Ralph and I fished with Daniel from Z-Man on Sunday. Incredibly, the water temp was 69F. We had a really good day, with 100+ fish to the boat. Most were undersize trout, but a few good ones mixed in.
Had a very memorable experience that I have documented with pics on our latest post here:
http://ralphphillipsinshore.com/blog/
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.ralphphillipsinshore.com
Fish tailing almost in January, Crazy!
Looks like braid directly to lure in that pic - no leader.
I am used to seeing that with redfishing sometimes but interesting to see it on big trout!
Nice pics…
Incredible numbers…
Amazingly clear water compared to where I have been fishing…
Hmmm…may have something to do with why I haven’t found any trout…
Nice job, Optiker! I have looked for the reds in the grass around here for the past 3 days, but all I can find are sheeps tailing!
mhebbard we normally tie 10 lb green PowerPro direct to the jig. I sometimes use a leader when fishing plugs in the AM, then keep using it when going to jigs. I hate to be picking braid out of my split rings while my buddy is yo-yo’ing topwater trout!
RAD, we were fishing a bank and I looked into the Marsh and saw a big ol’ tail happily rooting. There were two groups of a few fish in this one particular spot. Crazy stuff
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.ralphphillipsinshore.com
Great stuff, as always.
In the future, where every stranger poses a potential threat, knowing the predator mindset is the only safe haven.
Xpress H20B Bay Series
Yamaha 115 SHO
Thanks Optiker, for the great report and photos.
We have come to expect nothing less from you.
Just wanted to say we appreciate the time and effort you put in to making these posts, and all the relevant info you provide us.
It helps more than you’ll ever know. If nothing else, it inspires confidence and a desire to get out there and try.
And, I WILL pull up to you next time I see you on the river!
2006 17’ Sea Hunt Triton w/ 90 Yamaha, formerly a 1991 15’ Key West Explorer w/ 60 Johnson.
Hrrrumph!
In the future, where every stranger poses a potential threat, knowing the predator mindset is the only safe haven.
Xpress H20B Bay Series
Yamaha 115 SHO
Global warming doesn’t feel real today!
Tuff e Nuff
24 Albemarle Express
True! If you want to warm up, go for a swim!
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.ralphphillipsinshore.com
Planning on hitting the water next Monday. What do you think this cold snap will do to the bite? Fire it up? Shut it down?
In the future, where every stranger poses a potential threat, knowing the predator mindset is the only safe haven.
Xpress H20B Bay Series
Yamaha 115 SHO
I don’t see the surface water temps getting much below 60 till probably mid next week. I love it when the water is in the 50s. Monday should be good. Once it gets solidly in the 50s you should slow everything down. Reds will be schooled up tight on the flats and also tight in bunches near deep structure in the creeks. Bite will still be really good!
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.ralphphillipsinshore.com
quote:
Originally posted by OptikerI don’t see the surface water temps getting much below 60 till probably mid next week. I love it when the water is in the 50s. Monday should be good. Once it gets solidly in the 50s you should slow everything down. Reds will be schooled up tight on the flats and also tight in bunches near deep structure in the creeks. Bite will still be really good!
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.ralphphillipsinshore.com
I was hoping you would say that. 
In the future, where every stranger poses a potential threat, knowing the predator mindset is the only safe haven.
Xpress H20B Bay Series
Yamaha 115 SHO
Should be a good year with few die offs. Do we ever get red tide here…? It’s beyond brutal in the gulf.
harbor customs house reporting 58 and stable on the rising tide now, may keep cooling for another day or two, then the wind is supposed to die out ahead of the warm/wet/windy stuff over the weekend.
Op, what do you think the fish will do in terms of patterning if the water drops to mid/upper-50’s and then jumps back up into the 60’s next week? they still seem fairly spread out, hungry, and willing to go shallow as of yesterday evening (I caught 7 in 30 minutes on Trout Eye and paddletail tied straight to braid, most of them hooked in the back of the throat!)
I have a strong feeling some folks will be taking time off near the end of the week…
PS the average size near the coast has been 16-17" with a few 20’s mixed in lately. the 12-14" fish are fewer, and all males from my observation. the 16-17" would be the same year class females.
I wish I knew man! All I can say is I will be paying attention to what they do, and making some notes in my notebook. I think the fish are as confused as we are…
Thanks for your report. I’m gonna PM you on a separate topic.
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.ralphphillipsinshore.com
quote:
Originally posted by barbawangPS the average size near the coast has been 16-17" with a few 20’s mixed in lately. the 12-14" fish are fewer, and all males from my observation. the 16-17" would be the same year class females.
Hope this isn’t a dumb question, but how do you ID a male vs. a female? That’s some good sized fish ya’ll are getting down there. Most of mine from the bays up North have been under 14" with the fish still scattered and on the edges of flats. Haven’t been since this latest cold snap and am wondering if it will drive them to deeper holes. Hoping I can find the pattern quickly as there’s never enough time to fish.
16’ High Tide Flats (Green) w/Yamaha 90
Wilderness Ride 135
Wilderness Tarpon 120
The males drum
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.ralphphillipsinshore.com