FLW Redfish Tournament Punta Gorda

[Paul Chavis]

FLW – Punta Gorda

Prefishing went well; we had established an outstanding low tide tailing bite and average higher tide bite. Wednesday before the tournament when ran through our routine on the water. Everything played out; we had 2 to 2 1/2 hours for our low tide bite and would finish the day banging the bushes and coves at high tide.

Day One – Arrived at our flat and begun to pole in. We struggled for a few minutes on getting the boat in position for making accurate cast to fish due to the stronger winds than we had during practice. Once in position we had success with landing a 6.5 lb fish. Before we knew it the water level was too high for tailing redfish. Our low tide bite was over with only 1 fish. We proceeded to bang the bushes and coves the remainder on the day. We wound up catching a 5.5 lb fish. We were pleased with having close to 12 lbs on day one and would have a chance going into day 2, knowing normally 2 – 12 to 12.5 stringers get you to day 3. Upon arriving at weigh in we were surprised at the weights. A few 15 lb stringers, many 14’s and 13’s and a load on 12 lb stringers, but still in the game. Finished day 1 in the top 25.

Day Two – Sticking to our same game plan, but knowing our best bet low tide was going to be a very short window. We had to make it through low tide mistake free and needed a lot of weight 14 + lbs. We arrived at 8:15 and poled in greeted by tailing redfish as planned. I made my first cast and hooked up. Blaine netted the fish and measured it, right at the 27 inch mark with a pinched tail, dead on the line. It weighed right at 8 lbs on the Boga Grip. Blaine returned to the poling platform, behind him was another tail. He shouted at me to cast and I could not form my position. I instructed him to make a cast. He hooked on our second fish on our second cast. I netted the fish, he measured and went over 7 lbs. He were ecstatic, we needed 14 to 15 lbs and had it in two casts. By this time the boat we were working had arrived. We decide we were not going to pressure our fish and let the other boat come in and get their two fish. Upon leaving Blaine said lets measure everything again to make sure. One of the two fish didn’t measure this time, it was ¼” to big. Back onto the flat we go. When we got back there were no tailers the water was to high. We banged the bushes and coves to remainder of the day to only replace our 8 lb fish with a 2 lb fish. Finished 28th place with 21 lbs 7 ounces.

Thanks for the Support
Paul Chavis

[Chalk]

Someone on the IFA told me you could shrink one with ice

Another strong finish, congrats

[snatch-n-reel]

Thanks for the report. That sucks about the 1/4"

[Jumptrout51]

Tournament day woes.
Keep chunking and winding.

[caseycook]

Thanks for the report PC! How many days did y'all pre-fish?

[Paul Chavis]

The ice will work occasionally but a 1/4 inch is alot. Casey we prefished Sat to Wed and the tournament was Thurs, Friday and top 5 on Sat.

[birddog]

Thanks again Paul.

[Ty one on]

Good detailed report PC.

How many times do you think you measured that Redfish ? I know it was disappointing to release him.

Good luck on the next one.

[Paul Chavis]

7, 8,9 10 I lost count. I finally quit because he kept getting bigger and it was making me sick.

[mojokoko]

You gotta hate those fish that are too close for comfort.
I love fishing the low tide bite
Nothing like seeing Redfish tail everywhere.

[Good Times]

1/4 inch heart breaker!

Thanks for the report PC!

[tin can]

Thanks for the detailed report, PC. Keep us posted on future events.

[wevans]

Nothing like seeing Redfish tail everywhere.

AHHH, Contrare my friend there are some tail that's much better

[CATCH 22]

Sorry bout the whoops, but sounds like you were definitely on the right fish

[flounderpounder]

Nice read thanks for the update from a local guy representing.