I haven’t been doing much salt fishing lately, but since the bite and bait has become abundant, I figured I would head out despite the heat. Launched out of shem around 7am. I found thousands of menhaden jumping by the shrimp boats. 2 tosses with the net and I had enough to fill the livewell and some for the cooler.
Decided to bring my 3 year old lab mix. It was her first time on the boat and she was nervous at first. She was curious about the menhaden flopping around. Headed to a creek before dead high.
Fished for a bit with nothing but trash fish. Hit some grass lines at high tide tossing a bobber with live shrimp. Floated my shrimp over a foot of water on oysters and before I know it the bobber disappears. I gave it a second so my circle hook could set, then started reeling. The familiar fight of a flounder ensued. After a quick battle I boated a 15 inch flounder. Ofcourse the dog licked it for good measure.
Got a couple more hits but lost the fish. Headed to some deep docks on the falling tide around 1130. Anchored up and dropped some live menhaden. Tossed a live shrimp in between docks and my rod almost got pulled out of my hands. I struggled to grab the net as I stumbled over the dog. A beautiful large trout surfaces and I dip the net in. Just as he is about to go in he makes a run and spits the hook!
After that defeat, I toss another live shrimp on a Carolina rig right next to the dock. This hit wasn’t as hard but the sound of my drag was enough to get my attention. After a short battle I netted a 16 inch red. After losing the big trout, I’ll take it.
Around noon I was about ready to call it a day. I had to put up the bimini to cool the dog down, and fishing around it was interesting. I started pulling up lines when my conflict 3000 starts screaming. I pick up the rod and start locking down the drag. This monster was still taking line while my drag has dangerously tight. It made 3 or 4 runs and I started to pull it in. A guide on the other side of the dock