OK folks, making a bit of a desperation shot here.
Last fall, my son and I had fun. He’s 4 (5 in November) and we were able to put fish in the boat. This year, the strange weather patterns had me befuddled enough that I couldn’t find the fish---- anywhere.
My son has literally not caught a single fish other than a few bluegill this year. I can mostly blame my own incompetence.
So, with the weather cooling down, can anyone help me take a wild guess about where and how, to catch some trout and reds? I thought I knew the basics-- fishing around the mouth of creeks as the tide dropped, and fish the weedlines as the tide rises, use dead high/low for lunch time and net bait at low tide.
I’ve been using “electric chicken” paddle tails, trout tricks, white curlytail grubs… cut and whole mullet, live shrimp, etc.
As the weather cools, what patterns do you suggest? I haven’t spent a lot of time poking around docks/piers yet, been mostly fishing natural structure (the places I have been going don’t have lots of dock/pier space).
“Sire, it belongs in truth to the Church of God, in whose name I speak, to endure blows and not to inflict them. But it will also please your Majesty to remember that she is an anvil that has worn out many hammers.”…Theodore Beza
I would think taking hi out to the jetties would produce something. Even I have caught something when I go out there. Croaker, small BSB, shark, ray etc… Find a good day and go out with some mud minnows, shrimp and some blue crab. You’ll catch something.
“Apathy is the Glove in Which Evil Slips It’s Hand”.
x2 jetties, this is the perfect time of the year…back up anchor and fish the bottom it’ll produce, if it doesn’t fish closer to the rocks…good tool to have is one of those hot spot maps btw
The near-shore artificial reefs will give many bites and fish, mostly BSB, sometimes a trout, redfish or a sheepshead. The hardest part is anchoring so you over the top of the structure, and you are able to safely retrieve your anchor without contributing more “structure” to the reef. It is more fun when it isn’t rough, check the weather forecast.
Use bottom rigs with 1-3 ounce weights, bait can be anything, even gummy bears would work, but frozen squid is easy to use, durable and reusable for multiple bites.
Sorry guys, I should have clarified. I’m in a rather underpowered 14’ Jon boat. I have to stick to inshore only, otherwise we’d be out on the jetties all the time.
Narcosis, thank you for your info, it will be a big help.
Any suggestions on following the fish’s behavior patterns as the tide rises/falls in this cooling weather? I know soon the redfish will head offshore and the trout will find slower moving water in deeper holes, and be rather lockjawed. But other than that, I’m rather clueless.
“Sire, it belongs in truth to the Church of God, in whose name I speak, to endure blows and not to inflict them. But it will also please your Majesty to remember that she is an anvil that has worn out many hammers.”…Theodore Beza
By the way, I have to ask. Gummy bears? I’m assuming this is for BSB and other random bottom feeders, right?
I could see spanish macs hitting gummy bears (crazy colors). Maybe squirt them with some WD40 (fish oil) lol.
“Sire, it belongs in truth to the Church of God, in whose name I speak, to endure blows and not to inflict them. But it will also please your Majesty to remember that she is an anvil that has worn out many hammers.”…Theodore Beza
I wouldn’t count out the dead low tide. If you can find the deepest hole in the creek you can catch fish until its almost aggravating. I went threw a pound of shrimp Friday on dead low tide. The only fish that needs running water is flounder since its an ambush feeder. The rest like red and black drum are bottom feeders. Think like a fish eat like a fish.
Good point… I will keep this in mind. How deep is “too deep” though? I have a spot I like to fish that goes from being 3 feet deep (low tide) to 30 feet deep. Should I be bouncing the bottom there?
“Sire, it belongs in truth to the Church of God, in whose name I speak, to endure blows and not to inflict them. But it will also please your Majesty to remember that she is an anvil that has worn out many hammers.”…Theodore Beza
I don’t know how deep the creek you fish is but where I fish at low tide it varies from 2-9 foot deep at low and the 9 foot hole is maybe 40 yards long and 600 yards from where it dumps in the ocean. You know that mud banks are deeper than sandbars. So the key is to find a mud bank between sandbars where the fish have to hold up because they cant go anywhere else. That’s the greatest advantage to a tide. you go from fishing a lake to fishing out of a bucket. Get where im going with this?
You can always troll for trout…can be really successful as water cools. Pull 2 Lines behind the boat going slow enough for your grub to be bumping bottom…super easy. Good luck!
