Keaton Beach 2-7-09

[Reel Cowboy]

We stopped in this morning at Jerry's donated our money & headed to Keaton in search of the much sought after redfish.
It was so cold this morning that I had ice forming on the windshield wipers on the way down the road and had me wondering why we were outta bed at that hour.
Stopped at the Gas and Grill, got some ice, breakfast and launched at the near dry public ramp at 8:00. Christy got her coveralls, jacket, buff and gloves on while I navigated us down the canal to the awaiting Gulf of Mexico and the hope of scales for the scales (get it).
We started around Spring Warrior (after a quick stop to defrost) and some bars while we waited for some water to come in. After a couple of hours we decided to run up to the Fenholloway bars and ran into a small pod of dolphin having a big time. We didn't find much of anything other than sandy bottom and plastic floating everywhere.
Around 11:00 we made our way back to some bars and shoreline I've had some decent luck at and show 20-30 redfish just cruising around. Not real spooky, just hanging out and milling around. I had 1 fish pull a BA jerk shad off of a Capt' Mike's weedless hook and we had several pumping and mouthing some pink spoons to no avail. I even tied on a GULP! jerk bait and they just nudged it around but would not eat.
At 1:00 we headed back to the ramp got loaded and hit every store between Keaton and Jerry's looking for some Yuengling for Christy to take the edge off.
We had a great time nonetheless and can't wait till next time.

[birddog]

Good report RC. Ya'll will get 'em next trip.

[Flint River Pirate]

Sounds better that shopping all day in St. Simmons like I did. It was chilly over there all day long and really windy. Glad you guys got out. I need to see if my boat is still under the cover and see if I remember how to crank it!!

[What a mess]

What was the water temp?

Non-moving topwaters.

[tin can]

What was the water temp?

The water temp where I was started out at a cool 40, but got up to a nice warm 46 by mid day.

[What a mess]

Need to just leave it sit and bump it not chunk wind and pump it..

[Jumptrout51]

Good report. At least you got to see some reds. We didn't.
Can't wait until the Keaton trout tournament.
See ya'll there.

[Steve Stinson]

Dang - Keaton Beach! I thought I made a long run to Hickory Mound. We had the same problems with the fish. The water was so clear I could see the spots on the trout in the creek holes when my depthfinder was reading 8-9 feet deep. What-A-Mess is absolutey correct on the solution to the problem, but I didn't figure that out until the end of the day. We did weigh two reds, but they were 22 inches or so and not impressive amongst the other monsters that came to the scales at weigh-in.

NEVER try to launch a 17' jon boat on that low of a tide at Hickory Mound. Next time I will take the kayak - they are a lot easier to drag.
- Steve Stinson

[DixieReb]

RC, me and Dad were down there 2 weeks ago and except for you seeing some fish, our trip was just like yours.We saw a bunch of porposes also, they wouild come up to the boat and horse around riding our bow wave. I wondered if they were pairing up for mating because a pair of them kept coming close to us. We never saw any fish except the 2 shiners I caught and put out under a cork. With no takers. I guess the water is too cold right now, I'm just gonna wait for March and some warmer water. Sorry you didn't find 'em, from the reports I read it didn't sound like much of a day.

[What a mess]

I just had two of the best days of my life there, fish are concentrated and once you find them very catchable I have blown a couple of folks mind down there recently.

[caseycook]

At least Christy got her points, MJ! See you in Keaton.

[Bow'd Up]

At least you got to see some fish which was much better than me and BB did.....See ya'll at Keaton

[captkeyser]

Good report.

[Sea Spot]

Sorry they were closed mouth.Good to see you guys again.