BigBendFishing.Net

Friday
Got down to SJB around 1:30 p.m. and quickly launched from Presnells. Wanted to spend a couple of hours checking on my redfish holes in preparation for Saturdays tourney. Wasn't too worried about finding some trout since apparently they are almost extinct in the Bay

Headed east 1st and managed to pick up a short red, a blue and several little gag grouper in short order.There really seems to be an abundance of juvenile gags on the grass flats this year.



Surprisingly, there were several boats working the sandbar back towards the city ramp, so I headed west and south. Due to the low tide it took a while to get in position to drift over a few red holes, but the reds were there and quickly cooperated.







Boated 5 between 25" and 26.5". Decided to pack it in around 4:00 with high hopes of taking the redfish pot money on tourney day.

Saturday
Arrived at Presnells thinking I was the early bird only to be out done by the kayak contingent in the form of JSuber. Other tourney participants arrived and the usual pleasantries and BS began. Reel Slow and I finished loading the boat and discussing our strategery. Finally our resplendant tournament director gave the word and we eased our way out.

1st stop the middle grounds. Rough as a cob doesn't even begin to describe the water conditions on the bay. We made 2 drifts w/o a bite and decided to head south and east in search of some calmer, shallower water. Pretty much spent the day in 1/2' to 3' of water in the back of the Bay working the potholes picking up a trout or 2 here and there. I think in the final tally we estimated we caught a 1 keeper trout per hour.
It was tough trout fishing to say the least. We ended up with 7 trout between 15.5" and 19". Only put 1 redfish in the box, a lost and bewildered 24"er. We couldn't seem to find any reds under 29" today. Any other day that would be a good thing, but today.... Back at the scales by 3:30 and we were lucky enough to get 2nd place in the tournament. Caught the trout on topwater and soft jerkbaits and the reds on the spoon.
A couple of shots of Reel Slow with some really nice'uns




Congratulations to Chalk and TinCan on bringing home 1st place as well as the best redfish.

Also congrats to Sea Gurl on catching the top trout. Great fish on a tough day, Jackie.

Thanks goes to Reel Slow for putting up with me again. Glad to have you along Partner.

BD/SR,
Talked to Chalk earlier and got a prelim report; been waiting for some posts/pics. Sounds like it was a little windy. Sounds like you and SR made a good day out of some tough conditions. Nice work and thanks for the report.

Congrats on second and thanks for the report and a big WTG to Jackie

HEY BIRDDOG, SOUNDS LIKE YA HAD A GREAT FISHIN TRIP BOTH DAYS. THOSE WERE GREAT PIC. OF THE REDS.

CONGRATS ON 2ND SPOT. BY THE WAY TIN CAN CAUGHT THOSE FISH WITH A NET LAST NIGHT AND PUT THEM IN A TRAP. HA HA HA
PA THE OLD MAN OF THE SEA

Awesome on the 1st day but sorry about day 2. That's why is fishing and not catching. Congrats!

Nice two days on the water BD...Glad you came over for dinner Friday night.

Congratulations to you and Reel Slow on a good finish and collecting all side bets



P.S. Is that a chatter bait?

BD it was a pleasure as usual Nothing like having a free guide on SJB!!! But, you forgot to mention the one short we brought in



Congrats to Chalk and TC for 1st place and big red and Sea Gurl for the big trout

Chalk - no that ain't a chatter bait, thats just a hunk of gulp shrimp hanging off that jig.....

I'm sorry bout that RS. I swear I didn't even notice it.

Maybe that'll teach you to hook back low to the rod or reel.

birddog wrote:

I'm sorry bout that RS. I swear I didn't even notice it.

Maybe that'll teach you to hook back low to the rod or reel.

Vanity has its price

Chalk wrote:Nice two days on the water BD...Glad you came over for dinner Friday night.

Congratulations to you and Reel Slow on a good finish and collecting all side bets



P.S. Is that a chatter bait?

Thanks again for dinner.

Ole Slumptrout actually gave up the cash pretty easy this time.

birddog wrote:Ole Slumptrout actually gave up the cash pretty easy this time.

I was thinking you should ask him to speak at the next NFGFC meeting, telling everyone how to handle the stress and low times associated with tournament fishing....

It may be too soon for him. I'm sure the mental anguish is severe.

Maybe by the Christmas party he could do a short seminar.

Very nice

I'd like to thank Eerman for having me as a partner and being such a gracious Captain. I enjoyed the day tremendously and the time seemed to just fly!! You got us through 6" of water as if we were in an air boat

Catching was slow and both of us lost good opportunities - isn't that always the case The "could of beens"

Congratulations to Chalk and John for putting on a good showing on a very tough day

Birddog and Slow Reel we were nipping at your heels - WTG

I enjoyed it everyone

Thanks again Rick for making it all possible

Sea Gurl

Hey Birddog, you say it was windy??? It was slick and hot where we was at,,,maybe that's why we didn't do to well