Starting to see the bite change. They seem to be laying off the TRD, Trick Shotz and seem to be favoring the Streakz which is more like a glass minnow. I have heard that more mullet are showing up on the Folly River. Anyone seen this?
What artifcials do you prefer this time of year as we move towards the crab molting season? Does anyone see a change as more charters and weekend warriors are out slinging live and cut bait this time of year that artifcials slow down?
I am sure the water temp has played a role too as it dropped and is slowly going back up again.
IMO the cooler weather recently has put the brakes on the topwater bite. Not seeing much bait around except glass minnows and a mullet here or there. The StreakZ375 (Ralphs Shad) aka the “rat tail” has been outperforming everything for us recently. Alternatives would be a Swimmin Trout Trick or the new 3" Slim SwimZ.
The trout are all real skinny and the next few months should be a very good bite as they try to fatten up. Let’s release them all so they can spawn.
That’s pretty much how it has been for me. Streakz 3.75 with a finesse trout eye (yellow eye). I am all about the #Release2018SC to let our trout population spawn.
I have done a lot of reading and not sure people know as I didn’t that Trout will drop eggs about every week to every two weeks during the spawning period which can be months. Thats a lot of eggs and fry and those that make it will grow up to 8" in year one. Like NC did I hope everyone handles them carefully and has a high release rate through July 31, 2018. That will give enough time for a successful spawn and be very beneficial to the fishery.
What’s the other saying “If its growing slow let it go?” Meaning if its reach peak breeding size let it spawn for the good of the fishery.
Anyhow tight lines and hope this weather turns for this weekend.
Honestly, I have done really well with the TRD/Slim Swimz and Trout Trick even into the warmer months. If you’re working it well, and you get within range of the fish to notice it, it’s a hard bait for them to pass up. I also feel that water clarity is a big deal when it comes to the finesse baits. When the water gets murky from rain, bacteria, and boat traffic, there’s been better response using larger paddle tail baits that put more vibration for them to find. I almost always have a rod rigged with a finesse/smaller bait in case the fish are finicky, I’ve caught as many 30" redfish in the creeks on a small jig as I have with larger ones.