The bite is on! Unfortunately fish are the only thing biting aren’t fish. When fishermen loose a breeze small gnats or “no see ‘ums” are terrible. When asked how do you get use to them, you don’t. A good bug spray is helpful. Rhino juice or Gator Special that comes in small white bottles is about as effective a spray can get and the smell is not offense. Most of the first year redfish are legal size (14″). Seatrout are on the move but as of yet large schooling hasn’t happened. The best is yet to come! When temperatures drop small fish (yellow tail and pinfish) will seek warmer water leaving larger fish. At present fishermen still should take plenty of bait (shrimp) because small trash fish are so abundant. When you’re quickly going through your shrimp supply try a plastic under your float before leaving. Even a piece of cut might produce fish in pinch!
Fishing been pretty good during the past week. Lots of small redfish caught as well as more seatrout. Don’t overlook fishing around pilings. You’ll likely find large and small redfish. Surprising redfish will hold well off a bank when there’s structure like pilings. Bottom and jigs can be effective. Keep a couple for supper if desired but go light on your catch.
Georgia has the highest redfish limit on the East Coast. Yes we have a third of the marsh grass but it’s likely our higher limits will end up hurting our fishery. South Carolina per Spud Woodward is 15 years ahead of Georgia in their restocking program. The Carolina limit is two redfish per person.. When possible limit your catch to two redfish per fisherman and we’ll likely be better off. Spud (at the October 5th) acknowledged there might a seatrout problem. Spud said the DNR would look at any ideas presented to them in regards to reducing the take of spring/summer roe trout. This is an idea all should be behind. Large takes on roe trout will adversely impact our fishery. Fisherman who were reporting nice catches of roe trout a few years ago are saying the fishery has declined. As more fisherman are learning the habits of this fish more needs to be done to protect it. Lastly the turnout for the October 5th was fair. Considering the importance of the issues to local fisherman a larger turn out would be helpful. We have hundreds if not thousands of fishermen that use our coast weekly. Issues involving our fishery are important to the quality of our fishery. You can help by your participation.