5 Days of Fishing - Econfina/Keaton Beach

[Ron Wilson]

Headed South Wed mid-morning. Intent was to fish Econfina Wed afternoon, then head to the camper at Keaton for the remainder of the week. Launched around 12:30 at Econfina, headed South to fish a couple creeks. Only had a couple hours to fish before heading to Keaton. Fished two creeks and creek mouths for about 2 hours. Nothing - not a bite. Headed back to the ramp wondering if the remainder of the week would be the same. Fished 4 days North (Yates Creek and North towards Spring Warrior) all 4 days. Thursday picked up a limit in about an hour an a half in 3.5' on jerk shads and live shrimp. Limited out Friday as well - same pattern/bait. Did pick up a couple keepers on a mirrorlure. My son drove down Friday and we fished hard Sat and Sun. Both weekend days had limited water movement and not too much wind, but we did well, with Sunday being our best day. Sat picked up 3 reds (1 keeper) and 3 trout (one 22+" caught by my son in about 18" of water on a jerk shad). Sunday was met with heavy fog - drove carefully to Yates creek and my son quickly picked up where he left off Sat with a short red and nice 19.5" trout in about 2' of water. Picked up 2 more reds (one keeper) and 6 more keeper trout, all in about 2.5' of water. Decided to pack up and head back around 2:30 - got back to the camper and spent a couple hours cleaning boat, fish and camper. Great 5 days fishing, had great time with son and weather was very nice. Lots of boats out.

One of about 3-4 short trout caught this week. This little guy swallowed a gulp shad a little over 1/2 of his body length.



Sat trout (22")



Sat red



Sun catch

[fishinfool]

[Jumptrout51]

Nice.

[Harmsway]

Good deal, Ron.

[SS-342]

Thanks for the good report and nice fish!

[CSMarine]

Good report Ron. Fishing in my neck of the woods now.
Haven't been in a while, wondering if they were still on the flats there. Guess you answered that question. Hope the 20 degree nights this week don't run them in the rivers. My sons and I are fishing a couple days next week.

[Ron Wilson]

Good report Ron. Fishing in my neck of the woods now.
Haven't been in a while, wondering if they were still on the flats there. Guess you answered that question. Hope the 20 degree nights this week don't run them in the rivers. My sons and I are fishing a couple days next week.

CS,
They certainly appeared to be on the flats last week and the word was out. Boats were everywhere - especially from Yates to Spring Warrior. Saw a decent amount of airboats - one of them appeared to be "circling" mullet and laying out a net - wondered how he did.

Was thinking about you this weekend. I have a buddy that lives in Doerun, who I believe knows you. He has a place off Sea Oaks. He retired from the Base (effective 31 Dec). I think he'll be spending more time in KB after he makes some progress on his Honey Do List. Good luck next week - let us know if they move to the rivers.

Semper Fi!

[kenfly]

Nice Fish!!