Shell point next week

Post by **jmay** » March 30th, 2003, 2:29 pm

My family and I are going to be fishing with you next weekend and part of next week and are really looking forward to it. We are staying in Shell Point and will be fishing out of there in our 18 ft CC Sea Chaser W/ Honda 90. We are still learning about fishing the flats and have already used your advise to others. I have some questions while I'm getting rigged up. What's your thoughts on the super lines ( like power pro) and what pound test ? If I stay with mono (ande) what pound test. Hoping to catch trout, reds etc.. What kind of rig shouold I have ready if we see a cobia ? Are there good places close to shell point that we could target grouper in our boat if the weather is good. Are the spanish in the west flats yet and should I rig any differently for them?
We will fish Saturday afternoon thru Tuesday, on the radio we will use ZZ TOPWATER as our call sign and hope to meet some of you.
Thank you in advance for your time and help. Jeff

Post by **Tom Keels** » March 30th, 2003, 3:43 pm

I like power pro for some things and not so much for others. I have 15 lb PP on one of my stradic 4000's that I use mostly for throwing cajun thunder's and victimizer popping corks. The low stretch makes it easier to pop from a long cast.

Other than that I use 10 lb test on my smaller spinning rigs, 15 on my smaller bait casters, and 20 pound big game on my big spinners and trolling rods. 50 pound on my grouper sticks and 80 pound leader.

For cobia. When drifting a flat, keep a pinfish under a cork out behind the boat. Use heavy mono leader or light wire just in case a spanish hits it. Use a main line from 15-20# test and a # 5/0 Khale style hook. A bait clicker helps detect strikes. Also keep a big spinner rigged with 20# test and a cobia jig tied on for those you may see cruising.

Spanish are spotty. They aren't bunched up and hitting anything consistently. I hope that changes soon. Rig with heavy mono leaders and flashy spoons or trolled mackeral trees should work.

Grouper are being caught in the Marker 24 area on trolled Stretch 25's and cut bait on the bottom. This is about 12 miles out of Shell Point and is well within your range on a good weather day. Out deeper has been a little more consistent for spanish as well.

Good luck to you. I'll call you on Saturday if I'm out.

Post by **CSMarine** » March 31st, 2003, 2:51 pm

Tom, would you mind explaining the mackeral tree. Can't seem to find a diagram or explanation of how they are fished. Thanks.

Post by **Tom Keels** » March 31st, 2003, 2:53 pm

Ever seen a Sabiki Rig?

Post by **CSMarine** » March 31st, 2003, 2:58 pm

Yes I have. Have a few in my box.

Post by **Tom Keels** » March 31st, 2003, 3:14 pm

Like that only bigger hooks and colored tubes on the hooks. Usually put a small clark spoon on the end.

Post by **CSMarine** » March 31st, 2003, 3:25 pm

Thanks Tom. Thought I'd try it off Keaton, in between the Trouts.