3-29-13

[Steve_A]

Keith and I hit the water before sunrise. Another great day with the moon setting in the west and a SE breeze. First stop was a shell pad. There was some bait there, but we couldn't get but a bite or two. May be a bit early for the fish to be there, especially after the recent cold front. We headed off to a grass flat that was loaded with bait. I was using a ss jr. and Keith was throwing a lil-john, first time I've seen that lure used. After seeing get a few reds, and I was striking out, switch over to a small roach paddle-tail and the reds were all over it. Working the lures slow with little hops was what the reds were looking for, and Keith was also picking up a few solid trout around 21". Decided to leave those fish and look at some other areas. Tried another shell pad, but after 15 minutes it confirmed that the trout haven't move on those pads yet. After a couple of hours of looking at other areas, and no fish, we went back to the orginal grass flat and the fish were still there. This time I was using a plum assassin and after about an hour we caught a few more reds and trout to 23". Ended the day with 6 reds, 7 trout and a flounder. Reds were all from 18-23". We also caught a few nice croakers up to 15" which were released. I wish TP&W would make them a game fish and I believe it would help bring back the croaker population.

[GHSmacker]

But if croaker becomes a game fish, then how is Keith suppose to catch fish anymore?

I can hear the whining come all the way up from the guide ranks...Galveston to the ULM. The trail of tears they'll call it. Can you imagine? People would actually have to fish, and be somewhat skilled at their craft to catch a fish! No crutches allowed?! No more pull up half drunk; rig up a 2x4 full of glass beads, swivels, snaps, rattles, circle hooks; chunk out a poor, defenseless bait fish; crack open an ice cold PBR; turn up the Hank Williams Jr, and begin ripping lips. Oh the humanity!!!!

[Hogie70]

But if croaker becomes a game fish, then how is Keith suppose to catch fish anymore?

I can hear the whining come all the way up from the guide ranks...Galveston to the ULM. The trail of tears they'll call it. Can you imagine? People would actually have to fish, and be somewhat skilled at their craft to catch a fish! No crutches allowed?! No more pull up half drunk; rig up a 2x4 full of glass beads, swivels, snaps, rattles, circle hooks; chunk out a poor, defenseless bait fish; crack open an ice cold PBR; turn up the Hank Williams Jr, and begin ripping lips. Oh the humanity!!!!

Travis I like drowning mullet not soaking croakers... Get it right tall pine... LOL the trail of tears too funny.

[ubermensch1324]

Nice report you and Hogie are always on them. I too, fished yesterday and despite having cloud cover and a strong south east wind for a few days, thought I was under low enough pressure to throw that top water. Threw the spook for 1-2 hours trying to convince myself that they would come up for it. Like you, I fished the middle of the water column next with corkies and picked up a few 19-20" trout on that 808 fatboy and decided those fish were in the middle to bottom column. Really started catching a lot more trout working that plum assassin with the same single slow rhythm yall were probably using. Nothing over 3# but wished I would have spent more time with plastics worked on the bottom. It was weird...I thought it looked like the perfect top-water day but that's fishing. Glad yall got em good, action was pretty slow for me.

[Mell Wader]

Great job Steve & Keith!

[Steve_A]

I don't think either one of us had a topwater bite. The fish seem to want it slow and low. As for making croaker a game fish, they already have protected sheephead, black drum and even gafftop, why not croaker? Nothing wrong with using bait, as far as I know, mullet, pinfish and shrimp still catch them.

[chandler]

Nice report. Are yall going to fish the championship?

[Hogie70]

Nice report. Are yall going to fish the championship?

Chandler we are going to fish the championship...

[FlatoutFishin]

Re: 3-29-13

You guys are making me sick!

[Steve_A]

You guys are making me sick!

.........Making you sick? You're making me sick with those pigs you caught down south. Looks like you had a great time.

[Gulfcoast13]

Nice catching fellas!

[Curmudgeon]

Way to go!

[FishNette]

Nice!

[trophytroutman]

Nice

[Silver Wolf]

Great catch and pic. Lord Bless.
robert