Fish Catching Travel
You would think that I would know better. The forecast today was for winds out of the east at 10 – 20, and for about 1 hour that was exactly right. And then it started to blow, and by time I put it on the trailer at 3:15, it was white capping big time on the whole bay. Not starting until 10:30 made a short day.
I initially decided to trout fish so I headed to the east bank about halfway out, and started with a topwater. Nothing chased or even looked at it. I switched to a electric chicken paddle tail, and that got no strikes either. Since the tide was out, and would not be high until around 6, I moved further out on the same bank and worked the 3 – 5 foot range. I threw popping cork, tried a Gambler flappin shad, and finally a white Strike King jerk shad. I did not get a bite. It was 1 by time I finally gave it up there.
It was starting to blow on the main bay so I headed back to Olivia and started throwing a Redfish Magic, and it saved the day.
This was number 1.
A couple of points here. First, Keller is a lot like the Powderhorn. There are grass banks and when the tide it right they move up to the grass. Today the water was just starting to move, and though it was not prime time, there were still reds cruising the grass. It is a classic pattern wherever redfish are found.
Another Redfish Magic redfish.
Second, if you noticed on fish number 1, the body I was using was a bright chartreuse. The wind had the water really off colored, and I have found it is usually a good choice for reds when the water is that bad. It was simply a matter of letting the wind take me and using the trolling motor as little as possible while I flipped it to the grass. It was shallow, so I just made sure I kept it up off the bottom. So if you throw it the depth plays a big part in speed control. A good judge is making sure your bait is about a foot off the bottom. You can reel it to fast, but as long as it is spinning and off the bottom, there is not to slow.
One thing that was interesting today was the way they hit it. Normally it is a real solid thump and they have it. I caught 6 today and I only felt one hit it, the rest were just there. I am not sure if it was them or maybe the high wind just made it harder to feel them. But either way, once they were on, they stayed on.
This is the best one of the day.
So a day that could have been a wash when the wind went nuts turned out ok. The redfish will cooperate right now if you can find them. Just remember those long grassy banks on high tide, and the beginning of a falling tide. And for all conditions, wind, no wind, clear, muddy, it does not matter, they will eat that Redfish Magic.
That will probably be my last trip to the Gulf until next week. Tomorrow it is off to Coleto. Looks like there might be some rain, so with clouds on the way it will be bass fishing. Then I will be on Lake Fork later this week for the big bass tournament. They are giving away 7 trucks and one boat, and it pays to 15th each hour. Who knows? Somebody has to do it, and of course fishing with Aaron does not hurt. And last, I hate to sound like a broken record, but I will be so glad when the wind lays down some. It would be nice to boat a bunch of trout.
So thanks for reading my stuff. I try to get back to you as best I can, but it keeps me busy. But I appreciate each and every one of you who keeps coming back. It is was keeps me fishing.
Good Luck and Tight Lines
