I contacted Jim Bohrer and he was kind enough to help me get a new reel. So I met him around noon at Treasure Coast Rod & Reel at 1508 NE Jensen Beach Blvd, Jensen Beach, FL. Great place and by being a member (or a soon to be one) of the Stuart Rod and Reel Club I got a discount and can send in for a free rod. Call Bruce at (772) 232-2537 if you need anything.
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The reel I got is an Okuma- Helios 4000 and it's a great reel, Jim has used his for 10 months without a problem. Because I am primarily wading, it's going to be taking on some salt water- at times-- like today!!!
So after I got the reel Jim helped me load it up with 8 pound Fireline (crystal, high vis) and he showed me the knots again (double uni; Bimini twist; and loop knot). We used my 7 1/2 foot rod --he even tied my 20 leader and my jig. Woah! So naturally I had to try it out.
Fishing Report; Walton Road, 5-13-15; time 1:05, steady wind at 11-15 mph out of the East. water temp low 80s; Air temp around 90. Tide dead low. Using 1/8 jig with CAL paddletail, opaque. Water was clear shallow and the wind and waves stirred it up- on the deep side of the sandbar.
The tide was low- very low- there was no fishing shallow. I went out to the deep side of the sandbar and made my first cast with my new reel. It was easily 10-15 yards further- and since I was casting directly into the wind, that helped. I tried not to go out too far and I was wet wading in about 3 1/2 foot of water the whole time. I definitely had more feel with the new set-up.
The third cast I got a strike and lifted a nice trout to the surface where it shook it's head as I pulled it across the top of the water. This was about 15", slightly bigger than average size- good start, I thought. The tide was starting to come in, so I was there at the right time. I went north a few steps and caught a small trout- 2 for 2.
Then I got a bite- something took of the tail. Then after fumbling through my knapsack for a bait- I got another bite and lost a nice trout that I had on until it jumped. I kept going North until I reached the 1st weed bed- It's shallower and the sandbar disappears for a hundred yards, nothing! I headed back South to where caught the two fish and immediately got a bite then caught another small trout. I was really trying to slow the bait down when suddenly had a strike - big fish on!!! I didn't know what it was because it didn't come up at first- I was thinking redfish or big jack- then it jumped it was a trout- Woah!!
I got her around the side and she pulled drag twice before I got her close enough to get her unhooked. She splashed me good- my sunglasses were soaked and the reel was drenched. I had to lift her up to get her unhooked - what a beauty. I'd say easy 4 pounds and she was the 3rd biggest I'd caught. Two casts later I had a small trout and then a very nice one about 3 pounds- what a day!!!
The tide was definitely moving faster and I tried casting parallel to the shore in 3 foot of water. On the second cast I got a strike, a second strike, set the hook slightly, missed it, then I got another strike, missed, and finally hooked the trout which came up and threw the hook when it shook its head. Another cast later I caught a trout and decided I'd go to the 3rd weed bed by the piers. I was going slow and catching too many fish.
I caught a very small trout about 9" as I headed South. Then a couple casts later I got a strong strike and set the hook - this fish was really moving- and fast. I couldn't believe it when I pulled it in- it was a nice 16" Mackerel. Maybe that was what was tearing up my baits!!! I had already gone through 5 baits in the first 30 minutes. The fish stopped biting for a few minutes as I headed South for the thick weeds. Then I found a spot within a spot. It was close to the cut before the weed-bed. I caught to nice trout and lost another one.
When I reached the cut (It's slightly deeper and less weedy, but there are still some weeds) there was nothing- no action. 25 casts with nothing and I finally made it to the thick weeds. This has been my best spot for trout, redfish and large Jack and the last few days it was good; but today nothing. Since it's shallower I decided to wade out a bit father- nothing. The weeds were really thick and I was having trouble keeping my retrieve slow. I made about 20 casts then went further South and got a strike. I pulled in my third biggest trout but it swallowed the bait and I had to use my scissors (my pliers were rusted shut- I couldn't open them!!) to push the lure down and then out. It worked - a happy fish and fisherman!
I headed North back to my fav spot at the edge of the second weed bed. If I had stayed who knows how many fish I'd have caught!! Then I caught another trout in the thick weeds- as far out as I could cast. A few more casts and I was ready to move- 2 bites in the thick weeds and 2 fish. I made it back to the deep cut by the poles - nothing. Then I caught a very small trout as I moved along- 8" or so, that's ssmmaall.
I came back to the spot within a spot where I caught a few fish on the first pass. 1st cast, lure hits, I lift it once- fish on. Another trout come to the top and shakes but can't get loose- it was about 14". Next cast, lure hits, I lift it up once- trout on-- about the identical size- this one was an insta-release fish, didn't have to unhook him. Next cast, lure hits i get a bite, pull up a trout but it shakes me off. My bait is shot, no tail now, so I get one out of my backpack. Next cast, lure hits I get another strike- miss it completely jig it then half way back pull it sideways- fish on. I though it was big but I snagged the trout past the gill plate- it was big too, but not that big. 4 cast 4 fish (but one got off). Wow, that's a record for me.
The sun was getting to me and I guess I'd been on the water about 1 hour 45 min so far. After a few more casts in that spot - and no bites- I decided to fish my way back. I was moving and casting in the wind, which had picked up some. The tide was much higher now. I cast as far out as I could and before I could twitch the tip I had a fish on- this one jumped and i saw it was a big trout. I kept the rod tip down and reeled her close then she jumped again- soaking me and jumped again, pulling drag. I was turned around and finally pulled her up and unhooked her- a nice 4 pounder- were was my camera!!! My girlfriend has an underwater camera and she got me a waterproof case for my phone- I'm not sue I want to lose $600 taking photos of fish- but I will eventually figure it out.
I finally made it back to my fav spot, I caught a good trout and then decided I'd cast one more time. A fish took the tail off- so I decided I'd cast one more time- another fish took the tail off, so I rebaited again. And of course made one more last cast before heading to the sand bar, through the shallow water and out.
What a day, 15 trout (3 big ones) and 1 mackerel in about 2 hours and 20 minutes. A great day to be on the water and my best trout day!! Was it my new reel? I'm not sure- but I'll take it!!
Richard
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