Some seatrout and redfish are being caught but the bite is slowing. Seatrout are scattered. Nonetheless it’s still possible to for good catches! As water temperature drops seatrout will avoid strong currents. Fish are cold blooded (meaning its body temperature is regulated by the environment). As water temperature drops so does their metabolism. Seatrout can be found where they will expend little energy. Likely areas to find seatrout will be in or near marsh grass and out of direct current. Seatrout can also be found well upriver and deep. Seatrout are looking for favorable areas where they expend little energy and where there is bait. This time of the year fishing rips and strong currents will likely not produce fish. Lighten your tackle and fish upriver and deep or along marsh banks. The best marsh banks are those out of direct current. Anticipate fishing to be slower in winter. Redfish can be around mud flats. This year seems to be little off for reds. You might want to concentrate on seatrout or sheepshead. There have been several reports both inshore and offshore of good catches of sheepshead. The best bite for sheepshead is usually on small tides. Fishermen usually will fish one hour on either side of tide. The better fishing is usually on low water although high water can produce good catches as well. Striper action has been only fair. Fishermen are complaining the flood gates in silting in and that the water dynamics of the Back River are changing. This same complaint has been lodged for the past few years. The word is the better striper fishing is in the main river. Those fishing the main river have lots of structure to fish: rocks, docks, trees and remnant structure. The main bait of choice for most targeting stripers is still shrimp. Occasionally there will be a catch of 30 or more fish in the five to seven pound range but river the last few years is losing its consistency. Not many fishermen are taking these fish. The changing bite appears to have more to due with water flow. Most striper fishermen are catching their fish in the main river and further up the river.
Don Adams, of Adams Bait Shop in Thunderbolt, so far is still able to find shrimp. Donny is having to ride south to find bait. Donny is at the extent of his range. As long as the weather stays mild Donny will likely have bait. Bait shops further south sometimes will be able to find bait after the bait has left local waters. The seatrout bite has been scattered. Some redfish action. A few stripers some big ones. Allen, from River Supply in Thunderbolt, said this week there more reports of sheepsheads being caught both inshore and offshore.
Don’t forget Miss Judy’s first of two Inshore schools will be held at Tubbys ‘Tankhouse in Thunderbolt, Jan. 13., 2007. Hope to see you there and look forward to sharing some adventures and lessons learned of the past season. Hope this of help! For information or to sign up for Miss Judy’s Fishing Schools call 912-89-2478.
Good Fishing! Capt. Jack McGowan