Hi,
Twas early in the month of May, when all the flowers were budding,
Sweet William on his death-bed lay, for the love of Barb'ry Allen.
Yes- it's the month of May, maybe not so early,
And all the snook are back, it seems they're shallow surely.
So what goes 'round, comes 'round and it looks like the snook are back from the inlet (spawning?) after disappearing since the middle of March. My neighbor and I headed to Walton to try our luck. It would be hard to beat yesterday and that 25 lb. snook but you never know what may happen.
Fishing Report Walton Road, 5-16-15 11:30am, Walton Road. High tide outgoing, wind 12-15 mph out of the east. Water cloudy, some waves and breakers. Fished 1/8 call jig, two colors of paddle tails.
We cast our way to the sand bar and fished the deeper water. It was windy, with the wind blowing in our faces for the 4th day in a row. The call was for an occasional shower, but it never rained. We fished 15 minutes- nothing not even a strike. Had the deep trout bite disappeared? My neighbor fished shallow after about 20 minutes. Finally almost 30 minutes after getting on the water I hooked a trout. The fish was fairly deep and came up and shook. I had it well hooked and before log it was swimming over to me. This wasn't big, maybe 16", but it was bigger than the trout I'd caught the last two days.
We both fished over to the 3rd weed-bed in front of the first pier. My neighbor would cast deep, then shallow too. When we got to the first pier, I decided I'd go try it. I hadn't caught anything off that pier for a month, but I was primarily fishing deep and had only fished it twice that month. My first cast wasn't good, I missed the pier pilings by 6 feet, but it didn't matter- fish on.
It was a good fish but I had no idea what it was, it didn't jump-- but it did swim back under the pier. Fortunately I was ready for that and horsed her back out and she never really wrapped a piling- lucky. After I got her out from the pier, she swam and ran a couple times. I puller her up- a nice snook- not big and she let me scoop her up and unhook her. She was about 3 1/2 lbs and lip hooked. I showed her to my neighbor and quickly released her.
I went back and finished fishing the pier- nothing. Now we were both fishing shallow. we skipped the short pier and headed for the long 3rd pier. I fished shallow and my buddy fished deep. He hooked a snook off the end of the pier, it jumped and threw his bait. The fish wasn't big- maybe 3 lbs.
"Two piers, two fish," I called to him. We headed for the fourth pier, he was fishing out toward the sandbar and lagged behind. I went shallow again leaving him the deep end of the pier. The fourth pier is wooden, has a boat lift and a couple lines hanging into the water. I'd lost a big fish there before when I got my line busted off. I had also lost a big fish that came unhooked. From around and under the pier I'd caught one trout and two snook, one a slot limit.
I threw some good casts under the back-side of the pier- nothing. I stayed put casing the back side until he finally got close to the pier. about my 12 cast I got a strike and when I set the hook the fish took off just flying- but went away for the pier. I put some pressure on and waded away from the pier toward open water. It was very shallow maybe 3 ft. deep and weedy. Then the fish jumped completely out of the water, a big one- at least 12 lbs. it ran north for 60 yards pulling drag and then went shallow. The grass was piling on my line from both those runs. I pulled her close then she ran out but was tired out some and I reeled her down. Before I reached my hand down to grab her I pulled some weeds off my line - she was four feet away turned on her side- my line broke. She didn't break it was just worn out from catching so many fish- I should have retied before I started. This was my 2nd biggest snook she was a catch with a net so I'm not sure whether I can count her or not. at any rate she was gone and I had to retie.
We were both stoked that the snook were shallow and we headed for the spot within a spot in front of a clump of mangrove trees. There was still 3 1/2 feet of water where we stood. 'This is the place we caught those snook before," my neighbor commented. I said "Yes, that was when they were shallow in March." Suddenly my neighbor had a fish on- and it was a good snook. I jumped and headed away from the shore. He turned it quickly and then it headed straight for us. I missed his feet by inches and turned before she ran straight into me. he did a complete 180 turned and the fish was back where he hooked her. A splash and a half-jump later he puller her in, this was a nice slot fish probably over 30" and maybe 6 lbs max.
He said he wanted to catch a trout so we went back deep. We fished the deep area past the third weed bed. On my third cast I hooked a little trout and it popped off before I could unhook. We made it back to the third weed bed. I hooked a nice trout about 18" and he had to unhook it with his pliers because the lure was completely in its mouth. A few casts later he missed a fish and then I got a strong bite. After I set the hook the fish pulled drag twice and then came off. What was that!!?? I wondered. Anything that could pull drag that far out was a good fish.
A few casts later I had a bite and set the hook- fish on. It didn't come up like a trout but I thought it was a nice trout. When I lifted it up it was a 2 lb catfish!!! Worse than that- I couldn't get it unhooked. I brought it over to my neighbor who had needle nose pliers and he got it off. "Disgusting!!" he said.
We started fishing our way back and then the wind blew- it really blew and it was almost impossible to fish. I caught my fourth trout and thought it was small but it was a good 16"er. My neighbor still hadn't caught a trout- "I'm troutless," he said. We fish a couple more minutes in the 20mph wind and got out. We had fished for 3 hours! Our total: 4 snook, 4 trout, and 1 catfish.
Until next time,
Richard
Saturday, May 16, 2015
Friday, May 15, 2015
Snookzilla; Fishing Report 5-15-15
Hi,
Yesterday was a good day and maybe I'll do a report some day (caught 12 small trout and a small snook) but today I caught my biggest snook.
My biggest snook 5-15-15 (Click to enlarge) Can I lift it !!!
It's a good thing I had my Helios reel, because I needed it today. On the first run the fish pulled out 120 yards of line on the first run!! She was 3 times as big around as my thighs and she was estimated to be over 50" long. The weight was estimated a 25+ lbs[1]. Truly a snookzilla!! My story follows! Only true lies!!!
Fishing Report; Walton Road, 1:30 pm 5-15-15, wind out of the East at 10mph then gusting to 20mph. Tide low and outgoing. Fishing an 1/8 jig with assorted DOA paddletails on 8 lb. white Fireline braid.
My neighbor and I decided to go fishing and since he was off work we left around 1:15 and got to Walton Scrub around 1:30. I thought it was dead low tide but now I'm not sure because Bob, a new fishing friend decided to come fish too. According to Bob, the tide was still outgoing- so I'll check my chart next time. I told him we would be at Walton but I didn't know he was coming [Tide was outgoing near low].
So we hit the water and it was very low tide, and we headed out past the sand bar to the 2nd weed-bed. I had been getting trout there every day so I was expecting good things. I looked to my left and saw someone fishing on the shallow side of the sandbar in front of the 1st weed-bed. I didn't know who it was at first but eventually he came over to us- it was Bob who I just met at the Rod and Reel Club meeting. So I didn't catch a fish on the first cast like I did yesterday and I didn't get bit for a couple more casts. Then I got the tail bit off my DOA paddletail and had to put another on. About the time Bob came out to where we were fishing, I caught a nice Jack that struck only 20 feet away as I pulled my jig near the surface.
Bob came out, but not quite as far and he fished on my left side. The wind was not bad and there was only a chop on the water. We couldn't believe that it wasn't windy since the weather report said 15-20 mph wind. My neighbor hooked a 2-3 lb Jack that really bent his line. He unhooked it and showed it to us then dropped it back in the Lagoon. We stared moving South- no trout, we'd been fishing 15 minutes- yesterday I had already caught 5 in the first 15 minutes--the day before I'd caught more and big ones too. Finally I hooked a small trout and he came up and shook before I pulled him skating across the surface and into my waiting hand. About 14" - not much of a fish but a trout none the less. Speckled sea trout are one of the most beautiful fish in the the Lagoon. They are awesome!
We worked our way South and the wind started to gradually increase. By the time I hooked my second trout, the waves were starting to froth and the wind was pushing clouds across the horizon and right over us. We were casting directly into the wind, which was ok with me but some anglers like the wind to their back-- to do that we'd have to fish the West side. Suddenly it felt like a storm was coming but there were only a few small rain clouds gathering- not enough to worry about.
By now Bob had to pull back into the shallower water or his gear would be soaked (he was wearing a wading belt). My neighbor was getting soaked too and the waves were two foot tall now. I don't mind the wind and waves but that's me. We were trying to make it to the third wed-bed but the wind was getting worse. I hooked a small trout and released him- that was 3 trout now and one Jack for me. My neighbor said it was too rough for him and he wanted to head back- so he went to the shallower sand bar and made a couple casts. He wanted to go back to the 2nd weed bed where we started and make a couple casts before we left.
I was still out in 3-4 feet of water trying to keep from getting soaked. I was casting as far in the wind as I could- which wasn't very far now. I was throwing line-drive casts and backing away from the big waves. We were almost back when a funny thing happened - I cast out and halfway back through the waves and froth I go a strike, it wasn't a hard strike necessarily but it was so windy it was hard to get much feel. I looked up and saw a giant splash- and this wasn't a wave --it was my fish!!!
I didn't know what was going on but I knew I had a good fish on and suddenly I knew how good a fish it was-- my drag went zzzzziiiinnngg! I lifted the rod tip and tried to slow the fish down- I couldn't. My drag was just whining and I watched my line go out. I thought, "What is this? Must be a big sting ray." I'd hooked several sting rays and even bought one in so I wouldn't have to cut my line but this was moving. First it spooled out 70 yards my 8 pound test Fireline, then seconds later, it spooled out 30 yards of my 10 pound Spiderwire braid I had tied to my Fireline. "Stop!" I was thinking as I started to wade after the fish. It didn't stop and now my 14 lb. mono which was on the reel as filler was spooling out- woah fish!!
Snookzilla photo 2 (Click to enlarge)
I was still wading South after the fish, trying to keep from losing all my line and my lure. I thought again that it must be a sting ray. After spooling out 120 yards of line on the first run- I turned the fish. I was really putting pressure on it now because I didn't have that much line left. To my surprise, it headed North, and fast. I didn't know what I had but I felt like I could bring it in now, because I was leaning back and it was starting to come. After she headed North she stopped and I pulled her shallower then she went South, then pulled some drag and headed North again. This time it was easier to pull her in and she started coming in- now only 30 feet away. I could see the top of my leader but not the fish. My neighbor came over, "What is it?!" I shouted. Then we saw the massive tail, "Redfish??" he yelled. I too thought it might be a Red.
She turned and headed North again and I pulled her up a little so we could see, "Snook," we both yelled in unison. "What a monster!!" I said. "Don't lose it," he said. "Pull it in the shallow water over the sandbar," he yelled. So I pulled it over the sand bar in two feet of clear water. This fish was still fighting but was tired. I had hooked her in the roof of her mouth with my little jig but she clearly wasn't hooked well- you could see the jig head sticking out.
I didn't have a camera and my neighbor didn't have a camera. So I looked for Bob who had left and was getting off the water. I yelled to him and he saw my pole bent double - so he headed back to the sandbar. He said he had a camera so I tried to keep the snook on the sandbar- but it swam off the bar to deeper water on the shore side. I pulled her back over the bar. I could tell finally she was tired and my neighbor told me to lip her like a bass, so he took my rod and I lipped her but she was so heavy and long I couldn't do anything but hold her in the water with my hand. Fortunately Bob had a plastic blue fish lipper that he clamped down on the fish's bottom lip and my neighbor pulled the jig out. I held her under the water while Bob got his camera from his waist band.
Bob pulled his camera from his waist band and it was in a plastic Ziplock bag. He told me not to lift her up by the lip only so I stuck my hand under her belly and lifted her mouth with the blue plastic lipper using the other hand. Woah- she was hard to even lift out of the water!! She was twice as big around as my thigh and so long I'd would have had to lift her past my chest to get her tail out of the water!! What a fish.
Bob took a couple quick pics and we quickly got her back in the water and she swam away. So glad she was OK. We were stopping soon anyway so we waded off the Lagoon and climbed up the bank to our cars.
An hour later Bob emailed me the photos - he sent them as Snookzilla1 and Snookzilla2 etc. My neighbor who has caught big snook before estimated the weight as 25 pounds plus- a snookzilla for certain.
I 'm glad that I was fishing with my friends and one of them had a camera!! Snookzilla will be back some day to feast on someone else's line.
True lies, only true lies, exaggerations and fish stories on this blog!!!
Richard
1. I'm not sure of her exact size and length, she certainly could have been a 50" snook- I'm only going on what I've been told. The pic didn't really do her justice- I just wanted to get her safely in the water!!!
Yesterday was a good day and maybe I'll do a report some day (caught 12 small trout and a small snook) but today I caught my biggest snook.
It's a good thing I had my Helios reel, because I needed it today. On the first run the fish pulled out 120 yards of line on the first run!! She was 3 times as big around as my thighs and she was estimated to be over 50" long. The weight was estimated a 25+ lbs[1]. Truly a snookzilla!! My story follows! Only true lies!!!
Fishing Report; Walton Road, 1:30 pm 5-15-15, wind out of the East at 10mph then gusting to 20mph. Tide low and outgoing. Fishing an 1/8 jig with assorted DOA paddletails on 8 lb. white Fireline braid.
My neighbor and I decided to go fishing and since he was off work we left around 1:15 and got to Walton Scrub around 1:30. I thought it was dead low tide but now I'm not sure because Bob, a new fishing friend decided to come fish too. According to Bob, the tide was still outgoing- so I'll check my chart next time. I told him we would be at Walton but I didn't know he was coming [Tide was outgoing near low].
So we hit the water and it was very low tide, and we headed out past the sand bar to the 2nd weed-bed. I had been getting trout there every day so I was expecting good things. I looked to my left and saw someone fishing on the shallow side of the sandbar in front of the 1st weed-bed. I didn't know who it was at first but eventually he came over to us- it was Bob who I just met at the Rod and Reel Club meeting. So I didn't catch a fish on the first cast like I did yesterday and I didn't get bit for a couple more casts. Then I got the tail bit off my DOA paddletail and had to put another on. About the time Bob came out to where we were fishing, I caught a nice Jack that struck only 20 feet away as I pulled my jig near the surface.
Bob came out, but not quite as far and he fished on my left side. The wind was not bad and there was only a chop on the water. We couldn't believe that it wasn't windy since the weather report said 15-20 mph wind. My neighbor hooked a 2-3 lb Jack that really bent his line. He unhooked it and showed it to us then dropped it back in the Lagoon. We stared moving South- no trout, we'd been fishing 15 minutes- yesterday I had already caught 5 in the first 15 minutes--the day before I'd caught more and big ones too. Finally I hooked a small trout and he came up and shook before I pulled him skating across the surface and into my waiting hand. About 14" - not much of a fish but a trout none the less. Speckled sea trout are one of the most beautiful fish in the the Lagoon. They are awesome!
We worked our way South and the wind started to gradually increase. By the time I hooked my second trout, the waves were starting to froth and the wind was pushing clouds across the horizon and right over us. We were casting directly into the wind, which was ok with me but some anglers like the wind to their back-- to do that we'd have to fish the West side. Suddenly it felt like a storm was coming but there were only a few small rain clouds gathering- not enough to worry about.
By now Bob had to pull back into the shallower water or his gear would be soaked (he was wearing a wading belt). My neighbor was getting soaked too and the waves were two foot tall now. I don't mind the wind and waves but that's me. We were trying to make it to the third wed-bed but the wind was getting worse. I hooked a small trout and released him- that was 3 trout now and one Jack for me. My neighbor said it was too rough for him and he wanted to head back- so he went to the shallower sand bar and made a couple casts. He wanted to go back to the 2nd weed bed where we started and make a couple casts before we left.
I was still out in 3-4 feet of water trying to keep from getting soaked. I was casting as far in the wind as I could- which wasn't very far now. I was throwing line-drive casts and backing away from the big waves. We were almost back when a funny thing happened - I cast out and halfway back through the waves and froth I go a strike, it wasn't a hard strike necessarily but it was so windy it was hard to get much feel. I looked up and saw a giant splash- and this wasn't a wave --it was my fish!!!
I didn't know what was going on but I knew I had a good fish on and suddenly I knew how good a fish it was-- my drag went zzzzziiiinnngg! I lifted the rod tip and tried to slow the fish down- I couldn't. My drag was just whining and I watched my line go out. I thought, "What is this? Must be a big sting ray." I'd hooked several sting rays and even bought one in so I wouldn't have to cut my line but this was moving. First it spooled out 70 yards my 8 pound test Fireline, then seconds later, it spooled out 30 yards of my 10 pound Spiderwire braid I had tied to my Fireline. "Stop!" I was thinking as I started to wade after the fish. It didn't stop and now my 14 lb. mono which was on the reel as filler was spooling out- woah fish!!
I was still wading South after the fish, trying to keep from losing all my line and my lure. I thought again that it must be a sting ray. After spooling out 120 yards of line on the first run- I turned the fish. I was really putting pressure on it now because I didn't have that much line left. To my surprise, it headed North, and fast. I didn't know what I had but I felt like I could bring it in now, because I was leaning back and it was starting to come. After she headed North she stopped and I pulled her shallower then she went South, then pulled some drag and headed North again. This time it was easier to pull her in and she started coming in- now only 30 feet away. I could see the top of my leader but not the fish. My neighbor came over, "What is it?!" I shouted. Then we saw the massive tail, "Redfish??" he yelled. I too thought it might be a Red.
She turned and headed North again and I pulled her up a little so we could see, "Snook," we both yelled in unison. "What a monster!!" I said. "Don't lose it," he said. "Pull it in the shallow water over the sandbar," he yelled. So I pulled it over the sand bar in two feet of clear water. This fish was still fighting but was tired. I had hooked her in the roof of her mouth with my little jig but she clearly wasn't hooked well- you could see the jig head sticking out.
I didn't have a camera and my neighbor didn't have a camera. So I looked for Bob who had left and was getting off the water. I yelled to him and he saw my pole bent double - so he headed back to the sandbar. He said he had a camera so I tried to keep the snook on the sandbar- but it swam off the bar to deeper water on the shore side. I pulled her back over the bar. I could tell finally she was tired and my neighbor told me to lip her like a bass, so he took my rod and I lipped her but she was so heavy and long I couldn't do anything but hold her in the water with my hand. Fortunately Bob had a plastic blue fish lipper that he clamped down on the fish's bottom lip and my neighbor pulled the jig out. I held her under the water while Bob got his camera from his waist band.
Bob pulled his camera from his waist band and it was in a plastic Ziplock bag. He told me not to lift her up by the lip only so I stuck my hand under her belly and lifted her mouth with the blue plastic lipper using the other hand. Woah- she was hard to even lift out of the water!! She was twice as big around as my thigh and so long I'd would have had to lift her past my chest to get her tail out of the water!! What a fish.
Bob took a couple quick pics and we quickly got her back in the water and she swam away. So glad she was OK. We were stopping soon anyway so we waded off the Lagoon and climbed up the bank to our cars.
An hour later Bob emailed me the photos - he sent them as Snookzilla1 and Snookzilla2 etc. My neighbor who has caught big snook before estimated the weight as 25 pounds plus- a snookzilla for certain.
I 'm glad that I was fishing with my friends and one of them had a camera!! Snookzilla will be back some day to feast on someone else's line.
True lies, only true lies, exaggerations and fish stories on this blog!!!
Richard
1. I'm not sure of her exact size and length, she certainly could have been a 50" snook- I'm only going on what I've been told. The pic didn't really do her justice- I just wanted to get her safely in the water!!!
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
With a little help from my friends: Fishing Report
Hi,
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.
My new reel and my girlfriend, Angelica
(Click to enlarge)
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
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.
(Click to enlarge)
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
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
Fishing Report: 5-12-15
Hi,
This is a fishing report for today 5-12-15. I didn't have it together for this trip. When I got there my cheap new reel had frozen up, even tho I used WD40 on it- so I had to use my old cheap spinning reel that barely worked-- haha. I also forgot my sunscreen so I couldn't fish long and had to leave when the fish started biting!!!! I also didn't check the tide, but I figured it might rain later.
Fishing Report Walton Road, west side of Lagoon; 5-12-15 at 10:30 am; wind 18 mph out of the east, gusting; water temp low 80s, air temp around 90, tide low almost dead low. Wet wading, with spinning reel, using 1/8 oz. jighead and a variety of CAL baits.
I got there at almost low tide and the deep side of the sandbar is good at low tide, but not dead low or low slack tide. I fished shallow - nothing, then headed for deeper water. It was very windy but I like wind, water was dingy and a bit stirred up. I couldn't cast very well with my equipment into the wind but there was no choice- you couldn't feel the jig if you fished any other way.
I went out to the edge of the 2nd grass bed and then went North to the shallower 1st grass bed. After about 15 casts I got a strike on my fav paddletail and the fish ripped it's tail off. That was the last one I had of my fav color so I switched to a watermelon swimbait with a forked tail- 1st cast to same spot and wham --another tail torn off!!! I'm 0 for 2!!!
I changed to an opaque paddle tail and this time did not get bit. I moved North some more and realized it was about dead low tide. I decided to go South to the 3rd weed bed which had more weeds.
I was making short casts into the wind and 2 foot waves which had some white-caps. Half-way there I had a fish on. I was fishing slow but this was mostly luck since I didn't really feel him take it. He splashed at once on the surface with his mouth open so I knew it was a trout. When I got him in it was an insta-release fish- I pulled him to me and he flipped off, not bad around 14 inches.
I made it up to the first pier to the thick weeds. By now I was starting to get sunburned and the tide was just starting to come in. I pulled my jig through a clump of weeds- bam!! I had a nice fish was on this time. I saw him jump and them circle around me. This was the biggest trout I'd caught at Walton in a while about 2 1/2 lbs maybe 18" or so. I had to unhook him and he swam away ready for his next meal.
I fished the area slowly then moved a bit more South to the third pier. I'd have to go soon or I would be a rock lobster- always remember to put on suntan lotion!!!
The tide had definitely moved in now and I got a nice strike but missed the fish. I move a bit North and hooked another trout who splashed on the top for a while before I pulled him in-- a nice 15" trout. I was feeling it and two cast later caught another trout about the same size. I shook him off so I didn't have to touch him and started heading back. The last trout I caught was the smallest maybe 11" long and I was fishing fast, trying to get off the water to keep from burning more.
I hustled off to the shallow side of the sandbar and scampered up the bank and into my car--out of the sun at last!!!
A good day on the water, 5 trout, missed 4 fish and got a nice sunburn on my arms.
This is a fishing report for today 5-12-15. I didn't have it together for this trip. When I got there my cheap new reel had frozen up, even tho I used WD40 on it- so I had to use my old cheap spinning reel that barely worked-- haha. I also forgot my sunscreen so I couldn't fish long and had to leave when the fish started biting!!!! I also didn't check the tide, but I figured it might rain later.
Fishing Report Walton Road, west side of Lagoon; 5-12-15 at 10:30 am; wind 18 mph out of the east, gusting; water temp low 80s, air temp around 90, tide low almost dead low. Wet wading, with spinning reel, using 1/8 oz. jighead and a variety of CAL baits.
I got there at almost low tide and the deep side of the sandbar is good at low tide, but not dead low or low slack tide. I fished shallow - nothing, then headed for deeper water. It was very windy but I like wind, water was dingy and a bit stirred up. I couldn't cast very well with my equipment into the wind but there was no choice- you couldn't feel the jig if you fished any other way.
I went out to the edge of the 2nd grass bed and then went North to the shallower 1st grass bed. After about 15 casts I got a strike on my fav paddletail and the fish ripped it's tail off. That was the last one I had of my fav color so I switched to a watermelon swimbait with a forked tail- 1st cast to same spot and wham --another tail torn off!!! I'm 0 for 2!!!
I changed to an opaque paddle tail and this time did not get bit. I moved North some more and realized it was about dead low tide. I decided to go South to the 3rd weed bed which had more weeds.
I was making short casts into the wind and 2 foot waves which had some white-caps. Half-way there I had a fish on. I was fishing slow but this was mostly luck since I didn't really feel him take it. He splashed at once on the surface with his mouth open so I knew it was a trout. When I got him in it was an insta-release fish- I pulled him to me and he flipped off, not bad around 14 inches.
I made it up to the first pier to the thick weeds. By now I was starting to get sunburned and the tide was just starting to come in. I pulled my jig through a clump of weeds- bam!! I had a nice fish was on this time. I saw him jump and them circle around me. This was the biggest trout I'd caught at Walton in a while about 2 1/2 lbs maybe 18" or so. I had to unhook him and he swam away ready for his next meal.
I fished the area slowly then moved a bit more South to the third pier. I'd have to go soon or I would be a rock lobster- always remember to put on suntan lotion!!!
The tide had definitely moved in now and I got a nice strike but missed the fish. I move a bit North and hooked another trout who splashed on the top for a while before I pulled him in-- a nice 15" trout. I was feeling it and two cast later caught another trout about the same size. I shook him off so I didn't have to touch him and started heading back. The last trout I caught was the smallest maybe 11" long and I was fishing fast, trying to get off the water to keep from burning more.
I hustled off to the shallow side of the sandbar and scampered up the bank and into my car--out of the sun at last!!!
A good day on the water, 5 trout, missed 4 fish and got a nice sunburn on my arms.
