Ed Mitchell Outdoors

Yesterday held some good fishing. In the morning, I found several snook along the mangroves. None huge, but all fun. As the tide continued to fill, I paddled the Adios out to the sandbar in hopes of doing some sight-fishing for redfish. The water was clear, and the sun bright, so conditions were excellent.

This Spotted Sea Trout Robbed Me

For awhile I poled the Adios along the bar, searching for activity. Eventually I found some. After staking out, I jumped off and began very slowly wading.  Suddenly a large ray glided into view, traveling from right to left, no more than fifteen feet from me. That’s when I saw them. Two large redfish! They were closely following the ray. The motion of a ray’s wings disturbs the bottom, often kicking up food. And redfish know it. So the ray becomes their lunch wagon.

Swinging the rod behind me, I did a quick roll cast dropping the fly practically on the ray’s back. Wham, I got a strike. Was this my redfish? Hell, no. Hidden between the two reds was a 20 inch spotted sea trout, who jumped out and nail the fly. Damn. This spotted sea trout robbed me.

Hit the water early this morning, leaving the ramp around 7 AM. The wind was light, the skies were clear, and the tide was about to flood. I slowly poled the Adios northward, covering roughly two miles of water. Conditions were perfect for tailing reds. Man, I looked and looked all the way, but none were to be found. Damn it.

Redfish are scarce of late. And it has anglers worried. There has even been talk of the need for a hatchery. My friend Dave says it may just be a temporary down-turn in the population. I hope so. I miss those reds.

Bigger Spotted Sea Trout

On the way back, I fished the sandbar on a rising tide. Good light, clear water. So I could sight-fish pretty well. But not much going on. About halfway home, I stopped at a favorite spot. Climbed out of the Adios and waded along the inside of the bar. To the left of a sand hole I saw a swirl, and dropped my fly nearby.

Released Sea Trout

The take was instant. No it wasn’t a red; it was a big spotted sea trout. Here in Charlotte Harbor big means anything over 18″. Unfortunately we don’t grow them like they do on the Atlantic side. This one was close to 24″, and I believe my largest to date. It fought fairly well on my 6-weight. This pup should have weighted near five pounds, but it was a string bean, shaped like a pickerel. Perhaps it is a post spawn fish. Still I’m glad to have found it.