This has to be one of the worst times of the year for saltwater inshore/nearshore fishing. Some people just don't fish at all right now. Super windy from March through April. The speckled trout are scattered and not in a pattern right now. They aren't going to be schooled up on the bottom of the bayou like in the winter. Seems like most of the guides are just targeting sheepshead right now. They've been spawning and being caught in large numbers. They are catching some cobia although it is still a bit early. Feel like you can always catch some slot reds in shallows up against banks and points and in cuts. Running the boat later today and still a little unsure what I'm going to target and where I'm going to fish. There are a few structures like bridges and artificial inshore reefs I might fish and see if I can find some sheepshead. And then might duck into the bayou and see if I can find some scattered speckled trout and slot reds.
I think this is the best time of the year. Now through beginning of June before it gets to 95 degrees, 90% humidity and storms every day. Every species available and hungry. I guess you are north, so right now might be that weird late February-early March where you still get those cold fronts and things are all messed up?
Pharm house we get on Amelia island every summer is being gutted. Going to be on vilano beach instead for a week in July. Worth it trying to find a kayak I can borrow for a week?
probs. Let me know that’s like 15 minutes from my spot. Saint Augustine paddle sports rents them which is right near there. there is plenty of kayak fishing spots around there.
My hobbie drive sprocket broke yesterday in 18 mph winds. I was 6 miles from launch. Luckily it still somewhat functioned and is only 35 buck part. My god I’m exhausted though
Was blowing it's ass off but I was itching to get out there anyways. Launched the boat and headed to a bridge piling to fish for sheepshead. Was a bit surprised that the trolling motor was holding me in all that wind and chop. Fished that for like 10 minutes and then heard thunder. Checked the radar and a decent sized thunderstorm that hadn't been there was now there. I ran behind some casinos in an area away from the storm track and figured I might miss it. Was fishing a jetty with a knocker rig and then the rain started coming. Then loud lightening. Was debating waiting it out but the lightening was freaking me out. But it was pitch black towards the launch and you couldn't see anything towards the launch. Decided to send it . Turned boat radar on and ran straight back to the ramp. I didn't have a far run. Was surprisingly not that bad. That's my shitty fishing report. At least I got back safe.
Missed 1, Pops missed 1 Still pretty slow. Need warmer overnights already. Highs in the mid 60s tomorrow. We shall return.
Thomas Hilton is the ultimate badass fishing nerd. One day I’ll have a 26+ foot boat and a Hiltons account
A typical SC brook trout stream. Had a bunch of strikes but couldn't get most on for more than a second. The only two to the net were small enough to slip through it.
Went to visit an old fishing buddy down in Reno. Got on Pyramid and the Truckee and mashed em. Spoiler
Frustrating, but good day. Had tons of strikes or rejections and couldn't get many hooked. Saw the largest native brook trout I've seen hit at my flies twice. Was as wide as my hand.
Just kidding have to replace the entire spine 400 bucks. Tarpon Nole that saps place rents out vudu kayaks. Not sure if they are peddle or not. Let me know when it’s closer to time and I’ll send you spots if you elect to get a Yak.
Went out yesterday. Was supposed to be 5-10 with light chop. Was a solid 15 with some white caps. Went to a protected flat that usually holds some fish, but unfortunately it too has had a major grass die off. Poled for an hour and saw no real signs of life. Really sad how bad it’s gotten around here. Only highlight was my little dude seeing, casting to, and hooking this thing.
no those were both on zebra midges. some streamer work but no action. some guys down the rocks caught a true monster, but I didn’t see what on.
Doesn’t appear. Later in the week you might catch it in places. But for reference my area during king tide as about 5.9-6.1 high tide. And it’s 5.4 on the 14th. Probably some solid morning top water action during that time tho if you catch a low tide. Also there is a saltwater lake that everyone fishes that has no tides called Guana lake.
I yeah I caught 6-8 lady fish in a row the other day. Fuckers suck, didn’t even want to cut one up as bait.
it’s a 1995 MFI Predator. They were made locally and went out of business. They sold the mold to Key West and were modified into what is the Key West Stealth. It’s heavy by todays standards, isn’t a technical poking skiff, but has no wood, never had a boat payment, is decent in a chop, and has caught tons of fish. Also get to smell 2 cycle smoke. I’ve fished it a ton on the beach for tarpon, had it way back in the Everglades, and even in Biscayne bay once. one day I’ll upgrade to a Hells Bay
My TU chapter asked me to do a presentation, so I put one together and did one on small stream fishing/bluelining tonight.
Office is closed on good Friday. Was planning on doing some fishing. Of course it's a 60% chance of rain 70% on Saturday and then tied up with family stuff all day Sunday
Reel that was on backorder has finally shipped After tomorrow night there's a nice stretch of warm weather and no nights below freezing It's about damn time
Went to go buy another one and local place had a diawa ballistic mq LT 1000 for 40 percent off so I went with it. It’s butter smooth, less drag but about an ounce lighter. My ffp reel came back from service and I’m pretty sure it’s just a refurbished reel because it looks brand new. Pretty happy with my inshore reels now and rods once my custom gets back.
Any recs on foul weather gear. I have a sims challenger set but it is starting to leak, I know they only last about 2-3 years I’d you use them because the coating comes off but didn’t know if there was better options
I've got to respect people that want to fish in foul weather. If it's raining pretty bad I'm probably just not going. Now I am interested in some cold weather gear. Edit-I've gone out in the kayak in the rain . Different story trying to run a boat in weather like that. Especially with wind.
Let's talk about hooks for live baiting: -J Hooks-I'm a newb with J Hooks. Everyone swears by circle hooks because the hook up rate is so high. But I love to set the hook I've been searching for some J Hooks for both inshore and offshore. Was at walmart this week and was looking around for j hooks. I guess I expected the product to label itself as a J Hook. Not so fast my friend. I guess you are just looking for something that literally is shaped like a J. But it will not be labeled as a J Hook. What is your favorite style of J Hook for various types of fishing? - I bought some octopus 6/0 hooks for cobia. Everyone swears by circle hooks for them for the higher hookup rate. I have both and will experiment with both. -Kahle hooks for inshore-some folks are really big fans of these hooks for live bait. They are described as a hybrid between circle and jhook. You can set the hook with them or use them similar to a circle hook where the hook sets itself. I've experimented with them a bit with a carolina rig and live bait. Jury is still out for me on these. -Inshore octopus hooks-Ordered some 1/0 that looked tiny when they came in so bought some 2/0 . Still haven't had a chance to use them. Seem like another hybrid option. Can set the hook with them.
I use my foul weather gear as cold weather gear too. I just stack layers under it. If I’m dry I’m good.
I use mine for cold weather and fog than real rain. Usually it’s too cold to be in rain in the winter, and summer if it’s raining it’s lightning also simms challenger is what I have Pharm think you have to go up to gortex or whatever similar product to really see a difference, but $$$
Yeah was looking at Grundens but not sure it’s worth it. I don’t fish cold weather rain either. And yeah only fish rain in the summer if it’s green on radar with no lightning or gonna pass quick. I use it a ton on the winter to keep the water off me in the kayak so I don’t get miserable.
Team Simms on foul weather gear. I have been in a heavy rain that lasted 6 hours. Never failed. I use it almost every time I fish. Long early morning runs make me cold. My jacket is going on 3 years and still looks fairly new.
Simms is the best in probably every category. And when it comes fo waders, there isn’t even a second place. I like Aftco and Grundens, but I’d rather pay once/cry once. Plus Simms’ customer service is incredible.
So sounds like I just wore out mine over 3 years of kayak fishing. think my wife also washed a couple times incorrectly