Saturday, May 9, 2015
Hi,
I've only been out once in the last few days and caught three trout that time. Here's a fishing report from yesterday:
May 9, 2:30 pm; 2015. Fishing Report; Walton Road, temp 89, water temp low 80s; wind 15mph from East, tide very high.
When I got there the tide was very high and I could barely make it out to the deeper water past the sandbar. I stood on the shallow shelf near the shore in 2 1/2 feet of water and looked at the water quality- visibility was good. I made a couple casts with a paddletail swim bait on a 1/8 oz. jig and saw a fair sized redfish swim by. I tried fishing shallow around the mangroves --nothing. I switched swim baits and cast my way out to the sandbar.
The tide was almost completely full or already full on slack tide. I made it out to the deep water and fan cast until I reached the first pier- nothing; no bites. I fished the first pier- nothing. Then I fished shallow to the third pier and fished the third pier- nothing. I started to go out to the deeper water and noticed that the tide finally was moving- it was now an outgoing tide. Maybe the fish would turn-on soon.
I was having trouble with my light spider-wire line; it was not wrapping tight and I had to manually click the bail shut (best anyway) and watch it on every cast. I already had a bad snarl in the deeper side and had to cut my line and re-tie.
I fished deep and headed for the 3rd weed bed-- nothing. Then just past the bed toward the deep cut, I got a small snarl-- when I got it undone I lifted my jig--I had a fish on!!!! I reeled in a nice specked trout and had the insta-release (it came off when I was trying to unhook him). The next cast I felt the slightest pressure - held my tip up and waited a sec- boom - I set the hook, another nice trout- not big but around 15 inches. The trout were here!!!
Next cast I had a strike and missed him. I moved down a few yards. Then one cast later landed a small 12" trout. They were out almost as far as I could cast in 4 1/2 feet of water. There wasn't much grass there, but there was some in spots.
Then I caught a larger trout about 17 inches that I had to unhook (according to Jim Bohrer, any fish you could have netted is credited as a catch, but they have to be close enough to net. Jim counts the fish he catches). Then two casts and nothing. I went back South 10 yards to the first spot and hooked two more small trout, one that I had to unhook. I went back and forth three times and had caught 11 trout and lost 2 and missed about 3 on the hook set. I had lost 4 baits that color and only had one left. It had been about 40 minutes and I needed to head back.
I thought I would get a trout or two on the way back but nothing was going on for several hundred yards. I came to the second weed-bed one of my favorite spots and got a strike- then fish on--it was bigger and I hoped it was a nice trout. After a couple minutes I pulled up a 2 1/2 pound Jack and struggled to unhook him. He swallowed it but somehow I still had my bait!!! I got two more bites but I don't think they were trout- I headed back to the shallow water- nothing. I had spent 2 1/2 hours on the water.
Caught 11 trout, 1 Jack. A good day on the water!!!
Richard
Friday, May 1, 2015
Is the Lagoon Dying?- Part 1
Hi,
Is the Southern Indian River Lagoon dying? Some would say, "Yes." This is the first part of a series of articles about the pollution and destruction of one of the most important salt-water estuaries in the state of Florida.
I'd say it's too early to tell- but the writing is in the water: fish are dying, the grass is dying, manatees are dying, porpoises are dying, people are getting sick. These are facts, we (or should I say our government, big sugar, commercial fisherman, politicians, and the Army Corps of Engineers) are slowly killing it.
Can it be saved? I don't know. The jury is out and it seems only a small number of people care (boaters, realtors, fisherman, swimmers, environmentalists and concerned citizens mostly who own land along the Lagoon).
The number one issue is polluted water filled with toxic chemicals and at times algae blooms that is dumped in the St. Lucie River from the South of Lake Okeechobee to prevent dam erosion and high water levels in the Lake.
Gradually these chemicals are clouding the water and creating toxic sediment, that is choking out the weed beds which are the source of sustained life in the Lagoon.
The result, less fish, polluted and toxic water, which in summertime becomes dangerous as water temperatures rise.
Some Solutions
There are a number of via solutions- some cost effective and some not:
1) The best plan is to purchase the land from Big Sugar south of Okeechobee and return polluted water through a series of natural swamps which will purify the water before it reaches the Everglades. This will be expensive. First the land will need to be bought from Big Sugar (sugar companies, who receive sugar subsidized by us, the government, may not sell), then a series of levies possibly with purification systems will need to be built. This would create a winding river basin which would natural purify our water.
2) Diverting the water to other less vulnerable estuaries. Not much of a solution but anything would help.
3) Building a series of inlets (one or two at first ) to the Ocean which will allow the tides to clean out the estuary and raise the level of salinity in the estuary preventing algae from growing and other bacteria.
4) Promoting the growth of sea-grass and other natural water purification alternatives (oysters, clams).
5) Purify the water as it leaves Okeechobee and before it reaches The St. Lucie. Sounds expensive, but losing the Lagoon will cost much more.
Hopefully this blog will be a catalyst to an already growing number of people who aren't going to let the Lagoon die. No, we're not going to take it!!!
