The weather continues to be a major factor. First we had many days of high wind. Now we’re getting slammed with several days of heavy rain. Not a good thing. A very similar situation happened last year around this time. Tropical Storm Debby hit here June 23 and hung out 4 days. I slept in a PFD, with my paddle nearby. Just kidding, but that storm was a dreary bummer. So is this one.
After several days of small craft warnings, I was able to get back to the flats this morning. I was at the ramp by 6:30AM. And then paddled out into a very nice morning, although the fishing was only mediocre.
I love wading the flats, but you have to be cautious. There are a lot of rays around right now. Some are fair size too. When they swim over the turtle grass, you can spot them right off. And they are easy to see over the bar too. It’s when they bury themselves in the sand holes that you have to be careful.
Stingray in the Sand
Can you see the stingray in this picture? Shuffle your feet and keep you eyes open. Rays are a little like rattlesnakes. Don’t tread on me.
Took the 6-weight back to the flats. What a fun fly rod. Check out the red below. It charged the fly from the side. I could see the bow wake coming across the flat. Man, exciting. A size 4, brown and orange, crab-like creation, did the honors. Yes, it had rubber legs. I’m starting to really believe in them. The red put up a great show, running all over the place. Rod bent, reel spinning.
Red on a Six-weight
Later I took out the 8-weight with a big Deceiver, and began working the outside of the bar. No snook, but plenty of fair trout, and my biggest pompano yet. It took the Deceiver; I was surprised. I would love to hook a pompano of five pounds or better. Doubt I’ll ever find one around here. They likely live in deeper water.
Since then, however, we have had small craft warnings. So I’m stuck in port. Given how good the fishing was that is a major bummer.
The consensus around here is that a night of bright moon light will ruin the fishing on the following day.Why? In theory the fish will eat all night in the moon light, and therefore will not be hungry the next day. I can’t prove that part, but after a moon lit night the flats do seem to be slower.
6-Weight Snook
I opted to put down the 8-weight, and fish the entire day with a 6-weight. I was a blast. Smooth, easy casting. Six-weights are fun on the flats. Got some decent fish, nothing huge. Snook, ladyfish, and a 4 pound red. The red fought very well. Excellent runs. Loved it.
6-Weight Red
Left those teasing tarpon. Enough already with canal life. It was time for a change of scenery. For the last two days I have been in the backcountry and out on the flats. The fishery is heating up big time. A wide diversity of forage fish are in the shallows now. Plenty of rays cruising around too. And I saw redfish following rays across the bar. I heard about this deal, but had never seen it myself. Apparently the reds shadowed large rays, hoping the ray’s wings kick up a meal.
Spotted Seatrout
Caught the usual suspects in fair numbers. And I also ran into a pompano. Nice surprise. It was feeding over the grass beds on the inside of the sandbar. Took a number 2# orange Clouser. These pompano are wonderful fish. This one was perhaps 13 inches to the fork. Yet it peeled line off an 8-weight, boring across the flats like it was twice that size. Impressive. Hope to find more.
Pompano
