Fishing Experiences & Techniques
Another Trout on the Rapala XR10
The water temperature is now in the middle 60-degree range and still pretty clear. Great conditions for fishing with a suspending jerk bait. This week, I have casting a Rapala XR10 with my Shimano Zodias and Curado 70XG outfit. It as been a bit breezy, so the extra weight of the XR10 and wide range of adjustment on the 70XG (without opening up the reel) has been a great combination. Turns out, Trout like it to.
First Top Water Redfish of 2018
It has been an interesting winter. In January, we had a snow storm and record low temperatures. Then, the month of February was unusually warm. For the past few weeks, I have been fishing in shorts and flip flops. The water temperature is a surprisingly warm 64 degrees. Baitfish have returned to the shallows and Redfish are feeding on them.
Given the unusually warm conditions, my son Elliott and I decided to target Redfish with top water lures. Early Sunday morning, we launched the skiff into the last of the falling tide. The sun had yet to clear the horizon when we pulled up to our fishing spot (a shallow flat with lots of oyster bars). A strong breeze kept the gnats at bay and made the water on the flat a little choppy. Conditions called for a larger top water lure with a loud rattle. About the time I decided to use a Mirrolure Top Pup, Elliott picked up the rod with the only Top Pup we had on the skiff. We laughed about only having one of the “right” lures. As the sun rose, we spotted a small school of Redfish milling around next to a submerged oyster bar. Elliott cast the Top Pup well beyond the school (so the splash of the lure landing would not spook the fish) and slowly reeled the lure into position. When the lure was directly above the fish, he began a twitch and pause retrieve. Two fish broke away from the school and began tracking the lure. They followed the Top Pup for 10 feet and then returned to the school. Elliott made another presentation and used a more aggressive retrieve cadence. The water exploded as a Redfish crushed the lure. As Elliott fought the fish, I said a silent prayer (it was Sunday after all) thanking God for such a beautiful morning and another great experience shared with my son.
We took a few pictures before releasing the fish. Then, sat down and savored the moment. Historically, we do not catch the first Redfish of the year on a top water lure until late March. Getting the first one in February was a moment to remember.
With the water temperature nearing 60 degrees, Trout and Redfish are feeding more aggressively. So yesterday, I switched from my favorite cold water lure (Z-Man TRD Ned Rig) and began fishing a Z-Man Slim SwimZ on a 1/6 ounce NedlockZ jig. Trout and Redfish have been crushing it. While I am still learning to use the Slim SwimZ, a couple of things have become apparent.
A Slim SwimZ on a 1/6 ounce NedLockZ jig is a light weight lure that requires a light tackle system to fish effectively. I am using a 6’8″ Shimano Zodias light rod matched with a 1000 frame Ci4 reel that is spooled with 10 pound PowerPro. A 12 pound fluorocarbon leader about 2 feet long completes the tackle system. This outfit casts the 1/6 ounce NedlockZ jig really well and the light Zodias rod telegraphs even the most subtle strike.
Retrieving the Slim SwimZ is something I am still working on. However, a slow retrieve with a pause (letting the lure hit the bottom) and short snap of the rod has been producing a lot of strikes. Still experimenting but this is the retrieve cadence that I always begin with.
Slim SwimZ colors that I have been using are Opening Night and Bad Shad.
Time will tell but I think the Slim SwimZ is going to be a great year-round lure. I will keep you posted on how it does. So far, Trout and Redfish like it. I do too!
Shimano 6’10” Medium Light Zodias with Curado 70XG
Spent the afternoon introducing Trout to my new Shimano bait casting outfit. I like to fish a lot of finesse techniques. Today, I was casting a Ned Rig (Z-Man NedLockZ Jig and TRD). It was breezy. The ability to adjust the 70XG brakes and cast control (without opening up the reel) made casting the light Ned Rig effortless. Trout were actively feeding but the strike was still pretty light. However, it was no trouble feeling the bite via the Zodias rod. Happy to find Trout back in their normal winter haunts. The snow storm put a hurting on them. Thankfully, it seems a decent number of Trout (in mixed sizes) survived.
