I’m use to throwing my cast net in the lake, so I know when and where the shad will be. But I’ve never done this on the coast. Is there any certain time the bait fish surface or place? Or do you just keep an eye out and hope you’re in the right place at the right time? Thanks.
1802 MITCHEL CC
21’ NEWPORT DAYSAILER
If Your just wanting minnows you can see them rippling the water. If you are unfamiliar with the area go at low tide and look for oyster beds and then do not cast over them! Lot’s of small shrimp in the creeks right now. High tide or Low tide cast by the bank and not over oysters.
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Awesome! Thanks for the info.
1802 MITCHEL CC
21’ NEWPORT DAYSAILER
First watch for birds feeding and head that way, then watch for the bait on top of the water, such as menhaden flipping or mullet jumping. Cast, retrieve and repeat if desired.
quote:
Originally posted by Bolbie…the harbor was slick as an eel pecker.
when the water is out of the grass it seems easier to get the net on bait. The deeper drains coming out of a big grass flat should have bait in them if there is any anywhere. Watch for finger mullets cruising the edge or cast and let the net settle to the bottom for shrimps and mud minnows. GL
Look for rips and stuff too. Humps in the sound can hold bait a lot. Look on a map to find them and then even if the birds aren’t there I ride over them to see, they’ll be there a lot, just not high enough to bring the birds.
BG
Cruise the edge of creeks with someone on the bow looking for action. Mullet can zip by super fast and sometimes you have to work for a few bait each throw, probably the same in fresh from that respect. I also find that mullet will be near sandy beaches sometime, flipping/jumping a lot. You’ll see them.
Don’t be intimidated by the idea of having to go find bait. You’ll see it if you slow down and just cruise a few places. It’s amazing how much stuff is busy on the coast.
BG
Thanks guys!
1802 MITCHEL CC
21’ NEWPORT DAYSAILER
The first time you see a school of menhadden you’ll know what to look for…an area of little flips on the service.
For mullet and shrimp the creeks at best. You can see little schools of finger mullet by their wake if the water
is calm enough. As stated…the MAIN THING is not to throw your net over an oyster bed or other structure. Going out
at low tide is best. You can spot menhadden at a long distance by watching where the pelicans dive.
If you are going for pogies make sure your net has large enough mesh to sink quick enough to catch them
Like others said finger mullet are pretty easy to net, just watch them cruising the edge and give it a throw and AVOID oyster beds
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Try to throw a little ahead of the mullet, also. Kind of on the front half of the school. Saw tons of bait in the Cooper creeks yesterday. Finger mullet everywhere. Of course, we forgot the net! LOL!
Vinman
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