2/14/2018 0 Comments the ides of the tides (part 1)by Gritter Griffin
High tide, low tide, neap tide, spring tide, flood tide, ebb tide…that’s a lot of tides! It is often surprising how many people who regularly fish do not have a basic grasp of how tidal flow works. Even more surprising is that many do not have a real understanding of the effect that tidal movement has on the feeding patterns of fish. Perhaps it really shouldn’t be that surprising, though, when you consider that nearly every source one can turn to in order to learn how tides work seems to resort to a complex diatribe involving words like syzygy, quadrature, perihelion, obliquity, ecliptic, paragee, evection, and etc. I was raised in south Alabama and I expect most of those words, if mentioned in mixed company, would get you in social hot water pretty quickly. Agreed, the movement of the planet’s oceans is an extremely complex study. But, discussions of this subject often degenerate into a one-upsmanship intellectual debate regarding a multitude of the laws of physics as well as hieroglyphic-looking mathematical formulas. The good news is that you don’t need any of that mumbo jumbo to understand tidal flow and how it works. It is not necessary to understand the complexities behind “why” tides do what they do as long as you can get a grasp on “what” tides do and “when” they do it. By the time you finish this short article you will have all the information you need to sound like a regular old salt when you are talking about the tides and tide charts. And, you will be able to make practical use of this information. First, a few simple definitions: High Tide: as high as the water is going to get before it starts to fall again. Low Tide: as low as the water is going to get before it starts to rise again. Neap Tide: the tide at the quarter moon phases. Spring Tide: the tide at the new moon and the full moon. (It has absolutely nothing to do with the season of the year.) Flood Tide: the incoming flow of water during the period from low tide to high tide. This term just means the water is “coming in” or “rising”. Ebb Tide: the outgoing flow of water during the period from high tide to low tide. This term just means the water is “going out” or “falling”. Remember, for our purposes here, we only want to know what happens and when it happens. We are not concerned with why it happens except for a couple of generalities. Generally speaking, there are two tides per day. There is a high tide followed in six hours by a low tide which is then followed in six hours by another high tide and then another low, etc, etc. The times of each high and low occur at a progressively later time each day (about 50 minutes). The amount of rise or fall in the tide is directly related to the moon phase which is where the moon is in relation to the earth and the sun. Only two situations are of any concern. All others are a variation of these two. In the first situation the earth, moon, and sun are lined up in a row. When the earth, moon, and sun are all lined up in a row (syzygy) there is an increased “pull” on the water along this line. This causes the “spring” tide which is the highest a tide will get. The spring tide occurs twice each month. Once on the full moon and again on the new moon. In the second situation, the earth and sun stay in the line but the moon is ‘off to the side’ of the earth at 90 degrees. When the earth and sun are still in the same line and the moon has moved to the side of the earth perpendicular to this line (quadrature) there is a lessened “pull” on the water along the same line. This causes the “neap” tide during which there is less water movement. There is still a high and a low tide but high tide does not reach the same levels of the spring tide and the low tide is the lowest it will be throughout the cycle. The neap tide occurs twice each month. Once on the first quarter and again on the last quarter of the moon. Here’s another way to think of the monthly tide cycle that may help you get it straight. If you could stand in the same spot in the water for 28 days and follow the rise and fall of the tides it would go something like this: Let’s begin with a full moon and a spring tide. Remember, this tide occurs twice every month during the full moon and new moon phase. At the time of the high tide, the full moon is beautiful and the water is at your kneecaps. About six hours later, at low tide, you are standing on dry ground. Don’t move. You’ve got to stay right there for 28 days and watch the rise and fall of the water. The next day at high tide the water line at your kneecaps will be slightly lower than it was yesterday and at low tide there will be a little less dry ground at your feet. Each successive day at the time of the high tide the water will be slightly lower on your kneecaps than it was the preceding day and at low tide it will be slightly higher at your feet. By the time you have stood there for 7 days and reached the first quarter of the moon you will find that the high tide mark is now below your knees and at low tide the water level is at your ankles. You have now reached the first neap tide of the month. This is when the high tide is not quite as high or the low tide quite as low as during the full and/or new moon phases. This is because the moon is now at a 90 degree angle to the line between the earth and sun and the tidal forces are not as strong as when the earth, moon, and sun are all lined up. Over the next seven days (days 8 – 14) each daily high tide will now be a little higher and the low tide will be a little lower until the new moon. Now you have been standing there for 14 days. The high tide is back at your kneecaps and the low tide has you standing on dry ground just like it was during the full moon. Over the next seven days (days 15 -21), between the new moon and the 3rd quarter, each high tide will again be a little bit less high and the low tide a little bit less of a low until you reach the second neap tide of the cycle (3rd quarter of the moon) and the water level is the same as it was on day 7 at the first neap tide. Over the final seven days (22 – 28) you will again see the gradual rise in each tide until you are back at the full moon with the high tide at your knees and the low tide leaving you on dry ground. You can now get out of the water and go home with a new appreciation of the tidal cycle (and really wrinkly feet). This lunar cycle repeats itself over and over every 28 days. Now that you have a grasp of some of the terminology and how the tide cycle follows the moon, it is time to look at a tide table and learn how to interpret and use the rise and fall of the tides for the area you will be fishing. That all comes up in Part 2.
