10/3 Tourney on the Ecky

[Bow'd Up]

Reel Cowboy and Justin showed up at the house at 4:15 to begin our journey to the NFGFC tourney at Ecofina. Fell in line behind Showboat and Mr. Stinson bout time we made the left on 98. Got to the ramp and lauched behind Steve and Butch only to sit at the sea wall waiting on Casey to give the go ahead to roll out. While waiting had a good BS session with Pat, Huck, Steve and Butch. Finally, Casey gives the go ahead so we fall in line with the other boats and carefully proceed out of the river. On the ride down, we had made the decision to head toward Aucilla to begin our day. Pull in to spot 1 for a long troll in to our fishing hole. We all start chunking top water and in pretty short order I put a 17.5" trout in the livewell. Shortly after that,I boat a 23 " red. Then the missing began. I began to think that I was hallucinating about seeing 3 treble hooks on my superspook and believe that I actually asked Matthew did I have hooks attached to my lure. How can a trout roll all over a plug with 9 hook and not get one stuck in his face somewhere. Anyway this condition rapidly spread to Matthew as he could not get a hook in a fish either. Between us, we missed at least 20 fish in the 1st 2 hours of the morning. Also saw something I've never seen before. A few large trout looked to be resting in very shallow water with about 1/3 of their tail sticking out of the water. They were not moving just sitting in the grass and would not hit anything. Finally when the tide turned and we get some water moving, Justin lands a 18" trout on a jerk shad. Moments later Matthew has a huge blowup on top water and connects with a very nice upper slot red. I tell Matthew that this one may win the redfish pot but as he eases the fish to net, about 2 feet from getting in the net, the hook pulls out, fish gives us the middle fin-ger and hauls arse. Dejected, we keep on fishing and run up on 2 reds tailing in from of the boat. Throw everything but no love. Decide to head back towards Rock Island to spot 2. Pull into a creek that was full of redfish on Friday and fish are crashing bait everywhere. Dropped the PowerPole and began chunking but turned out the reds had seemingly pulled out to make way for the school of Jack's that moved in. Caught 1 Jack right away. Justin boats a very nice flounder that won the flounder pot but we catch nothing else. As we got ready to leave a large shape appeared in front of the boat. A manatee came up and nosed the trolling motor and hung around the boat for at least 15 minutes. Figuring we had been blessed with a little good luck, we headed back out to finish our limit of trout. Matthew boats a 18.5" in pretty short order on a jerk shad but that would be our last fish. Headed back to spot 1 to finish our day but the trouts showed no love. Enjoyed it Matthew and Justin.....Had a blast. Great seeing everyone at the weigh in

[TroutTrent]

[Jumptrout51]

Sounds like a fun,but exasperating day. It was good to see you guys fishing together.

[Reel Cowboy]

Bow'd I had a blast, thanks for letting us tag along. I just wish that red hadn't come unbuttoned.