Keaton Beach 3/9 - 3/10

caseycook · Post by **caseycook** » March 10th, 2007, 9:34 pm

3/9 - My fishing partner and I drove down to Keaton Beach yesterday afternoon and finally put the boat in the water around 4. As we were idling out the canal, we saw Capt. Pat at the fish cleaning station and he told us to head North and fish in two feet of water. Well, we did just that. We ran about 3 miles out of the marina and settled in a little flat just to see what was around. Neither of us had ever fished this area before and so we weren't sure what to expect. We started in shallow, he threw a gulp jig and I threw a topwater lure. Third cast I caught a 20.5" trout. We drifted some more working the grass line until an airboat came by us at about 50 yards (wide open without a muffler - thanks to whomever that was) scaring every living creature from here to Perry away. We eased out and ran another four miles or so towards some oysters that were marked on the Blue chart. Eased in around the oyster bars near Spring Warrior and hooked a nice fat 24" red close to the shoreline. All in all, we did more riding than we did fishing trying to learn the water. Had the boat on the trailer by 6:30 p.m.

3/10 - Got up this morning at 5 a.m. and drove from our hotel in Perry. Put the boat in, did the registration thing, and ran out the marina to Spring Warrior. My partner threw gulp jigs and I was throwing a topwater lure. At about 7, Brian hooked a small red and I caught a 19" red on the topwater lure. I decided to switch to a soft plastic jerkbait around 7:30. Good choice. By 8:30 we had a limit with the big fish at 22.5". We stayed around the oyster bars in around 1.5 to 2' of water and caught trout after trout. From 8:30 to 10 we caught probably 30 trout, all over 15". We caught 3 trout over 20" (biggest was 23") during this period and picked up two that were 18". From 10:15 to about 11:15, the wind died and the tide wasn't moving much. We didn't catch a fish during this period. At 11:15 the wind picked up again and the tide started coming back in a little. From 11:15 - 12:30 we caught another 15 or so trout all in less than 2' of water. We worked around the oyster bars and the water was so clear that from the poling platform, I could see my bait and anything around it all the way to the end of my cast. During this magic hour and 15 minutes, we had a double with both trout measuring over 20" (a first for me). I also caught our big trout of the day which measured right at 25". Partner goes, "I think you just might've won the big fish pot." Fat chance. By 12:30 our five biggest were a 25", 19", 18.5", 17.5", 17". Partner wanted to move once the fishing got a little slow around 1, so we moved closer to the marina in hopes that we could find some redfish so we worked some oyster bars near Yates Creek. Picked up one trout at 22" around 1:15, but that was it for the day. Headed in to the marina around 2:15 and enjoyed a few brews while waiting for everyone to come in. It was a great day on the water; one of my best. Had a great time seeing everyone at the weigh-in and saw some amazing fish. I still can't believe that guy caught 14 lbs of trout.

Total 5 trout - big one - 3.91 lbs - final weight = 11.61? lbs

CC

Post by **GIT-R-WET** » March 10th, 2007, 9:47 pm

Awesome day and awesome report

But where's the pics?

Post by **Jumptrout51** » March 10th, 2007, 9:49 pm

Good report and good job fishing Casey. Glad you guys had fun. Hope to see you at Carrabelle.

Post by **Reel Slow** » March 10th, 2007, 10:00 pm

Those are two great days. See ya in Carrabelle.

Post by **jsuber** » March 10th, 2007, 10:01 pm

Ya'll had the third best looking batch of fish i seen that day. Great job.

caseycook · Post by **caseycook** » March 10th, 2007, 10:02 pm

My partner was being a stubborn A$$ and wouldn't take the time to take pictures. I think he got a little frustrated as he was getting outfished from the back of the boat (just kidding, Brian). Actually, we took one, I'll post it tomorrow.

Post by **jsuber** » March 10th, 2007, 10:05 pm

Casey, ya'll had a great stringer of fish too.

Post by **birddog** » March 10th, 2007, 10:22 pm

Great day, Casey. Glad ya'll came down. This time of the year Keaton is a fantastic place to trout fish.

Yep, Junior Dice and his partner Ashley Mock are trout fishing phenomenons.

Post by **Eerman** » March 10th, 2007, 10:29 pm

That was a great stringer Casey. I was watching you guys wear 'em out all day.

ddb · Post by **ddb** » March 10th, 2007, 10:53 pm

Thanks for the great report. Sounds like you got into em pretty good. Getting ready to head down for a couple of days ourselves. Hope the good bite continues.

Post by **Barhopr** » March 11th, 2007, 12:07 am

Nice going Casey, I told those boys to watch out for ya

Post by **Welby** » March 11th, 2007, 12:44 am

Great catch and I enjoyed talking with you guys. There were a lot of great catchs, I sure thought ya'll would be in the money !

Post by **qoutrage** » March 12th, 2007, 9:47 am

Nice detailed report, Sir.

WTG.

Ty one on · Post by **Ty one on** » March 12th, 2007, 10:12 am

Glad that topwater bait worked for you

. Don't go and order all of them

. Good detailed report, Your times were right on. When that water really started to flow in the fishing did pick back up.

Post by **Perch Jerker** » March 12th, 2007, 9:43 pm

Excellent report. No pictures needed, I have a vivid imagination.