Short version - saw 2 fish, had one shot at the first and spooked the other, caught nada. Below is the long version.
Went out yesterday in search of some tail. Got to the spot super-early, was standing on dry ground until the tide came in. Water finally got up, and sure enough, in came Mr. Redfish, right where I expected him. Readied the fly rod and waited for an opportunity. He worked down the grass line to within 15 yards of me, when he finally stopped and up went the tail. He rooted around for a few - long enough for me to figure out (at least I thought) which way he was going to work. Two false casts and a perfect cast was on its way. But of course, while the package was en route to its destination, the fish decided to turn the other way. Fly landed perfectly…5 feet behind him. I left it there, hoping he’d turn back, but no dice. He turned and worked away from me. Stripped it in to go into stalk mode, but couldn’t - with every step I took, the bottom got softer and softer. Decided to backtrack and work around to the other side of the flat, hoping to get another shot at him there. In the process of getting regrouped, I almost stepped on one that had come in behind the first. Small fella’ - took off back in the direction he came. Worked around to the other side of the flat and saw/heard NOTHING. Stalked around slowly for 15 minutes, and nada. Finally decided to call it quits and head home. Was walking out and briefly glanced over my shoulder, and there he was - right where I had expected him to be the whole time. Went back into stalk mode and got to within 10 yards of him. The spartina was incredibly thick, though, so I couldn’t get a decent shot. He never stopped to tail again, just slowly swam around, giving me brief glances of his back and tail. Decided to call it quits - didn’t want to spook him.
Though I didn’t catch any fish, I had a great time. It was very cool to be able to stalk a fish like that and watch how he worked. I’m hoping to head back out there and try it ag
I was out at isle of palms on friday surf fishing for pompano with crab patterns and I got a couple of bites but landed nada… I don’t even know what bit… good hard strike and pull and nothing on the line… flies were not bit up bad so I didn’t expect it was bluefish but it was still fun… My only goal before I leave for Iraq this fall is to finally get some salt fish OTF… reds, trout it don’t matter to me