After hooking up with a few trout at my new spot last week, boy do I have a story for you guys. I got off work and picked up my pooch around 3 and headed to leads, was in the water just before 4pm, dead low tide scheduled for 4:48pm. Got to my spot and fished a small partially submerged oyster bank until dead low, managed a small 10-inch spec but no other bites. As the tide turned the bites started picking up, pulled in two decent little catfish around the 16-inch range. I moved the boat closer to the bank as the tide filled in, allowing me to position myself right in the creek mouth. Unfortunately my boat only has rod holders on starboard side but port was facing the bank, so I took a risk and leaned a rod on the side of the boat…big mistake.
Not 5 minutes later i hear my drag going, and as soon as I get my eyes on it, the rod flies off the boat and into the depths forever, or so I thought. I accepted that I made a huge mistake and the rod was gone, hopefully not killing the fish too. Luckily, after a few casts with a big shark hook, I managed to hook one of the eyes and pull the rod back in. Well guess what, that son of a gun was still on there. He tangled the other two lines in the water and after a good fight, got my first bull!!! Just over the slot at 25 inches, released of course, that counts right?
PS. Got another one about 10 minutes later at 20 inches, he’s dinner tonight.
PPS. Dang catfish got me again, from the grave, they have it out for me.
Appreciate it guys. I think I was hoping he’d be in the slot but not even close. Went back out there today around 5, same spot, exact same results. Sat and waited with no bites for an hour while the tide turned, and as soon as it did, BAM! This one came out to 27 inches as well, I’m debating if it was the same fish. I doubt it, but I have learned from you guys that reds operate on very similar daily patterns. This one was caught in the exact same spot, same time (an hour later, so same-ish time in regard to the tide). Released to fight another day, maybe I’ll get him again tomorrow. Picture is loading sideways so you may have to click on the link.
I have jumped off a dock and jumped off a boat going after a rod. Both times I was quick enough that I was able to grab the rod on the way to the bottom and managed to reel in the fish. Good job snagging your rod.
Yep I’m aware, these are white catfish, or possible channels or small blue cats. No gaft tops or anything like that. These guys can make it almost to the harbor, they’re everywhere. Same as these ones I caught a few weeks back.
Capt Buddy B.