I kept a pinfish in the water while I threw topwater (always) & nothing was happening. Threw a catch mirrolure and straight grubs in different colors. Nothing biting while I'm thinking, how could that pinfish, still alive swimming under that cork, not catch anything?
Fine, I'll try something else. I had one big pinfish & I butchered it into strips to sweeten a 1/6 oz jig with a short white red tail shure catch grub. First cast, a 3" catfish. Second cast, a small black sea bass. Third cast I was getting harassed by pinfish so I speed up the retrieve and wasn't getting any looks at all. No choice but to slow it down and keep it in the zone. Fourth cast was different. Big trout. I lost it not long after I figured out it was a really nice fish. I was not happy about that. I've lost a lot of fish in my time but I was actually surprised at how much that one got to me. Alas, next cast, big trout, in the boat. She went 24 and on the stringer. I did real well for the next hour and a half. I had to put the anchor out to slow down the big reds. I'm glad the Mikes redfsh jigs have heavy weight hooks because standard jigs might have straightened out. I didn't have a tape but I was sure they went better than 28. The thought the other trout were at least 20 and the surest way to anger the fish gods is to keep illegal fish. Don't chance it. I measured the trout I kept before I cleaned and ate it.
One last thought, the St Croix Tidemaster rod & Shimano Symetere set up with 10lb Power Pro is an awesome combo.
