June 19 2008 - Hungry Redfish!

noreply@blogger.com (Capt.Todd Streeter) — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 23:03:00 +0000

No charters today, so I struck out on a solo mission down South. I wasn't really sure how soon the critters would be in the mood to dine, with the Full moon last night, but with the wind finally non existent, I knew sight fishing would be a breeze. I splashed the boat and headed straight to an extremely fertile mud flat where the fish stage on the rising tide, before heading well into the Spartina grass seeking Fiddler Crabs and on occasion even Marsh Periwinkles(Cape Fear Escargo!) After a brief drift toward a predominant grass point, I was rewared with the sight I came to see. Those elongated humps of water and multiple wakes and an occassional tail swirl that signal they're in a feeding mood. I eyed one in particular that was furthest from the grass edge and fired a Gulp! jerkbait with a bit of copper and black flashabou harnessed to a 4/0 Butt Dragger hook, quartering where I assumed his path would take him. I let it settle to the bottom, and when I noticed he was tracking it, I subtly hopped the bait several times. A boil of water and my line coming tight told me that it was time for battle. A few strong runs and a well tested drag and a nice 27" fish came to the boat. A quick photo and release and it was time to find the next contestant. By this time, the school had moved down the grass edge about 25 yards and were still milling about as if the commotion we had just caused hadn't rattled their nerves at all. The next cast resulted in a take more reminiscent of one of the Black Tip Shark pups that usually are in the area. After losing 30 feet of line and bearing down on the drag a little, I was certain that's what was punishing me at the other end of the line. As I gained on the fish I saw that copper color flash, and I knew I had a monster of a Redfish. Well, that thought lasted all of 30 seconds beforeI felt a change in tension and seconds later, the bait came flying back hitting me square in the chest. I said goodbye and inspected the bait to find the 4/0 Daichi hook had been completely straightened! As I silently screamed, the entire school rocketed off down the bank, and I figure I would let them rest a little. Afterv about 15 minutes, I returned to find the tide had pushed them further back into the grass, but they were venturing out making "grocery runs" into open water , before returning back to there terrestrial cover. I figured, with the earlier equipment malfunction, I would switch to a gold spoon and be able to keep the bait from snagging the tightly clustered grass as well. First cast, and a 24" fish comes to the boat, about five minutes pass before I get back on them and I cast again... 26" fish to the boat. After returning a healthy fish to the water, I see the grass well back into the marsh double over and hear a tremendous swish, swish of a powerful tail propelling what I hope is another Redfish my way. At that second the entire school burns off in seperate directions signalling what I thought was the end of my fun. Just for good measure, I cast the spoon to the edge of the grass bank about 10 feet in front of where the grass had moved, and the water exploded nearly soaking me. Line is screaming from the little Saros spinning reel and he is taking me straight back into the grass. He pushes as far back as the tide will allow and flops high and dry on the Spartina grass,giving me my first look at him. My knees go weak when I get a good look at this fish, 20 pounds easy! I knew the 15 lb. leader wouldnt take the chafing it was receiving, so being an enterprising angler, I jumped from the boat and approached him as slowly as possible, while keeping a near vertical rod tip. Almost there! I said, and as if he heard me, he flopped maddly and took off. Just one problem, my line wasn't taking off with him? Robbed of what surely would have been the biggest Red I have ever witnessed on the flats, I decided I had pressed my luck enough today and headed for the hill, knowing that that fish would haunt my dreams all night! The Force is strong in that one ,and we both know that on or about the upcoming New moon, I will seek again. One of the most memorable days I've had on the water in quite a while, and I owe it all to the grace of GOD!

God Bless, and Tight Lines,

Capt. Todd Streeter

Fishing Blog

June 19 2008 - Hungry Redfish!