Alright guys I’m not new to inshore angling but I am new to boating as I have only had one for about 4 months now. Pretty simple little set up 14"McKee/ Suzuki 50Hp and a rear trolling motor. I mosty use a 8ft stick it pole to anchor in the flats. I hear a lot about fishing creek mouths but not how to so I’m looking for tips on positioning the boat, distance from the mouth, locations in reference to, noise discipline (I’m pretty paranoid about noise) etc. any tips would be appreciated. I only throw artificals so if that changes anything. Thanks
Personally, I prefer small creek mouths/drainages during outgoing tide. Pay attention to the current coming out of the creek. I look for and target current breaks and eddies. Sometimes you’ll find the fish in the middle of the current but in my experiences, I find them more towards the edges, current breaks and eddies. If the creek is small enough to put both points of the creek mouth in casting distance from the center, that’s where I position my boat so I can work both points. If it’s not, I usually position my boat to work the downstream point first. If I don’t get bit there, I’ll reposition my boat to work the upstream point. I’ll typically bounce back and forth between the two points a couple of times before I move on to a different creek mouth if I’m not getting bit. As far as noise, obviously the skinnier the water gets, the more critical noise becomes. I have a shallow water anchor pin but I usually use my trolling motor to fish these spots. Now if the fish are absolutely chewing, I’ll use the pin and camp out on them until the bite slows. Otherwise, I stay mobile.
Like you, I only fish with artificial lures so this is the approach I take.
No matter how much it hurts, how dark it gets, or how far you fall…you are never out of the fight.
As far as u can cast away or further if you let it drift with the current. As for noise I catch fish while making noise so I’m not sure how much noise matters for certain types of fishing. I would try to be quiet. Shallow/ sight fishing I get stealthy but deeper or rough water i care a little less. When sheep head fishing I ring the dinner bell( start pounding chum) and I’ve seen them swim to the surface looking for chum cause they know the noise. For me it depends on the spot if I am up or down current position wise. The best creeks to fish are the ones that at low tide dolphins don’t want to go in. That means the fish can hang out by the mouth while they wait for the tide to come back. If you want to be really stealthy fish with the sun and current to your advantage. Big old trophy fish are more spooky than hungry teenagers, so if your going for monsters leave the noise at home and hide your shadow.
Thanks for the info. I think the only mistake I’m making is trolling in too close. I have to anchor to fish though because I don’t have the remote trolling motor. I use my trolling motor to quietly get in position then pin to fan cast an area. I definitely get too close to points though. Probably why I do so well on top because of casting distance.
Thanks for the info. I think the only mistake I’m making is trolling in too close. I have to anchor to fish though because I don’t have the remote trolling motor. I use my trolling motor to quietly get in position then pin to fan cast an area. I definitely get too close to points though. Probably why I do so well on top because of casting distance.
Don’t know why my post double up there but i agree on the white braid Pea Pod. I use 10 and 15 lb on my two Penn Battle 2500’s. Yeah this Creek mouth thing is the only place out there I haven had success yet so thanks you guys rock!
Also, a longer anchor pin would give you more options on where to anchor. I use a 12’ and normally holds my boat fine in up to about 7’. As light as yours is, you shouldn’t have any problem at all.
Don’t know why my post double up there but i agree on the white braid Pea Pod. I use 10 and 15 lb on my two Penn Battle 2500’s. Yeah this Creek mouth thing is the only place out there I haven had success yet so thanks you guys rock!
many times the feeding hot spot is not the creek mouth itself- instead it is a current break up to 100 yds downstream of the creek mouth- bait gets flushed out of the creek and joins the downstream current usually near the slower water along the edge- the current hits the obstruction and disorients the bait again and the predators lay in wait. You might fish the creek mouth and catch 2 but fish the spot down the bank and catch 20- something to look for every where you fish.
anchoring- use a long anchor rode- anchor 50 ft up current of the creek mouth- let anchor line out to fish the upstream point, let some more out to fish the downstream point, let more out to fish the downstream hot spot- you just fished 3 places with 1 anchor drop
Don’t know why my post double up there but i agree on the white braid Pea Pod. I use 10 and 15 lb on my two Penn Battle 2500’s. Yeah this Creek mouth thing is the only place out there I haven had success yet so thanks you guys rock!
Pod, you just gon’ leave him out there? Shameful…
“I’m not a hundred percent in love with your tone right now…”