Reading this board, its seems like the best place to fish for reds/trout is over the oysters and along the grassline. Question is how do you keep your rig (Carolina rig) and bait (live shrimp, mudminnows, etc.) over the oysters so as not to get hung up and lose your rig. Would a cork over a 18 inch leader be the right set up for this situation during the incoming/high tide? Looking for recommendations, thanks!
Yeap. Use a float, and you will not get hung up near as much–incoming or outgoing tides.
2012 Skeeter ZX22 Bay
Yamaha 250 hp SHO
Minnkota Riptide 101
Floats are great to fish over oysters and other bottom structure. But don’t be afraid to fish a bottom rig either. The key that I’ve found to fishing the edges of oyster banks, intermittent bottom structure and flooded grass with a carolina rig it to cast it in there and LEAVE IT ALONE. If you keep reeling, re-positioning, and generally messing with it is when I’ve found that I tend to get hung up the most. If there is still water over the structure or still in the grass, the fish (when they take the bait) will generally move the line up out of harms way enough to avoid serious problems.
Good luck!
quote:
Originally posted by Bolbie…the harbor was slick as an eel pecker.
What length leader or Carolina rig do you use under the float when over oysters. Is 18 the standard length, shorter or longer?
quote:
Originally posted by Kebda380What length leader or Carolina rig do you use under the float when over oysters. Is 18 the standard length, shorter or longer?
Leader length should be determined by the depth of the water. Eighteen is a good average but sometimes longer is needed. Keep a couple of rods rigged accordingly and a couple for the bottom and you will be set and not have to miss fishing time because of changing stuff.
big dog
I usually judge how high the tide is versus length to the bottom. 18 and 24 inches is usully good.
I never measure just pull out a bit. The other day i looked at the rod holder and three different corks i rigged on different days and they were all about 21 inches. If i start getting hung a bunch I shorten it.
- I’d rather be a free man in my grave than living as a puppet or a slave.
[/URL]
Should I take for granted that we’re talking about mid-to-high tide? Does anyone ever have luck with Carolina rigs when the water’s covering the structure?
“I’m not a hundred percent in love with your tone right now…”
If you’re not retying, you’re not trying
Boat drinks, Waitress I need 2 more boat drinks!
I usually fish over the oysters from mid to high tide with some success.
During the summer I go to a shorter leader and Yes BB I do have good sucess when the water covers
Local Boy, Just having fun.
I usually fish over the oysters from mid to high tide with some success.
During the summer I go to a shorter leader and Yes BB I do have good sucess when the water covers
Are y’all talking about under a float or on the bottom? Or both?
And Kebda, don’t wanna steal your thread; it sounds like we’ve got several of the same questions, so I figured I’d ask my related questions here instead of starting a thread and asking about the same stuff…
“I’m not a hundred percent in love with your tone right now…”
With a float, 18 to 24 inch Carolina rig, float keeps the rig off the oysters so as not to get hung up.
Instead of using a leader you can always use a slip knot and adjust the depth as needed.
Double D.
One more question: Does it make sense to fish the same spots at high tide (with a float) that you fish at low?
“I’m not a hundred percent in love with your tone right now…”
Great question Bart. Here is my opinion: It does make sense to fish the same general area at high tide that you fish at low and many times a cork will be your weapon. Often, the fish dont like to move very far and you may find them around the same areas through out the tide cycle. Here is one example: You have a creek mouth with an oyster point and fish hold there at low tide . Say there is a shell bank and a grass flat that floods at really high tide. It is possible that the fish could hold around an oyster bed or dock at low tide to feed. Then move down the shell shore line maybe eating every now and then. Then and stage up getting ready to go into the grass to feed again. Then they may come out of the grass and go to the other side of the creek. Kind of follow them around the general area. I’ve done this in many creeks. Naturally, its not going to be like that every time but it does make sense to at least try it in an area a few times and see what happens. Especially, if you like to catch fish and not burn a bunch gas! This is much easier to do with a trolling motor rather that anchoring. Although, once you figure out exactly where they will be and when, you can anchor and catch them when they get there.
- I’d rather be a free man in my grave than living as a puppet or a slave.
[/URL]
quote:The reason that "over the oysters" and "along the grassline" are 'fishy' places is that that is what the bait is doing. They are trying to hide over the oysters and against the grass. Soooo, use something that floats over the oysters and/or something that will attract predator fish on the outside of the oyster banks and grass lines. Carolina rigs and popping corks around the outside of oyster banks. Floating devices over the oysters. Popping corks and bottom rigs along the grass lines.
Originally posted by Kebda380Reading this board, its seems like the best place to fish for reds/trout is over the oysters and along the grassline. Question is how do you keep your rig (Carolina rig) and bait (live shrimp, mudminnows, etc.) over the oysters so as not to get hung up and lose your rig. Would a cork over a 18 inch leader be the right set up for this situation during the incoming/high tide? Looking for recommendations, thanks!
quote:
Originally posted by jimmyaadamsGreat question Bart. Here is my opinion: It does make sense to fish the same general area at high tide that you fish at low and many times a cork will be your weapon. Often, the fish dont like to move very far and you may find them around the same areas through out the tide cycle. Here is one example: You have a creek mouth with an oyster point and fish hold there at low tide . Say there is a shell bank and a grass flat that floods at really high tide. It is possible that the fish could hold around an oyster bed or dock at low tide to feed. Then move down the shell shore line maybe eating every now and then. Then and stage up getting ready to go into the grass to feed again. Then they may come out of the grass and go to the other side of the creek. Kind of follow them around the general area…
</font id=“quote”></blockquote id=“quote”>BB, I think jimmy gave you a real good answer here. He didn’t push the answer towards the bait issue so, I will add; not only do the fish not like to travel very far between tide cycles, bait don’t and CANT travel very far between tide cycles. Find areas where bait can hide during low and high tide and you are golden.But, please don’t release this information generally.
Yes, exactly tyoneon. Always be thinking like a fish. They are concerned with pretty much three things in life: eating,not being eaten and spawning. So if you find, say, a dock that constantly provides enough cover and/or structure to keep them safe and consistently provides enough bait to keep them full, it is possible that they may figure “why leave as long as I dont have to”. Now, i have also noticeed that many places that hold fish during both high and low tide tend to hold more fish at one or the other depending on which stage provides more ideal conditions. At one dock i fish, i sometimes can catch 10 or 12 at low tide but at high tide its more like three or four. Believe it or not, the first time i typed my previous response it was more bait oriented.For some reason, when i am typing on my lap top, i often hit some kind of crazy button combination by accident that makes my browser go back one page, like I clicked on the back arrow. It is really frustrating because everything that i typed gets deleted and i have to redo it all:angry: But I did not mention what you said about bait not being able travel long distances quickly. Nor have i thought about that before, but its a great point. The other side to it is not get caught up fishing too much in the same spots. Whenever yall go fishing, remember to try a few new spots on every trip:smiley:
- I’d rather be a free man in my grave than living as a puppet or a slave.
[/URL]
Good stuff, fellas. I’m hoping to put your tips to work this weekend. I’ll keep you posted.
As you were, Kebda…
“I’m not a hundred percent in love with your tone right now…”