Things didn't get off to a good start, but proper execution of Plan Redfish bailed out their trip.
See how Plan Redfish Saved the Day
Rudy and the Kozak Family have fished with me a couple times before. It seems like every time they have come down I managed to put them on great fish despite the conditions. Yesterday was no exception, as the winds were blowing and the seas were kicking.
Not a Great Start for Trout
I ran out to where we had been slaying the trout, but the impending river water and dolphins were making life harder than what it needed to be.
A couple times I got on a good trout bite only to have the dolphins crash the party. They were eating trout at the side of the boat!
Looking around, I found some birds along with a GREAT trout bite, but the trout were all small...too small to keep.
It was then that the river water showed up in full force. The contrast between salty and fresh was stark, causing me to make a big move to somewhere else.
This big move failed me. We only put a handful of trout in the cooler and had throwbacks. That several boats were parked on all of my fishing spots didn't help either.
Change of Plans
At what most people would deem to be "too late" in the game to switch gears, I decided that it was time for Plan Redfish.
Begin the Louisiana Hustle
I went to my first redfish spot...nothing. Second one...nothing. I call this the Louisiana Hustle: getting lines out fast, fishing for five minutes and bailing out if nothing happens.
Paydirt
The third spot landed me one, then two, and then it hit the fan.
Redfish were biting like nuts and being caught every cast, just like a fast trout bite. We had double and triple hookups on the shoreline with corks screaming in every direction as box filled up.
It never gets old watching those corks hit the shoreline and take off sideways through the water!
Always Try
One curious customer tossed a line out into open water and started catching some trout here and there. Trout on one side of the boat, redfish on the other!
Anyways, the bite died at redfish number 17. I made another couple moves and picked up the last three redfish to finish off their limit.
Another Great Day of Louisiana Inshore Fishing
It was a great day had by all! My biggest regret is not filming the redfish action! We ended the day with 20 redfish, 28 trout, 1 flounder, 1 drum and 1 sheephead. Not bad!
Tackle and Techniques
We used live shrimp on an Inshore Rig to catch all of our fish. Casting the cork against a flooded shoreline was the key to our success.
When I fish for reds like this there are two important tips I ask everyone to follow: First, do not pop the cork. It scares redfish more than it makes them bite. Secondly, when the cork starts moving just let the brute have it.
Redfish have hard mouths that hooks don't always set well in, so let him get that shrimp to the back of his throat before setting the hook. I tell people to wait until the cork is moving through the water like those barrels in Jaws.
It works every time!
