What's more important; technique or timing?
We'll take timing. Inshore fishing had been reeaaalllly slow since MDF relocated to its southern HQ in August. The Reds were in the shallows, but just not eating. And we'd been throwing the kitchen sink at them. It's not an issue with bait in the water. There's plenty of delicious Blue Crabs and baitfish for the Drum to feast on.
It's been a slow slog to put a Red in the bag. Fortunately, they're not the only targeted species inshore. Over the last few weeks Capt. DiPaola and I have picked up some small Trout, and some keeper Flounder.
This is where timing comes in. With air and water temps falling, we were awaiting the time when the Redfish bite would turn on. Looking back at the MDF archive, there was about a month gap between mid-Sept. and mid-Oct of last year when we did not fish. Good friends and avid anglers Clare and Bery Edmonston joined us last weekend to start coloring in the open space. Water temps were still in the high-60s, but the solunar calendar pointed to good fishing. Sunny skies and light winds from the east kept the bay flat and clear.
I'm not going to say that the bite is officially on, but we finally brought some Reds to hand, and put one in the bag. Credit to Bery, who took top honors with three Reds, which went 24". All fish were taken on soft plastic paddletails, both free swimming and under popping corks.
(photos courtesy of Marina Pierce, a Bay Creeker and local professional photographer. She was on her morning beach-photo walk when Bery tied into the first Red. You can follow her on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/
While the rest of us took the skunk on the Reds, Clare managed to land a decent Trout
While fishing was first on the itinerary, we were also able to enjoy some of the bounty of the Bay at a crab, shrimp, and clam feast at the Shanty on Saturday.
A great weekend in Cape Charles! And hopefully we've seen a turn in water conditions, and can leave the kitchen sink at home.
Tight Lines,
Mikey D Fishing
No comments:
Post a Comment