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2/7/2018 0 Comments the making of a "redfisherman"by Gritter Griffin
The water is completely calm mirroring the grass of the shoreline. The soft light of early dawn gives the water a look of depth that belies the shallowness of the flats upon which the boat is floating. The only sound is the faint call of distant gulls and the hum of insects. There! Just around that small point, a ripple on the surface, followed by a red-hued spotted tail identifying an early morning appetite in action. The cast lands perfectly just beyond and in front of the exposed tail. A short retrieve, a jerk or two, a huge swirl, a wrist-shocking jolt, and it’s on! The best part is that this whole scenario gets repeated about thirty times in the next 90 minutes. And, it’s not over yet. The rest of the day is spent casting into a school of reds or ‘blind-casting’ along the base of grass/brush/oyster-lined shores where the reds wait in abundant ambush. The sheer numbers of fish caught and the incredible fighting prowess of these fish is awe-inspiring. It is something that redfishermen have known for a very long time. And, finally, it has become inspiring to those that bring sport fishing to the American public. The following is an excerpt from a short article I wrote a couple of years ago noting that fishing has not only become America’s favorite pastime but makes up some of our favorite memories. What follows that excerpt is a bit of a reverie about how I became a “redfisherman” and where I think we, as redfish ambassadors, are now. You doze in the warmth of April sunshine. A soft breeze carries the scents of late spring and the promise of summer to come. The sounds of insects and children and muted conversation buzz in the distance. It is late afternoon in the south and you are fishing! It really doesn’t get any better than this whether you catch any fish or not. Time spent on days like this is invested in memories that pay dividends for the rest of your life. There are no special requirements for fishing. All you need is a little time, a pole, some bait and a creek, pond, lake or river. There may be no other “game” in which everybody, including kids, can “compete” on an equal level all the while enjoying true family time together. These are times that will be brought up at family gatherings for many, many years to come. “Remember when Jimmy caught that big ol’ catfish?”. “Remember when Angie fell in the pond but didn’t let go of the pole?”. “Remember when...”. Everybody at every family gathering has a fishing story. Do you remember your first fish? Almost everyone does. Mine was with my grandfather at a small creek in Wicksburg, Alabama. I was five years old. A thin cane pole with a red and white cork attached to the line. A redworm on the hook and I was in the business of fishing. The creek was slow-moving brown water holding all the mysteries of the world for me back then. Beaver tracks were in the mud beside me. A hornet’s nest was across the creek in a stubby tree. There was a stump sticking up right in the middle of the creek with a big green turtle sunning on top. My grandpa put the line right next to the stump, handed me the pole, and told me to watch the cork real close. I was supposed to snatch the pole hard if the cork disappeared. When the cork went under I snatched that fish out of the water so hard it went clear over my head and landed on the sandy bank behind me. It was just a medium sized bluegill but to me it was the world record of everything! I can still remember the red-gold, blue, and amber jewel-like colors gleaming in the light of the morning sun. I can still feel the gritty sand and the slimy goo clinging to the sides of the fish with it’s scaly-ridged skin rough to the touch. There was flopping and wiggling and a sharp sticking sensation of the fins in my hands as I got him off the hook “by myself”. We put it on the stringer to bring home. I also learned to bait my own hook that day. We caught more fish that afternoon and had a fish fry at grandpa’s that very night with fish that “I caught”. In all my young life I had never been more proud than that night when I heard my grandpa regale everyone with stories of my fishing prowess. It is a fine memory worth holding on to. Fishing has been enjoyed for centuries as a way of relaxing and relieving the stresses of everyday life. Initially employed as a means of feeding the family, fishing has become “America’s pastime”. More people go fishing each year than play golf, tennis, and baseball combined with more than 975 million dollars generated annually on fishing gear, lures, and paraphernalia. Some people fish from the banks of the rivers, creeks, lakes, and ponds. Some float lazily about in small boats of every description. Others speed along the waterways in stiletto-like boats looking for that new world record bass. Some are offshore buffs needing the fierce pull of the amberjack, cobia, grouper, marlin, or tuna to complete their fishing experience. Others are addicted to catching redfish! I made the “mistake” of going redfishing many years ago. It was all over with the first bite. A 34-inch bull that burned the drag right off my reel. Before I landed that fish, I was ‘holding drag’ with my hand like a fly fisherman. That red was hooked and so was I. And, I never dreamed where that first redfish hook-up would lead me. Over the next several years, I spent time learning about the redfish, it’s lifestyle, and its habitat. I learned of the devastation of the redfish population by offshore netting operations that destroyed millions upon millions of these wonderful fish. I learned about the restoration efforts begun by fishermen along the coastal areas of America. I learned how politicians, uneducated in the ways of the outdoors, nearly ruined that effort. I learned about how we, as fishermen, are paying the price for that restoration. Most importantly, I learned that our efforts have been successful beyond expectation. And now, befitting the return of a hero to the ranks, we honor the redfish by showcasing it as one of the most prized sport fish ever. And, competitive