Not Knowing

What my upcoming schedule will be, and if I’ll feel up to going, I went both days this weekend. Saturday I went to the coast looking for some topwater action. I did my part but the fish were still sleeping. I gave up on the topwater and started throwing a jig of which I changed several times trying to find the magic bullet. The app on my phone said that a feed would come along about 9am. After sitting in a hard rain for about 45 minutes, it stopped and I moved to another area that I’d caught fish before. Early in the day while doing something in the boat, I let my jig drag as the light wind pushed me along. No rod holders means I don’t put the rod down, and I felt it get a good hit and the line came tight. I lifted the rod and tried to set the hook and here he went. Drag was pretty tight and I felt I’d gotten a good hookset. Then he ran off again, nothing I could do but manage the attitude of the rod and keep it tight. I’m talking over the distance of a long cast. Then I felt it slip and a moment later it was gone. The leader was roughed up about 3” up and I believe I had a very good flounder, but I’ll never know. Sure got my adrenaline up. Now ugly clouds loomed and I heard thunder and knew it was time to go. Made a few more casts hoping for at least one fish to the boat before I left. With no action along the shore I was working, but getting a tap now and then and hearing more fish eating out deeper. I’d made up my mind to leave within the next five minutes and with about 8’ of line out I got a good smack and a good hookset, finally, on a good trout just under 21”. Now I could go. Stayed dry and dodged manatees on the way to the ramp. Boat on the trailer I had to wait for a lull to get tied down and traveling.Attachment 430773
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This morning, Sunday, was forecast for more wind than I like at the coast so a swapped rods and tackle boxes and went to my office. Turned out to be a good choice. Calm winds mostly and I was first to the ramp at 7. That’s unusual. I won’t go into the fish by fish except one. I’ve tried for years to break the ten inch mark with a good coppernose bluegill. I came within an eighth of an inch but still not ten inches. All of these fish fought hard and I had to go after the jig more than usual, so I must’ve caught the feed I missed yesterday. I caught over 25 and just took pics of the good ones. Three Warmouth, three Crappie, two bass, two redbreast and lots of gills. All caught on my favorite head and a Bobby Garland Bitty slab slayer in blue ice. Tried other colors but that was the best. Never had a boat go by, visited with manatees, heard a hen turkey looking for her friends, and more other birds and squirrels than I could count. This was the day I’ve been hoping for when I loaded up, no disappointments. Here’s the pics, sorry, there’s a bunch. Hope y’all get out soon.
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Like I said, a day any of us would be happy with. Pulled just after 11, a long trip for me. God Bless y’all.

I do miss catching flounder. Very nice catches

I have no idea what it is like to catch a flounder, but you sure make it sound like a hoot. The pics are awesome, thanks for sharing.

Nice pics.

Pure fun, eh? Those copper nose look like a Mike Tyson bluegill! What kind of trout is that?

They are truly pure fun. Some of the big ones were hooked mere inches from the bank and trash everywhere like sticks, logs, floating weeds. The hit, the rod comes up and stops and the drag begins to sing. That’s a spotted seatrout. Pretty good table fare and a good fight from that size up. Over 27” qualifies them as a “Gator Trout”. Same fish just bigger and wow, what a hit on topwater. That’s what keeps me going over there, snook too.

I sure do love me some flounder fishing. I usually fish 3” Zman Minnowz’s with some pro cure. That was a nice trout you caught and I’m sure he gave you a fun fight. Those coppernose are such a cool fish and you sure did catch some nice ones. Thanks for bringing us along and congrats on the fun trips.

Awesome post Skeet! Thanks for sharing

Those are some great looking fish, nice trip.

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Originally Posted by gunwhatgun

I have no idea what it is like to catch a flounder, but you sure make it sound like a hoot. The pics are awesome, thanks for sharing.

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I really used to enjoy fishing from a pier as the tide was moving. You float a bull minnow along with the current in the shallows under the lights. You could see them explode from under the sand and grab the bait. Certainly some great table fare as well. Throw in the occasional bull red that would take off and test your tackle. I do miss some saltwater fishing

Flounder are my favorite for eating and I feel are underrated as a game fish . They can put up a heck of a fight .
My brother and I used to make 3or4 trips a year to the Georgia coast to fish inshore .
Loved fishing for seatrout , flounder and the occasional redfish . All on light tackle .

Those are some beautiful coppernose and good size warmouth.
Congrats on a good time on the water .

The flounder, as already said, are tough. Being flat and trying to lift them up, that works in their favor. Don’t forget the teeth and attitude. A 15” will give a good fight. I got one last year that was 22” and it was a super fight. When they decide to go there isn’t much we can do but hold on. If you ever get to a GOOD seafood restaurant and they have fresh stuffed flounder, I urge you to indulge. One of my favorites.

I will second the stuffed flounder.

Very niiiiiiiiiiiiiiice. :ThumbsUp

Some studly bream there.

Good looking Gills, man almost a 10 in that one pic….I would be happy with the dark colored hard pulling 8s all day long


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Pretty fish.

Regards


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Glad you're feeling good and great you got out. Nice catch.

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Really great pics and story, skeet. The colors on that one pan were like a rainbow effect.
Bob

silly me wants to go ketch lady fish , them things are the BOMB on light tackle for sure ....
congrats on a fine outing , love me some eager to please fish action ! :highfive

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Originally Posted by skeetbum

The flounder, as already said, are tough. Being flat and trying to lift them up, that works in their favor. Don’t forget the teeth and attitude. A 15” will give a good fight. I got one last year that was 22” and it was a super fight. When they decide to go there isn’t much we can do but hold on. If you ever get to a GOOD seafood restaurant and they have fresh stuffed flounder, I urge you to indulge. One of my favorites.

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Absolutely!:ThumbsUp
Bob

Nice looking fish from salt to freshwater.
I moved to the low country again last year for that purpose where fishing both waters is always fun.


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Thanks for the great report. I got a bay trip coming up soon. My Florida buddy says he has a blender that runs off 12v.

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You guys are the best! You enjoy my post as much as I enjoyed the trip. Here it is that Tuesday’s almost gone and I still have a goofy grin on my face when I think of certain aspects of the trip. Hope y’all get one soon thats special for you.

The one Gill I posted was about seven and a half inches but just shows that not all of the fish I catch have the dark colors like the coppernose carry. I just reread the post and realized that I didn’t catch a cracker. That’s what was missing.