Jeff Krieger with a 28" snook caught on a thread fin minnow
WOW!!! What a week for redfish. Anglers aboard the Reelin & Chillin tore up the reds this week. Around mangroves, in holes, and around structure we found plenty of slot sized fish, and several over the 27" slot limit. Tight lines and great table fair - what a blast. Also in the live well were mangrove snapper, sheepshead, and pompano.
A Fish Tail aboard the Reelin & Chillin
I had one of the best redfish days ever with Roger Crask, and family. Paul & John his two sons, and grandson Lou caught 27 slot sized redfish in one spot along a mangrove shoreline. Things slowed down a little so we moved to some grass flats and picked up three trout around 18 inches. The winds kicked up the water a little so we moved to another mangrove shoreline hoping to get on more redfish action. Only one more red was landed by grandson Lou, however what a way to end the trip. Using only 10lb test line Lou fought and landed a 37" redfish weighing in at 15lbs. After a quick photo, the fish was safely released - great job Lou.
Tiny Shrimp - No White Bait - What to Do?
On the morning of Roger and his family's trip I arrived at the bait stand only to find pee-wee shrimp for bait. I had already searched for white bait in several locations finding none. Calling a couple other captains on the water I found that they to couldn't find bait. So off I went with six dozen pee-wee shrimp and four anglers hoping for the best. I did have a plan - I knew I could catch trout under a cork using #4 or #6 hooks, however reds - no way. I knew that we would be catching pinfish on the shrimp and that a hungry red couldn't resist a nice fresh chunk of Pin. Arriving at the mangroves where the reds were all four anglers cast a small shrimp at the mangroves - soon enough we had a pinfish in the boat. I chunked it up into one or two inch pieces and BAM the reds started feeding. Out of the twenty seven fish caught in this spot only one hit the small shrimp. Easy lesson learned. Don't give up if you can't buy or catch the bait you want, improvise - pinfish, grunts, and ladyfish are excellent baits for reds - just ask Roger and his crew.
Tight Lines & Good Times,
Capt. Terry Frankford
Reelin & Chillin Charters Inc.
941-228-7802
terry.frankford@verizon.net
www.charterfishingsarasota.com
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