The fish are on the flats

Post by **Jumptrout51** » March 5th, 2006, 10:24 am

Two boats of us left Econfina about 7:15 am Saturday. Whew! It was cold.
Headed east. Went about 4 miles then turned to go in close to catch the last of the falling tide. The second boat did the same about a mile further down. Birds were diving on bait everywhere. That was an encouraging sign.
However there were no bites to be had in close. We moved down about 2 miles and started a drift towards the southwest. The cold wind from the northeast about 15-20mph. Drifted onto a shell bar we thought we could drift over.No way. Basshole and I stripped to our skivvies and into the 59 degree water. Pulled the boat off,got dressed and started throwing hard jerkbaits. Bam! First trout 18".Not a bad start.Second,17",3rd,16". That's when we decided to keep nothing under 16". Caught 4 or 5 over 15 but under 16. Threw them back. Fished this drift 5 times catching fish everytime.
Our overall plan had been to go to Spring Warrior area,so we packed up to head that way. Butch,Chuck and Al were already there. Made several drifts in the area with mostly short trout. So far all these fish were 1 to 1 1/2 miles out.
By now the tide was coming in good.The water was warming and the wind was dying.We headed inshore to try creek mouth fishing. The fish and bait were moving on the surface almost everywhere. We quickly hooked and lost a 5 plus pound trout off a grassy point. Then boated a nice 19" keeper. Then a 20" redfish. Then another red then another.We decided to start moving back to the west towards Econfina . Went back to our morning spot,NADA. Went to our inclose spot where we had started the day. Nice 20" trout in the boat. Then another 20" red,then a 24" red. Then another and another.
Moved on down towards Econfina river fishing creek mouths all the way. Every place we stopped produced 1-3 reds.
Caught up with Butch and gang to compare notes. Both boats caught over 40 trout each with nice keepers to 21". Both boats lost large trout from poor hooksets. Sometimes those topwater hooks just don't set. Basshole and I won the red count for the day with 15.
Raced back to Econfina ramp and lost. Of course the boat I was in runs 8mph slower than the SEAARK.
All in all a good day for exploring except for the cold.

Post by **birddog** » March 5th, 2006, 10:26 am

Excellent report JT. I'm gonna give her a try tomorrow.

Post by **Chalk** » March 5th, 2006, 10:47 am

Ghoot report JT51...

Was there any grass out on flats?

Post by **RodBow** » March 5th, 2006, 10:50 am

JT, I didn't know you had it in you but what a fantastic, detailed and descriptive report. You could take a job as a fishing editor.

I am more excited about spring fishing now that I read your report than before!

Post by **Jumptrout51** » March 5th, 2006, 11:56 am

Chalk: No.
Rodbow: I try to give as little detail as possible.

Post by **wevans** » March 5th, 2006, 12:39 pm

Them danged thangs must have all moved down that a way, cause they shure aint none around Bottoms

Glad ta here that they are still bitin over there

Post by **Sir reel** » March 5th, 2006, 1:58 pm

Good job guys. SEE...I told you folks they'd catch fish!

Junptrout51 and basshole in their skivies.... I'd been willing ta buy a ticket to see that!

All I did was dig in to my standard carry bag and put on a pair of dry socks....

Blindhog and I kept talk'n about the fish we caught a couple of years ago just about this time of the year in the hickory mound area... should have known the water would warm a little quicker over there before it gets to St Marks.

Post by **Redfish Jim** » March 5th, 2006, 7:15 pm

Excellent report JT

Post by **Eerman** » March 5th, 2006, 8:21 pm

Nice work JT51...I need some lessons.

Post by **Perch Jerker** » March 5th, 2006, 8:41 pm

A great day catchin. Thanks for the report JT

.

Ty one on · Post by **Ty one on** » March 5th, 2006, 8:48 pm

JT51,

You sound ready for next weekend, I'm ready can't wait. It should be a great weekend for fishing. the water temp should rise another 3 to 5 degrees with the sunshine. I'm sure our paths will cross Fri. Sat. or Sun. Good Luck,

Post by **rocket** » March 5th, 2006, 9:49 pm

Glad you found them east of the Ecofina, 'cause I sure didn't find 'em west of it the day before!

Post by **snook** » March 5th, 2006, 10:51 pm

jt51 sounds like you have it going on.. cant wait to start exploring up there.