angling events were certain to follow. Begun by the Inshore Fishing Association (IFA), and followed up by many others, the idea of holding and showcasing redfish tournaments has come of age. The rest of America’s anglers are just now finding out what those of us who love these brawling, spotted-tailed fish already know; there is more excitement, more thrills, and more pure pandemonium with competitive fishing for reds than with any other type fishing. There is a personality and a “filmability” to this kind of fishing that has never been seen before. Part of it is the very nature of the folks who fish nearly exclusively for redfish. We are an independent-minded, free-spirited bunch who generally don’t take much guff from anyone. We have, for many years, been content to lie along the bottom tier of the fishing world, ignored by most and reviled by others of the “elite” fishing world of marlin and tuna, tarpon and trout, bass and boners. But, we were proud to be ‘redfishermen’. We have persevered through the hard times of the restoration of the decimated fisheries. We have formed a thickening of the skin that comes from years of being sneered at and told that we were fishing for “bottom-sucking trash fish”. Forever labeled as such by people who had never seen a big red blow a topwater two feet high, make a mad leap over a piling to get at a spinner, or run in voracious schools of thousands that literally make the water red for a hundred yards. These “redfish guys” are a hard-scrabble bunch whose love of the redfish kept them plugging away in the basement of the fishing world. For years these tenacious souls were barely able to eke out a living and constantly struggled to attract an uninterested fishing industry. Far from becoming disenchanted, they persevered, competed with each other, and formed clannish rivalries to spice up the action. And today, it is these same unheralded redfishermen of yesteryear that are emerging as the unrivaled professionals of today’s Redfish Tournament events. Now, we are suddenly thrust into the limelight. And a bright limelight it is. In the many years since the IFA first began The Redfish Tour, a new public awareness of just how exciting these competitive angling events are has been steadily growing. Televised events showcased these renegade fishermen and their “rivalries with an attitude” along with unbelievably hot fishing action. It was a mix destined for success and ready-made for TV! Never before had the viewing audience been treated to as many hook-ups, as many boated fish, as much personality, and as much fishing excitement as they have since the redfishing events have hit the televised market. And, now that thousands upon thousands of anglers have learned just how exciting this sport is, more anglers than ever before have come out to the coastal fisheries to enjoy some of that action for themselves. The mystery and beauty of the redfish, it’s extraordinary fighting strength, and the numbers of fish caught have combined with the “renegade” personality of the professional redfisherman to create a whole new genre of fishing action. Folks just aren’t accustomed to seeing 20-30 fish boated during a televised show and they love it! The excitement, and heartache, of those fish that are just over the limit being released coupled with the pressure of needing that upper limit slot fish for the big bucks is unavoidably addicting. Competititve fishing for slot-sized fish is, without a doubt, the most pressure packed, fun-filled, and exciting thing to happen to tournament fishing in a very long time. And, we need to be aware of it right now. Those of us that have been fortunate enough to enjoy these early stages of development are truly the leaders of our new industry. Our decorum and our actions while in the public eye will forever guide the growth of this sport. We should be mindful of the young people we influence and the impressions we make when we visit a new community. We need to maintain the independence of spirit that got us here and that keeps the rivalries fresh and alive but we need to do those things in a professional way that will speak volumes about our character. The manufacturing world has also taken notice of this fledgling industry and is casting a sharp and discerning eye on these tours (and us) for new opportunities to promote their products. Those of us that have been the bulwark for the development of this industry will be the ones that reap the rewards of its success in the years to come. It is time to persevere with class. It has been a long ride to get to where we are now. It will be an even longer one into the future. Let’s do it right. 2/7/2018 0 Comments it's tournament timeThank you all for the initial response to the new site! It is exciting to know that there are so many redfish enthusiasts out there who enjoy reading and learning more about our favorite fishy friend – Sciaenops oscellatus
Please share the site and the information on all social media and let’s make the Redfish Connection THE place to be for all things redfish. Tournament season is upon us and it’s time to get your tournament hats on and prepare for the 2018 competition. At Redfish Connection you can enjoy the redfish tournament season whether you are a diehard participant or an armchair observer because we plan to have every result, from every tour and every event - on a daily basis - as soon as the weigh-ins are complete. So, come back regularly during tournament weekends to check on your favorite redfish angler and event. The weather is set to make a turn for the better so get ready Redfish friends it is about to be – ON! The Florida Pro Redfish Series is set to kick off the 2018 competition this weekend, on February 10, in their West Coast Division at Ruskin, FL. This will be followed by America’s Redfish Cup hosting their first event February 24 at Breton Sound Marina in Hopedale, LA. After these two openers the action will be fast and furious with several events every month for the remainder of the season so get in on the action by following all the excitement right here. We will also continue with our Angler Spotlight series with Barnie White next in the que for that segment. New writers/contributors are coming on board every week or so and we welcome participation by our readers. SO, if you have the urge to write about a special experience, want to share some nugget of redfish knowledge, or just send a cool pic, send it along to me at: gritter@redfishconnection.com Until next time …… Gritter 2/4/2018 0 Comments go low go slow go smallby Gritter Griffin
