Post by Steve Sutton on Apr 25, 2010 12:57:08 GMT -5
Artificial Reefs
We still have a sheepshead and black drum bite while fishing the structure on the artificial reefs. Although this bite could disappear any day now I still suggest giving it a try. I believe that spring migration of “when fish are moving where” is about 30 days late. With that being said, “The sheepshead catching season could last until the end of April.”
Now time bottom options!
Another suggestion when fishing this area is to give bottom fishing a try on the low relief areas. Sheepshead and black drum school around any sort of structure offering up vertical feeds. Other fish such as black sea bass, ocean perch, triggerfish, blue fish, and assortment of other bait steelers prefer spot closer to the bottom. I always suggest taking some bottom fishing bait such as shrimp or squid. However, if you forget to take bait you certainly do have lots of options. The first thing is a piece of that what t-shirt that you are wearing or a corner of that towel that you used to wipe the boat off that morning. Anything white that naturally waves in the current makes for great bait. The second option for bait is to use what you have in the old lunch box. Now this could be ham, bologna, or even fried chicken. A third suggestion, which always works is to always take along a few Sabiki rig. These rigs for the most part are magic. If there is a fish within seeing or smelling range it’s going to attack it. These rigs come in all different colors and size hooks. I like to keep on board that have small, medium, and large hooks. The best new is that I have caught some pretty big fish while fishing for bait. I don’t know what but it seems like in some cases the smaller the bait the bigger the fish. If this happens to you I suggest down size your bottom bait. This is your sign to cut your used bait smaller so that it’s closer to the hook’s point.
The smartest bait of them all!
Photo taken by Captain Judy Helmey
This is a picture of a live squid and most people think that they are harmless. However, as with all of my stories there is more to know than you think! The first thing is under the squid’s tentacle is a beak that looks just like the one that a bird has. It’s very strong and can bite a hunk out of your finger. The reason I know this is because as I was trying to look at the beak I pulled back one of the tentacles and before I knew it the squid latched on to my finger. This sort of thing will cause you to jump up and act stupid. As if that wasn’t enough of an embarrassment the squid then spit the blackest stinking ink all over me. I then tried to drop it in the live well and they didn’t work so well and it landed on the floor. At this time it was decided that the squid won “fair and square” so therefore it’s still swimming today. From this day on I have release all live squid that I catch. If you look into their eyes you just might do the same thing!
We still have a sheepshead and black drum bite while fishing the structure on the artificial reefs. Although this bite could disappear any day now I still suggest giving it a try. I believe that spring migration of “when fish are moving where” is about 30 days late. With that being said, “The sheepshead catching season could last until the end of April.”
Now time bottom options!
Another suggestion when fishing this area is to give bottom fishing a try on the low relief areas. Sheepshead and black drum school around any sort of structure offering up vertical feeds. Other fish such as black sea bass, ocean perch, triggerfish, blue fish, and assortment of other bait steelers prefer spot closer to the bottom. I always suggest taking some bottom fishing bait such as shrimp or squid. However, if you forget to take bait you certainly do have lots of options. The first thing is a piece of that what t-shirt that you are wearing or a corner of that towel that you used to wipe the boat off that morning. Anything white that naturally waves in the current makes for great bait. The second option for bait is to use what you have in the old lunch box. Now this could be ham, bologna, or even fried chicken. A third suggestion, which always works is to always take along a few Sabiki rig. These rigs for the most part are magic. If there is a fish within seeing or smelling range it’s going to attack it. These rigs come in all different colors and size hooks. I like to keep on board that have small, medium, and large hooks. The best new is that I have caught some pretty big fish while fishing for bait. I don’t know what but it seems like in some cases the smaller the bait the bigger the fish. If this happens to you I suggest down size your bottom bait. This is your sign to cut your used bait smaller so that it’s closer to the hook’s point.
The smartest bait of them all!
Photo taken by Captain Judy Helmey
This is a picture of a live squid and most people think that they are harmless. However, as with all of my stories there is more to know than you think! The first thing is under the squid’s tentacle is a beak that looks just like the one that a bird has. It’s very strong and can bite a hunk out of your finger. The reason I know this is because as I was trying to look at the beak I pulled back one of the tentacles and before I knew it the squid latched on to my finger. This sort of thing will cause you to jump up and act stupid. As if that wasn’t enough of an embarrassment the squid then spit the blackest stinking ink all over me. I then tried to drop it in the live well and they didn’t work so well and it landed on the floor. At this time it was decided that the squid won “fair and square” so therefore it’s still swimming today. From this day on I have release all live squid that I catch. If you look into their eyes you just might do the same thing!
Attachments:
