Sandbridge advice or tips?

[Slobber Bob]

What is fishing like in the back bays behind Sandbridge? I read that it's freshwater for the most part, but can't find much else about it? Maybe that's a sign the fishing stinks? Is it all largemouth, sunnies, and such, or do puppy drum or specks make it that far north in the back bays?

I'll be down there for a week in mid-October with the family. We rented a house that is in the southern end of town, waterfront on the backside. We'll have the kayaks with us to mess around on and explore with, but I'm not sure if it's worth spending any time fishing back there?

I mostly have intentions of surf fishing for bull reds whenever I can, but didn't want to miss out on some good back bay fishing too if it's there to be had?

Rudee is an option, but I don't think I'll have much time, or the ability to runoff during family vacation, to make a worthwhile trip up there.

Appreciate any info anybody has. Thanks.

[Jacksoncuda12]

What is fishing like in the back bays behind Sandbridge? I read that it's freshwater for the most part, but can't find much else about it? Maybe that's a sign the fishing stinks? Is it all largemouth, sunnies, and such, or do puppy drum or specks make it that far north in the back bays?

I'll be down there for a week in mid-October with the family. We rented a house that is in the southern end of town, waterfront on the backside. We'll have the kayaks with us to mess around on and explore with, but I'm not sure if it's worth spending any time fishing back there?

I mostly have intentions of surf fishing for bull reds whenever I can, but didn't want to miss out on some good back bay fishing too if it's there to be had?

Rudee is an option, but I don't think I'll have much time, or the ability to runoff during family vacation, to make a worthwhile trip up there.

Appreciate any info anybody has. Thanks.

Check out Charlie Taylor's Fishing Report. Looks like mostly perch, bluegills, largemouths, etc.

[Slobber Bob]

Thanks. That led me to some youtube videos too (which I didn't think to search). It looks like it's pretty much just bass fishing back there.

[Jman]

It looks like it's pretty much just bass fishing back there.

Back bay would be freshwater/bass fishing as you said. Cory Routh of Ruthless Outdoor Adventures is a good guide for that area, who produced a documentary about the bass fishing there.

Mid-October is great timing for the reds - I'm jealous. If you are going on to the refuge at night, they require a permit (about $35 I think).

[Slobber Bob]

That was an interesting and well done documentary. I never knew the place used to be known for it's bass fishery. For some reason, bass just don't do it for me anymore though. Maybe I'll bring a rod along just in case, but it's looking like I won't spend much time fishing back there.

[Slobber Bob]

I got back from my trip a couple days ago. I never ended up spending much time in Back Bay other than a couple quick paddles with the family. I fished from the dock behind the house for about an hour with the baby monitor on while the kiddo napped, but no bites.

I fished most everyday from the surf at some point whether it was a couple hours in the morning before the house woke up or when the whole family was on the beach or after everybody went to bed. Sadly no bull reds. Or pups even. Kinda surprised about that. The tides and conditions were good for them too. I had two heavers with me, and until the last day when the 2 ft. sandbar sharks invaded, I never had any knockdowns. Crabs and little bait stealers were brutal on the bait though. Fortunately mullet, bunker, and bluefish were easy enough to catch, net, or snag so it never was a big deal other than having to check baits frequently to make sure you still had any left. There was a lot of bait cruising around in the surf. I never caught any kingfish (sea mullet) either which I found odd for this time of year.

Casting with the light tackle setup was fun though. Specks and bluefish were pretty easy to catch. Got a pompano, and few small black drum too. I even got my first Spanish mackerel (albeit very, very tiny ).
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