Wind, Wind and more wind that’s been story. Despite the winds there has been activity with redfish, seatrout, flounder, black drum, stripers and whiting. The bad news is local shrimp are scare or non existent. Don Adams says expect brown shrimp to start showing up either the last of May or the 1st of June, hence there nickname – junies. Adams said Florida shrimpers are having difficulty catching shrimp, like local shrimpers, again due to the winds. Despite strong winds last week bait was available and some angler caught fish despite the conditions. Best reports were around the jetties and for whiting on the sand bars. Five to seven pounder stripers can be found in small brackish creeks. The whiting bite is fairly consistent with one party landing fifty two fish. As winds diminish fishing should improve. For stripers your best chance of success is either first or last light. The seatrout bite is improving with more fish being caught in local waters. Nonetheless, most of the action with seatrout has been south around Ossabaw. Most fishermen believe this will likely be another good year for redfish. Although as this fish receive more pressur it is critical to release fish that are not in the legal bag limit. Releasing a legal fish while it might appear to be an unnatural act could help maintain a healthy fishery. Our limits on redfish will likely be reduced when Georgia has its next stock assessment. Redfish are a great light tackle fish! You’ll be amazed at joy you’ll get in catching one and releasing one. Everything you catch doesn’t have to be eaten.
What’s up with the flounder? Flounder are usually thought of as a summer fish. There have been several caught this Spring. Hopefully this is indication of good things to come. Capt. Matt Starling caught several nice trout on a dark colored Bass Assassin so much for using light color in clear water. Well the color theory is not out the window, there’s plenty of wiggle room. Last year we caught fish in all conditions with Bass Assassin’s electric buzzard it’s dark bait with counter shading (two colors). A dark bait can work exceptionally well. Nonetheless, the standard in our waters is chartreuse. Hope you get a chance to do some fishing!
Good Fishing! Capt. Jack McGowan