The title of this article may seem a little strange at first but when I tell you that I am talking about locating and catching reds in the really cold weather months it may make more sense to you. Redfish, like every other warm weather critter on the planet, have an inherent tendency to slow everything down in colder temperatures. Their metabolism slows, their pursuit of food slows, their digestion slows, their movements slow. They seek deeper waters which are relatively warmer. Here, where everything has slowed down for them, they seek slower moving, smaller, food choices. This information can be used to great advantage during the colder months because where you find one redfish you will likely find dozens or even hundreds. They tend to congregate in areas where there is protection from the elements, a constant food supply, and a warmer environment. This phenomenon has been noted for many years in the Louisiana coastal areas where, during a really cold snap, you will see dozens of people lined up along the shores of the more inland, protected bayous. They can be seen hauling out red after red after red from the deeper pockets in the bayou where these fish have retreated for shelter from the cold and to take advantage of the more abundant food choices in the warmer mud of the deeper bayou bottom. But, these inland bayous are not the only places you can find reds stacked up. Check out the bayous you normally run through to get to your favorite fishing zones. Use your depth finder to locate the deep holes and pockets that occur at bends and intersections of the bayous. These deep holes will almost never be recognized or utilized by the vast majority of anglers but can frequently be a bonanza for the astute winter angler. Aside from holding large quantities of reds, these deeper pockets and holes will also contain debris that has lodged there over the years so be prepared to lose some terminal tackle – the results are well worth it. Other areas to inspect along your usual running paths are long stretches of bayou with steep sides and deep water along the edge which remains relatively protected from the worst of the winter chill. These areas usually serve as travel zones for the reds during the warmer months but are used as a protected home when it gets really cold. Redfish can lie in the waters along that steep drop and easily snap up food debris and smaller prey as they drift by on the tides both incoming and outgoing. Other areas that you can find concentrations of reds are large docks where big boats and tugs push off at high rpm. Their prop wash causes a significant depression in the bottom structure in front of the docking area and will often be loaded with reds during those really cold winter days. Your choice of bait isn’t as broad as it is in the warmer months since the reds don’t need as many calories during this time of slowed metabolism. They will still feed but usually do not forage as far nor use as much energy to chase a potential meal. Fast moving baits like spinners, swimbaits, and crankbaits will be ignored in favor of smaller, much more slowly moving, presentations. These cold fish have no desire to chase anything and are looking for an easy meal that won’t use too much energy to catch or to digest. So, your presentation needs to match this need. I like to use 1/8 oz to ¼ oz jigs with small curly tail grubs that can be slowly bounced along the bottom or “jump-dragged” through the mud and debris in the deep holes. Sometmes, in the right conditions, I will tie on a 1/16 oz jig with a very small grub or shrimp and throw the lure up-current allowing it to simply drift along the edge of the hole or dropoff. This presentation realistically presents the lure to the fish as though it were a small meal drifting along on the current. Scented plastic, especially the smaller “critter” shaped lures, work very well in these circumstances. If you aren’t a “purist” the best option at this time of the year is to use the real deal. Small pieces of shrimp or cut bait allowed to drift along the deeper reaches of these areas is irresistible to these wintering reds. One more thing to remember is that you, too, need to move more slowly. Patience is the key to finding and enjoying those winter hotspots. As usual, when you understand what the reds are doing and why they are doing it catching them becomes a whole lot easier. So, add this thought process and search technique to your winter arsenal. Your success will be your reward. by Capt. Mike Frenette
For the most part hunting seasons are either over or winding down but does that mean that your weekends should be spent on the couch? Absolutely not! Winter is the perfect time of the year to run your boat, play with your tackle, try different lures, and, oh yeah, stretch your line on some tackle-busting 30-40 pound world class redfish. Years ago, Bull Reds were frowned upon as “trash fish” as they are not the ones you want to keep to eat. Times are changing. There are many Louisiana sportsmen and women who do not judge the success of their trip by how many fish they bring back. Remember “back in the day” when a trip was judged by how many ice chests were filled? It was quantity that decided whether or not a fishing trip was successful. Louisiana’s finest outdoors resource is our wetlands. It is this very resource that is at risk due to tremendous losses caused by hurricanes ravaging our coastline, sinking of land from miles and miles of canals dug by petroleum companies, and estuaries being heavily impacted by the largest man-made disaster known to Louisiana history - the BP oil spill! All these events have conspired to create a big question mark as to what lays ahead in the future for our fisheries. That