Fished around some flooded grass in the harbor looking for tailers this afternoon. A good size fish surfaced right beside me and I thought it was a black drum at first, then did a double take. Dropped a white gulp shrimp on a white jighead a foot or so in front of his nose and the fight was on. He tried to tow me into some gnarly water a few times but after 10 minutes I got the boga on his lip. 12 pounds. Considered releasing him but I had no camera and I figured it didn’t really happen without pics, so he’ll be dinner tonight and tomorrow.
Also got one nice red in the grass around 8 pounds and another slot fish on the paddle back. Much better than I expected for noon in August.
I’ve seen them in Port Royal, and I know they come inshore pretty often in Georgia and Florida, but never seen one inside Charleston Harbor. I think I just got lucky. The fillets were really good. A lot like grouper, but sweeter. Would love to run into another one because the fight was awesome.
Nice fish, dude! Your pineapple plant looks way better than mine, too.
I’ve seen them in Cape Romain laying on the surface in 8 feet of water, and have read that they will orient to floating structure (buoys) when the water’s not too deep. Ambush predators that can’t refuse a shrimp… I hope I run across one soon!