Richie
Is the Southern Indian River Lagoon dying? Some would say, "Yes." This is the first part of a series of articles about the pollution and destruction of one of the most important salt-water estuaries in the state of Florida.
I'd say it's too early to tell- but the writing is in the water: fish are dying, the grass is dying, manatees are dying, porpoises are dying, people are getting sick. These are facts, we (or should I say our government, big sugar, commercial fisherman, politicians, and the Army Corps of Engineers) are slowly killing it.
Can it be saved? I don't know. The jury is out and it seems only a small number of people care (boaters, realtors, fisherman, swimmers, environmentalists and concerned citizens mostly who own land along the Lagoon).
The number one issue is polluted water filled with toxic chemicals and at times algae blooms that is dumped in the St. Lucie River from the South of Lake Okeechobee to prevent dam erosion and high water levels in the Lake.
Gradually these chemicals are clouding the water and creating toxic sediment, that is choking out the weed beds which are the source of sustained life in the Lagoon.
The result, less fish, polluted and toxic water, which in summertime becomes dangerous as water temperatures rise.
Some Solutions
There are a number of via solutions- some cost effective and some not:
1) The best plan is to purchase the land from Big Sugar south of Okeechobee and return polluted water through a series of natural swamps which will purify the water before it reaches the Everglades. This will be expensive. First the land will need to be bought from Big Sugar (sugar companies, who receive sugar subsidized by us, the government, may not sell), then a series of levies possibly with purification systems will need to be built. This would create a winding river basin which would natural purify our water.
2) Diverting the water to other less vulnerable estuaries. Not much of a solution but anything would help.
3) Building a series of inlets (one or two at first ) to the Ocean which will allow the tides to clean out the estuary and raise the level of salinity in the estuary preventing algae from growing and other bacteria.
4) Promoting the growth of sea-grass and other natural water purification alternatives (oysters, clams).
5) Purify the water as it leaves Okeechobee and before it reaches The St. Lucie. Sounds expensive, but losing the Lagoon will cost much more.
Hopefully this blog will be a catalyst to an already growing number of people who aren't going to let the Lagoon die. No, we're not going to take it!!!
Richie
Return of theTrout Man; Fishing report May 1, 2015
Hi,
Around 7:00 am this morning, I got a call. It was Jim Bohrer and he couldn't get in touch with the guy who he was supposed to fish with today. So he asked me to go. I hadn't rigged my new rod and reel combo but I wasn't doing anything today- so agreed to meet him at The Snook Nook.
I got there a few minutes early and spooled some 10 lb braided line on my new reel. Jim arrived and helped me with two new knots, a "Bimini Twist" and a "double uni"-- I was just learning to tie a loop knot.
Fishing Report: 5-1-15 around 9:00 am return to Round Island, water muddy, temperature cooler around 80, water temp down to 79 from 84 just a week ago. Gusting and sifting winds out of the Northwest at about 10 mph- a beautiful day. We were fishing the last half of an incoming tide, with swimbaits on 1/8 oz jig-heads.
We went to the "honey hole" on the South East side and I quickly caught the first trout. The tide was incoming and already high. I cast again immediately set the hook and lost a trout after briefly hooking it. I had another strike, then hooked another trout. My bait was torn up so I switched colors. Jim caught a trout and since the water wasn't as rough he decided to move- so we went South.
We fished around a point and I caught a trout on a shallow grass bed. Jim hooked a nice snook but it jumped twice and threw the bait. We tried drifting along the shore but the wind pushed us out and we repositioned- something we would do the rest of the day. I caught a small Jack and Jim hooked one too. We pull up and headed North.
We stopped at what seemed like the middle of the River but it was a grass bed to try a few casts. We tried and then he said, "Let's go." Before I could pull in I hooked a 3 or 4 lb trout that jumped completely out of the water and threw the hook. So we stayed. Two casts later I hooked and landed another trout, then Jim caught one and I bought a nice one almost to the boat but lost it. After drifting through several more times I picked up another trout and we pulled up--headed North.
We stopped several places he had marked on his GPS and threw a few casts. When I asked him how deep we were he said, "3 and a half feet, everywhere we are fishing is going to be 3 to 4 feet deep." After he told me this twice it dawned on me - I had been fishing too deep when I was wading. Also that most of the grass beds weren't over 5 feet deep-- another important truth to trout fishing.
We tried a spot near an oyster bed for redfish but the wind was blowing wrong. Then went west toward the middle of the River and threw a few casts, then again further west about 50 yards. I got snagged, then snagged again, the water was only 2 to 3 foot deep with pockets and holes in the weeds. I hooked up and when I looked over at Jim he had a trout too. I lost mine and 2 casts later we both had fish on again at the same time- two doubles in 2 minutes! He switched to a top water plug and hooked and lost a nice trout. The wind pushed us North through the shallow flat and we drifted through once more. I got a bad snarl and had to retie, Jim helped me and as we drifted down the action in that area was over.
The tide was going out and we tried some places on the West bank, picking up a couple small trout, before we headed back South to the honey hole. At this point we had caught eighteen trout but unlike yesterday I had caught ten of them. Fishing was harder and we had to work more-- we had already fished longer and had less fish than yesterday.