being said, Louisiana anglers remain extremely lucky when it comes to catching saltwater species such as redfish. In Louisiana anglers can expect to catch redfish twelve months of the year. Most other states do not come even close to the quality of redfishing that anglers who visit or reside in Louisiana enjoy. For the most part, redfish, especially the “Giants”, are considered seasonal. But in late winter there is one area of Louisiana that is considered “the” spot for large Bull Reds. That’s the Mississippi River Delta and most especially the region from Empire down south to the mouth of the Mississippi River. February and the next couple months are usually considered ‘stay at home’ months because we relate this time period to windy, cold and rainy days. And that can be the truth but squeezed in between the “uglies” you can experience days with first class conditions which present great opportunities for reds, especially the Giants. Where to Go Unlimited. That’s about the best description that I can give you. There are many options as far as picking a spot or an area to fish. Take a look at any chart, map, or Google Earth. It really doesn’t matter as you will see what I’m talking about. The delta region, especially the areas in Plaquemines Parish from Empire south to the mouth of the river, and encompassing both sides of the river you will find numerous cuts, passes, ditches, areas that spin off the river and head to bays or “edges” of the gulf. Where these “cuts” enter the bays or edges of the gulf the water is always moving and, as a rule, the higher the river, the more current you will find in the area of these cuts. Normally at this time of the year the river should be in the early stages of rising, so be looking for good currents in any of the cuts. Because of the water movement at this time of the year these areas carry large numbers of small baitfish that the larger baitfish feed on and yes, you guessed it, the big reds are searching out these larger bait fish. As the ol’ saying goes “Find the bait fish and you will find the reds”. And, as far as I’ m concerned, the Bull Reds are the top predators of the delta. The shorelines left and right of these cuts in waters six feet or shallower is what you will target. Usually, the closer you are to the cut the deeper the waters will be and as you move away from the cut the shallower it becomes. What to Use Certainly you can pick a spot and cast some dead shrimp or cut mullet next to the shore line and, yes, you will probably catch a couple of giants. But that’s just not my style. I prefer artificial baits for many reasons but the most important one is that you can cover so much more area than you ever will when fishing with natural bait. This is the time of the year that you will find the giant reds working very slowly along the bottom in search for crabs, mullet, pogeys, or anything else they can get their mouth on. They are not picky eaters during the colder months. You can almost bet they will eat anything in their way especially if it’s moving slowly. These fish literally hug the bottom during the colder months. So you shouldn’t be surprised when you catch your beast and find traces of mud on its stomach. Soft plastics and crank baits are my “go to” baits that I really like to use during the winter and you can bet my Plano Stow Away Utility Boxes will be stuffed with them. There are several reason for this but primarily because both can be worked slowly in relatively shallow water. As stated earlier, you are most likely to be fishing in six feet of water or less and using crank baits that are designed for deep water such as Strike King’s 6 XDs and 10 XDs. So a slow presentation is necessary and, used this way, these lures are are deadly. For the soft plastics consider Strike Kings Glass Minnow on a 3/8 oz. jig head. Certainly these are not the only baits that will work but over the years, and during this time of the year, they have proven to be very successful. Technique Working the shore line left or right from the cuts with your trolling motor really gives you an advantage as during this time of the year the giant reds, and even the smaller ones for that matter, are not ganged up in huge schools as you might find in the early fall. Instead, finding small packs roaming the bank is the norm. Using a trolling motor at very slow speeds allows a stealthy stalk along the shoreline. The first 100 yards in either direction from the cut are considered the “target zones”. When working left or right from the cuts position your boat so that you are going with the wind as this will make it easier for presentation of your baits. Pay close attention to the surface of the water at this time of the year. There might be just the slightest hint that action is close by. A small swirl, a tiny flip from a bait fish or, if you’re lucky, a “push” from the potential target. At this time of the year heavy activity of baitfish is not likely so be alert as any of these clues will alert you to the possible presence of the giants. When you see the first sign of any activity power pole down and work every inch along the bank. Even if you do not see signs of baitfish deploy your power pole about every 100 feet so that you can work the area nice and slow. It would not surprise me if by now you’re wondering why I suggested using deep diving crank baits in water of six feet or less. As stated previously this is usually the time of the year when the river waters are usually on the rise and usually the water temperature is cooler. So it is not unusual to have surface temperatures in the low 50’s or even cooler. And, as also stated earlier, the giant Reds are moving much slower than they would during the warmer months therefore being able to work your baits slowly is a priority. Working deep diving crank baits slowly in shallow water is very effective as the crank bait churns up the bottom leaving a “mud trail”. It truly is amazing how slow you can work these baits wobbling and chugging the bottom at the same time. All this commotion sends off tremendous vibrations that the reds pick up on and come to investigate. When it comes to the soft plastics