FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Brought to you by

**For a super deal on your Wade Right use promo code FCT15 and get 15% off on your online order!**

3 people in the last week have ragged on me about not fishing the coast.  But as I have said numerous times I was just waiting for 2 things, it is not so dang hot, and redfish time.  Plus it is my blog.  So here you go boys, does this qualify?  Plus even though the lake thing did not work out it was one of those things that could have been epic.  You never know unless you go.

Weather

84/78  Sunny/cloudy with a 20% chance of stray shower or thunderstorm.  Wind ESE 10 – 15 mph.

Tides

High  5:07 am.  Low  6:02 pm.

Solunar Times

Best  5:11 am to 7:11 am.  +  5:40 pm to 7:40 pm.

******************Get Inhaled!

*******************

Launching at Froggie’s as it cracked daylight there was only a few trucks at the ramp.  The wind was light out of the SE, the water looked fairly clear, and the tide was super high.  It was short run out to the Pringle shoreline to set up near my favorite drain.  It took a little to get a bite, but from that point it was definitely a game on day.

First one on the Controlled Descent Paddle Shad.  And it made the morning.

They were blowing up on the Bone Spook Jr.

Starting with the Controlled Descent Paddle Shad and a topwater, neither was getting bit.  I was real shallow, seemed logical, so I moved out a little and got in position on a point with current and wind on it.  As the Paddle Shad hit the water on the point the first one blew up on it.  So figuring topwater just might be the ticket time to switch to the Spook.  Every once in a while I have a moment of clarity.

This is the size of the mullet they were chasing.  And a bonus black drum.

                              The last 2 worth a hoot on the wade.

Basically they were in the cut and on the point.  The bait was everywhere.  Most of the time I threw topwater, and while it was not fast, it was consistent for a couple of hours.  Changing it up with the Paddle Shad catch a small one or two, letting them “rest” on the topwater would get them going again.  They wanted the topwater at a medium speed and most stayed buttoned.  Several small ones added to the mix on both plastics and on top, but the topwater was by far the best.  Plus who does not like the way a trout hits a topwater?  And I never did get over waist deep.

Around 10:30 it was time to go and really work on the reds.  I will admit I spent less time on the bay this summer than ever, but the current fishing is the reason.  Hard to get excited about the “live bait” season when you are a lure fisherman.  Plus, no real competition.  The anticipation, plus the actual results, make fall on the bay the time to be there, and today set up perfect.

It was on!

It was straight to Big Bayou to fish out of the boat on a bank that is perfect.  Real shallow, oysters, and plenty of mullet as they make their fall run, it is one of those places reds just love.  And of course it was spinnerbait.  The water in there was quite a bit more off color than out at the island, perfect spinnerbait water, and the tide was still high, also important for that bank.  It was simply a matter of getting to a point where I could just reach the bank on a long cast.  From then just a steady retrieve, keeping it right off the bottom, resulted in some serious strikes.  When they want a spinnerbait they will not be denied.  This time of year you should be able to see them moving around, and today it was easy.

Four of the seven off that bank.  They were hammering that Redfish Magic spinnerbait.  And my thoughts on the different colors – they have been doing whatever they do, where ever they do it, all summer and their color reflects that.  Now they are ganging up.  Maybe?

After I beat them up it slowed considerably, and since it was about noon time to hit one more bank out of the boat.  The deepest bank in Big Bayou is a great fall and winter bank.  Once the trout get on it they stay for quite a while.  I wanted to hit it to see if they were there yet, and they were, small ones.  5 or 6 jumped on and none would have made the grade.  Most came on a DOA Cal with an 1/8th ounce jig head.  A smaller profile it falls quickly, important on a straight up and down bank with a 4 – 5′ drop.  The ones that bit came on a hop right off the bottom keeping it moving in the direction of the tide.  Also a couple of short reds also cooperated but nothing on that stretch would have kept.  So with that finish I called it a day at 2:00.

********************

And speaking of reds here is a couple from my buddy Todd, one of the notorious Austin Boys.

                                     Wade 1.  Wade 2.

He went to  Rockport last weekend and looks like they had a good trip.  Sorry to miss you next month but really looking forward to Fishmas.  Thanks for the pics.

*********************

What a day.  To get a good topwater bite and then follow it with spinnerbait is heaven to an old bass fisherman.  I can only imagine what might have come fishing later in the day.  Tomorrow it will be hanging with the Boss and then back at it Thursday.  I promised the guy who details the Boss’s car a trip when he could catch a red.  He is just getting into fishing so a popping cork and Gulp and he will definitely get bit.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines