BigBendFishing.Net

LAST NIGHT JAMES SCOTT AND I LAUNCHED THE OLD ANTIQUE LARSON AT 10:00 P.M. WE WENT OUT TO THE BAR IN FRONT OF THE LIGHTHOUSE AND STARTED CASTING, FIRST THING JAMES HOOKED A BIG RED RIGHT ON THE BAR, HE FAUGHT HIM FOR ABOUT 10 MIN. AND I FINALLY GAFFED HIM, HAD TO GO BACK 38" LONG. WE CONTINUED TO WORK THE BAR AND GOT 3 MORE REDS WITH ONE IN THE SLOT. WE ALSO CAUGHT 4 TROUT THERE 16-18". THE BITE SLOWED AND WE WENT OUT BETWEEN THE LIGHTHOUSE AND THE BIRDRACK IN WATER ABOUT 3-4' AND THE TROUT REALLY TURN ON. IN THE NEXT HOUR WE CAUGHT 32 TROUT, MOST IN THE SLOT. WE HAD OUR LIMIT SO I SUGGESTED THAT WE CALL IT A FINISH. JUST AS WE WERE PREPARING TO GO, JAMES GOT SLAMMED AND THE LINE WAS FLYING OFF THE REEL, I CRANKED THE ENGINE AND WE STARTED THE CHASE, AFTER ABOUT 1/2 HOUR WE SAW WHAT HE HAD HOOKED, IT WAS A LARGE COBIA. WE FINNALLY WORE HIM DOWN ENOUGH TO BRING HIM TO GAFF, HE WAS STILL A LITTLE ON THE GREEN SIDE, WE SLIPPED A LOOP LINE OVER HIS TAIL AND I HELD ONTO THE GAFF TILL HE WAS COMPLETELY WORN OUT. PULLED HIM OVER AND INTO THE ICE CHEST, WAS39" AND SCOTT'IES FIRST COBE, HE WAS REALLY THRILLED OVER THAT FISH. WE LOADED THE BOAT AND HEADED HOME 3:30 A.M.
TOTAL CATCH WE STOPPED COUNTING WHEN WE HIT 50 TROUT, MOST IN THE SLOT, NO REAL BIG ONES, 4 REDS, 1 KEEPER, AND ONE COBIA. IT WAS JUST BEAUTIFUL OUT ON THE WATER THE MOON WAS BRIGHT ENOUGH WE DID NOT HAVE TO USE OUR HEAD LIGHTS, THERE WAS JUST THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF BREEZE TURNED OUT A GRREAT TRIP FOR A NEWBEE TO SALT WATER, JAMES WANTED TO KNOW IF WE COULD DO IT AGAIN TONIGHT.
PA

Great Trip Pa!!

After reading the posts from you last 3 night trips, I'm getting the urge to try it; however, I've not been night fishing on the flats.

From one of your posts, I recall a GPS would be required for navigating in the fog.

What other advice would you give for someone wanting to try night fishing the flats? What kind of gear is necessary?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated?

Many Thanks,

Dale Hollow

Alright PA.....There is a quota for the number of trout you can catch a year, your done .....Man... trout, reds and cobia in the dark.....Sounds like it's time for a "BBF.NET Dark Flotilla." Awesome report....

WE USE THE SAME GEAR WE USE IN DAYTIME, BE SURE BOAT HAS NAV. LIGHTS , AND WE WEAR ONE OF THOSE LITTLE HEAD LIGHTS IN CASE WE HAVE TO CHANGE LURES. JUST USE THOSE LOUD PLUGS, ONES THAT POP, GIRGLE, ANYTHING TO MAKE A NOISE. WE USE THE LARGER PLUGS AT NITE, SEEMS TO ATTRACT LARGER FISH. TIDES DO NOT MAKE MUCH DIFFERENCE, THE FIRST 7 DAYS ON THE NEW MOON IS WHAT MAKES THE DIFF.
PA

Have you tried any live bait (i.e. shrimp or pinfish) on those lighted bobbers? or even Cajun Thunders?

What would be the pros and cons to this setup as well (other than visibility)?

Thanks,

Dale Hollow

Too cool, A.

Weeknights this week would be nice with the full moon and all, wouldn't it? Maybe the weather will be tolerable......

Is the St. Marks Lighthouse operational at night? Can you launch from the lighthouse ramp before closing (9pm) and get out of the park before opening (6am)?

Almar, you've inspired me to head to the flats this Friday night. Weather permitting.

Yes & Yes & Yes....

WE DO NOT USE LIVE OR CUT BAIT, ALL THEY CATCH ARE TRASH FISH.
PA

Anyone have experience with headlamps?

Went by Walmart at lunch. They have 6-7 different lamps. I guess the biggest difference was LED or standard bulbs. One of the standard ones could change to a red lens. Different headstraps and such. All between $10-30.

Any suggestions?

FLATS RASCAL, THOSE ARE THE ONES WE USE, I GOT 4 OF THEM, THE ONES THAT HAVE RED, BLUE, AND WHITE LITES. WE USE THE BLUE MOST OF THE TIME TO TIE ON LURES , TAKE HOOKS OUT OF THE FISH ETC. USING THE BLUE THE BATTERIES LAST ABOUT 5 HOURS. IF YOU USE THE WHITE SPOT LIGHT THE BATTERIES GO OUT AFTER ABOUT 3 HOURS.
PA

Off to Wally World and do some shopping!!

Dale Hollow

Picked up the Ray-O-Vac one from Walmart. Lifetime warranty. Red and blue LED. Standard white light. All are pretty bright. Give it the test this weekend.

YOU WILL BE SURPRIZED HOW FAR THE WHITE LITE WILL GO. YOU CAN SPOT THINGS AS FAR AS ABOUT 100 YRDS. WITH IT, THE BLUE AND RED COVER A WIDER AREA BUT ONLY GOOD UP TO ABOUT 100'. THE BLUE GIVES YOU ENOUGH LIGHT TO TIE PLUGS, PULL HOOKS OUT OF FISH FOR A BOAT 20' IN LENGTH.
PA

Almar,
I live at Jacksonville Beach and fish at night frequently in the intercoastal. After work, I pick up the boat at 7 and return about 9 or 10 or 11.

Of course, on June 9 during the G8 summit with the leaders of the world at Sea Island north of us, at 9:30 PM my 2 1/2 year old son and I were boarded by the coast guard. They were wondering who would be out that late in the boat -- my toddler son was chatting all the time up to then -- 4 coast guardsmen and guns had a silencing effect on the little guy.

Looking forward to fishin at night this weekend at Dekle Beach area. If we catch anything at night, it will be fun.

I usually use live bait, but you are recommending top water lures. What is your favorite night water plug?

Thanks