Left the private landing in Rockville at 0600 in hopes of some sunrise topwater action followed by a tarpon or two…
Got to the spot in the N. Edisto with bait in the well thanks to a resourceful little cousin and a bait tank on the dock - thanks T! Right off the bat, trout after trout on a Spook Jr and Whopper Ploppers. They were HUNGRY! All small-ish, never even measured one, just tossed them back over and over again. Once the sun broke the clouds the gnats came out. Pulled out the bug spray from storage and NOTHING…no propellant. We toughed them out for another 4 or 5 fish and decided we were going to move. Then I realized I left the bag with breakfast and snacks on my countertop…(**().
A quick run to Bohicket Marina for a ham/egg/cheese croissant and some bug spray and Hempz Lotion (best in the world for gnats IMO), and we pushed further inshore. Made a couple of drifts on an old trout haunt and was not disappointed, another 5 trout topwater in about 10 minutes all released. Now it was tarpon time.
Pushed back out to our usual spot. Close enough to the shell rakes for float fishing, close enough to a 40’ hole on a nice tide rip, best of both worlds.
Got the big bottom rig set in the hole, got the big float rig hanging in the rip, and began floating shrimp down the grass. More trout. Then…ZIIIIIING! Bottom rod goes off just as I’m standing next to it. Buried the hook and the fight was on…but it was no tarpon. Finally felt that head shake and knew we had a visitor. Got big red to the boat quickly, snapped a pic, and released healthy to fight another day. It had been a while since either of us had seen a big red in this area, but a welcome surprise of course.
Got the bottom rod back set, back on anchor and ZIIIING!! Blacktip gave us a quick show and then cut us off on the double just above the snap swivel.
At that, we packed up and were on the trailer by 11:00. Great morning full of action…just missed our special guest the Silver King. One day…one day…o
Great report!