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Scott and I set out this morning fish the last day of the flats being open for a while. I was my first trip there and after recent reports, I anticipated it like a kid looks forward to Christmas morning.
The original plan was to fish the falling tide, take a siesta break and then return for the evening bite.
We launched around 9:45 to easterly winds blowing steadily and solid overcast cloud cover with 61 degree water. Our plan was to head for the channel edges.
As we cleared the island in front of the launch, Scott, who was in the lead, started to report large swirls of fish as he passed. When I reached the area, I saw them as well. After passing a couple, it became clear that the boats were spooking them so I stopped paddling and started casting a Cotton Cordel Redfin. I few casts in, I connected with a feisty and fat 26". Not long after, a bigger one followed, but as I was reach to grab him with my Fishgrips, he shook the hook... Another chunker soon was hooked and measured in at 27". Scott also connected with a 26" bruiser during the initial melee. The water was 4-5' deep
After the first 20 minutes of action set the bar pretty high, I was envisioning an epic day of tight lines and tired arms.... Needless to say, the action died off and we relocated to check out a fleet of boats off of Stump Point. Trolling through there produced several fish in the 18" - 22 range as well as one 28".
The tide finally went slack and Scott opted to execute the original plan of taking a break. I was still marking fish and decided to keep grinding. I left the area and ventured across the channel to the western edge.
I found a large school of 18"-20"+ sized fish in 15' of water, but they refused all my trolled paddle tail offerings. I decided to change one out for an x-rap. As I started to reel it in, I kept getting hit. I decided to cast back out and soon landed a strong 22". I abandoned trolling and picked up my lightest rod and started casting a small buck tail / paddle tail combo. The school of fish was huge and I drifted over them for at least 20 minutes. During that time, I boated in excess of 20 fish, 16'-22". They eventually moved on and I was left wondering where to go next.
Scott rejoined me and we headed out to the Green 15 Can and marked fish, but only landed drinks. We had high hopes for the evening topwater we had been anticipating, but the winds picked up and created 1-2' seas. We tried to make it happen, but the conditions made it appear unlikely we would have our dreams fulfilled.
Somewhat dejected, we headed in and landed at 6:30.
All in all, I can't complain. I landed over 30 fish, although many were small. I caught enough respectable ones to call the day a success. The lessons I learned reinforced what many have said before - the space is expansive and the fish will be in certain locations. When you find them, the results can be exhilarating.
It was definitely worth the drive and I will certainly make it again
DSCN3936.jpgDSCN3937.jpgG0014914.jpgG0015272.jpgG0015044.jpg
The original plan was to fish the falling tide, take a siesta break and then return for the evening bite.
We launched around 9:45 to easterly winds blowing steadily and solid overcast cloud cover with 61 degree water. Our plan was to head for the channel edges.
As we cleared the island in front of the launch, Scott, who was in the lead, started to report large swirls of fish as he passed. When I reached the area, I saw them as well. After passing a couple, it became clear that the boats were spooking them so I stopped paddling and started casting a Cotton Cordel Redfin. I few casts in, I connected with a feisty and fat 26". Not long after, a bigger one followed, but as I was reach to grab him with my Fishgrips, he shook the hook... Another chunker soon was hooked and measured in at 27". Scott also connected with a 26" bruiser during the initial melee. The water was 4-5' deep
After the first 20 minutes of action set the bar pretty high, I was envisioning an epic day of tight lines and tired arms.... Needless to say, the action died off and we relocated to check out a fleet of boats off of Stump Point. Trolling through there produced several fish in the 18" - 22 range as well as one 28".
The tide finally went slack and Scott opted to execute the original plan of taking a break. I was still marking fish and decided to keep grinding. I left the area and ventured across the channel to the western edge.
I found a large school of 18"-20"+ sized fish in 15' of water, but they refused all my trolled paddle tail offerings. I decided to change one out for an x-rap. As I started to reel it in, I kept getting hit. I decided to cast back out and soon landed a strong 22". I abandoned trolling and picked up my lightest rod and started casting a small buck tail / paddle tail combo. The school of fish was huge and I drifted over them for at least 20 minutes. During that time, I boated in excess of 20 fish, 16'-22". They eventually moved on and I was left wondering where to go next.
Scott rejoined me and we headed out to the Green 15 Can and marked fish, but only landed drinks. We had high hopes for the evening topwater we had been anticipating, but the winds picked up and created 1-2' seas. We tried to make it happen, but the conditions made it appear unlikely we would have our dreams fulfilled.
Somewhat dejected, we headed in and landed at 6:30.
All in all, I can't complain. I landed over 30 fish, although many were small. I caught enough respectable ones to call the day a success. The lessons I learned reinforced what many have said before - the space is expansive and the fish will be in certain locations. When you find them, the results can be exhilarating.
It was definitely worth the drive and I will certainly make it again
DSCN3936.jpgDSCN3937.jpgG0014914.jpgG0015272.jpgG0015044.jpg
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