St. Marks 12-30-08

[lordsfisher]

I went out to the lighthouse by myself this a.m. I've never seen the water so low in the lighthouse canal, with no more than 1' of water all the way out. I was able to launch. And decided to cast net some live bait. First throw at the ramp netted about 40 finger mullet and one 14" mullet. Seemed like a good start! Ran east and set up a quick drift toward shore. The water was super clear and smooth with strong incoming tide. I spotted 8 reds all in less than 2' of water. I could barely move my arm to cast without them spooking. I got a good run from the biggest (maybe 26"+). But soon lost it. I was experimenting with a 4/0 hook that had a slight circle with a white jerk bait. That's the last time try that kind of hook! I casted a chartruese skitterwalk in front of a couple, and they didn't like it. I have never caught a fish on that and have no confidence in it. The wind picked up and made sight casting impossible. I headed up a creek and caught one 15" trout and a 18" red. And that was it. I fished fairly hard, but didn't have a good plan. I never really found trout either. Nice day on the water though. I crossed some women, one of whom spead her late husband's ashes at channel marker 7. With the gorgeous sunset... it was a peaceful fairwell.

[Flint River Pirate]

Well sounds like you had a nice time. I agree with you on the skitterwalk, I don't like that plug. Interesting passing the women spreading ashes, I have seen a lot on the water......never that.

[What a mess]

I love that plug in a trout pattern or pink and have had great luck on trout reds and had one crushed by a shark you can keep throwing it there great as tony the tiger would say never really used it for site fishing per say. Circle hooks are great too its just hard not to snatch you just reel till you feel then make em squeal.

[Redbelly]

I will dispose of your chartruese skitterwalks. PM me and we can discuss how.

[Ron Wilson]

Good day on the water.

[lordsfisher]

Thanks for the encouragement on the Rapala Skitterwalk. I'm 0 of 2 in fishing hard with it. I even watched video of proper technique. And if I can't catch with next time, I'll donate them to the fishing clubs' next charity give away, or give it to the next homeless guy at the ramp with a "will fish for food" sign.

[Redfin]

I've always had exceptional luck with the skitter-walks in redfish colors and trout colors.. my box is full of em. I got a pink one on right now and have used several times with no takers (looks so good I hate to take her off).... don;t give up on the SW just yet!

[Eerman]

There's nothing like a big red blowin' up a topwater (or so I hear). Don't give up on it yet.

[Reel Cowboy]

Keep throwing top water, when something does eat it, it'll be cool as eskimo poop.

[lordsfisher]

You've convinced me to keep throwing it. Maybe the water's too cold now? I know what you mean about topwater. The biggest trout ever was on top water, and it was exciting. Years ago, I made a homemade zara spook of sorts, it was supposed to dive to 1', but it wasn't easy to make it dive. So this time it was sputtering on top. That fish busted it three times and finally hooked it. I was just getting frustrated walking that top water by 5 reds the other day and having them pay no attention. I'd pick up a plastic lure and two of them pounced on it like candy. So I wasn't sure if reds hit topwater. Thanks for the good advice. Happy 2009!

[cleanlivin]

those skitter walks will payoff