook- trout on. A small trout skated across the top of the water and I unhooked it and rebaited, the tail was torn-off. A couple casts later I moved deeper and bam- trout on- this was a good trout about 18 inches and I unhooked her and cast the area.

I moved North above the first pier and caught another trout. Then on the next cast caught another and had to re-bait. Then I hooked a big trout and after a battle that drenched me I unhooked it and started a bit more North. I stayed in the area, lost a trout on top and caught one more trout before heading North to the 4 white posts.

I had something bigger hit and no splash this time, after I set the hook -it jumped, a 20 inch trout!!! I started to think "fried trout" but decided I was too tired and after releasing it, fished on. On the other side of the 4 posts I caught another big trout, just 20 inches but big by my standards (maybe 3 pounds). Two casts later another big one was reeled in and I was starting to sunburn so I headed back.

I caught three more trout before getting off the water. By my count I caught 14 trout (lost two that were hooked) and caught my biggest Jack, a whopping 15+ lbs.
---------------------

I saw my neighbor pull in and told him he should go out since he hadn't caught a trout in a month. He said I should go too and I agreed to go  but I didn't want to fish long. About 5:30 he texted and we headed back to Walton.

Fishing Report 2; 5-19-15 6:00pm Walton Road almost dead low tide, outgoing still. Strong South east wind at 20 mph- water cloudy.

The tide was low and we headed deep on the other side of the sandbar. Unfortunately the wind had shifted and was blowing very hard. I went North and my neighbor went South. After no luck I headed South after him. The fish were biting at the 3rd weedbed and he was headed there. I caught a 17" trout on the way. He hooked a ladyfish and fished his way South- I was catching up to him some now. I hooked a lady fish around the 4 white poles and he was fishing the 3rd weedbed. I got a bite and lost the tail of my swimbait- when I went to re-bait my bag of paddletails had floated out of my pocket in the strong wind and waves. I looked in my back-pack, I only had forked tails and I grabbed 6 of them and rebaited with one.

I hooked a small trout and released it and my neighbor hooked and released a nice Jack. Some Jack were feeding and he cast into them and hooked a 4 lber that he fought for a couple minutes. Meanwhile I was going deeper and hit some trout, reeling in three in the next five minutes. I lost a nice ladyfish and then had a few trout misses. It was about as deep as we could go and the waves were pounding us. A large school of Jack chased some bait on the surface- I cast through them- fish on. I pulled in and released a nice Jack. He was getting soaked so he went shallower. He had a strike- fish on, it pulled drag and he pulled hard- snap, it broke his line. I caught another small trout and saw a school feeding- nothing this time. We headed back North, the sun was about to set. I missed a trout but that was my last bite- we got off the water in a hurry.

Totals; I had 5 trout, 1 ladyfish (lost a ladyfish that jumped two foot) and 1 Jack. My neighbor caught 3 Jack and one ladyfish.

19 trout is the most trout I had caught in one day- a great day on the water!!!

Fishing Report 5-18-15

Hi,

Got through teaching around 5:00 and decided if the weather looked good enough (storms were passing through) I'd go fishing. Headed to Walton was on the water around 5:40, tide very low and going out.

Fishing Report 5-18-15 Walton Road wind about 15 mph out of East, water muddy, outgoing tide almost low. Fishing 1/8 oz. jig head on a variety of DOA swimbaits on 8 lb. braid Fireline.

It was windy but not too windy and the storms had passed by-- the last one I could see moving off to the West. I crossed to the deep side of the sandbar and cast a few times on the way- nothing. I was hoping I would be there when the tide started moving in which was around 6:45, hopefully it wouldn't be slow till then.

Fished the second weed bed out from Walton Scrub and went North to the first one- nothing. I fished the second weed bed hard and moved South- nothing. Halfway to the first pier I had a strike, hard hit, didn't get hooked. Headed deeper, was wading way out now- nothing. Crossed the 4 white poles on the way to the 3rd weed-bed- nothing. I had been out for about an hour with maybe one strike and one bump.

Got to the 3rd weed bed, nothing. Went south past the 3rd pier nothing. Decided to fish my way back, no sense in fishing the piers - there was no water under them- low tide.

When got to the third pier, I got a couple taps, set hook nothing. Got more taps, lost the tail of my paddlebait, I put on a new bait, got more taps, no takers. Moved North a few yards, felt the taps set hook, a small trout came up and shook it's open mouth at me. I reeled him quickly in about 12"- insta-released.

I fished the 3rd weed-bed, missed a fish and lost another tail, re-baited. Headed North back toward where I got in. Changed to a red jighead with smaller hook. Changed colors of the paddletail. Missed a fish then got snagged. It's hard to get snagged but I did and decided to go out to the jig. The tide was so low I had not problem getting there, but it was hard getting the jig back. I was caught on a metal object at the bottom. I reeled down and shook it- still snagged- did it again, then I was lose.

I noticed some old line wrapped around mine- looks like a bunch of people got snagged there! I stayed deep and cast- boom - fish on. this  was no little trout and I my drag went out twice before I could see it- 3 lb bluefish woah, hadn't caught one in a while. he was still feisty and jumped several times while I tried to unhook him. That was fun I thought.

I looked back the sun was getting ready to set in 10 minutes. I headed North, had a bite- missed the fish and lost another tail. After I re-baited I cast far out and then felt a tap and my line was heavy- I raised the rod-tip, fish on. Trout and finally a nice one. The trout shook then came towards me and circled back to the sandbar. It was about 16" and a beauty. I unhooked her and headed back - time was running out.

