Following big tides, lots of rain and strong wind conditions improved dramatically resulting in good catches of redfish, seatrout and flounder. The rivers and creeks are literally full of shrimp. Lots of shrimp are large. Those desiring to put up some shrimp for the winter should head out in the coming days. It’s not improbable to catch a quart of shrimp in one cast! Those going fishing might still want to buy their shrimp. Timing is everything. Once the water has flooded the grass throwing a cast isn’t very productive. Throwing a cast net on an outgoing tide can be very productive.
Lots of bait means lots of fish! The last few days there have been several good catches of seatrout in the sounds as well as in the creeks. Plastics can produce fish nonetheless seatrout are keying on shrimp. When the bite has been on literally it’s possible to catch a fish on every cast! Redfish are still on the small. Most small are measuring 13 ½ inches. A few are legal size (14 inches) but most are a little shy. Water temperature has dropped dramatically (mid 70’s). Lots of trash fish “fetish fish” still in the creeks and rivers: yellow tails, pin fish and tomtates. September can be a good month for flounders. Some fishermen think the flounder bite is winding down. Don’t believe it. There are still plenty of flounders. The good flounder fishing can be found close to sounds and near sandy or muddy bottoms. Black drum are on the move. Black drum have an extremely light bite. It’s not unusual for fishermen to confuse a black drum bite with a fetish fish both are light bites. Black drum bite from the tail up. One trick is to change the way you’re hooking your shrimp; if you think it might be a black drum try tail hooking your shrimp.
Several fishermen have said that sharks have been present all year for the past few years. Cooler water temperatures have not sent sharks out. Cooler temperatures if anything have brought sharks that are infrequent to coastal waters in close. Fishermen need make sure they properly identify their shark and read the regulations carefully ( 2 per boat is max on small sharks composite 30TL) if you plan on keeping any of these fish.
Tides for the coming week look ideal for fishing!
The Georgia Redfish Rally 2006. A coastwide tournament to benefit the American Diabetes Association and provide funding for studying the efficacy of redfish stocking on the Georgia coast is between October 1 – November 15. In short this is a very worthwhile cause that some day could be of major importance to our fishery. All encouraged to participate in this fun event! For more information visit www.ccaga.org
Hope this of interest and help! Keep only a few you wish to eat and release the rest!
Good Fishing! Capt. Jack McGowan