I decided to spontaneously go fishing at Shem Creek this morning by myself. I stopped by Charleston Angler for some mud minnows, but I apparently bought them out yesterday. They said they should have more tomorrow, though. All I had in my cooler for bait was frozen crabs and some really nasty frozen shrimp that I caught awhile ago and has been on numerous trips. I got a ton of hits on the shrimp by flounder, but I was just basically feeding them. I decided to use a plastic lure that I bought at Charleston Angler last week called a Trigger X (natural color).
The very first cast out… of the very first artificial lure I have ever used in saltwater fishing… I caught my very first spotted sea trout! It was 13".
I learned a very valuable lesson from the trout: Keep your fingers away from their mouths. My thumb hurt for the first couple of hours I spent out there. I knew they had sharp teeth, but I was so excited that I didn’t pay any attention. I was more concerned about the fins, especially since my hands are covered in scars from fish finning me over the years.
I also hooked a nice sized redfish, but it snapped the line just as I got the net next to him. I was SO upset! For the rest of the day I got a lot of hits from flounder and redfish, but I never landed any.
I knew that I had to pick my husband up at 5pm, so at about 4pm I decided that I was going to cast out one more time (this time with live shrimp that I caught in my cast net at low tide)and then pack it up. 15 seconds after the shrimp hit the water I got this massive hit that bent my rod and snapped my line immediately! Anyone have any ideas of what could have done that? I think I may need new line put on my reel if I want to have any chance of catching “the BIG ones!”
Sounds like your drag was too tight. If you didn’t get it to the boat, it can be whatever you want it to be. Sounds like a state record trout to me
In that case, it was MEGALODON cruising around Shem Creek looking to score a shrimp cocktail and he just so happened to swim past the shrimp on my hook and he took it!
Good work on the trout! I love plastic bait as far as artificials are concerned. Those shrimp look more durable than my usual gulp so I might give them a try. The drag tip is good. I like to pull on the line to make sure it releases then if i get a big hit and fight a fish i can adjust accordingly. If its running to structure like a dock, you might have to bite the bullet and tighten it so it doesn’t get caught up. In my opinion you will have better luck with braided line because its more durable, sensitive, and stands up against oysters and teeth much better than mono and it leaves more room for error due to its strength. lol (**() megalodon!
“They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.”
Benjamin Franklin
Malibu Stealth 12 with Lowrance Mark 4 Fishfinder/GPS
Perception Access Angler
Good for you! That first fish on an artificial is special and somewhat bolsters your confidence in using artys. Keep it up. Maybe I’ll make it down there soon and meet up with some of ya’ll.
“Apathy is the Glove in Which Evil Slips It’s Hand”.
I definitely have more confidence in the artificials!
follybeachpeanutguy, I have no idea what pound test the line is. When I first moved here in May I went to Charleston Angler and told them I had no experience with saltwater fishing, but wanted to learn. I let the guy there pick out the rod and reel and line that is on it. I think I am going to switch from mono to braid really soon.
I am making up some rigs now so I won’t have to do them out on the kayak. I have 25 lbs test leader, but it is kinking up with some of the knots I am trying out. I was wondering if the kinks affect the integrity of the leader or not. I am trying to do a non slip mono loop knot. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbCyD6JrieI Thanks for any tips or info.
pink - definitely make the switch to braid. You will not regret it. My setup: I use 10# green power pro (original, not slick). 15# would also be good. If your reel is not made for braid, first put some mono on, then tie to braid, this keeps it from spinning on the spool. I don’t often use a leader, only when throwing plugs. When I do, I will use 20# fluoro leader using a triple-surgeons knot. Very simple to tie, you could do it blindfolded: just overlap the two tag ends by about 8 inches, then do three overhand loops, pull tight, cut the tag ends off. For the lure connection, I use the non-slip loop knot almost exclusively. Also very simple to tie. Hope this helps!
Congrats on your first artie fish. I use only artificial baits for inshore fishing myself!
^ Good advice right there. I do similar but use #15 or #20 powerpro or Seagar and, if i use a leader, tie them together with a double uni. I wouldn’t use #25 mono for a leader. Either use fluorocarbon or tie your braid directly to the lure with your loop knot. The braid is tougher than the mono.
I used to use a double-uni for my leader knot, but found that whenever I would break a line, it would always fail at that knot. I suspect the braid was cutting into the leader. For that reason I switched to the triple surgeons. I have personally had more luck with that knot - it seems stronger and its definitely easier to tie! Just what works for me… Also, if you use 10# PP you don’t need a loop knot if you tie directly to the lure, because its so small and flexible it makes no difference in my opinion. Good discussion!
The only problem I ever had with using a direct-connection w/ braid was the tendency for the braid to fray quickly near the jighead or lure, especially working a lure along the bottom or near structure. Of course, leader material will nick and wear with time too…a challenge either way, I guess
I just tied one and am sold on the triple surgeon knot. So much easier to tie than the double-uni. I’m definitely going to use it with the seagar kanzan braid. The 20# is so thin it will cut you when pulling a knot tight. Thanks for the info, Opti.
