Aucilla 1/11

[captkeyser]

My buddy Chewy and I got down to the landing around 2:00pm yesterday to catch the last of the incoming and first of the outgoing. The tide was STILL (at 2:00pm) much lower than it should have been, so we decided to take the West pass and hit up some creeks before venturing out to the flats. Within 10mins of killing the motor, Chewy has already got 2 reds in the boat 22"er and 24"er. Couple minutes later I catch a Blue, thought that was kinda weird, being that I was way back in a creek. We continued to fish our way to the back of the creek and caught 2 more reds, both around 22-23inches. By this time the water had really began to move in, so we decided to see if we could find the trout.

Moved out to the flat. The water temp was 60degrees so I figured it would be a hit or miss situation. Lucky for us it was a HIT! We managed to put a limit of trout in the boat between 3:30 and 5:00pm. All caught on the 7" Assassin fluke. The bite was non stop with most of the fish being in the 19-20inch range with the biggest being 21". Between 4:00pm and 5:00pm the winds shifted from SW, to W and then NW. As soon as it started blowing from the NW, the bite went from on fire to NOTHING.

I have never experienced a bite being so good, and then simply STOP. We were catching fish, or at least getting hit, on almost every cast, and as soon as the wind shifted, I mean the fish completely stopped. Wondering if any of you experienced the same thing???? Working on getting some pics up as soon as I get them emailed to me.

[Littoral]

Great report.

Couple minutes later I catch a Blue, thought that was kinda weird, being that I was way back in a creek

I caught one a week ago real shallow. ??
I caught a 5lb Pompano in late Jan up a St Marks Creek, a few years ago. ??

By this time the water had really began to move in, so we decided to see if we could find the trout.
Moved out to the flat. The water temp was 60degrees so I figured it would be a hit or miss situation.

60 is a useful number but what I count on is the recent change in temp. Recent is relative but I look for changes "today" and 2-3 preceeding days. Like the ones coming up this week.

As soon as it started blowing from the NW, the bite went from on fire to NOTHING. Wondering if any of you experienced the same thing????

Yes. Cool stuff and puzzling it together is one of my favorite parts about fishing.
Hypothesis: The timing of the wind shift (S to N)corresponded to the top of rise (just after 3:00) and may have abruptly stopped water from moving.

[captkeyser]

I completely agree with you thoughts on the water temp. This time of year, especially given the frequent warm spells, the fish may be back in the creeks one day and out on the flat the next. Normally if we have had 2 to 3 days in the 70's then I will target the flat. Especially if the day that I go is sunny, as I have found that the fish will move into the shallows to catch some rays. This proves to be even better if there is a low tide in the morning hours. As the mud, rocks, and oyster bars are all completely exposed to the sunlight. As soon as the high tide covers them, they begin to release the heat that they have absorbed. The fish will then flock to these areas on the hight tide.

Thanks for all the insight. I thought that same thing about the lack of water movement, but even when the water started moving the fish still would respond. I was thinking that it may have been a change in pressure, as around this time the sky started begining to clear and the temp became noticeably colder. Who knows.

[lordsfisher]

Great report. Yes, please post the pics. I've been reading Dr. Suess to my 4 year old daughter: "Redfish, bluefish, one fish, two fish". So I'll be able to show her. OK don't call child protective services for my efforts to brainwash my girl into being a fisher.

I'm a scientist, so this discussion of water temperature really appeals to me. Does the water on the shallow flats get warmer than creeks after a few days of solar heating? I've already figured out that this works for flounder. What's the coldest temp water you've ever caught reds and trout?

[Littoral]

But...
An under appreciated variable: Acclimation
I think if we have not had a serious cold snap before the middle of December
then the trout won't ever be in the creeks in any real numbers.
Like you said, who knows?

[Littoral]

OK don't call child protective services for my efforts to brainwash my girl into being a fisher.

Been a project for me for 8 years now.
Soon it will happen, "Honey, I know you've taken them twice this week but they're begging to go."

I'm a scientist, so this discussion of water temperature really appeals to me.

If you don't mind me asking, what do you do?

Does the water on the shallow flats get warmer than creeks after a few days of solar heating?

It's the change, not the number. 2 degrees is the ticket.

What's the coldest temp water you've ever caught reds and trout?

I should know this and will look back at my records. Short answer is very cold.
I've had them slowly swim between my legs like drifting frozen sticks and still bite. True story.

[lordsfisher]

ha ha.... good stuff! Of course i don't mind you asking.... I was trained as a marine biologist/chemistry. Now I have a consulting business that deals with indoor air quality issues (e.g., moisture problems in commercial buildings, mold, etc.). Talking about the science of fishing is a lot more fun to me than building science. That's an interesting observation on the temp. Ever considered salinity? It'd be interesting to check around for a hydrometer that maybe a saltwater aquarium user might use, and plot some data compared to fishing success. I'm looking forward to meeting you one day and hearing more about your kayak. That sounds like a great way to enjoy fishing and the water.

[captkeyser]

One fish, two fish..... what an excellent way to peak ones interest. You must have seen the pic on myhometownfishing.com.

