St. Marks 2/22/19

[Ted in Tallahassee]

Four of us went together in two small boats. Buddy had live shrimp, I did not, thinking it didn't really matter. We fished in pretty much the same places and all day he was killing the trout with live shrimp under a cork. I used my usual tackle setup--casting a free (no float) 1/4 oz. red headed jig with different colored Gulp shrimp, with and without a strip of fresh ladyfish on it. I also tried the same with a clacking cork above it. We got out early & fished all day: oyster bars, flats, Black Rock, Grey Mare, creek mouths & up creeks, outgoing & incoming tides. I only got two trout (nice keepers) and two rat reds. That was ALL we caught in my boat. He ended up with 9 big trout and a flounder. He also caught a lot of short trout & a catfish.

I am now a believer in using live shrimp.

Nice day weather-wise--very calm, overcast, not hot/not cold. Water was pretty clear in some places & a little dirty in others. Was pretty foggy early, then cleared up, then it rolled back in at around 2:00. Weird.

[silverking]

Thanks for the report. Beats sitting at a desk.

Gulp! baits are made with menhaden oil and the menhaden aren't here yet. Shrimp are, however. You can go with the real McCoy or you might try a 1/4-oz. DOA shrimp in near clear, gold glitter/glow or root beer. Add a squirt of Pro-Cure shrimp bait gel and you've got scent and longevity. I usually fish the DOA with just a leader, but they work very well under a popping or clacker cork, too.

Sounds like our spring season is really getting started in earnest.

[JeffB]

Thanks for the report. Beats sitting at a desk.

Gulp! baits are made with menhaden oil and the menhaden aren't here yet. Shrimp are, however. You can go with the real McCoy or you might try a 1/4-oz. DOA shrimp in near clear, gold glitter/glow or root beer. Add a squirt of Pro-Cure shrimp bait gel and you've got scent and longevity. I usually fish the DOA with just a leader, but they work very well under a popping or clacker cork, too.

Sounds like our spring season is really getting started in earnest.

I learn something almost everytime I log onto this site.
Thanks silverking!

[Tide-Dancer]

Great report, anybody catching pompano

[silverking]

The Pro-Cure gels are made from the actual bait, i.e. real ground up shrimp, mullet, etc.

A squirt down each side of a lure lasts for multiple casts. Not sure, but I think Kevin's carries it and I know Shields Marina does. Pro-Cure also has an on-line store. A bottle lasts a long time.

http://pro-cure.com/store/target-specie ... ecies.html

[Greenbone]

Ted, I had a similar day ,except chasing reds. They wouldn’t hit anything but live shrimp. I’m sure that trout with side of claws made for a great meal!
Yes, the pompano have hit St George Sound area.