and jig head, again, SLOW is the key here. Work the shoreline. Cast close to the shore and let the bait fall to the bottom, slowly drag the bait on the bottom for about three feet, tighten up with your reel then raise your rod tip up just slightly so that the bait comes off the bottom just for a second. Drop your rod tip and continue this process all the way back to the boat. You can also intermittently stop as you are retrieving along the bottom creating what’s called a “wounded technique”. This technique with the plastic baits stirs the bottom as well but in a moderate sense compared to crank baits. That is why the original H&H Cocahoe minnow and the Rage shrimp work well as both have great action when barely moving thus creating strikes during cool and cold weather conditions. Remember, it’s all about slow! Tackle Rods such as medium to medium/heavy action seem to be popular when anglers are pursuing the giants. Since, when targeting larger reds you might need a little extra muscle on the strike a little stiffer rod may help you in turning the beast and keeping it from heading into or rubbing along the canes. If you feel comfortable using light action rods have at it because as far as I’m concerned when it comes to fishing, the lighter the equipment the more fun to be had. A seven foot rod is perfect for a couple of reasons. This size rod allows you to make long casts, still maintain accuracy, and it is not too unwieldy when fighting the big reds. Reels are really just a matter of preference. Spinning reels and bait casters will always will be debatable and each type has its own camp of believers. Does it really matter? No. I’m a bait caster type of guy but the guy next to me might prefer spin casting. When you’re casting down the bank, basically in open water, both styles work just fine. Over the years using braided style lines have become extremely popular and when chasing the giants it becomes quite apparent that braided line in 20 or 30 pound test will truly give an angler “the edge”. During the colder months “the bite” might be very subtle and braided line is so sensitive that you will feel the slightest nudge on your bait. When casting soft plastics I usually attach an 18-24 inch leader of 20-45 pound fluorocarbon line to the braid to take the “stiffness” out of the braid. This makes the soft plastic bait look more realistic. When it comes to the crank baits keep it simple. Tie the lure directly to the braid. If you haven’t tried Vicious Braid or Vicious Fluorocarbon give it a try, it might soon become your favorite. Time of Day There is no reason to head out on cold days at the crack of dawn. During the middle of the day when the sun is at its highest is usually when the bite is on especially if the tide is an incoming. As the tide comes in the giant reds will begin working the shoreline as they usually stage from the deeper waters to the shallow waters with in coming tides. If at all possible, look for muddy bottoms versus sandy bottoms as mud bottoms gather and retain heat from the sun better than sandy bottoms. Always check for abrasions after each battle, as it is very easy for the line to become nicked due to the bony make up and sharp gill plates of the redfish. Having a good strong net such as a big Frabill is an important factor. Don’t chase the fish with your net. Simply wait for the right time to net your fish. Allow the giant red to get close to the boat and position yourself and the net so that the red is approaching with its head first. Get the head of the red in the net first. Turn the handle of the net perpendicular to the water and then lift the red in the boat. It’s ok if the tail is hanging out of the net, he’s not going anywhere. Make sure you have pliers and proper hook removal tools as the mouth of these big reds are extremely bony. Having proper tools will prevent damage to the red when the hook is being removed. Take a couple of pictures and then release the big guy as these giants are not only old but they are our breeding stock. Studies have shown that redfish usually do not reproduce until their 7th year and that a 35-40 pound giant can be 20-25 years of age, if not older. And don’t just toss the red back in. Most of the time these giants have exerted themselves during the fight and a little thanks and assistance might be required. Cradle the red, gently lower it into the water, and then hold the fish by its tail. Sometimes they will swim right off but others might take a few minutes to rest. When they are ready they will simply swim out of your hand. Tips
And remember, having a successful trip isn’t always about “limiting out” Capt. Mike Frenette Redfish Lodge of Louisiana www.venicefishing.net I’m sure many of you who scour the lakes, ponds, bayous, bays, and waterways of the Gulf and Atlantic coasts for reds have, at least once, thought about the prospect of fishing for reds on the big time stage.
Let me just say this about that. Don’t! That’s right, don’t even think about it unless you are a little crazed or perhaps enjoy physical and mental torture such as you have never experienced before. I have followed the redfish tours (ALL of ‘em) for over seventeen years now and I confess that I often consider the fact that my mental faculties must be off to some degree. But, you must first realize that I am also a former linebacker who thought it was great fun to get hit head on by a 250 pound fullback running at full steam. After all the ringing stopped in my head I would always find something rather humorous about the whole situation. Anyway, I tell you that little story so maybe you can understand that those of us out here chasing after reds in a tournament format are, well, not normal. I suspect we all have a little of that “bent” character in our makeup. Here are 20 things to think of if you do decide to give it a go:
Good! You’ll do. Come on in. The water is just fine. And we are all really normal people out here – no, really, we are…..Mwahahahahahahaha 1/31/2018 0 Comments are you an "insane" redfish anglerWe have all heard the definition of insanity as - “doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result”.
