4/29-Shallow Water Reds

[Capt. Brent]

ADVERTISE HERE

Was invited to go fishing for reds with Lewis from Bug-em-Bait in Wilmington and my friend Rob in the shallow flats of Southern New Hanover County. Knowing that Lewis has fished these waters a lot and I have only minimal experience down there, I was looking forward to learning a little more about the area.

Water temps started out about 60.0 F and warmed to about 66.5 F mid afternoon. We started out fishing some live mullet and mud minnows along the riprap, but no luck there. So we move to fish some marsh banks and oyster bars.

Lewis hookup up first with what appeared to be about a 25-inch red on a Hank Brown skitter jig, but it quickly threw the hook. I threw a D.O.A. CAL Shad Tail back in the same area and I was hooked up. A nice little 19-inch red to get the day started. After that, it died until late afternoon when I hooked up with a 25-inch red on a H.B. skitter jig. We saw two more fish with this one, but couldn't convince them to bite. Shortly thereafter, Rob hooked up with another little rat red.

All in all, it wasn't extremely hot, but we did catch some nice fish and I got to learn a few things about the area. Lewis was hoping to catch one a little larger so we could put his new tagging kit to use, but know Lewis, he'll have tagged his first fish by the end of the week. By the way, all fish were caught on artificial baits released to be caught again.

[WetDaReeL sportfishing]

Good report Brent I am really looking forward to getting out!!