Seatrout
Just bumped into Dewey Mosher, Dewey said he has been experiencing some of the best trout fishing he can remember! This is a strong statement spoken from a local who has grown up fishing local waters. Dewey reported running into different schools of trout in the Bull River, Back River and in various cuts. When asked what was his secret his reply was pitching plastics. Bait is good but sometimes plastics can be better. Matt Bauman of Matt’s Mobile Marine reported excellent trout action in about seven to eight of water. Matt’s fish came on 8.6 ft tides pretty impressive! Capt. Eric Traub said like most fishermen he catching trout but most are small. The prospect is next has the potential for a bumper trout provided there isn’t a kill off this winter. With temperature dipping below freezing shrimp will be more difficult to come by. Artificials, finger mullet and mud minnows will become the standard for fishing in coming weeks. I talked Chuck, Cransman manager, into taking a day off. We struggled for the first couple of hours then got into a great trout bite close to the sound. When trout are pulling like redfish the bite is on! Cold temperatures can turn a hot trout bite into a very subtle one. On days with a subtle bite fish slow, use jigs. Often as the day heat up the bite will heat as well.
Redfish
Can be found near mudflat warming themselves on low water. Jerk baits are very effective in snatching skinny water redfish. Some fish are still being caught around pilings and docks but as bait becomes scare look for these fish around flats. Monday Dec. 13th the DNR held at meeting discussing redfish stocking in Georgia. Experts from Florida and South Carolina were brought in. The bottom line is there is currently a proposed Peach State Reds Initiative which would begin stocking fish in Warsaw Sound by Nov. 2006. These fish would be of legal by 2007. Approximately 250 fingerlings per acre would be released. Increased awareness will no doubt mean more fishing pressure. Spud stated the future of our fishery depends on habit, getting enough fresh water and anglers voluntarily releasing fish. Stricter limits don’t appear on the horizon. Again catch and release and or limiting ones only makes sense.
Striper
Stripers action should be heating up as temperatures fall! When stripers are on the move they appear to be every where then gone. The striper bite at has been inconsistent but will no doubt pick up. Big fish travel late so expect the biggest fish when temperatures drop.
Forecast
As tides recede and hopefully temperatures warm fishing should likely pick up during the coming week. Don’t forget sheepshead during this time of the year. We caught a 7 pounder on a jig with a shrimp. Getting to be sheepshead time! As long as the cold does not persist fishing will likely pick up. Expect to see schooling redfish on the mudflats. These fish can be lethargic in cold water making it easier to get with in casting distance.
Good Fishing! Capt. Jack McGowan