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Headed to the Mashes Sands area with some friends this weekend fishing. I've never fished in salt water before so can someone give us some pointers? What is biting this time of year and can be caught on bass/bream tackle etc? Any particular way to rig things differently for fishing in saltwater? From what I've read speckled trout, redfish, and sheepshead bite this time of year on shrimp and poppin corks. Does anyone crankbait fish for redfish/trout? My plan is to fish around the bridge and maybe up the river or out in the bay if the wind is not to rough. Fwiw my buddy has a center console that's about 20 ft and I've got a 16' bass boat. Thanks in advance and Tight lines!

If It was me I would fish way up the river in the creeks up close to the state park. You should be able to find some trout & reds up there right now. Fish 1/8 or 1/16oz jig heads with gulp jerk shad or shrimp, best beat is live shrimp. Work them slow, fish any kind of structure , where the waters moving good , sharp curves , drop offs etc, etc, you will catch fish. As far a bass tackle your on the right track. Top water plugs are my favorite depending on the day. Jerk baits work good too. But you can't beat a soft plastic or live shrimp. Just look at the water almost like you where bass fishing. Fish are fish and most of the time they hold on some type of structure. As far as boats take the bass boat use the trolling motor and start working the water you will find them. Thats a good area this time of year you might be suppressed how good you do. Good Luck!

Thank you for that helpful info! Top water fishing is right up my alley, I'll give a report and try to post pics if we catch anything.

Be careful of the negative low tide this weekend in the mid morning. As long as you put in early it should be no problem, although it might be mid afternoon before you can get a 20ft center console back on a trailer, if tide waits to come back in. I have seen some bass boats drifting the shoreline fishing in a foot of water, but not recommended if you do not know the area. Stay inside the channel markers as there are a lot of huge oyster bars that can ruin your weekend fast. Even if you know the area well they can still seem to move locations on you. Don't forget the $5 ramp fee, although you may get lucky if they are out of envelopes. The river should be very productive this time of year, good luck and hope the weather holds.

just make sure to look at a nautical chart before you launch there if you have never done so before... especially with the tides as they are this weekend as topheavy mentioned. a lot of shoals and sand spoils around there so be careful on your depth. The wind can pick up in a hurry over there so if you're in the bass-boat, keep an eye on it.

Thanks! I would imagine that oyster bars would ruin a prop/skeg. We will be careful to watch out for that and try not to be caught by the low tides, especially up a backout somewhere. The forecasted SE wind is a concern but I learned a long time ago if it is too rough I don't go out or if i'm out I head for calmer water.

Back with a report, wound up just fishing out of my friends center console. We didn't go up the river as far as I would have liked, but we still managed to do pretty well by the bridge and around roho rd. Caught a few nice keepers and several smaller trout when the tide was coming in. Caught them on live shrimp on the bottom. We rode out in the bay and didn't get a bite, mostly just to ride and explore around. Thanks for the advice everyone, I'll try to post a pic or two. http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-a ... 2794_n.jpg