Matt, for what its worth, I’ve always tried to make sure my kids had plenty to eat, drink and goof around with until I got into the fish. Once I found them, then they would fish. Its tough to keep them occupied with fishing. mud minnow on a 1/4 oz. jighead always worked best for me. Just about anything will hit it and it works itself.
quote:I have a spot I like to fish that goes from being 3 feet deep (low tide) to 30 feet deep.
Matt, where in heck do you fish around here that has a 27’ tide[:0]
Lol, no no no. I wasn’t clear. At dead low tide, the creek drops off from 3 feet deep down to about 30 feet deep at a large bend. Just a big hole. At high tide, it’s about 9 feet and 38-40 depending on the height of the tide.
I couldn’t imagine the water flow through that creek if it were a 30 foot drop. My 8hp motor wouldn’t even work for a trolling motor in that sort of current
“Sire, it belongs in truth to the Church of God, in whose name I speak, to endure blows and not to inflict them. But it will also please your Majesty to remember that she is an anvil that has worn out many hammers.”…Theodore Beza
You can always troll for trout…can be really successful as water cools. Pull 2 Lines behind the boat going slow enough for your grub to be bumping bottom…super easy. Good luck!
'a stranger is just a friend i havent met yet’jt
Trolling is a good idea that I’ve sorta neglected. I’ll give it more of a shot, thanks.
quote:Originally posted by tree_my_dog
I don’t know how deep the creek you fish is but where I fish at low tide it varies from 2-9 foot deep at low and the 9 foot hole is maybe 40 yards long and 600 yards from where it dumps in the ocean. You know that mud banks are deeper than sandbars. So the key is to find a mud bank between sandbars where the fish have to hold up because they cant go anywhere else. That’s the greatest advantage to a tide. you go from fishing a lake to fishing out of a bucket. Get where im going with this?
Good point on reading the bank structure, thanks. I will definitely keep my eye open for the mud bank between the sand bars. I already know of several places like this.
quote:Originally posted by Vinman
Matt, for what its worth, I’ve always tried to make sure my kids had plenty to eat, drink and goof around with until I got into the fish. Once I found them, then they would fish. Its tough to keep them occupied with fishing. mud minnow on a 1/4 oz. jighead always worked best for me. Just about anything will hit it and it works itself.
You can always troll for trout…can be really successful as water cools. Pull 2 Lines behind the boat going slow enough for your grub to be bumping bottom…super easy. Good luck!
'a stranger is just a friend i havent met yet’jt
Two lines? Always four!
Redfish, with the boat you described if you are not dead set on salt water fishing. The Combahee is producing a lot of bream and red breast. My son and I went Saturday, He used a white(with red spot) small beetle spin and I used a red roaster tail. pitched to the banks and caught a very nice mess of fish in a small stretch of the river. My other friend went further up stream from hwy 17 towards I95 and after trial and error found that pink worms were not working and crickets on the bottom was the ticket. Small gold hook, split shot up 10" and be prepared to get it snagged many times between catching a fish. Beautiful scenery.
With same boat if you want salt water try Greys Hill landing off hwy 21 near Beaufort. As you are facing the water go right towards Sea brook point and fish the far side of the bank near the power polls or continue around to the Whale branch bridge that you had to come over and fish dead low for some good sheep head action. go under the bridge and the first slew on your left has some good trout action on the out going tide. As you look at the water go to the left towards broad river and take your first right then look for a creek to the right. fish the dock and further into the creek. I’ve heard you can catch fish in that little creek.
Always four lines…with one driver and a child and maybe a little wind…that could lead to a pretty fun mess.lol. If you can pull it off go for it…the more rods out the better odds you have but I’ve had lots of 50+fish days on two rods.
ok, I can’t stand it any longer. my worthless 2 cents.
don’t discount land spots - Mt P pier, Pitt st bridge, pier @ Remleys point, fort Moultrie, breech inlet, etc.
when my kids were 5, they’d just soon catch 10" sharks as 20" trout. they were happy with action even if it wasn’t gamefish. don’t confine yourself to what “you” want to target
don’t overdo it. a 4+ hour trip on a boat was too much for mine. you can do a pier in 1/2 that. he won’t get bored and you won’t get worn out scrambling to keep him entertained. no boat cleanup either.
I might think of something else later.
listen to tennispro too. he puts a bunch of newbies on alotta fish.
you can catch fish in that little creek.