Lordsfisher- I have caught trout in extremely low water temps, but this has been back in the creeks. Some of the best times that I can remember are fishing this way. However, they become EXTREMELY lithargic and the best bait (above shrimp) is the jig grub combo. I have caught fish with water temps in the low 50's and probably colder than that, but that was before I had a bottom machine... so not really sure.

Yes, I do believe that the water temps are warmer out of the creeks after a couple of good warm sunny days. NOT necessarily on the flat, in 3ft of water over grass though. Given this scenerio I target mud along the shorline in about 1ft of water. The darker mud absorbs the heat from the sun far better than any grass, and the shallower water will obviously warm quicker than the deeper. I have seen, literally THOUSANDS of trout stacked up like mullet in areas like these. They tend to be very skiddish, but will eat a very slow retrieved bait. (Bomber, fluke, jig, etc.)

This to me is the best part about fishing, trying to figure these guys out. There is nothing better than planning a trip, based on your theories and then finding out that you were correct. Even if you can only see them, at least you know you went to the right spot. Catching is just a bonus!

[Littoral]

Puzzles.
Salinity is relevant but not a driving factor relative the the bigger variables, temp & food.
Moving water determines much of those two so is what I focus on.
Mud/Dark Bottom. Yes Yes
Rising AM low. Sun. Southern light wind (not N). Minimal tide, not extreme.

Reminds me why I bought a kayak.

[lordsfisher]

One fish, two fish.....

CaptK, I hadn't see that before, but I just did. Great minds... (or something like that!) That's a classic pic. I think i saw your friend Nina in the paper this weekend?

That'd be incredible to witness trout stacked up like that! Do trout and mullet move together? I think I've noticed redfish moving around mullet, which would make sense. But maybe it's just cooincidental since there's so many mullet around. I need to fish more. I worked for 4 years straight with no fishing, now it's time to make more fishing time.

[lordsfisher]

Puzzles.
Salinity is relevant but not a driving factor relative the the bigger variables, temp & food. Moving water determines much of those two so is what I focus on. Rising AM low. Sun. Southern light wind (not N). Minimal tide, not extreme.

1) What do trout eat in winter? I bet the big ones snack big mullet. I release a lot of mine so I don't get that info. The last few I cleaned had empty stomachs. The reds I cleaned had baby crabs. I bet trout eat those too.
2) Are shrimp in the shallows this time of year?
3) Minimal tide? Can you explain that? Seems like stronger tide would carry more food to fish and cause more of a feeding frenzy? Obviously, I'm missing something.

[captkeyser]

Lordsfisher- Glad you saw the site. I figured it was too much of a coincidense that you mentioned "One fish, two fish..." after the pic just posting.

Yes, Nina is my beloved girlfriend and loves nothing more than to get out on the water with me. I would put her up against any of my skilled fishing buddies, and can guarantee that she wouldn't let me down. Keeper for sure. She was in the paper, and boy was she thrilled. Made both my day and hers.

The pics should be up on the same site tomorrow. I can't figure out how to get them up here. Embarrasing I know. I also write a weekly fishing forecast on that site if you are interested in checking that out. Click "News" and scroll down.

As far as mullet go, YES Trout ABSOLUTELY follow the mullet. As the offshore fisherman follow the birds, inshore fisherman should follow the mullet. Trout and Reds will school with them, with most of the larger trout following the school. BIG trout feed primarily on mullet. Sure they will eat just about anything, pinfish, pigfish, shrimp, crabs, pilchards, even rockbass, but there favorite food is the mullet. I have caught 5lb trout and found 1lb mullet in them. You can catch plenty of trout on the grass flats, but you will find your "gator" trout up shallow. Alot of the time the larger trout will position themselves on the shoreline on a high tide to ambush the schools of mullet that run along the marsh grass..... easy pickins! This is also why you will find most of your larger trout around structure, meaning oyster bars and rocks. Think about it, this is where you find most of your mullet. They make perfect ambush spots, and a Trout, is an ambush predator.

The reason Littoral mentioned the minimal tide, I believe, goes like this. Stagnant water heats up quicker than moving water with direct sunlight. If there is a large high tide, then alot of the cooler water (because it is coming in from deeper depths) is now mixing with the warmer water, thus cooling it down. Ideally, for me any way, I want a high tide that is not falling much. This alows for the water to stay in the same place and heat up. THis typically works best when fishing shorelines and mud flats. Other than that scenerio, moving water is always a plus.

[Littoral]

Stagnant water heats up quicker than moving water with direct sunlight. If there is a large high tide, then alot of the cooler water (because it is coming in from deeper depths) is now mixing with the warmer water, thus cooling it down. Ideally, for me any way, I want a high tide that is not falling much.

Flip side is a negative low in the mid morning with a slow rise through the afternoon. (captkeyser noted this earlier)
Agreed on the Mullet.

[flounderpounder]

Great report bro!

[lordsfisher]

Stagnant water heats up quicker than moving water with direct sunlight. If there is a large high tide, then alot of the cooler water (because it is coming in from deeper depths) is now mixing with the warmer water, thus cooling it down.

Obviously some higher IQ folks on here than me! Thanks, very good info.

Capt. Keyser, that was a cooincidence about the one fish two fish, and I had no idea what you were talking about at first, but I'm glad for your link to that website. Good stuff.