Bait fish TROUBLES?

I really enjoying fishing live bait in the saltwater, BUT my last couple of trips I have struggled locating them. I also normally fish the low incoming tide, but when you have one day off and you can only fish in the morning it is what it is. So the high tide with artificials it was. 10lb braid and a gold crank bait. NOT SO BAD!!!

Low Incoming Tides

Lately I have been fishing the low incoming tide. I have been concentrating my efforts towards oyster bars at the mouth of creeks that have emptied during the low tide. I have set up shop as the tide comes back in, and the bait rush back into these creeks. Floating live bait on the out edge of the oyster bars has kept the lines tight recently. Pogies (NE Florida's Menhaden) have been the bait of choice lately. By early May the back sections of the Inter Coastal Waterway were full of large schools of hand sized Pogies. Bait fish of that size maybe perfect for other offshore implications, but slightly too large for the slotted reds that I chase. As the Summer months have heated up the larger Pogies have moved on. Now in late June those same waters hold thumb sized Pogies. These bait are a perfect grab and go for the Redfish, so hopefully they will stay around for a while. The Redfish have been really hot lately and a blast to catch.

The White Turtle

I suppose I should explain "The White Turtle." Recently my wonderful wife Amanda allowed me to purchase a boat. Of course my bass fishing buddy was politicking for a 70mph tournament bass boat. So when I chose to go in the flats boat direction needless to say he was slightly disappointed. Due to the fact that the boat tops out at 32mph he rightfully nicknamed it "The White Turtle." For me it's perfect, I absolutely love the boat. It is a 17 foot Hewes Tailfisher with a 60 hp Yamaha. It has all the little things including Power Pole, Minn Kota trolling motor, Raymarine Electronics, Sony Stereo system, and fiberglass push pole. I did have to make a couple changes to the boat once I bought it. Just some small maintenance oil change, fuel filter, and some wiring. Other than that everything has been wonderful. I have already had the opportunity to slay some Reds, and just for my buddy I put some bass in the boat.

Tight Lines

I have created this blog to document my fishing excursions. It also gives me the opportunity to express what I see and experience on the water. I have been fishing in some capacity for the majority of my life, and I am excited to share my experiences. Hopefully this will peek others curiosity towards fishing, and help them keep the lines TIGHT.