This is, unfortunately, what many anglers do when targeting reds. Perhaps there was “this one time” when you “absolutely killed ‘em” at such and such a spot. Or maybe they are “always in this pond”, or “I only use this bait for redfish”, or “you can only catch redfish in the summer”, or “I can’t go after reds because there’s no live bait at the marina”, and on, and on, and on. I am surprised at the number of anglers that target redfish that are not aware of the life cycle and habits of the species – Sciaenops ocellatus. Redfish are known by several names with red drum being the most common. However, although redfish are related to the other “drums”, they are unique in that they are the only species in their genus. Redfish spend the first 3-4 years of their lives in the marsh and, after they reach sexual maturity, gravitate to the nearshore waters between late August and October to spawn. The larvae are carried back into the marsh areas by tidal currents where they spend the first year in calm and shallow waters. A one year old will be about 12-14 inches and weigh in at about a pound. Sexual maturity is reached at about 4 years of age and most breeding reds are 26 inches and over. While redfish continue to grow throughout their entire lives, after they reach 36 inches in length they tend to add more girth than length. One of the key characteristics of redfish is that they don’t travel far from the area of their birth except during the spawning migration. But they do move around based on food supply and water quality – not clarity! Contrary to popular belief, redfish are not “always” in clear water nor do they avoid murky waters. It is the fishermen who prefer clear water so they can see what is going on. Passing up stained, muddy, or fast-moving waters is passing up many opportunities to catch quality reds. You just have to go about it a little differently. Redfish are voracious eaters and will attack just about anything that remotely resembles food. Of course, live bait and dead bait are extremely effective but artificial baits of an endless variety are very effective as well. It seems that “real bait” anglers have a hard time making the move over to artificials and that is unfortunate because knowing how to use artificial baits opens up an entirely new and exciting way to catch reds. Another area I find that many anglers fail to grow their skill is in their angling education. Learning about the waters you are fishing - what’s going on under the surface - and how to best fish those waters is equally as important as learning to navigate those waters in your boat. One of the things I do when I have some time on the water is to spend at least part of that time (sometimes the whole day) searching different areas and different types of habitat and then just observing what is going on. You can learn a great deal about the general habitat and health of the area you are fishing by noting what animals you see, watching what the various wildlife is doing, and figuring out why they are doing it. Put the rods down for an hour or two and just watch and learn. Then when you see them, let those reds swim on by without submitting to the urge to cast. See where they go, what they do, and try to figure out why they are doing it. It won’t be long before you are able to read the signs of the water just like driving down the road. And, your fishing success will be your reward. 1/30/2018 0 Comments winter red tacticsby Danno Wise
February is generally a winter month in the strictest sense along the Texas coast. This is winter's final full month. But, generally Old Man Winter doesn't fade without a fight, sending down some of the year's nastiest weather during February. As a result, few fishermen venture onto the Texas bays during the year's second month. Of those who do get on the water in February, the vast majority of them are probing deep holes for coolers full of schoolie specks or wading waist deep mud tracking trophy trout. What is most often overlooked during the weeks bracketing Valentine's Day is the outstanding redfish action available up and down the Texas coast. One thing fishermen should keep in mind during February is as bad as the weather can be on any given day, it can be completely opposite a day or two later. Because of these ever changing weather conditions, fishermen are likely to encounter redfish in a variety of locations and see them exhibiting a variety of different behaviors during February. From shin-deep shallows to the depths of the ICW and everything in between, under the right conditions redfish will be found in virtually every type of bay habitat this month. The key is knowing where to look under the prevailing weather pattern and knowing what to throw in order to illicit strikes from late winter reds. WINTER HOME Although redfish will transition between shallow, mid-depth and deep water throughout the month, they will consistently be in areas that provide a good 'winter home.' Simply put, anglers need to focus on areas of their local bay which provide a variety of a depths and habitats in a relatively small area. Basically, these fish want the convenience of being able to transition to various depths quickly as the weather changes. What anglers should look for are flats that have small channels bisecting them and/or border major channels such as the ICW. Ideally, the bottom composition should be mud or a combination of mud and sand. Having shell, grass, humps and other features is a nice bonus. Essentially, the key is rapid depth change. But, the more features a fish can find within a short swim, the more likely it is to spend its winter in the area. The good news is once this area is found, fishermen can be assured the fish are there. They just need to find the right depth and specific location in the area based on the weather conditions at the time. FURIOUS FOUL WEATHER ACTION Probably the biggest surprise to those unaccustomed to catching redfish during late winter is the quality of action that can be experienced under some of the worst winter weather. Of course, there are degrees of foul weather during February. And, many of those find fish in different areas. Following a stretch of relatively warm weather, as the wind machine begins to crank, redfish will still likely be found in relatively shallow water. If anglers can find good quality water - likely along a lee shoreline - they may still be able to spot cast to reds in two to three feet of water. In this instance, the wind is actually an advantage. Although it does take some adjustment on the angler's behalf to ensure casts are accurate, the surface riffle prevents the fish from being too cautious or spooky. This generally allows anglers to approach closer to the fish. And, as the front is approaching, the fish usually begin to feed more aggressively. On warm windy days when the water is