Spanish are here!

Pirate · Post by **Pirate** » April 5th, 2006, 8:13 pm

Spanish showed up at the east end of SGI this past Sunday. Oldest son and I had non stop action for 2.5 hours until the rising tide stopped about 3:15. We really went to hit the outgoing but they didn't wait for it to change. We probably boated 45 and went through a bunch of spoons, all brands and silver and gold. They were not getting us at the leaders at all but just about anywhere else the line was in the water. Decent size, about 18/22, on most. Felt good to bent the rods.

TK · Post by TK » April 5th, 2006, 9:02 pm

Fished the mouth of the Ochlocknee Sunday. Macks were tearing it up in the channel just outside the oyster bars just before low tide. Landed one large mack and emptied the tackle box of spoons and gotcha's.

2true · Post by **2true** » April 6th, 2006, 8:46 am

Can you drive to the east end of St. George..........

Post by **qoutrage** » April 6th, 2006, 9:01 am

Good reports. That ought to make a lot of folks happy.

And to answer the question on the east end of SGI-
No, was just over there yesterday. The road stops at where you turn to go to the scout camp. You can only get there by water.

Thanks for the reports guys. It's that time of year.

Post by **1-850-Bay-Fish** » April 6th, 2006, 10:12 pm

[quote="qoutrage"]Good reports. That ought to make a lot of folks happy.

Includeing the local tackle shop

Post by **Apalach** » April 7th, 2006, 8:48 am

Friend of mine was out on the Dog Island Shoal couple of days ago--lots of macks around. But he kept getting cut off at the leader-was usiing 50 lb test fluoro, but is thinking about going to 80 lb next time out! What are you guys using?

Shoot4Fish · Post by **Shoot4Fish** » April 7th, 2006, 3:22 pm

Went out of the Lighthouse yesterday and got into a mess of macks just past the bird rack in about 12-14 feet of water. So many they were free jumping and blasting on the glass minnows.
I use light (I think it's 15 or 20 pound) seven strand and a barrel swivel and just tie it on. I make the leaders about 4 feet long. Doesn't guarantee from getting cut, and makes casting a bit tougher, but less time tying up. I've tried using a short amount of wire with some flourocarbon, but they just eat it up. Didn't lose a single spoon with this set-up yesterday, and they were thick.

happy hooker · Post by **happy hooker** » April 7th, 2006, 6:53 pm

When macks are hot and heavy I've found it best to not use a swivel as they will hit it and cut you off. 50 lb mono tied straight to your line reduces most of your losses

Pirate · Post by **Pirate** » April 7th, 2006, 9:33 pm

2True, I am pretty sure they aren't allowing anyone through the State Park. There were a few people on the beach but also a couple of boats so they probably floated in. There are only a couple of pull-offs inside the gate even open. You can't drive past the boy scout ramp and they aren't even charging. I did hear machinery going strong from Marsh Island area so who knows whats happening. Just call the Park and they can probably give you an idea. The no swivel technique would probably help. We had 50# mono leader and didn't get cut off there, just different places. The spanish are always different with cutoffs. One rig works fine one time and the next time it's a goner. I guess it's just the cost of doing business with the toothy critters.