If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Mosquito Lagoon Report 9/19/2003
This morning... The sun had just begun to light the Lagoon as we reached the
boat ramp. I launched the boat and we motored out the canal and were soon on plane leaving behind us an irridescent phosphoric trail. Headed to parts unknown, the boat ran atop a sheet of glass and dew strewn down the deck, drying as we were propeled further toward this days adventure. After an exciting 15 minute introduction through the maze of grass flats around bird covered islands and backcountry canals we came off plane and settled a little more than a hundred yards from a slough I knew was holding a school of Redfish and Big "Gator" Trout that were feeding on the droves of finger mullet holding in the area. As soon as the boat's wake cleared, we witnessed the carnage of an early morning meal by one of the local inhabitants. My long time client and friend Chris Cantrell armed himself with a rod and scanned the calmness for signs of more distressed baitfish. Chris let out a cast from more than 100' that landed downwind and behind his target. Working it through the area previously filled with fleeing baitfish returned no results. The Gator Trout can be unforgiving and this fish was no exception. Hey, what's that you have on there, I asked? It's a D.O.A. Jerkbait with an 1/8 oz. head, that's what you told me to get, isn't it? he replied. Too heavy for this skinny water I replied back. Try this. I handed Chris another C.A.L. and he says,... That's what I have on already! No man, it's not the color, it's the jig head that's the problem. It's too heavy! This ones rigged with a worm hook, try it! Chris likes to throw his own rod and tackle but knows to listen to good advice so, as I began pointing out fish feeding around the boat, Chris tied on the newly rigged lure. With the first cast, a little past and on the outer edge of the schooling baitfish THUMP! Kaplooooosh! It sounded like a toilet was being flushed. Chris reeled down into it and swept the rod to the side, snapping it with his wrist and sinching the line tight. He's on! Chris yelled as line began peeling off the reel. Feels like a nice slot sized Red! After five minutes and a little game of tug-a-war a MASSIVE Gator Trout became acrobatic boatside. Once I saw what it was, I said, just keep the line tight and don't pressure him. I'll get the net! That wasn't a Red, for sure but, I knew there was a school of them some where close by so, I tried to be as quiet as I could as I scrambled to get the net. Once we boated the Trout and took the customary photos,and measured him, about an 11 lb fish I carfully estimated, we were off in the direction I knew those Reds were hanging. The skiff slipped quietly ahead as I poled us along the dropoff of the slough. We hooked a trout every 50 yards or so, all 6 to 9 lbs. but, none as large as the first. Once daylight pierced the waters surface, the potholes became visible enough to cast to and there seemed to be multiple fish in each and every one. The sun had risen completely and the seabreeze began to ripple the lagoon. Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye and in the distance, I saw the slow bronze tell tail flash of a Redfish moving through one of the large potholes ahead. As we approached, there were multiple Reds lazily waveing their tales just below the surface of the water while rooting in the lush, green grass just out from the sand spots. This school of Red's recklessness was encouraged by the broken surface and abundance of food on the flats. At times, the Reds bluish tinted tip of the tail was all that was visible in the grass. Then, other times, the entire wrist of the tail would suspend in the air then slap the water as the fish would invert himself as to pin his meal to the bottom. Chris picked off two tailers of about 25" and one 28" Redfish that pushed a wake cruising across a sandspot. Both with a green with pearl belly D.O.A. Spotting a second school in the distance,we intercepted them as they made way along a shoreline of the flat on the dropoff side. These were MOGANS! Chris made his cast and hooked up first as I slipped off the poling stand and grabed a rod. I pitched to the head of the school also hooking up, as they passed up his fish now held back by a mear 8lb test line. Once we got them to the boat I released mine quickly and grabed his. Chris has caught one of the biggist fish in the school. About a 58" fish that bottomed out the Boga! I rarely get to see one that size come to the boat even using bait. Usually it's the younger, more aggresive fish that will compete for a meal, thus providing a hookup. Chris was excited and overjoyed with the catch. His personal best, he said! We took off to