August 31, 2011 High Water Reds
The water has been extremely
high even before the storms rolled buy. The reds have been tailing on some of
the flats I have been fishing in the lagoon. The fish we are catching are
feeding only when they get turned on.Just get the moon right or in front of the pushing front and the fish
will start feeding. Watch the mullet, when they start to jump, pick up your rod
not your sandwich. It’s not that when you are eating your lunch the fish knows
you are off guard. Hunger pains are the alarm when you should fish your
hardest. Fill your pocket with trail mix
and keep casting. I have been tossing a
Gulp shrimp or crab in natural color at the tailing reds. You have got to make
a good shot or you will not get the bite. If your cast is off (aka BAD)
retrieve fast and take another shot. If you are going to line him, wait till he
passes then retrieve fast and take another shot. If you line him he will be
gone.
A little deeper,
Flounder have been eating
between trout bites when we are bouncing Gulp Jerk shads on the bottom. We have
been catching trout for the most part, nice fish to four and five pounds. But
we have been catching everything else as well. Grouper, whiting, snapper,
jacks, ladyfish etc. New penny color in Gulp and Shad color in the PowerBait
style. PowerBait is a little tougher so you will get more bites before you have
to change out. Change your retrieve speed as well as color if you are not
getting bites. When I am bouncing jigs off the bottom I like a little moving
water if possible. If you are fishing the north end or the woods line up the
beginning of the outgoing. Work jerk baits under and around the mangroves as
well as on the sand bottom. Snook and redfish will be under them after the sun
gets high. To fish the mangroves you will have to change your hook to a wide
gap with a weight on the shaft. This way you can bury your hook so your bait
will skip under the mangroves. Also it will allow you to get your bait out when
you cast in the mangroves. A hard hook set is required when fishing this style
hook. Tarpon are still around on the beach and in the lagoon, I have been
seeing them everywhere.
Remember think like a fish to catch fish, or just call
me.
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