Black, tan and reds
Posted: April 4th, 2019, 11:49 am
My first mate, Zane the Rottie, and I just got back from our annual camping trip. This time we chose Dog Island with the tides, proximity and access. Transferred all our gear from the truck to the skiff and eased across the Sound about mid-day Tuesday. Didn't have much freeboard with the load. After setting up camp and eating lunch, we set off to find some fish. The reds proved cooperative, the trout not so much.
Had tied on a watermelon seed Aqua Dream spoon for starters and it proved to be the hot color. Six upper slot reds on it before it somehow slipped off the split ring. Failed to check it after twisting the hook loose on a thrashing fish, so my fault. Of course, it was the only one of that color in my box. Chartreuse worked almost as well for remainder of slot and a couple puppy drum. Ended the day with 13 reds and one small trout on topwater.
Enjoyed the sea breeze, a toddy or two and supper of red beans, rice and Andouille sausage (Purina Pro Kibble for the boy) that night before the bloodbath began. Thought the breeze would keep them down, but clouds of no-seeums chewed on us relentlessly before we took shelter in the tent. Got up a couple times in the night to check on the boat and a shrimper trawling and let in a good number of skeeters when I did. Their buddies joined them for the breakfast buffet despite multiple citronella candles. My Thermocell didn't seem to be working. Finally slacked off when the sun got higher, but both of us are suffering from anemia.
Took a long hike along the beach waiting on enough water to come back in. The wind was howling out of the east, making for sloppy seas. We salvaged the day with six more reds, all upper slot. They liked the gold Aqua Dream spoon that morning.
Water was silty in places due to the east wind, but very clear in the shallows. Temps ranged from 64 to nearly 70 degrees by later afternoon.
Didn't relish the thought of another night of insect hell, so we packed it up and came home early. Still a fun time and quality fishing.
Had tied on a watermelon seed Aqua Dream spoon for starters and it proved to be the hot color. Six upper slot reds on it before it somehow slipped off the split ring. Failed to check it after twisting the hook loose on a thrashing fish, so my fault. Of course, it was the only one of that color in my box. Chartreuse worked almost as well for remainder of slot and a couple puppy drum. Ended the day with 13 reds and one small trout on topwater.
Enjoyed the sea breeze, a toddy or two and supper of red beans, rice and Andouille sausage (Purina Pro Kibble for the boy) that night before the bloodbath began. Thought the breeze would keep them down, but clouds of no-seeums chewed on us relentlessly before we took shelter in the tent. Got up a couple times in the night to check on the boat and a shrimper trawling and let in a good number of skeeters when I did. Their buddies joined them for the breakfast buffet despite multiple citronella candles. My Thermocell didn't seem to be working. Finally slacked off when the sun got higher, but both of us are suffering from anemia.
Took a long hike along the beach waiting on enough water to come back in. The wind was howling out of the east, making for sloppy seas. We salvaged the day with six more reds, all upper slot. They liked the gold Aqua Dream spoon that morning.
Water was silty in places due to the east wind, but very clear in the shallows. Temps ranged from 64 to nearly 70 degrees by later afternoon.
Didn't relish the thought of another night of insect hell, so we packed it up and came home early. Still a fun time and quality fishing.