Hey guys heres my first fishing report since joining.
Got out onto the pier after work about 6 o’clock while the water was pretty high. Didn’t really want to fish the high tide but had no other choice as it was the card I was dealt. Using a cast net, I caught about 7 finger mullet along the grass line and one small shrimp. Put a mullet out about 20 feet from the side of the dock, and hooked a 14" trout. Good start.
While I was putting another mullet out, I heard something start breaking the surface behind me. A large school of menhaden was passing through which prompted me to toss the net once again. Pulled about 20 3-4in menhaden, then proceeded to use one instead of the mullet. Why not right? Took my rod to the far end of the dock towards deeper water, dropped straight down, and not even a minute later, hooked into a nice 16 in trout. This was followed shortly by another 15in trout. Lost one more good size trout before I decided to start cleaning up.
Left my line in the water with a 3in menhaden while I was cleaning my fish. About 10min later, line comes screaming off the reel. Whatever it was, it showed no sign of stopping, and my relatively light tackle (20lb braid with a 30lb flouro leader) was not going to stop it). After about 100 yards or so of line, it snapped at the swivel.
I can only speculate at what it could have been as I am new to the area, but it was by far the largest fish I have ever hooked into. My night went from killing some time after work, to easily being one of the most exciting moments in my young fishing career. Tight lines fellas.
We have been catching big redfish on menhaden in the Folly River. That freight train on your line might have been a redfish or maybe a tarpon…
Nice report! Where is Daniel island pier? Have been hearing some good reports from there.
Light travel’s faster than sound. This is why some people appear smart until you hear them speak.
No kidding! I’ve read several reports from there as well. If I wasn’t going out of town this weekend, I know where I would be.
Great Report 36! Keep us updated!
stuckonland: its off of River Landing drive. Lots of good fishing in the area from both the shore and the dock. Seen redfish caught allover the area, but still looking for my first.
mikeyloo: just the thought of possibly having a tarpon on the end of the line gives me goosebumbs. Dont get anything like that out in New Mexico haha
quote:Stuck, let's go fishing, there or anywhere you want. I'm ready! I accepted your friend request btw.
Originally posted by StuckonLandNice report! Where is Daniel island pier? Have been hearing some good reports from there.
Light travel’s faster than sound. This is why some people appear smart until you hear them speak.
I’m a high class redneck.
Fishing is a delusion entirely surrounded by liars in pfgs and buffs.
Yes, I would think maybe a possible Tarpon too had a friend hook one last year in the surf off of Sullivans, dumped his spool, usually I can turn a red fish, especially with 20lb braid
Bragging may not bring happiness,
but no man having caught a large fish,
goes home through the alley.
-Anonymous
I have been fishing that pier for years, and the best time to fish that area is late in the evening. I wouldn’t limit myself to the pier, some of the best fishing is up and down the shore. if you go down to the right of the pier you will see a bunch of broken bricks, about thirty yards out there is a drop off and it holds a ton of trout. I have limited out many times. If you go to the left near 526, you will find a bunch of tree trunks, that area holds a bunch of whiting and blue fish. One night I was out there and I had something take my line and I couldn’t turn the fish, it completly spooled me before I could do anything.
I’ve had fish do this to me at the north end of Folly in view of the lighthouse, but in my case I think it was a shark. We were using large cut mullet and whiting for bull reds and “whatevertheheck” fish. One hit my line, later one hit my nephews, and we never stood a chance. I had not thought about tarpon though. About a year earlier I saw a large tarpon jump near the surf there.
I have tried the shore to the right of the pier once, catching only a small trout. However I didnt have any bait so I was using a jerk shad on a jig head. Would it be best to fish that shore spot during the incoming or outgoing tide?
dumb question but do tarpon feed more towards the surface or will they feed at the bottom too? one of the charters i went on last summer a tarpon smacked a free lined big mullet intended for sharks but was hooked maybe 2 seconds if that before spitting it and where i fish at sullivans isnt too far off. im almost always bottom fishing cut mullet for sharks but if i can find a live baitfish would they hit that on the bottom? definately not counting on catching one but wondering for sure.
Both. When people tarpon fish they have 2 or 4 rods. 2 on top and 2 on bottom, mostly. Bluewater thunder popping corks or balling rigs
I’m a high class redneck.
Fishing is a delusion entirely surrounded by liars in pfgs and buffs.