[j_f]

Still learning the saltwater game and looking for some feedback. Randomly had the day off yesterday, so took the Gheenoe out to Point Aux Chen. Located fish-- could see wakes/pushes, etc. but the water was too cloudy to sight fish unless the fish was pushing a wave. Put plenty of flies within striking distance, but they just weren't buying what I was selling. Threw shrimp/crab/baitfish patterns, a popper, light colors for contrast, dark colors for silhouette... nothing. It was VERY hot, we got out there a little late in the morning, etc, so not the best conditions, but wondering what I could/ should do differently.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Snakesurf]

I have better luck with weighted streamers (Clouser Minnows) that go nose down to the bottom then bump it. If they aren't feeding, they won't eat anything so you were not doing anything wrong.

 

[Smackdaddy53]

Some days that is how it goes no matter how experienced or what gear you have. It helps in most situations but you can’t make fish eat that are not eating. Now and then you might be able to coax a reaction strike but honestly there are days when they just will not eat and there are also days where they refuse everything and then like someone flipped the go light to green and they’ll eat anything within a few feet of their head.
One thing that really helps to keep in mind is presenting a fly or lure that is able to get into their feeding window. If fish are cruising low and you toss a gurgler and they swim right under it before they see or sense it they won’t eat it. Try something that gets their attention and gets in their feeding window in proper time.

 

[duppyzafari]

I tie flies for a couple of guys who fish that area and they always ask for sparkly things in vivid colors. Green Gurglers are a repeat favorite. I've never fished there, but I gotta think I wouldn't tie so many for them if the loud ones didn't work. Worth a try! Best of luck!

 

[Capnredfish]

Sounds silly. Did you bring a sandwich? Break one out and just look around. Fish willing to eat will appear. Never fails.

 

[j_f]

Ha! Awesome! If that's true, I'll be turning pro soon: I'm known as the guy who's never far from a sandwich. I once produced a (very smushed) PB&J from my pocket while hanging from a climbing harness. My buddies have given me hell about emergency pocket sandwiches ever since.

 

[Tyler White]

Sounds to me like you just need to go again…

 

[j_f]

Sounds to me like you just need to go again…

Easily the best suggestion on this entire forum!

 

[7WT]

How were you able to verify they were redfish and not mullet or?

 

[Drifter]

Yeah when its murky and they are just fat mullet pushing around!

 

[j_f]

How were you able to verify they were redfish and not mullet or?

Good question. If those were mullet, they were pushing a lot of water around.

 

[jmrodandgun]

took the Gheenoe out to Point Aux Chen. Located fish-- could see wakes/pushes, etc.

 

[jmrodandgun]

PAC is my favorite summer time stomping grounds. It's a very good fishery but it experiences a lot of small boat pressure. You're going to have to work at finding clean water and happy summertime fish. Especially with the heavy kayak presence.

Mullet make a wake that's narrow and erratic. Redfish push a broad wake that is very deliberate in it's movement. Mullet are nervous little critters so they don't hang out in the cleanest water. You will see them scatter like roaches. I usually leave if I see lots of mullet. I don't like them.

 

[j_f]

Definitely saw some erratic movement (which I assumed were not Reds), but also some big, straight-line wakes. Gotta believe there were some in there.

 

[vinnie]

Spoon flys worked well this spring.

 

[The Fin]

Sounds silly. Did you bring a sandwich? Break one out and just look around. Fish willing to eat will appear. Never fails.

Never failed while duck hunting! Great strategy!

 

[Smackdaddy53]

Spoon flys worked well this spring.

I like to sling spoon flies with a San Juan Worm teaser and a little ProCure.

 

[j_f]

Appreciate all the advice, Gents!

 

[kjnengr]

I usually leave if I see lots of mullet. I don't like them.

I kind of feel the same way. I've always heard that redfish eat mullet, but I've never seen a number of mullet swimming in the same area as redfish. It's usually one or the other.

 

[Smackdaddy53]

I kind of feel the same way. I've always heard that redfish eat mullet, but I've never seen a number of mullet swimming in the same area as redfish. It's usually one or the other.

Big schools of leg mullet will spook the hell out of scary redfish that have been pressured much in my experience.