AUG 4 AND 5 - DOCKLIGHTS - SNOOK - REDFISH

I finally got out to do a little night fishing. I left at sunset and at about an hour after dark, the sealife was unbelievable. Big shrimp were everywhere being chased airborne by ladyfish and snook. Amazingly, I had a shrimp jump into the kayak with me. Bait and mullet were all over the place getting pulverized.

Suffice it to say, the fishing was pretty good.


I started out in the middle of the bay fishing along a long oyster bar. This proved to be good only for ladyfish. The sunset was spectacular and the forecast rain had held off.

Hippies and meat fishermen alike will be pleased with this nature filled report


Moon Rise & sunset


Ladyfish and moon.


Caught a fish right here.


Sweet.


The size of the shrimp that were jumping all around…


I rigged the shrimp up on the jig I was using and caught this…


Hows this picture of a snook crushing a shrimp?


I caught a redfish and a bluefish after that. The snook really weren’t interested in the lures and that ladyfish got the shrimp. Had a few fish release next to the boat. I should’ve brought a dip net for the shrimp.

There were probably 15 snook hanging around.


Look at all the bait…


You know you love it.

Dock lights really draw fish in. I also find that the places with dock lights that are on at night tend to be good fishing during the day as well.

--- ADDENDUM --- THE NEXT EVENING ---

I had a little time to fish and I had to roll up right on the same spot. I had cased it pretty well the night before and I quietly slid up to the light. I really don't think those fish had any idea I was there.

I threw a gulp grub and got nothing. I slipped away pretty bummed. I fished some other lights holding fish and had a few shakeoffs. They might have been oysters... Anyhow, I came back to the light and threw a mirrolure and got a WAY better reaction. It was a suspending one and I watched it come through the light. I was fishing it pretty slow and finally was able to get something going!

Yes! This rules.


Mirrorlure glass minnow. The new one. Outperformed Gulps radically tonight.


I think the biggest difference tonight was stealth. Once you spook them, it doesn't matter what you throw. I was quiet and the wind was offshore, which pushes you away from the fish not into them. On the way back I was paddling over a shallow flat and, just to show how active the bay is right now, a mullet jumps into the kayak with me. Amazing.

Thats 2 suicide attempts! A shrimp (who actually succeeded) and this mullet trying to get into the smoker!


The hard bait really worked tonight. I almost didnt even try to use it. You never know.
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“When I found the skull in the woods, I called the police. But then I got curious about it. I picked it up, and started wondering who this person was, and why he had deer horns.”
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Last edited by Hornetbear on Sat Aug 05, 2006 10:28 pm; edited 1 time in total