Palmetto Island 10/24/09

[fishinfool]

Well the day started a little strange. My stop at the fast food place for breakfast was not as fast as I had planned. Then my stop for gas was also not as quick as I might have liked. After those delays I should not have been surprised at the out of the ordinary traffic slow downs at 6 am. All of this put me at the Lighthouse ramp 30 minutes later than I had planned. At the ramp I had to jump out of line to locate a misplaced drain plug. After searching for what seemed like forever I decided to use the spare. It too was not to be found. I was able to locate the first one after a couple of minutes. It seems it had rolled under the console. I never dreamed it could have gotten that far forward during the trip. I will know better next time. After I got home I remembered what I had done with the spare.
I headed straight for Palmetto Island. I have been catching a few fish around there the past couple of times out and there was no reason to think anything had changed. I went way up a creek into about 1 1/2 feet of water looking for some Reds. After 30 or so minutes of seeing no signs of fish, either predator or prey, I decided to change tactics. I moved to a flat just east of the island that had produced some Reds in recent past. There was a cold wind out of the north and some threatening clouds that thankfully did not release any rain, but did block the sun and kept the air pretty cool. I was having a little difficulty maintaining boat position while working my Skitterwalk. All of a sudden I had a Red blowup and miss. I tried to entice him for a second chance to no avail. I quickly grabbed a rod with a spoon tied on, and cast near where the Red had missed the topwater. I was rewarded with a sharp pull on my line. After a spirited fight that had the Red seeking cover under the boat three times, I landed a 26" keeper.
I continued to fish near the Island picking up a keeper Trout here and there. I finally had a limit at 3:30. I fished mostly in three feet or less clear water. One fish was caught on a spoon, one on a fluke style bait and the rest on a jig under a popping cork. After boating the 5th keeper Trout, I decided to make the proverbial last cast. I hooked up with a 25" Red. It was the best fight of the day. All in all I went home with 5 Trout and 1 Red. I can't wait to do it again soon.
FF

[jsuber]

Thanks for the report.

[FUTCHCAIRO]

NOW A DAYS IT IS UNUSUAL TO BE ABLE TO GET A LIMIT ON ANYTHING EXCEPT THE REDS, THEY SEEM TO BE EVERYWHERE.
PA THE OLD MAN

[Tidedancer]

Even with the delays in the morning, it sounds like you had a great day on the pond. Thanks for sharing.

[Talltails]

Nice work, Jim. Glad you made it out!

[wevans]

Sounds like a darned nice trip ta me

[red_yakker]

NOW A DAYS IT IS UNUSUAL TO BE ABLE TO GET A LIMIT ON ANYTHING EXCEPT THE REDS, THEY SEEM TO BE EVERYWHERE.
PA THE OLD MAN

Tell me about it. I haven't caught more than 4 trout in a trip in a WHILE now.