Set out this morning to fish the harbor. Splashed the boat at Shem Creek and cruised out on a flat ocean. Had a hard time finding bait, at first (2 croaker from a creek). After seeing some “pips” on the surface my youngest son made a great throw of the cast net and netted more menhaden than he could hoist aboard. We kept about 15 in the 4"-5" range and threw the rest overboard. Finally set up at the “spot” and proceeded to put a hurt on the black drum. Left them biting after keeping eight (18"-23"). One short redfish (14") and one short black drum (13"). My son also caught a nice sheephead (15"). Never got a bite on the croaker or menhaden. All fish were caught on frozen shrimp fished on a Carolina rig (14" leader) with a 1/2 oz bullet weight. Ran in and got the boat and fish cleaned. Dinner was black drum, sheephead, pan fried potatoes amd hush puppies. Will post pics tomorrow.
19’ Sea-Pro CC
“Swagger Wagon”
Yamaha 115 - 2 stroke
Sounds like a nice trip out. Hoping to get down there soon.
yep, I think shrimp was the hot bait yesterday… too bad I didn’t have it. talk with 2 other guys using shrimp and they said as soon as the switched to it they couldn’t stop catching reds. I did end up getting my new best on trout… 20.5 inches (I was going for reds though! Carolina rig with chunk mullet head). Stono towards limehouse. Water temp was 77. Just at the very end up the outgoing. Gut hooked it so kept it and eating it tonight
That’s a real good day at the “spot”.
Iain Pelto
Sea Hunt Triton 160 w/ 90 ETEC “JB3”
Native Manta Ray 14
HB it was on in the “spot”. Left them biting. Very similar to the “smackdown” day of yore. It was a perfect setup on the incoming. Several of the fish were pretty beat up from something, either rocks or flipper. For those targeting black drum, I will give you a “heads up”. The bite was very different this outing. You could feel the fish pick up the bait, but they wouldn’t hit and run. It was a very “tenative” bite. I would feel the fish pick up the bait and slowly start reeling (about 2 turns of the reel) and then wait. After about 4 or 5 seconds the fish would attempt to swim off and set the hook. We missed probably 6 or 7 fish before we figured it out. One cool catch of the day was a re-catch. Had one nice fish (about 24") break off Justin. About 15 minutes later I caught the same fish. Still had the leader hanging out of his mouth when I boated him. Also lost another 23-24" fish boatside on a pulled hook. 100% my fault, as Justin offered the net and I tried to grab the fish by hand boatside. Used 2/0 Owner circle hooks on a Carolina rig with a 10-12" leader and a 1/2 oz. egg weight.
19’ Sea-Pro CC
“Swagger Wagon”
Yamaha 115 - 2 stroke
14’ CMF Skiff
25 Johnson - 2 stroke
14’ Heritage Redfish
“There is no hunting like the hunting of man, and those who have hunted armed men long enough and liked it, never care for anything else thereafter.”
Ernest Hemingway
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At the end of the day.
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My fishing partner!
19’ Sea-Pro CC
“Swagger Wagon”
Yamaha 115 - 2 stroke
14’ CMF Skiff
25 Johnson - 2 stroke
14’ Heritage Redfish
“There is no hunting like the hunting of man, and those who have hunted armed men long enough and liked it, never care for anything else thereafter.”
Ernest Hemingway
Very nice!! Those drum can be sneaky and hold the bait before committing to eat. That’s a good looking rod you have there; catch any drum on it?
Iain Pelto
Sea Hunt Triton 160 w/ 90 ETEC “JB3”
Native Manta Ray 14
That is a dang nice rod. Thank you sir. Built by a guy I consider my best friend. Heck of a rod builder too! It’s a bit big for the targeted fish, but I put a 6" croaker on it and had it pitched out where the sharks and kings hang out. Along with another heavy rod with a menhaden on it. Neither got any interest.
19’ Sea-Pro CC
“Swagger Wagon”
Yamaha 115 - 2 stroke
14’ CMF Skiff
25 Johnson - 2 stroke
14’ Heritage Redfish
“There is no hunting like the hunting of man, and those who have hunted armed men long enough and liked it, never care for anything else thereafter.”
Ernest Hemingway
Nice report. Sounds like a great time.
17.5 Searay