This weekend it was almost freezing when I woke up, so I decided it was back to winter patterns. Sunday put in at the lighthouse early. There was no water anywhere. Water wasn't even up to the ramp. Passed an Action Craft that was headed out of the refuge when I was headed in; bet he wishes he had a Gheenoe instead. just kidding it was a really nice boat.
After a half hour push out of the canal I started up some creeks. Beached myself twice on sand bars that I had no idea were infront of oyster bars I fish regularly and had marked on my GPS. Finally got to my first hole at about 9:15 and knew things had to happen quickly (if I was going to catch my 4:30 to Atlanta).
Second cast I caught probably the heaviest trout I've ever caught. Only 24", but it had to be pushing the 8lbs mark (no scale). It had four big snaggle teeth, golden mouth and a tail thicker than my wrist (no skinny wrist jokes). It was so reminiscent of my days in Michigan... Drifting a jig with the strong incoming tide when it started to move. Didn't feel a thing, but I tightened the line, set the hook and knew I had hung a beast. It started upstream immediately taking line with it. Thought for sure it was a red, but when it came to the boat I saw the trout. Between my cold fingers and the steelhead looking beast in front of me I thought I had relapsed. Proceeded to catch 8-10 fat trout between 20"-24" before I had to leave.
Aligators were everywhere and very slow. Two eagles circled for about 30 minutes, and the dolphin were crashing mullet hard. All in all, probably enough to keep my happy until I return from Hotlanta later this week.
Sorry no pictures, that's what happens when Katie doesn't fish with me.
Hopefully I talk her into going next time.
