Sarah Connelly breaking her no catching spell!
-Capt. Jeff Larson
We hope everyone has been enjoying the catching in Calhoun County, lately. Catching Trout, Reds, Flounder, Triple Tail, Bull Reds, Red Snapper, Black Drum, Dorado Dolphin, Ling, King and the list continues of all the fish that have been showing up at the fish cleaning tables. The major floods have been a bitter sweet event. Our prayers go out to all who have endured the havoc all the rain has caused to our readers. We hope for a speedy recovery.
The great flush has really concentrated the fish. Even though the bays have been looking like iced tea or yohoo chocolate milk, depending where you have been fishing, fishing has been GREAT! Specifically the Speckled Trout. Trout seem to be the most affected by the fresh water. They really haven’t left your favorite reef, gut or shoreline. They are just hugging the bottom. Here is an example, we were wade fishing a gut that was stained with fresh water. We negotiated our way up to the drain leading out to the main bay. There were fresh water gar swimming on top of the water in the grass just like redfish. Then I start scaring myself thinking there is a gator in the mangroves about to jump out and bite me in half. The water was so fresh I couldn’t taste a lick of salt. Thinking NO Trout, too fresh, psyching myself out of fishing I keep working my way up the gut. I use 3/8 oz lead heads so my bait is always on the bottom. I threw my Down South Red Shad across the drain and it rolled down current bumping off the bottom. Then BAM, I was hooked up, probably a black bass cause there can’t be trout in this fresh river water. Sure enough it was a nice keeper trout. Then after about 20 more cast slow rolling my bait along the bottom of the drain, the new trout limit was done. The fresh water rides on top and the bottom is saltier not affecting the fish but how and where you fish. There has been quite a few calls from customers who have been concerned about the inflow of fresh flood water and how it affects catching fish. In my opinion, it’s made fishing so much better this year. Mother Nature takes care of herself and the animals even though she does some extreme crazy things.
Have any of you been seeing bees around lately? There was a serious bee attack the 1st part of June which put a local in the hospital with over 100 stings. We have been seeing and hearing about others who have been stung numerous times during a swarm. If you are starting to see bees swarm, seek shelter immediately. We felt the need to let our readers know that bees are becoming more and more busier since the drier and warmer weather has arrived. These stinging necessities are wasting no time finding holes in roof tops to start another hive. Just be aware as they start swarming around the eve’s of your home.
OK another be aware! Alligators, They are showing up near fish cleaning tables. Charlies and Shoalwater Flats has a good 10 footer easing around. The next one I saw was at the ICW and the South entrance to the Sanctuary. I like writing about where I see em cause most of us have pets that like to play in the water. Keep your eyes peeled for em and watch your dogs. Sunday Beach also had a small one swimming around last year and I can only guess he is still around the area.
Back to fishing,
Surf fishing has been on fire when you can get out there. The trout are stout and the reds are big red footballs. Perfect tournament reds weighing solid 7 and 8 pounds. Flounder gigging has been pretty good to say the least. Limits if you stay out from sunset to sunrise. Wade fishing with croakers has been another style of fishing that has been paying dividends for solid trout and reds.
Give Scott a call and let him book your next fishing trip through the Saltwater Lodge. The Lodge number is 361 785 3825.
May you enjoy our Independence with stringers of good times and fish.
-Captain Jeff Larson 281 217 0399
Reds in the fresh water
-Capt. Jeff larson
