Corpusfishing.com

[Prof. Salt]

Saturday I paddled across the bay in the darkness to be on site as daylight arrived. I knew the winds would come up quickly, and that kills my sight fishing chances. The fish have been cruising the open water of large lakes, so I arrived and got busy searching as the sky began to brighten. I found groups of fish hunting, and with tides relatively low my challenge was catching up to these roving fish without giving away my position. The rudder was dragging in the mud and it was a challenge to move without making too much noise. The paddle pushes into the soft mud, and that means more noise that comes from pushing ahead. As I was working towards one group, a black drum tail poked up just ten yards ahead. I stopped and gently tossed a Trick Shot past the tail. As I slow-rolled the bait along the bottom, the drum sucked it in but when I went to set the hook, the line parted. Crud, I should have removed the first couple of feet of line after the last trip and re-tied the leader. My light 12lb braid doesn't survive abrasion well, and I paid the price for my laziness. I stowed that rod and grabbed another, then resumed the push toward the visible fish. When I closed in the school turned towards me, and as they closed the distance I placed the bait just ahead of the lead wake maker. The fish ate as soon as the bait hit the water, and it spooked the others in the school but the fish was a keeper and I was glad to have it. I immediately started moving again to look for others. Several of the wakes were made by single fish, and they were more spooky than the hunting groups. One more inch of water depth would have made my movements much quieter, but the low water was making it hard to get close. After a few blown attempts, I finally connected on a second solid red, but the winds were already ramping up. By 8:00 I could not see the fish moving around, and most of the gulls had moved on to other areas, so I did the same. I paddled some protected shorelines but the only reds I found were small ones and got a pass. I finished with 10.5 miles of paddling in the wind and had a pair of reds to show for it, so I was pretty happy. I headed home and got ready for the last pinning ceremony of the year. Now I'm watching the weather closely for a chance to sneak out again this week between thunderstorms. For now it looks pretty dicey, but it could change...

[awesum]

Very nice Glenn. This morning shoulda been great too!

[Prof. Salt]

Haha, I had my gear and kayak loaded ...and then the 2:00am storm woke me up and I noticed the updated forecast. Now I'm at the office working and hoping the "new" forecast holds so I can use the boat tomorrow morning.

[awesum]

It was perfect for you this morning. 😉 Show us some pics!

[Prof. Salt]

I'm getting too old for kayaking in 10' seas and lightning