Shell Point 10/20/13
Posted: October 21st, 2013, 9:41 pm
After a long week, I decided I needed a little saltwater therapy plus I was sure the grass needed to be mowed. It was low tide and just starting to come in when I arrived. I broke out my new castnet and caught about 20 whitebaits and pinfish under 2 inches with the first toss. I put out a pinfish and hurried to get the grass mowed so my therapy session could start in earnest. I managed to get the grass mowed and the kayak rigged without anything molesting my bait, so I decided it was time to head for greener pastures. A few more tosses of the net and now I have probably 50 plus baits. I tried to get my neighbor to go with me, but he was watching football or doing something equally as important. I kayaked out to the oyster bars and portaged over them seeing a few mullet, but not a lot of bait activity. I paddled out to my flat and tried to decide which was going to win the 8 mph wind or the incoming tide. Turns out the tide was the big winner especially with my bait bucket over the side. My first whitebait got bumped almost immediately and when I reeled in I was fishing on credit. Bummer! Next cast, the cork goes down and I set the hook. The fish comes to the surface and I can feel the headshakes that screams speckled trout. It is heavy enough that it swings the kayak around as I am fighting it. I get it about 6 feet from the yak and am trying to guide it to me when it comes loose in the midst of all the headshaking. It is amazing to me how they just hover there for a few seconds after an unintentional release so you can get a good look at them before they are lost forever. I regroup and recast, but nothing happens. I paddle back onto the flat and begin another drift. I get about to the same spot and down goes the Cajun thunder. Good hookset this time and despite all the thrashing the trout ends up in the kayak with me. Next cast, nothing. I paddle back onto the flat, but not as far and my bait gets hammered as soon as it hits the water. This is a good fish and I slowly work it to the boat grateful for an 8 foot rod and a smooth drag. It comes alongside and I roll it into the deck of the yak. 20+ inches of fat speckled trout goodness. I paddle back into the same spot and drop my anchor. I got a little anxious and missed a few bites, but 40 minutes after I started I had my limit trout plus a bonus Spanish. It was about the best fishing I have ever had out there. I got cut off on 3 consecutive casts and then the bite absolutely died. It was like a pod of dolphins had come through, but I never saw any dolphins ( cue the theme from JAWS here). I fished for another 90 minutes, but never had another bite. I did have a mature bald eagle cruise right over my head and land on the oyster bar and I decided it was time to head in. I ran into my neighbor who commented I didn't fish very long and I reminded him that I tried to get him to go with me as I pulled up my stringer. I think I hurt his feelings, but the fresh trout filets probably made up for it. Water was the clearest I have seen this year. Maybe LuckySOB will post my picture.