The bite was dead in the morning and the fish did not turn on for us until 11:00 AM. After that we limited out in less than an hour. No real big fish just lots of them.
(Live bait with the lines down @ 35 feet)
Had several boats fishing with us and they gave up the area too soon.
Fished again in the PM, and I took my other two kids with me. No one was out there, and it was a light rain. We caught our limit again, and the fish were in the 7-8 lb range.
We watched striper school for almost a solid hour and a half. Could have filled the boat if you had wanted to.
I bet everyone wants to know where this occurred by now.
Lucky number 7 on the map. Fish just to plan right of the island key, out in water that is 50-65’ deep. This is were the stripers boiled for 1 1/2 hours. Fish can also be caught in the lower left hand corner of the Z4. Stay out in 50-65’ of water.
If you have structure scan sonar run both sides of the channel and look for your schools. If you cannot find them don’t worry just mark the bait fish over by the little island key and wait for them to show up.
Thanks to Fogman for his post and making me get off of my butt to go on the full moon cycle. It was worth it! Slow in the morning till around 11 AM, and voracious in in PM.
Man David, rub it in. Really makes me wish I had went ahead with Plan A and crossed over and tried that side…I gave up too soon and let frustration get to me.
Thanks for the report and I’m glad you slayed them.
Definitely “not” trying to rub it in. I have been there before. It has taken me three weeks to get on them.
PM me and we will trade phone numbers. I have only been able to go on the weekends so far, but if I’m out catching them I will gladly holler at you and let you know where I’m at.
I keep the VHF radio on to, but not alot of people are not chatty.
I did pretty fair on nothing but heavy metal yesterday afternoon. 12-2:00 was all I needed to get a limit of 21-25 inchers-- midlake bumping the bottom in 37 to 50 feet both on spotlock and short drifts with 3 ounce Berrys.
!! Seriously, I’ll tell you just about anything you want to know short of gps coordinates:smiley: I’d eventually like to purchase a Gopro and start a Youtube channel demonstrating the techniques we discuss. With spoon jerkin’, it’s a lot easier for me to show someone what I do than to write about it. It’s mostly a matter of using your imagination and thinking like a fish.
David, I am not the best. In fact, there’s atleast a dozen anglers in MSC alone who would have something to say about that. I’ve striper fished for around 30 years, and my experience nets more successful days on the water than not. I love sharing about trips and talking techniques and conditions in general… I love and think about this stuff most every day. Like a favorite poem states, "I am a fisherman… for life!
OK that’s it Fogman…I shall know “all” your secrets. (evil grin)
David Padgett
“Take 2”
191 Mako
Not if I get to him first …
quote: I'd eventually like to purchase a Gopro and start a Youtube channel demonstrating the techniques we discuss. With spoon jerkin', it's a lot easier for me to show someone what I do than to write about it. It's mostly a matter of using your imagination and thinking like a fish.
Fogman
Like I said, going to either have to get you to do a presentation at the MSC meeting or I’m going to have to “kidnap” you one day and torture you with adult beverages until you spill all your secrets …
I did a presentation on spoon fishing last fall and would be willing to do it again if asked. I do know our programs are fairly well set for the remainder of the year. Maybe we can work one in for next year. Downrods and spoons is where I’m at my best, but I’ve learned alot about pulling over the past decade. Whatever it takes to put fish in the boat I’ll do. Double anchoring and cutting has to be sure thing for me to want to set 2 and put out a couple dozen rods. I’m not big on trolling but will do so occassionally.
Perhaps we can get together on the h2o sometime or atleast sit and talk after a meeting sometime.
