May 8,2004 — Storms, Wind and Lots of Rain
The past two weekends have kept all of us on the water, on our toes. Saturday May 1 we had 50 plus M.P.H. winds and heavy rains. Saturday May 8 dealt us 3 plus inches of rain. Despite these adverse weather conditions we have managed to catch descent trout and excellent reds. Coming off the full moon our bite is slowly shifting from midday to early and late afternoon.
Our trout are now on the prowl and in the mist of good spawn. Remember a good trout released now could result in your trout of a lifetime in the future. Keep the skillet fish and try to release the mid to upper size fish.
This past week we hosted a writer conference on Tuesday and Wed. Shirley and I want to thank Everett and Pam Johnson (Gulf Coast Connections) Bink Grimes, Robert Sloan, Capt. Joey Farrell, Cal Gonzales, Capt. Aubrey Black, Rick Ranson, Joe Koury all the men with Honda-US, Travis Petty, Chris Williamson of Castaway Rods.
As part of a story Everett is planning for Gulf Coast Connections we made a short Moon Light Wade, Tuesday night with a number of keeper trout being caught. After a near miss by a boater running too fast in the dark we called it quits. A note to all anglers planning night wades PLEASE take plenty of light with you as you wade and wear light colored cloths. A number of our team had Tan-Frogg Togg tops and they stood out the best in the moonlight.
A note to this night wading story, we are planning on running a number of night wading trips before and after the full moons of May, June, July and August, we have limited availability for these dates but if you are interested please contact us ASAP. Summer night wading is an experience all anglers need to try. With our summer crowds coming, night fishing affords us the solitude necessary to catch a trout of a lifetime.
We are catching trout in 3 to 4 foot of water in the sand and gravel pothole’s both north and south of town. The west bank has been our best producer but look for the East side ridges to start firing. Roach, avocado, and bone are the colors of choice, fished on a 1/8 oz. Jig head. Chartreuse/black she dogs and chartreuse spook juniors are our top waters of choice. If you see bait along the shoreline in 3 to 4 foot of water STOP the fish are there.
Reds continue to hold south of town in the skinny water. If you don’t have a shallow water vessel don’t try it. An airboat to pull you free will cost $300.00 plus! Reds are also holding on the north and south flats near the East cut. Small top waters and roach have been the best baits.
