Corpusfishing.com

[Prof. Salt]

With the overnight frontal passage, I knew spotting reds in the wind would be tough, but then again I accept most challenges with a smile. By daylight I had made my way across the open bay to some protected shoreline. I was cold and wet, and wished I had worn a rain jacket, but it didn't keep me from having an adventure. I decided to keep the kayak a bit farther off the grassy shores and drag a pair of swim baits behind the kayak as I looked for redfish. After a few minutes a good fish hit my trolled LT Mullet. I hoped it was a decent redfish as it pulled some drag, but when it came close it was a gafftop and oozing that sticky slime all over the leader and anything that touched the fish. I didn't want to risk poking holes in my insulated fish bag, so I released the fish with minimal touching. I continued down the shore and picked up a few trout from 15-18" within the first mile. I spotted a couple of single redfish tails along the grass edge, but by the time I got within casting range I couldn't find the fish. I decided instead of risking spooking the fish, I would continue on and hopefully find them on the way back out. I landed a couple more trout close to 20" and had a limit in the bag, so I really concentrated on spotting reds feeding. The winds were sustained about 15mph, so even the protected shoreline was only somewhat better than the windy side. I turned around after a couple of miles and did find a school of feeding reds working the grass about a half mile back toward the truck. They were easy to approach because the half dozen fish gave each other confidence as they splashed and lurched after shrimp. I aimed for the largest of the fish and as soon as the lure landed on the water spray went everywhere. The fish floundered in the grass for a few seconds before tearing into deeper water. The school broke up, but my hook held as I wore the fish down. At 26" it was perfect and went into the bag. I managed another smaller red and a few more trout on the trolled baits as I kept the kayak in 2-5 feet of water while scanning for more shallow fish. Then as I neared the open bay again, I spotted a group of gulls working close to the surface. I headed over and placed a lure under the birds. It was a school of feeding trout, and I quickly caught and released a few more. Since they were all 14-16" I decided to pack up and head home with the fish I had on ice. I finished with 12 miles 14 trout, a gafftop and two reds on the books. Three trout and a red went home with me, so I was a happy guy considering the windy conditions.

[ziacatcher]

Damn Glenn, you are hardcore!