I went out sunday and monday on the wando. Saw lots of reds in multiple spots but they were all very skiddish. We would sneak up on them as they were chillen out. Put everything in the tackle box softly in front of their faces and they would all bug out. Im a novice fisherman and could use some help. Should I even fish when it is that cold or is there a certain lure I should use on cold winter days. The reds were toying with my emotions!
24’ Sea Hunt BX Pro
just when you think you’re sneaking up on them in a 24’ boat… you’re not!
also, if you’re dropping it right in front of their faces, they’ve already seen through your scheme.
cast way past them with as little weight as possible (or none except for your bait) and either let them swim across it, or move it so slowly that it’s almost not moving at all… when it gets in their sight, a little cloud of mud can help, but lots of motion and sound won’t help you at all.
the fish move pretty slowly when the water’s in the mid-50’s, and often they just can’t keep up with the speed of a normal artificial retrieve, or it’s so calm and clear that they already know you’re there and it doesn’t matter what you throw. they don’t want to leave the flats because of flipper, but just because you can still see them doesn’t mean they’re going to eat. many folks like to fish a very small gold spoon tipped with a bit of shrimp on the flats in winter- either skate it slowly across the bottom to put out a little mud trail, or just let it sit there when the reds might swim past it. if that seems too much like finesse fishing, just put out a few chunks of mullet as JA suggested in another thread- fresh is best, and the smell of real meat is often enough to tempt them when presenting arties just doesn’t work.
i can understand the frustration, but it’s not so grim that you shouldn’t be trying. i caught a 34" red at lunch today, along with 3 trout and lost 2 more big reds. when i could feel them pulling on the tail of the grub, i’d just let it fall to the bottom and they’d inhale it once they caught up… this is about the toughest time of year to find a groove here, but keep asking questions as you learn and good luck!
barbawang, the force is strong in you…your words are much appreciated…
The Morris Island Lighthouse www.savethelight.org
My advice is follow barbawang’s advice.
Also try live bait and add scent to your artificials.
This is a great time of year to see lots of reds in clear water, which I always think is cool to experience in itself.
Don’t get discouraged. They’ll be making up for lost weight soon when the water starts warming up.
Semper Fi
18’ Sterling
115 Yamaha
Big Ugly Homemade Blue Push Pole
Thank you for the advice. One thing we were doing right was we were in a friends 17’ flats boat not mine. I have learned my lesson in my boat in the flats. To big of a draft. Il try out the spoon this weekend.
Cheers!
24’ Sea Hunt BX Pro
34" red. Impressive!
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.ralphphillipsinshore.com | www.summervillesaltwateranglers.com
thanks bud, i’d like to thank shimano symetre and compre, powerpro, vanish fluoro, zman minnowz, and charleston harbor.
Good stuff BW
I have decent luck this time of year with a tube bait , think bass fishing, put pro cure in the hollow body and let it sit near a school with the tentacles waving, can hop it every once in awhile to create a little mud puff. Also use a clear chartreuse tube with a strip of pink fish bites in it if flounder or trout are lurking around.
If fishing a little deeper give a mirrodine or lucky craft pointer a try let it flow with the current and give it a little shake every now and then keep contact with lure and try not to retrieve it back to you until it drifts thru the zone
Best advice you can get from barbawang, if you know where they are put “fresh meat” there and wait,not the most exciting fishing but you can learn alot while you’re waiting.If they won’t bite that,in my opinion they aren’t eating that day.
You can’t catch fish on a dry line