Thread: The Rookie

The one being referred to is me. As much experience as I have with a rod in my hand, I’m a rookie when the water turns salty. I’ve now made my second solo trip to the east coast and this time I had better intel, and better results. Left at what I thought was early only to find that I was an hour plus late. Finding the ramp (first time to this one) was no doubt easier in daylight, and having another gent setting out give me the heads up of a sand bar in my intended direction of travel were two good omens for the day and kept the timing from being an issue in my head. Winds were forecast to be low and they thankfully were. I headed for calm water in the Lee of an east wind and threw top water, and was rewarded. First strike was a miss but a violent one of a big trout or a possible snook. Saw another fish pop a bait and made a few casts that way. The water under my spook puppy looked like a toilet flushing and the rod got a serious smack. Head shakes, trip around the boat and a visit with the net, and I was doin the happy dance. Not a giant but a very good fish for my skill level at just over 20”. Got a few more pops, caught a small jack crevalle and a couple of early release troutlets, like trout only smaller, and a tiny rocket like ladyfish were the end of my hard bait offerings. I changed to a soft plastic and got my second trout, this one over 16”, and my keepers were done. Drifted out to deeper water, still saw activity but no further fish were caught. Storms passed and didn’t bother me any, but the sand fleas made up for it. Bug spray next time. Had a great time and was pointed home at 11 with 50 miles in front of me. Can’t wait to go again and hope to see you there, til then..... Skeet