It took me about three months to decide which rod to buy ($200 or less) but I finally bought a St. Croix at Charleston Angler this week. After a brief, but thorough 10 minute casting lesson from Tucker I was on my way. I practiced in the back yard in the evening and felt fairly confident for the next day. Yesterday I headed out to North Folly at high tide. Waded around the trees and got to where the water entered the marsh. It was windy. There were plenty of fish in there. When I wasn’t catching the fly in the marsh grass or sand succulents, I was hitting myself in the back of the head. I did manage to place the fly a few times right where it was needed, only to spook the fish. The afternoon had me chasing fish that did’t want to eat a fly and fighting the fly line in the wind and grass. I’m only thankful there was no one to see these newbie moves I seem to have perfected.
I will say this. I had more fun stalking fish yesterday and failing miserably than when I fish in the surf and catch everything. All in all a very fun afternoon. I have a lot to learn.
I’m still learning and each trip is a blast. I do learn something new everytime I go. That wind can be tricky, I’ve learned to try and walk big circles around the fish if the wind is in my face and get a side shot on him. I can get a better cast with the wind blowing across my body as opposed to in my face. Keep at it, it took me walking about ten times before I got my first fish OTF, you’ll get it!
Amen Brother 23… Keep at it… For me it doesn’t matter if I catch one or not… once you see that tail that you got a shot at and your heart starts beating faster and your hands start shakin… Man… Now I know why crack addicts keep going back 
Catchin is a bonus 
“Paddle faster boys… I hear banjo music!”
SC Chapter Coordinator- Heroes on the Water
http://www.HeroesOnTheWater.org
Charleston Director- SCKayakfishing.com
Tarpon 160os
quote:
Originally posted by nikonjediAmNow I know why crack addicts keep going back
man, i’ve seen a dozen blue marlin crash baits, seen dozens of sails come into my spread BUT my heart never beats harder than when I see that tail of a red or a bonefish. Its so strange. LOVE IT.
Keep at it trustpalate, go out and pratice casting into the wind, sidewind etc in your back yard.
Learn the double haul. This might help. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQRfg1FVyAE
Appreciate all the input.
Cheers.
Keep after it. Practice your casting. They will not take a junk cast. It is good that you have fish to cast to so you can learn the pattern that they are moving in.
Good Luck.
Chris.
keep at it, the last 3 days has been tuff with the wind but the fish we have found were hungry but some of them it would only take one cast with others taking about 15, copperhead rattle fly has been the trick