too dirty to spot fish or fish just aren't being seen, but are known to be in the area, blind casting while "power drifting" an area can be productive. Throwing paddletail baits is the best way to quickly cover a lot of water. If fish are scattered throughout the flat, there is no need to slow your drift with a drift sock - just allow the wind to push you quickly across a flat while you fan the area with casts. The closer an approaching front is to the coast, the more anxious fish will be to bail out to deeper water. So, under these conditions it is usually best to concentrate your efforts within a quarter mile of a deep channel. When the weather turns wind and cold, look for the fish to be in deeper water. Depending on the temperature, redfish may be cruising the channel edges or hunkered down on the bottom of the deepest hole or channel they can find. Only experimentation (or electronics) can help pinpoint their exact depth. Crankbaits run the length of a channel edge are a great way to find redfish under these conditions. When the fish are sulking on the bottom, use heavily weighted jigs. Traditional "tout" tails work well for this duty, as their slight profile allows them to fall faster than bulkier plastic tails. SUNNY DAY SUCCESS Although they represent a small percentage of late winter days, there are some absolutely gorgeous weather days during February. Generally, these occur a few days after a front passes through when the sky is clear, the sun is bright and the weather is warm(ing). When these conditions occur, reds begin prowling the shallows. Under these conditions, fishing the flats for reds isn't a whole lot different than it is during summer or fall. In fact, they exhibit much of the same behavior as they do when feeding in the shallows at other times of the year, which comes as a surprise to many anglers. For instance, often times when fishermen stumble across redfish tailing on a winter flat, they are astonished, believing this behavior is limited to the fall season. While redfish do tail in the fall, that's not the only time they put their nose down and butt up to feed. They'll do it anytime they find something tasty they need to root out of the bay bottom. This often happens on a winter flat, as do a number of other "summer and fall" redfish feeding behaviors. To attack reds in skinny water during winter, approach as you would in summer or fall. But do so more quietly. Really the biggest difference in winter flats versus other times of the year is how spooky the fish can be. This is primarily a result of the ultra clear water that usually accompanies a calm, clear winter day. Therefore, fishermen need to be extra cautious when approaching fish. Wading, poling or kayaking is best. It is also necessary to "lead" cruising fish an extra foot or two. And, when sight-casting, be sure to use a bait that lands softly on the surface. YOU CATCH FISH IN THE WATER Every fisherman has heard the joke where the old salt is asked where he caught his giant stringer of fish. The one where the cagey old angler replies, "in the water." That joke actually holds weight during the winter months. After strong northerns, there is often not much water left in the bay, as the tide is "blown out" with the north wind. On the days following a front such as this, locating fish is quite often just as easy as finding any water deeper than a couple of feet. Channels and holes are easily enough for fishermen to locate and, most often, they will be filled with fish. Generally the best thing to do in this "fish in a barrel" scenario is either to wade (stand) on the edge of the channel or hole. Boating anglers should anchor or stake out along the channel edge. This is not a situation that requires covering water. It simply requires fishermen to thoroughly blanket the existing water with plenty of casts. Keep in mind, this condition is generally short-lived, as a couple days following the front, the normal water level usually returns. But, while the water is out the action can be unbelievable. And, in this situation, it rarely matters what fishermen throw, as reds will generally strike with abandon. But, of course, this is but one of the productive redfish fishing scenarios to be had during February. In short, just about every day during late winter can be good for redfish. It is just a matter of adjusting to the prevailing weather and being willing to target late winter reds. Capt. Danno Wise www.LoneStarSalt.com 1/1/2018 0 Comments welcome to redfish connectionJan 01,2018 - Welcome all redfish enthusiasts to your Redfish Connection! This is an exciting time for all of us here at RC as we embark on a journey to bring you all things redfish.
If you are a novice, an avid weekend angler, a tournament competitor, or just interested in the sport of angling for redfish we will have information, tips, tactics, schedules, video, and podcasts all designed to unify the family of redfish anglers from the Carolinas to the TexMex border. I was bitten by the redfish bug about 18 years ago and I still get that same adrenaline surge on a hookup today as I did so many years ago. I confess that I had been a bass angler for many, many years before I was introduced to the world of the bad brawling, fast fighting, ornery redfish by my friend Corby Dolar. And, when that bug bit me, it bit hard! Back then, Corby was newly arrived in Alabama from the Florida Keys where stealth, poling, and long accurate casts were the methods of choice to catch those red beasts in the super shallow gin clear water of the keys. In those first few months Corby taught me many things about redfish and how to catch them. But, I am a man of science and it was the redfish itself and the study of its life cycle, habitat, and diet that intrigued me more than any other fish I had ever sought. Redfish (Sciaenops oscellatus) have an incredibly varied habitat, diet, demeanor, and temperament. And, it is directly because of all these variables that they are one of the most fun, most exciting, and most frustrating game fish to pursue. On the one hand they can be amazingly predictable and will eat anything you throw in the water (I have even had a bull red hit my trolling motor prop!) and on the other hand they will be completely unpredictable, be found nowhere, eat nothing, and frustrate the heck out of angler trying to pattern them. There’s nothing like them anywhere in the gamefish world. This is going to be your one stop shop for everything redfish so if you are looking for something and don’t see it let me know and it will happen. We will be adding content continuously in the form of updates, general information, blog posts, and more. Come along with us on this journey as we at Redfish Connection bring you everything there is to know about that pesky varmint that makes us all so happy, so mad, so frustrated, and so glad. |