another area and finished the day off Flyfishing to single cruising Redfish. At one point, Chris had difficulty spotting a Redfish so I directed his casts from my vantage point. To the left, 80' out... 10 o'clock. To the left 5 degrees, a little more, LAY IT DOWN. STRIP STRIP, OK, LET IT FALL! BUMP IT,... STOP,... BUMP IT AGAIN, BAM! HIT HIM! I hollered. I GOT HIM! Chris had hooked up on a 17lb beauty and had never even seen him. It was AWESOME! Now THAT is team work! This had been a great day and needed to be remembered as such so, we packed up and headed in, recounting the adventure as we headed toward the dock. You know, I didn't see one guide out today and very few boats. It was nice! HEY, Check it out! I JUST BOUGHT A NEW BOAT!!! In addition to my 18' Hewes Flats skiff I guide on in the Flats of Mosquito Lagoon. I am now the owner of a classic Pacemaker Center console Sportfishing boat made by the same company that now makes Egg Harbour Sportfishing Yachts. "Chaser" has a cruising speed of 20 knots, electronics, a full Teak deck and a tall tower with full controls and outriggers. It's a FISHING MACHINE! I'll be chartering it for some awesome offshore action. It's a great boat for trolling, catching fish and having a good time! Tell me what you think... www.redfishing.com/chaser.htm -- Thank you, Capt. Troy D. Nash www.redfishing.com 1-888-988-8987 |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Mosquito Lagoon Report 9/19/2003
Hi Troy,
That new off shore boat is beautiful. Very classic looking too. You have a great web site too. -- Bill Kiene Kiene's Fly Shop Sacramento, CA www.kiene.com "Capt. Troy D. Nash" wrote in message .. . This morning... The sun had just begun to light the Lagoon as we reached the boat ramp. I launched the boat and we motored out the canal and were soon on plane leaving behind us an irridescent phosphoric trail. Headed to parts unknown, the boat ran atop a sheet of glass and dew strewn down the deck, drying as we were propeled further toward this days adventure. After an exciting 15 minute introduction through the maze of grass flats around bird covered islands and backcountry canals we came off plane and settled a little more than a hundred yards from a slough I knew was holding a school of Redfish and Big "Gator" Trout that were feeding on the droves of finger mullet holding in the area. As soon as the boat's wake cleared, we witnessed the carnage of an early morning meal by one of the local inhabitants. My long time client and friend Chris Cantrell armed himself with a rod and scanned the calmness for signs of more distressed baitfish. Chris let out a cast from more than 100' that landed downwind and behind his target. Working it through the area previously filled with fleeing baitfish returned no results. The Gator Trout can be unforgiving and this fish was no exception. Hey, what's that you have on there, I asked? It's a D.O.A. Jerkbait with an 1/8 oz. head, that's what you told me to get, isn't it? he replied. Too heavy for this skinny water I replied back. Try this. I handed Chris another C.A.L. and he says,... That's what I have on already! No man, it's not the color, it's the jig head that's the problem. It's too heavy! This ones rigged with a worm hook, try it! Chris likes to throw his own rod and tackle but knows to listen to good advice so, as I began pointing out fish feeding around the boat, Chris tied on the newly rigged lure. With the first cast, a little past and on the outer edge of the schooling baitfish THUMP! Kaplooooosh! It sounded like a toilet was being flushed. Chris reeled down into it and swept the rod to the side, snapping it with his wrist and sinching the line tight. He's on! Chris yelled as line began peeling off the reel. Feels like a nice slot sized Red! After five minutes and a little game of tug-a-war a MASSIVE Gator Trout became acrobatic boatside. Once I saw what it was, I said, just keep the line tight and don't pressure him. I'll get the net! That wasn't a Red, for sure but, I knew there was a school of them some where close by so, I tried to be as quiet as I could as I scrambled to get the net. Once we boated the Trout and took the customary photos,and measured him, about an 11 lb fish I carfully estimated, we were off in the direction I knew those Reds were hanging. The skiff slipped quietly ahead as I poled us along the dropoff of the slough. We hooked a trout every 50 yards or so, all 6 to 9 lbs. but, none as large as the first. Once daylight pierced the waters surface, the potholes became visible enough to cast to and there seemed to be multiple fish in each and every one. The sun had risen completely and the seabreeze began to ripple the lagoon. Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye and in the distance, I saw the slow bronze tell tail flash of a Redfish moving through one of the large potholes ahead. As we approached, there were multiple Reds lazily waveing their tales just below the surface of the water while rooting in the lush, green grass just out from the sand spots. This school of Red's recklessness was encouraged by the broken surface and abundance of food on the flats. At times, the Reds bluish tinted tip of the tail was all that was visible in the grass. Then, other times, the entire wrist of the tail would suspend in the air then slap the water as the fish would invert himself as to pin his meal to the bottom. Chris picked off two tailers of about 25" and one 28" Redfish that pushed a wake cruising across a sandspot. Both with a green with pearl belly D.O.A. Spotting a second school in the distance,we intercepted them as they made way along a shoreline of the flat on the dropoff side. These were MOGANS! Chris made his cast and hooked up first as I slipped off the poling stand and grabed a rod. I pitched to the head of the school also hooking up, as they passed up his fish now held back by a mear 8lb test line. Once we got them to the boat I released mine quickly and grabed his. Chris has caught one of the biggist fish in the school. About a 58" fish that bottomed out the Boga! I rarely get to see one that size come to the boat even using bait. Usually it's the younger, more aggresive fish that will compete for a meal, thus providing a hookup. Chris was excited and overjoyed with the catch. His personal best, he said! We took off to another area and finished the day off Flyfishing to single cruising Redfish. At one point, Chris had difficulty spotting a Redfish so I directed his casts from my vantage point. To the left, 80' out... 10 o'clock. To the left 5 degrees, a little more, LAY IT DOWN. STRIP STRIP, OK, LET IT FALL! BUMP IT,... STOP,... BUMP IT AGAIN, BAM! HIT HIM! I hollered. I GOT HIM! Chris had hooked up on a 17lb beauty and had never even seen him. It was AWESOME! Now THAT is team work! This had been a great day and needed to be remembered as such so, we packed up and headed in, recounting the adventure as we headed toward the dock. You know, I didn't see one guide out today and very few boats. It was nice! HEY, Check it out! I JUST BOUGHT A NEW BOAT!!! In addition to my 18' Hewes Flats skiff I guide on in the Flats of Mosquito Lagoon. I am now the owner of a classic Pacemaker Center console Sportfishing boat made by the same company that now makes Egg Harbour Sportfishing Yachts. "Chaser" has a cruising speed of 20 knots, electronics, a full Teak deck and a tall tower with full controls and outriggers. It's a FISHING MACHINE! I'll be chartering it for some awesome offshore action. It's a great boat for trolling, catching fish and having a good time! Tell me what you think... www.redfishing.com/chaser.htm -- Thank you, Capt. Troy D. Nash www.redfishing.com 1-888-988-8987 |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Mosquito Lagoon Report 9/19/2003
Bill,
Thanks for checking it out. That boat has been a lot of work but, it's a lot of fun too! -- Thank you, Capt. Troy D. Nash www.redfishing.com 1-888-988-8987 "Bill Kiene" wrote in message .. . Hi Troy, That new off shore boat is beautiful. Very classic looking too. You have a great web site too. -- Bill Kiene Kiene's Fly Shop Sacramento, CA www.kiene.com "Capt. Troy D. Nash" wrote in message .. . This morning... The sun had just begun to light the Lagoon as we reached the boat ramp. I launched the boat and we motored out the canal and were soon on plane leaving behind us an irridescent phosphoric trail. Headed to parts unknown, the boat ran atop a sheet of glass and dew strewn down the deck, drying as we were propeled further toward this days adventure. After an exciting 15 minute introduction through the maze of grass flats around bird covered islands and backcountry canals we came off plane and settled a little more than a hundred yards from a slough I knew was holding a school of Redfish and Big "Gator" Trout that were feeding on the droves of finger mullet holding in the area. As soon as the boat's wake cleared, we witnessed the carnage of an early morning meal by one of the local inhabitants. My long time client and friend Chris Cantrell armed himself with a rod and scanned the calmness for signs of more distressed baitfish. Chris let out a cast from more than 100' that landed downwind and behind his target. Working it through the area previously filled with fleeing baitfish returned no results. The Gator Trout can be unforgiving and this fish was no exception. Hey, what's that you have on there, I asked? It's a D.O.A. Jerkbait with an 1/8 oz. head, that's what you told me to get, isn't it? he replied. Too