This is the first spring I’ve fished inshore in a long time (since 2005) and it’s the first time I’m not stranded on the shore since I finally have a washtub to float around in.
But I have to ask— I can’t find fish like I did last summer/fall. I’m not seeing a lot of folks at the ramps that are doing very well either. I know fall is always a peak time but I can’t put a red or a trout (to say nothing of a flounder) in the boat for anything.
And, we tried to catch some crabs for red/bonnet bait this weekend. We had a crab pot baited with a big shad, and two hoop nets we kept sitting under the boat when we anchored, and the whole time (5 hours or so) we only caught two crabs, both puny juveniles we released.
Anyone else seeing this sort of thing too?
Moral judgment under girds the entire structure of laws and is necessary for the rational structure of any significant statute. The idea that our laws can stand independent of moral foundation is senseless.----- Albert Mohler.
Fishing as been slower for me as well. One thing that turned my last trip around was cut mullet. They wanted nothing to do with the live finger mullet, and once I chopped it in half, itwas on.
Don’t have a knack for makin motors crank,
But I’m pretty good at drinkin beer
The best way to a fisherman’s heart is through his fly.
2002 Florida Skiff
90 Merc.
Caught some over slotters tonight on blue crab quarters in the grass… but saw plenty of others tailing that didn’t want fresh bait or a fly even when I set it on their nose.
www.baturinphotography.com
I’ve noticed more bait around in my spots than in the past. The fish I have caught must be really greedy, because they are fat and stuffed full of mullet, minnows, and fiddlers.
Semper Fi
18’ Sterling
115 Yamaha
Big Ugly Homemade Blue Push Pole
i have been seeing the same as Hoof, the few reds i have caught and taken home have been full of fiddlers. If you want to put some trout in the boat, i highly recommend the Trout Tricks, they have made a believer out of me!!!
We caught several bonnet (one 3.5/4’)in Folly last weekend near the lighthouse on cut mullet and frozen shrimp…
I’ve only fished two maybe three times in the last couple of months but I would say the last two times I’ve been out have been considerably better than I’ve done before. I’ve been catching red fish and flounder on mm’s, finger mullet, and Zman ultra crabz (or whatever it’s called). But, it’s because I’ve moved to new spots for me. The spots I usually make my rounds through have been dead. I don’t know if the fish in my usual spots have become used to seeing my presentation style or what but the spots have become dead zones. I also have been seeing what hoof mentioned as far as bait… the mullet seem to be stacked in the creeks. I’ve pulled a couple in the cast net that were like 15 to 18 inches. Of course this might not be saying much to some of you guys…I consider 5 red fish a good trip.
2004 Action Craft 1820
Flats Master SE
Personally I have not been seeing the numbers of fish, esp trout, like I typically do this time of year but the quality has been great. Been doing 12-25 trout on morning trips, but last wednesday had 6 trout over 22" and one slob at 27.5"…all released. In the handful of trips I have made this year have already produced a dozen or so trout over 23-24". Fish seem to be a little deeper so far this year, at least for me they have. Have not seen as many slot size reds this year either, but still running into some 27-30" reds by “accident” while trout fishing. Have also found myself moving around a lot more during a trip, very rarely have we been able to set up for a couple of hours in one place with a consistent bite. Late spring? Fishing pressure? IDK but it does seem to be a little different this season so far
Scott Hammond
Haddrells Point West Ashley
Thanks all. I can chalk a lot up to my own inexperience but when I wasn’t getting hardly anything on the same tactics that worked last summer and fall, and didn’t see anyone else doing very well, had me a bit worried.
Glad to see others are doing some good though. FWIW, I do use Trout Tricks on every trip, I use them to cover ground. Last trip out, I caught no trout, but did catch a stingray on one. Go figure.
ReelHunter, don’t come on here taunting me with stories of 27" trout lol, you have any idea how much that frustrates me lol??? 
Moral judgment under girds the entire structure of laws and is necessary for the rational structure of any significant statute. The idea that our laws can stand independent of moral foundation is senseless.----- Albert Mohler.
Nothing I am doing is a secret Matt, you know I will share any info I have with ya anytime buddy! Much of my point was that it has been a different than usual season for me as well…been moving around a LOT, bouncing 10-12 spots in a 3 or 4 hour trip. Its like I pick up 3 or 4 good fish on a spot as soon as I pull up and then crickets chirping…Hope to see ya soon bud
Scott Hammond
Haddrells Point West Ashley
quote:
Originally posted by ReelHunter
Nothing I am doing is a secret Matt, you know I will share any info I have with ya anytime buddy! Much of my point was that it has been a different than usual season for me as well…been moving around a LOT, bouncing 10-12 spots in a 3 or 4 hour trip. Its like I pick up 3 or 4 good fish on a spot as soon as I pull up and then crickets chirping…Hope to see ya soon bud
Lol, I know. I was in your store the other day and picked up a minnow trap, btw. I’d always heard that gavlanized were better than then powder coated. Sure enough, in one hour we caught a good 3 dozen mud minnows. I had previously used a cheapo black powdercoated one and never had luck like that, even at my best places, unless I left it for a very long time.
I tossed a few of them in my son’s tidepool tank (small saltwater tank with local stuff).
Moral judgment under girds the entire structure of laws and is necessary for the rational structure of any significant statute. The idea that our laws can stand independent of moral foundation is senseless.----- Albert Mohler.
This is the most rain we’ve had in 14 years. Great for freshwater river fish as they can get out in the woods and feed. I believe every time we get a big rain, the runoff, when it reaches the coast, really slows the inshore bite down. Bob
Bob Sanders
www.trouttrick.com
www.fishingwithbob.com
www.southcarolinalandonline.com
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