Keaton 5/31-6/1

[FMI]

Got out both days around 6 with my uncle from Kansas; his first time on saltwater. Saturday we fished 2-3' for trout while waiting on the sun & tide to sight fish reds. There were no trout to be had, saw 5 sharks to 100# and a 50# Cobia swimming south. Found the reds and they were very timid. Ended the day with one at around 28".

Sunday headed out with a better tide cylce for where I was wanting to fish. My uncle managed a 21" trout on a pink Exude RT slug just after the sun broke. We got set up and waited for the reds just after landing the trout. Waited about 10 minutes and started to spot fish. Made some nice presentations on various Exudes that were ignored. After getting turned down by a 10# jack I switched over to a Mirrodine and the first cast brought a 28-29" red to the boat.

The weeds started to get bad so the fishing got difficult for a bit. Foul hooked a BIG pinfish so I tail hooked him 1' under a cork and let'er rip. Shortly after something big was making a mad run north as my uncle played the fish. The whole school of reds were following and shortly after the line broke just under the cork... Thinking the pinfish slid up and was hit by another fish.

The weeds cleared up for a bit and a blue/chrome 1/4oz rattle trap & the Mirrolure started bringing the reds home. There were runs of 3 reds on back to back casts. After losing the rattle trap we switched to a Yo-Zuri crystal minnow and it did well. When the fish stopped biting on the slow retrieve we started ripping it and they were on again. Got two topwater reds on the Mirrodine.

I think I lost count during the two hours we fished the reds, we ended up with at least 15 fish with the smallest two at around 18 & 20" with the rest at 25-32". One 26" was brought home as it had a treble in the gills, my uncle had it for dinner. I spotted atleast 10 reds that were in the 12-15# range but they wouldn't pay our offerings any mind. All of the fish were landed on 8# mono with a 15# fluoro leader, one fish was lost to structure.

ETA: Watched the sharks over the two days eat some trout from 100' to 100 yards from the boat along with a 5# jack. One 30-40# bull chased an 8# red my uncle was fighting. We were able to spook him off before he got a bite on the red.

[tin can]

Keaton is a heck of a place for reds. Glad y'all got in um.

[chugbug]

I must be doing something wrong. Maybe too deep? I never catch reds out of Keaton.

[Bow'd Up]

Nice

[FMI]

Chug,

How deep are you fishing out of Keaton? I know that Capt. Pat picks some out in 4-8' from time to time. I personally fish from 8"-2.5' most of the time sight fishing. These reds were right off of a bar some were up on it and most were right off of it in proably 3-3.5' feeding on the bottom in the grass. If you want I can email you a Google Earth Map with some general areas to look for reds. Quiet is key as is presentation, if you see them they can proably see you. Also fish with the sun to your face, it kind of sucks in the morning but it helps you get closer without alerting them.

[chugbug]

Thanks for the tips. I am planning on going down on Friday if all works out. A map would be nice if you dont mind.

[Reel Cowboy]

Nice fish FMI.
Those sharks seem cool till you see the up close like that.

[FMI]

Chug,

You should have received an email with some advice.

Reel,

Check your PM box.