Had some boat cleaning to do at the coast today, so decided to leave early and try Econfina for a little bit. So, I was up at 4:30am, went and picked up my partner for the day, and got to the ramp around 7:00am after a short stop for breakfast and a bait run to JR's. The river was LOW and no one else was there. We launched anyhow and puttered on out to the mouth. We did stop at one spot on the way out and managed 2 trout (14.75") and 1 red (16"). Went out to 3 ft. and started throwing topwater and jigs off the bottom. Nothing. Ran west towards Aucilla to a favorite redfish spot. Nothing but stingrays. Ran out to 3-4 ft. again, this time with good water movement. Started catching short trout again one after another, but no keepers. Switched numerous baits and got the same results.....short trout. Decided to run back to the river since time was getting short. Same result.....short trout and short reds. The wind was starting to pick up, so we decided to go.
Fished from 18" to 7 ft. Water temp varied from 58-63. Trout bit the best in the warmer water (imagine that). Fished with everything from SureKetch firetail jigs, Top Dog, chugbug, live shrimp and a few different gulps. Nothing on topwater and the conditions were perfect. Talked to a guy back at the ramp and he said the trout have been scarce since the coldsnap. No spanish were caught today either. Beautiful day to be on the water, just wish the keeper fish would have gotten involved and not just their offspring. No pics because the camera batteries were dead. Nothing to really take pictures of anyway....short trout WHOO HOO!!!!!
Still beat working at an office