The wind was blowing the wrong way to fish his best spot. I picked up a small trout and then lost one on top of the water. Jim caught one but the wind wasn't cooperating. We had 20 trout when we stopped one last spot on way back and Jim caught a nice bluefish and Jack and I snagged another trout.
We were beat so we headed back before the tide was too low. 21 trout total and I caught 12 and Jim caught 9. I know the total wasn't so important to him -- but he is competitive. I felt somewhat vindicated from the day before-- but we both knew what was important- I was learning.
I am grateful and thankful for Jim's help. It is another step towards being a better fisherman-- I had learned so much, the main thing is: you have to know where the fish are.
When we stopped at the boat ramp something happened that neither of us anticipated-- his back right trailer tire was flat. Someone had let the air out and left a note on his windshield saying he needed to drive slower-- a prank? an enemy?-- it was too dastardly to figure out.
After changing to the spare which was also flat, we pulled the boat out. Then he took the original tire and got air in it. Almost two hours wasted!!! I believe that bad karma begets bad karma. The universe will get that guy straight!! We don't have to do it.
TY again Jim,
Richie
Around 7:00 am this morning, I got a call. It was Jim Bohrer and he couldn't get in touch with the guy who he was supposed to fish with today. So he asked me to go. I hadn't rigged my new rod and reel combo but I wasn't doing anything today- so agreed to meet him at The Snook Nook.
I got there a few minutes early and spooled some 10 lb braided line on my new reel. Jim arrived and helped me with two new knots, a "Bimini Twist" and a "double uni"-- I was just learning to tie a loop knot.
Fishing Report: 5-1-15 around 9:00 am return to Round Island, water muddy, temperature cooler around 80, water temp down to 79 from 84 just a week ago. Gusting and sifting winds out of the Northwest at about 10 mph- a beautiful day. We were fishing the last half of an incoming tide, with swimbaits on 1/8 oz jig-heads.
We went to the "honey hole" on the South East side and I quickly caught the first trout. The tide was incoming and already high. I cast again immediately set the hook and lost a trout after briefly hooking it. I had another strike, then hooked another trout. My bait was torn up so I switched colors. Jim caught a trout and since the water wasn't as rough he decided to move- so we went South.
We fished around a point and I caught a trout on a shallow grass bed. Jim hooked a nice snook but it jumped twice and threw the bait. We tried drifting along the shore but the wind pushed us out and we repositioned- something we would do the rest of the day. I caught a small Jack and Jim hooked one too. We pull up and headed North.
We stopped at what seemed like the middle of the River but it was a grass bed to try a few casts. We tried and then he said, "Let's go." Before I could pull in I hooked a 3 or 4 lb trout that jumped completely out of the water and threw the hook. So we stayed. Two casts later I hooked and landed another trout, then Jim caught one and I bought a nice one almost to the boat but lost it. After drifting through several more times I picked up another trout and we pulled up--headed North.
We stopped several places he had marked on his GPS and threw a few casts. When I asked him how deep we were he said, "3 and a half feet, everywhere we are fishing is going to be 3 to 4 feet deep." After he told me this twice it dawned on me - I had been fishing too deep when I was wading. Also that most of the grass beds weren't over 5 feet deep-- another important truth to trout fishing.
We tried a spot near an oyster bed for redfish but the wind was blowing wrong. Then went west toward the middle of the River and threw a few casts, then again further west about 50 yards. I got snagged, then snagged again, the water was only 2 to 3 foot deep with pockets and holes in the weeds. I hooked up and when I looked over at Jim he had a trout too. I lost mine and 2 casts later we both had fish on again at the same time- two doubles in 2 minutes! He switched to a top water plug and hooked and lost a nice trout. The wind pushed us North through the shallow flat and we drifted through once more. I got a bad snarl and had to retie, Jim helped me and as we drifted down the action in that area was over.
The tide was going out and we tried some places on the West bank, picking up a couple small trout, before we headed back South to the honey hole. At this point we had caught eighteen trout but unlike yesterday I had caught ten of them. Fishing was harder and we had to work more-- we had already fished longer and had less fish than yesterday.
The wind was blowing the wrong way to fish his best spot. I picked up a small trout and then lost one on top of the water. Jim caught one but the wind wasn't cooperating. We had 20 trout when we stopped one last spot on way back and Jim caught a nice bluefish and Jack and I snagged another trout.
We were beat so we headed back before the tide was too low. 21 trout total and I caught 12 and Jim caught 9. I know the total wasn't so important to him -- but he is competitive. I felt somewhat vindicated from the day before-- but we both knew what was important- I was learning.
I am grateful and thankful for Jim's help. It is another step towards being a better fisherman-- I had learned so much, the main thing is: you have to know where the fish are.
When we stopped at the boat ramp something happened that neither of us anticipated-- his back right trailer tire was flat. Someone had let the air out and left a note on his windshield saying he needed to drive slower-- a prank? an enemy?-- it was too dastardly to figure out.
After changing to the spare which was also flat, we pulled the boat out. Then he took the original tire and got air in it. Almost two hours wasted!!! I believe that bad karma begets bad karma. The universe will get that guy straight!! We don't have to do it.
TY again Jim,
Richie
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