Dad is planning on visiting this weekend and we are definitely planning to go out on the Cooper to do a little fishin’. Saw the weather forcast yesterday and learned it was going to be 100 this weekend. He will get here mid morning so hopefully we will be out on the water by 11. Low tide is at 12.
How do fish react to this heat? Any perticular set up to be targeting? Any perticular location? (not your honey hole, like in the grass, along the bank, creek mouths, etc.) I would think top water would not be the way to go, something off the bottom would probably yield better results.
I know this is probably not the ideal time to get out on the water to fish but, I’m of the mentality of just go no matter what time because you never know sitting on the couch in the AC. Let me know if anyone has any experience fishin’ in this heat and if so how is the best way to approach it.
A couple of days of high temperatures probably affects the fisherman more than the fish. I’d imagine that it takes several days of high temps to effect the water temperature.
Since red fish are cold blooded they will be looking for cooler places in the water to hang out. Try fishing floating docks. I have a good bit of luck fishing them in the summer. Two thing about them: 1) provide a large amount of shade for fish 2) the floating part of the dock is usually in fairly deep water esp at high tide. I like to fish live bait on a carolina or dropper rig all around the floating docks. I like live bait this time of year cause you can let it sit there and wiggle around until they eat it. Seems like with artificials you have to cast almost on top of them to make them hit. usually, i catch more than one fish (if i get a hit at all) on each dock. good luck to you and pops.
I’d rather be a free man in my grave than living as a puppet or a slave.
I was reef fishing last weekend and it was hot with no wind. We were catching quite a few and before I knew it, I was feeling dizzy. I thought it was motion sickness at first but that has never bothered me before. I kept chugging along and before I knew it, I was full blown dizzy with half black spots in my vision.
I got dehydrated in no time it turned out. I was drinking water but it obviously wasn’t enough. Keep yourself hydrated. Believe me, if I read this story I would think “dumbazz should have known better” and I do, but apparently 4 bottles an hour wasn’t enough. When its hot like that, you have to really keep up. If you are thirsty, its already starting.
All, greatly appreciate the advice. I’m sort of new to red fishin’ so I will heed your advice. Bringin’ the cast net to catch some bait but will most likely start off with some artificals. Goin’ with the gold spoon with chartruse grub and electric chicken 4" paddletail on a Carolina rig. When I get some baitfish, I’ll be replacing that paddletail with whatever I get. Any other suggestions, I’m all ears. Anyone ever use crabs (blue, not fiddlers) as bait? If so, how do you hook 'em properly?
And for all those guys that are sayin’ “dumbazz should have known better,” dehydration can sneak up on you real quick especially in heat like that, so its better to remind someone rather than think they are an idiot. You won’t know your dehydrated until its too late. Tons of water will fill the cooler with some beers below for twilight hours after the temp drops a little. Again, I appreciate the advice.
A bad day fishin’ is better than a good day at work!
The warm weather will turn on the fish but will be tough on the fisherman.
Your body will remember if you have ever had a heat experience and will try to shut down…ie make you feel like dung. Heat experience is if you ever got the monkey on your back.
Drink plenty of water way before you go out and continue the water.
Unless you have a very shallow draft you will have difficulty getting out or back in 1 hour on either side of low tide. Our 17’ boat has a tough time unless we are 2.5 hours away from dead low. The silting is much worse than this time last year. We only draw 11" but still have problems. Be forewarned…if your boat is 18’ or larger avoid dead low by 2 or 3 hours. Good luck…the fishing has been good up there lately…a few nice flounder, trout, and several over slot reds recently.
PioneerLouie
Pioneer Venture 175, Johnson 90
Summerville, SC
Yea, it was tough out there yesterday, hot as hell. Fish didn’t want to bite, guess they were hot too. Ended up with a couple reds and a stingray, all released. Took some live mud minnows and by far produced more bites than artificials. Next time I’m going to try fiddlers. Got out there earlier than expected, took a break under a dock for shade and managed to get a half dozen good sized crabs. Even though the fishin’ wasn’t as good as expected, can’t beat a day on the river fishin’s with Pops
A bad day fishin’ is better than a good day at work!
This is crucial in this heat. Even if you are drinking plenty of water, if you loose enough electrolytes (sodium is one of them) you can end up in the hospital or even dead.
