Reds still at 103rd, 8 Mile?

[revrusty]

Been wading off 103rd out to the south end of the reef across the entrance of Olffats, and also along the reefs to the right of 8 Mile. No luck since thanksgiving. No signs of bait in the water or birds in the air. But shouldn't Reds still be there? And I'm also wondering about the water on the far end of Olffats off 61st. It's deep, I'm told, but I never see anyone fishing there. Is this a productive place? There's a launch site on Heards behind Valero, where Duck Tours' bus enters, that would make it easy for me to reach in my yak by going under the 61st overpass. Again, due to my invalid wife, I can only fish to 9:30 a.m., regardless of tifes. So can anyone help?

[SaltyBass]

Here's my two cents on it.
I expect this front with north winds staying over 15 will push water out of the bay pretty hard, the tides aren't looking that strong to begin with.
I'd focus my efforts along the channel side of the 103 reef and if you're throwing lures maybe try an 1/8 oz weedless jig head on a sea shad or assassin so you can work the bottom edge slowly . Those down south flats shads have been doing good for me behind fronts lately btw.
Offatts is a mystery to me in the winter. Hopefully due to lack of experience in the area but you don't hear much out of it.
With this warm spell though I'd check out the sand flat on the moody gardens side and work the drop off there, as you move towards the mouth of Offatts there's that big hump reef that slopes towards the drop off. I caught a few reds there and one 20" trout there january 2014. Hope this helps a little.

[SaltyBass]

Did you make it out rev?

[Jhua]

Went to fish 103rd for the first time last week. Started around noon and walked around the whole reef keeping in mind every drop off and gut I could find. I figured the fish were close to reef since that's where the bait usually hangs out. I hopped out around 3 and came back at 5 for the outgoing tide. The reef point where it goes towards the house is a gut carved out by the current. I hooked onto a 30 plus inch red my second cast and every other cast I got strikes from dink trout. I saw more bait moving further down on the left of the reef where the tide was still pushing over the reef from the right. I caught 4 or 5 nice 17 inch trout from there and called it a day. Just got to catch it right.

[Root Canal]

Nice report Jonathan. Good tips for that reef.

[revrusty]

So Reds are still there, huh. Jhua, I've never caught a 30-plus Red. So, if you don't mind company, let me know the next time you want to attack 103rd and I'll buy the bait, spring for gas, carry the gear ...

[revrusty]

If I have the energy, Saturday morning I plan to check out the 61st street underpass that separates the two areas of Offatts. I'm told Reds await in ambush as the tide brings baitfish under the road. Conditions should be good enough for this geezer to paddle out and try my luck. At least I won't have far to go for bait. I've got to go check out the launch site, but I plan to enter behind Valero off Heards. That way I can work the bait shops going and coming. I'm not sure what bait shops do with rejects, but my guess is that dead bait is cast out the back, providing a steady food supply. Lord willing, I'll be launching around 6 a.m. Saturday when the tide is supposed to start falling. Anyone want to join me?