by Rick Burns
Saltwater angling is like a box of chocolates you hope for a caramel, but wind up with a coconut cluster. Translate to angling terms: Even though you may go out to specifically target trout, you may end up hooking into a cat fish. One of the reasons why saltwater angling is so much fun is the fact that you just never know when venturing out. Well, such was one of the cases last week.
It was a trip with some newly met friends, clients, and very fine fishing dad and son combo. We motored out early to a at that Iâve been having some good luck with recently. Conditions were near perfect for the trout, with a little overcast sky and slight chop on the water. We had a falling tide and immediately set up a drift. It wasnât ten minutes into the drift when Jim set the hook into what we knew was a good fish. âDe finitely not a Troutâ I said, as it continually pulled out line. It wasnât, but after a few minutes of drag rippinâ and seeing backing line I havenât seen in a while, we knew what to do! Crank up and run towards it, we did. But the sound of that drag is better music to an anglerâs ear than any top 40.
After numerous regains of the line and some well fought tireless action on the light tackle by Jim, we saw what we were up against. Jim had hooked into a beautiful (ok, only a mother could love something that ugly) 5â nurse shark, running at probably close to 50lbs. We had to make a decision! I didnât want Jim and Jim to miss the early morning trout bite. So we took a chance to quickly bring her aboard, but the nurse didnât have the patience, nor wanted to stay with the patients any longer. She still had good life left in her, and broke o ff near the leader to fight another day.
Memories were talked about not nursing the nurse as we got into some decent trout catching throughout the morning. We started off finding them in three feet of water, and ended up catching the last few in about nine feet of water. Theyâre ready to go again for October. Stay tuned, as could be some more unexpected fish to come.
BITE REPORT: As mentioned, more trout will be starting to move in a little shallower and get better concentrated. e (cool) fronts this month as they call it, along with some rain should help drop the water temp a few degrees. And will only put the bite on more for anticipation of fall. Look for good grass bottom flats that are dimpled with sandy potholes. The perimeters of these potholes are where Trout like to stage and ambush baitfish that are passing by. Macks will be around town as well as we are already getting a few targeting the trout. Currently we are having one of the best influxes in quite some time. Reds will be cooperative around points and outer island banks. Troll and/or pole these points and banks working your baits or plugs during moving water to increase youâre hookup with one of these fine fish.
Be safe, and good fishing, on the nature coast âŚâŚâŚ.><> Capt. Rick
FORECAST BY: . Rick Burns……………><> Reel Burns Charters www.reelburns.com or www.homosassa fishingguide.com 352-201-6111 cell. P.O. Box 269 Floral City, FL 34436