02-04-08 St Marks the chastisement continues
Posted: February 5th, 2008, 8:16 pm
At the Light House at 7:25 very low tide…..Had to use the Miss. Kota to get to the mouth of the canal. Once there I ask my well acquainted buddy (Mr. Skunk) where he wanted to “not” catch fish. He quickly replied “I feel your best chance of shaking me would be the rock garden” So off we went ……
Upon arriving at the rock garden it became extraordinarily apparent on a negative low tide as to why this area got its name. I decide it would be prudent to fish my way in, rather than run in on plane.
I started in 2.5 ft of water and worked my way with the incoming tide into the rocky area. The first 2/10ths of a mile I didn’t see any sign of life, but when I got into 12in or less WOW it looked like I was at a Redfish strip club (Tails Everywhere ) after spooking the first few fish with the trolling motor, I decided to abandon it and pole my way closer to the groups of fish. With a rod at the ready I eased my way closer to the tailing fish, but from the poling platform I just couldn’t get close enough to make a good cast. I then decided to just stake the pole in the bottom and wait for the schools of reds to move within casting range. As a group of three past with in 30 yards I pitched a Gulp like crab on a weighted hook just ahead of the school; the first two pasted but the last one could not stand the life like action I put on the crab
and sure enough zing hooked up!! 
I fought the beast to the edge of the boat then made one of two hasty decisions that I would come to regret that day. Rather than boating the beast I thought I would be cute and take a picture of him in the water…..as I am holding the rod and digging for my camera I feel the rod go limp and away goes my prize. Not to worry though I have them dialed in now
I will just drop the trolling motor in and move up wind/current of the tailing fish and drift back into position……hence the second of two mistakes…..Note: a push poles breaking point is greater than 70lbs of thrust multiplied by stupid squared……
..yep you got it I forgot to un-stick the pole on the back of the boat…. You get the picture……spent the next few hours trying to get on more fish but just spooked everything in sight. Off the water by 12....and argued the IGFA leader touch rules with my little striped buddy all the way back to Tally..All in all it would have been a great day to have someone poling while the another was casting from the bow……but doing both is tough….
Tailing reds…sorry for the low quality....
Upon arriving at the rock garden it became extraordinarily apparent on a negative low tide as to why this area got its name. I decide it would be prudent to fish my way in, rather than run in on plane.
I started in 2.5 ft of water and worked my way with the incoming tide into the rocky area. The first 2/10ths of a mile I didn’t see any sign of life, but when I got into 12in or less WOW it looked like I was at a Redfish strip club (Tails Everywhere ) after spooking the first few fish with the trolling motor, I decided to abandon it and pole my way closer to the groups of fish. With a rod at the ready I eased my way closer to the tailing fish, but from the poling platform I just couldn’t get close enough to make a good cast. I then decided to just stake the pole in the bottom and wait for the schools of reds to move within casting range. As a group of three past with in 30 yards I pitched a Gulp like crab on a weighted hook just ahead of the school; the first two pasted but the last one could not stand the life like action I put on the crab
and sure enough zing hooked up!! I fought the beast to the edge of the boat then made one of two hasty decisions that I would come to regret that day. Rather than boating the beast I thought I would be cute and take a picture of him in the water…..as I am holding the rod and digging for my camera I feel the rod go limp and away goes my prize. Not to worry though I have them dialed in nowI will just drop the trolling motor in and move up wind/current of the tailing fish and drift back into position……hence the second of two mistakes…..Note: a push poles breaking point is greater than 70lbs of thrust multiplied by stupid squared……
..yep you got it I forgot to un-stick the pole on the back of the boat…. You get the picture……spent the next few hours trying to get on more fish but just spooked everything in sight. Off the water by 12....and argued the IGFA leader touch rules with my little striped buddy all the way back to Tally..All in all it would have been a great day to have someone poling while the another was casting from the bow……but doing both is tough….Tailing reds…sorry for the low quality....
Sux about the push pole. Schools of reds in really skinny, really clear water can be really spooky. They have to be, they have giant pelicans trying to eat them. 