A sharp snap and long pause retrieve triggered the most strikes. With the bulk of the fish being in 2 to 4 feet of water. On Friday, I plan to re-introduce my Asquith fly rod to a few Redfish. Hope the wind lays down. If not, my new bait casting outfit will get the nod.
The Charleston Boat Show was this weekend. Thanks to Erin and Mel from Ankona / Salt Marsh Skiffs for letting me hang around the booth and talk about fishing! Also, thanks to everyone that dropped by to see me.
While at the show, I had the opportunity to speak with several guides and anglers. The frigid water temperatures brought on by the recent snow storm, definitely moved our fish around. Thankfully, temperatures have returned to a more typical range for this time of year. Redfish are back in their normal late winter haunts. However, Trout have yet to do so. Hopefully, they will show up (in good numbers) soon.
Given the situation, I plan to target Redfish on the fly for the next week or so. This will give the Trout more time to get back into their normal winter pattern and me more time to cast my 8-weight Shimano Asquith.
Triple Redfish Hook Up
The snow and ice have finally melted. However, the water temperature in our rivers and creeks is hovering near record lows. Unfortunately, we are beginning to see evidence of Trout and Redfish that succumbed to the frigid water.
Thankfully, is seems the bulk of the Redfish population has survived. Even with the water temperature below 40 degrees, the Reds are actively eating. On a day when it took over an hour to remove the ice my skiff (in order to go fishing), the Redfish bite was hot. Z-Man TRD lures on 1/5 ounce NedlockZ jigs and Shimano Colt Sniper (sinking) lures produced several triple hook up.
Until the water temperature rises above 45 degrees, Redfish will be my target species. They seem to be able to tolerate the cold much better than Trout. Hoping to get back to Trout fishing this weekend.
Today, the Lowcountry experienced a record breaking snow storm. Watching the snow accumulate, I wondered if the Trout were still biting. So, I called Elliott and we set out to see. It was bitterly cold and we quickly lost the feeling in our hands. However, we were able to catch a few of these guys.
Elliott and I figured the bite would be super light. So, I tied a Z-Man TRD on a Shimano 6’8″ Zodias Light rod that is paired with a 1000 frame Stradic Ci4 reel. Even with this light and sensitive tackle system, we could barely feel the bites.
The fish were very cold and for the most part inactive. Hopefully, the weather warms up soon and not to many fish succumb to the frigid water temperatures.
As a Christmas present to myself, I picked up a Shimano Asquith 8 weight fly rod. The Asquith has significantly enhanced my casting distance and accuracy. It is by far, the best fly rod I have ever owned.
After a few days of catching Trout during higher stages of the tide, I put the Asquith to work on Redfish in shallow water. Being by myself, I poled the skiff looking for schools of Reds. Once located, I used the Power Pole Micro to hold the skiff within casting distance (50 to 70 feet) of the fish. The Asquith made covering that distance a breeze. It was easy to cast then pick up and shoot the line again. Quick follow up presentations to passing fish paid big dividends. All of the Reds I caught were on follow up casts.
The Asquith is the best gift I ever gave to myself!
First Fish of 2018
Fishing on New Years Day is a family tradition. Some years it is warm and other years it is freezing cold. This year, it was definitely the latter. With the temperature well below freezing and the wind chill in single digits, Elliott and I considered not fishing. After a short debate, we felt is was important to uphold tradition and off we went.
The water temperature was 47 degrees and the Trout bite was slow. However, we kept casting our Z-Man TRD lures on 1/5 ounce NedlockZ jigs. It is hard to detect a subtle winter Trout bite when you can not feel your fingers. Elliott and I missed several fish but eventually I got lucky and nailed this one. Our first fish of 2018.
Fishing was tough on New Years Day but Elliott and I were glad we kept the tradition going.
Happy New Year.
For months, I have been wanting a Shimano Asquith 8 weight for the winter Redfish season. The other day, I finally pulled the trigger. On the same day, I rigged it up and took it fishing. At the time, the tide was not optimal for Redfish. So, Trout were my target of the day. Thankfully, I got this guy right off the bat. The first of hopefully many.
The Asquith is effortless to cast and added several feet to my casting distance. So far, I love it!