Decided that I’ve had enough “off time” from the water and braved the wind this afternoon with my 5 year old. Just far too windy to consider taking the jon boat anywhere, and the chance of rain really put the brakes on that notion.
So we did our first trip to the pier at Shem since it has a covered section on the end. Looks like it could be a good place for whiting, black drum, and of course, reds and trout.
Today, none of that though, but we did load up on those pesky silver perch, a couple small croaker, and a couple bluefish. One of them was about 15", the only thing I caught on artificial (spinnerbait similar to a large panther-martin or rooster tail). Going to see if those silver perch can make a decent fish stock. I felt less guilty keeping them rather than throwing them back, their are so many of them out there.
My son caught his first northern hake, all of 7" lol. But he was excited over catching such an odd looking creature.
Then, I tangled up an egret. He flew right by when I casted the spinnerbait, and tangled in my line. He was a little fellow (in egret terms, and I’m not entirely sure it was an egret… but he was stark white).
Fortunately he wasn’t hooked. Got him on the pier, cut the line, and pulled it loose from his feet. Tangle wasn’t bad, released him unharmed, other than being really winded and frightened. Completely different story from tangling a seagull. Gulls will bite back (doesn’t hurt but is pesky). The egret did nothing, just grunted a few times and looked wistfully at the seagrass until I got him loose and let him go.
I am going there tomorrow morning. What bait and rig did you use?
Thanks for the report…
Cut shrimp pieces, standard bottom rigs will work. Take some artificials with you that you can cast long distances. Curly tail grubs on a 1/4oz head would potentially bring you in some reds, trout, or bluefish if you cast near the end where the small inlet is.
… The Cross of Christ is the anvil upon which the hammer of evil wore itself out.
Did the egret have a small tuft of tan/brown feathers on it’s lower back? If so, if was a cattle egret.
It may have, but honestly I didn’t inspect him all that closely. The thing was so stressed that I let my son have a quick look at him and I let it go.
It’s interesting how different the personalities are on these ocean-going birds. Seagulls are just mischievous and ill-tempered. The egret was passive and terrified.
Pelicans, I’ve never hooked, but I tried to feed one a large menhaden once, and he nearly took my hand with it. I didn’t realize just how strong those birds are until he started slapping his jaws at the menhaden. I ended up tossing it on the dock and getting out of the way lol.
… The Cross of Christ is the anvil upon which the hammer of evil wore itself out.
Had to unhook a pelican that took a chunk bluefinning one day. While probably not quite as rambunctious as a seagull, it wasn’t docile by any means…and they are strong suckers too.
I fished here on Monday from 7AM to 10AM and only got a couple of bites. I used a double hook bottom rig with frozen shrimp and mullet cut into chunks. I also tried a Gulp Mullet rig and got no action on that at all.
I am going fishing Friday, but not sure where to try? What is the best time to try the Shem Creek Park?
Also, just a general question. At what is the best time to fish? Tide coming in? Going out? I am still new to salt water fishing and could use all the help I can get.
Thanks guys
Generally, as long as the tide is moving, you have the potential to catch more fish.
The idea of fish biting more on a rising tide vs. a falling tide is too variable. The answer is “neither”. It depends on where you are fishing, what you’re fishing for, the weather, what you’re using for bait, the time of year, and time of day.
Generally speaking, I do better on a falling tide for some reason. But some of my biggest fish were caught in the first 2 hours of a rising tide.
… The Cross of Christ is the anvil upon which the hammer of evil wore itself out.
Glad to hear you and your son got out there got a few fish. We need to get the boys together again and get out on the water sometime.
17.5 Searay
Sure thing, just let me know :).
Next weekend is a possibility for me.
… The Cross of Christ is the anvil upon which the hammer of evil wore itself out.