Last cast, I thought, nothing. Another last cast, bam!!! What a strike! the fish was motoring to my right and pulling drag. What was it I thought? Fist it went South then back then to the sandbar then around again. By now I thought i knew- so I pulled it up- a 3lb. Jack. It pulled drag twice more before I unhooked.

The sun was sinking below the tree-line, I pulled off my sunglasses and cast on the way back. I got a strike in the shallow water past the sandbar. I lifted up, another strike- fish on. I go a splash then another then the snook was airborne.  I wasn't big but a nice snook, around 3 lbs. too small for slot but what a fighter. I unhooked  and got off the water - it was getting dark.

Not bad, not good. Two trout, one bluefish, one Jack and one snook. A great day to be on the water!

Fishing report; 5-17-15

Hi,

My neighbor invited me to go fishing today. So we left early (for us) around 9:00am. We headed down to Walton. I got my girlfriend to pose with my new reel when I came home- here she is:

                                              Angelica with my new Okuma, Helios 40 reel
                                                              (Click to enlarge)

Fishing Report: 5-17-15, 9:30 AM Walton Road. Tide high and incoming; wind 15-20 mph out of Southeast.

The wind was really blowing, even this early in the morning. We cast our way out to the sandbar and fished the deep side. Surprisingly, no one was out on the water today- yet. The waves were almost 2 foot and relentless. We cast into the wind with jigs rigged with paddletail DOA swimbaits.

I cast a couple times before my neighbor got there and about the third cast I hit some weeds, when I pulled through I had a fish on. At first I though I had weeds on my line but as it came closer, the fish took off for the shallow water and came unhooked. "I would have liked to seen that one," I said. The fish tore the tail of my plastic paddletail so I quickly re-baited.

I fished North for 50 yards and then back. My neighbor was heading South. I got a hit and it missed then a second later I got another hit- fish on!!! Whatever it was it was a good fish and it pulled drag half-way in then pulled drag twice before I could see it- a 3 lb Jack. The Jack circled around and pulled drag one more time before I lifted him out of the water by the leader- what a chunk!

My neighbor was far South and almost to the third weedbed. I started after him then a few cast later I got a hard strike as I pulled the jig near the surface. A nice Jack grabbed it and splashed on the surface before heading down to the bottom. This one was about half as big but still put up a fight. I unhooked him and headed for the third weedbed.

By now my neighbor was going shallow to fish the first pier. I fished the third weedbed - nothing. "Where were the trout?" I thought, "this was bad, maybe it was that the tide was almost high and the waves were pounding." I had been catching them best at low tide.

My neighbor caught a nice snook off the South side of the pier then went shallow away from the pier. I went down to pier and skipped my jig under the pier several times on the deep end- nothing. it was almost 4 foot deep by the pier and I got closer and made a couple casts shallow. Boom!!! Snook on!

This snook decided to go away form the pier and I was going away from it too as fast as possible. She jumped twice, not big, about 3 1/2 pounds, but feisty. I pulled her further away from the pier and gently swung her up, she splashed and went back around one more time before I could lip her and unhook my jighead. I yelled to my neighbor but he was headed for the 2nd pier which was short and never good. I went back to the pier and since it's long fished the bottom. I had a gentle hit then stopped the jig and jiggled it- wham another snook! This fish was bigger over 5 lbs and it too jumped completely out of the water. I headed out from the pier so did the fish- at first. Then it went back toward the pier. I put some pressure to keep the fish away but she would have nothing to do wit hit- my line popped- at least the leader broke. Snook are very strong at first and I should have retied after catching the Jack.

I was out of jig-heads so I borrowed one from my neighbor. He had caught another snook and lost one off the 3rd pier. Both were about 3-4 lbs and nice fish. When i went under the 3rd pier I cast shallow along the pilings, fish on! I headed out from the pier but no need to worry this was a small snook and I had no trouble with him.

We made it to the next pier and both off us got hung up on it, so we didn't really get a chance to fish it. No fish on the next pier either but after we went under it my neighbor hook a nice snook, which was a little bigger (small slot) and he landed it and unhooked it. We went all the way to the long pier and except for one strike had no action. My neighbor caught a nice snook near the base of the long pier and we headed back. I went out to the sandbar and casted shallow and he fished the shoreline again.

There was a girl in a bikini sunbathing on the 5th pier and I was casting around it. She sat up and looked at me. I told he not to worry, if I caught her I'd throw her back!! She said, "You'll never catch me wading in there!!" She was afraid of sharks or whatever looms beneath the surface. We talked for a minute, she was from Iowa and was going back home soon. I was born in Iowa and have a place on the Mississippi-- it's a small world. I wasn't trying to catch any "ladyfish" so I said "bye" and move on to fish the end of the next pier. After getting back to the 3rd pier I headed out deep to catch trout. My neighbor had stopped to get some gravel/sand out of his shoe.

After five minutes I got a trout bite and set the hook. Trout on!!! as usually she came up to the surface and shook her head and I got her back down by keeping my rod tip down and reeling hard. This was a longer than average fish around 18" but it wasn't heavy. She wasn't hooked well and I got her off in a sec and she went swimming away.

We fished a few more minutes and I felt a trout, I set the hook and again the fish came up - this time tho she came off and I was with out a trout! My neighbor was trying to catch one, he was troutless and had been so the last 4 or 5 trips while I had caught some every time. We tried to get him a trout but it was not use. They weren't biting. We got off the water after 12:30- we had fished 3 hours, the tide was going out now but still high and the waves were still pounding.

My neighbor was "Mr. Snook" and he caught 5 or 6 and maybe lost one. I caught three snook and had the biggest one break my line--I also caught 2 Jack and 1 trout while losing 1 trout. A great day on the water!!!

Richard