heavy for this skinny water I replied back. Try this. I handed Chris another C.A.L. and he says,... That's what I have on already! No man, it's not the color, it's the jig head that's the problem. It's too heavy! This ones rigged with a worm hook, try it! Chris likes to throw his own rod and tackle but knows to listen to good advice so, as I began pointing out fish feeding around the boat, Chris tied on the newly rigged lure. With the first cast, a little past and on the outer edge of the schooling baitfish THUMP! Kaplooooosh! It sounded like a toilet was being flushed. Chris reeled down into it and swept the rod to the side, snapping it with his wrist and sinching the line tight. He's on! Chris yelled as line began peeling off the reel. Feels like a nice slot sized Red! After five minutes and a little game of tug-a-war a MASSIVE Gator Trout became acrobatic boatside. Once I saw what it was, I said, just keep the line tight and don't pressure him. I'll get the net! That wasn't a Red, for sure but, I knew there was a school of them some where close by so, I tried to be as quiet as I could as I scrambled to get the net. Once we boated the Trout and took the customary photos,and measured him, about an 11 lb fish I carfully estimated, we were off in the direction I knew those Reds were hanging. The skiff slipped quietly ahead as I poled us along the dropoff of the slough. We hooked a trout every 50 yards or so, all 6 to 9 lbs. but, none as large as the first. Once daylight pierced the waters surface, the potholes became visible enough to cast to and there seemed to be multiple fish in each and every one. The sun had risen completely and the seabreeze began to ripple the lagoon. Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye and in the distance, I saw the slow bronze tell tail flash of a Redfish moving through one of the large potholes ahead. As we approached, there were multiple Reds lazily waveing their tales just below the surface of the water while rooting in the lush, green grass just out from the sand spots. This school of Red's recklessness was encouraged by the broken surface and abundance of food on the flats. At times, the Reds bluish tinted tip of the tail was all that was visible in the grass. Then, other times, the entire wrist of the tail would suspend in the air then slap the water as the fish would invert himself as to pin his meal to the bottom. Chris picked off two tailers of about 25" and one 28" Redfish that pushed a wake cruising across a sandspot. Both with a green with pearl belly D.O.A. Spotting a second school in the distance,we intercepted them as they made way along a shoreline of the flat on the dropoff side. These were MOGANS! Chris made his cast and hooked up first as I slipped off the poling stand and grabed a rod. I pitched to the head of the school also hooking up, as they passed up his fish now held back by a mear 8lb test line. Once we got them to the boat I released mine quickly and grabed his. Chris has caught one of the biggist fish in the school. About a 58" fish that bottomed out the Boga! I rarely get to see one that size come to the boat even using bait. Usually it's the younger, more aggresive fish that will compete for a meal, thus providing a hookup. Chris was excited and overjoyed with the catch. His personal best, he said! We took off to another area and finished the day off Flyfishing to single cruising Redfish. At one point, Chris had difficulty spotting a Redfish so I directed his casts from my vantage point. To the left, 80' out... 10 o'clock. To the left 5 degrees, a little more, LAY IT DOWN. STRIP STRIP, OK, LET IT FALL! BUMP IT,... STOP,... BUMP IT AGAIN, BAM! HIT HIM! I hollered. I GOT HIM! Chris had hooked up on a 17lb beauty and had never even seen him. It was AWESOME! Now THAT is team work! This had been a great day and needed to be remembered as such so, we packed up and headed in, recounting the adventure as we headed toward the dock. You know, I didn't see one guide out today and very few boats. It was nice! HEY, Check it out! I JUST BOUGHT A NEW BOAT!!! In addition to my 18' Hewes Flats skiff I guide on in the Flats of Mosquito Lagoon. I am now the owner of a classic Pacemaker Center console Sportfishing boat made by the same company that now makes Egg Harbour Sportfishing Yachts. "Chaser" has a cruising speed of 20 knots, electronics, a full Teak deck and a tall tower with full controls and outriggers. It's a FISHING MACHINE! I'll be chartering it for some awesome offshore action. It's a great boat for trolling, catching fish and having a good time! Tell me what you think... www.redfishing.com/chaser.htm -- Thank you, Capt. Troy D. Nash www.redfishing.com 1-888-988-8987 |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|