Keaton Beach 3/21

[zload]

Headed out of Seahag KB, most boats I've seen there since they took over. Launched about 8 to keep from waiting on tides at the lift.

Went North to Spring Creek/Yates creek area, apparently so did everybody else boats everywhere from grass line to 6'-8'.

Water was 71 at launch and stayed around 73, water up there varied from stained but reasonably clear to pretty cloudy.

Started out with a 17" trout in 4' but thought it was going to be "on" so I let him go for 18" and above...Threw some topwater early as it was very overcast but no takers, floating grass wasn't helpful.

Put 4 more lower slot trout in the boat there released them to grow.

Went back toward Dekle and found some grass starting to green up in 4'-5' water very clear and tide had started moving in. Picked up 8 more lower slot trout there using plastic jerk bait and Gulp shrimp biggest was 17" but skinny. They would slam it but still very scattered.

When I put on the Gulp shrimp started getting a few pinfish pecks so they are showing up as well.

Ran the boat out to the County Reef and caught a few black sea bass on live shrimp, released them too.

Boat ran well, nice day and caught some fish so a good day! The spring flats season seems about ready to kick off assuming the weather stays warm. Pecans are budding so we should be done with freezes according to the old timers...

[Welby]

Thanks for the report