Hey everybody. This is my first time posting on here but I have spent a lot of time reading posts over the last couple of weeks. I grew up freshwater fishing and a few weeks ago I went inshore with a good friend. I went with him twice and then followed him around from my boat on another trip. It’s crazy to think that I have lived here my entire 27 years on this earth and never had a go at this!
Today was my fourth time inshore fishing, ever. It was also my first completely solo trip. I went out of Remley’s and up the wando to an area I have never been before. I fished the outgoing tide and then the incoming tide. It was an epic fail on topwater at first light but I managed a 13" trout and a 17" red, both on a paddletail (most of you artificial guys on here use this brand already but i swore an oath to my buddy that I wouldn’t tell anybody what he showed me and taught me). Given the circumstances I am chalking this one up as a complete win for me.
Does anybody have any tips or advice? I am not asking for your super secret fishing spot I promise (I hope to find my own in due time)! I am just looking for things to put in my tool box so I can go out and apply different things to develop my own strategy. I’d prefer to stick to artificial because it is more my style of fishing. Thanks everybody! Tight lines.
Fish rips, points, shell rakes, areas of obvious structure, and fish SLOW. Manage slack in your line so you will feel the bite when it happens (mostly on the fall)
Fish rips, points, shell rakes, areas of obvious structure, and fish SLOW. Manage slack in your line so you will feel the bite when it happens (mostly on the fall)
Here is a pretty much no fail tip for the Wando. At high out going tide there are countless places where a little “creeklet” will spill out into the larger water. They look like little “jets” of water spilling out. Fish these at high outgoing - you WILL catch trout.
Sounds like you’re already ahead of the curve by being willing to hit the water with the “I’m going to learn” mindset. Kudos for that. As far as what to stock the tackle box with, have a good assortment of baits that cover the entire water column (top, middle, bottom). In that assortment, have baits that match the predominant bait/forage in the area your fishing, plus a good assortment of Trout Tricks and Trout Eye jig heads. Personally, the two most important things to take with you every time you hit the water are confidence and an open mind. One thing I’ve been doing more of in the salt water lately is throwing larger baits. I’ve always done it in freshwater but when I’d fish the salt, I’d throw smaller baits. You’d be surprised how big of a bait even some smaller fish will eat. I know guys that are slaying the 13"-18" trout but they’re complaining about not being able to catch bigger trout. I’ve fished the same spots, sometimes out of the same boat at the same time as them, with larger baits and catch 20"+ trout. Again, have an assortment of colors and sizes and NEVER have just one of any lure. I NEVER buy less than two baits at a time when I’m buying hard plastic baits and I usually buy no less than 3 packs of baits when buying soft plastic baits. I’ve literally gone through three packs of my favorite swimbaits in one day (one day last year we caught 75 trout).
You’re already off to a great start. Keep your head on a swivel and your eyes open and the fish will tell you everything you need to know.
No matter how much it hurts, how dark it gets, or how far you fall…you are never out of the fight.
You should print this thread and put it in your tackle box.
It pretty much has everything you need to know. I will add a little. Kinda weird to do, but I buy what is low on inventory at local shops. Try it out, and it works most of the time.
Like I said everything you pretty much need to get started has already been posted.
I will add a little. Kinda weird to do, but I buy what is low on inventory at local shops. Try it out, and it works most of the time.
LOL not weird at all!! I do the same from time to time. When you see a certain bait sold out, it is for a reason.
Freshwater and beetle spin grub colors come to mind and then comes the time I tried a bubble gum pink worm for bass. Dang thing was on fire! Who would have ever thunk a bass would like bubble gum pink? Really. only one pack left and I bought it.
Crazy thing, I’ve caught trout off bubble gum pink too.
Really. only one pack left and I bought it.