We got down to the Aucilla and surprise, surprise, the water was really low. We screwed around on the dock at the ramp casting jig heads out into the river. After losing four of our new Slayer Jig heads, we decided that it might be time to try and launch the boat. I threw on the waders and was able to push the boat off of the trailer and we were in bidness. We idled down the river seeing rocks that we’d never seen before.
We stopped at a bar in the river and Pat went to grab the trolling motor and paused, “Uh dude, was Skip trying to keep water out of the trolling motor?” (My dad is notorious for his “engineering” efforts – Pat calls him McGuyver)
Casey: “No, why would you say that?”
Pat: “Because there’s a rubber on your trolling motor handle”
And sure enough, a Trojan was covering the trolling motor handle. We laughed and removed the newly added trolling motor protection. Screw protection – it can’t happen to us.
After Spot 1 was a bust, we made the long idle out the river. We fished down to the East and by about 11 a.m. the tide was ripping in. We started fishing at an offshore bar and slowly drifted in with the tide. As we got closer to the hill, we could see wakes everywhere from fish. Unfortunately, we were sitting in about 8 inches of water and every cast spooked fish. I got lucky on one cast and had a good red nail the pink spoon. I fought it for 2 minutes or so until Pat decided to say, “Oh man, that’s a good fish. I’m gonna get the net.” 10 seconds later, the fish threw the hook about 15 feet from the boat. F’n A, Cotton, F’n A.
We fished up into a couple creeks and saw trout , mullet and a few reds. Unfortunately none were hungry. At 1:30 with time slowly slipping away, we made the move to the Corner Pocket (one of our favorite bars). Five casts in and I had a red drill my spoon. After a couple minute fight, we netted the 25” fish and high-fived. No skunk for the Hog.
My new Mathew’s Fishing Styx rod performed admirably – I fished with it the whole day and really enjoyed testing it out – a high quality product for a very affordable price. Thanks Matthew and Christy.
We loaded the boat at 2:30 and made it back to Jerry’s for the weigh-in. Water temps ranged from 48-55 all day and we stayed in less than 2' for most of the day. Saw fish in less than 8" of water.
There were some great fish weighed and some good food to boot. Congrats to the winners and I look forward to seeing y’all in Keaton. BB, I’ll get you back when you’re least expecting it!
