Ok, I'm finnaly going to post a fishing report after months of reading everyone elses and not contributing to this awesome website.
Fished Rudee last night until 0530 this morning. Got on the water at 2230 and the tide was way out, I have not seen it that low. Started out heading towards richmans cove to see if I could get some specks after getting some timley tips on saturday from Russ, thanks Russ! Stoped to fish my faverite dock light on the way there and got a small striper and a little puppy drum to get me warmed up some. Didn't stay at the light very long as I was itching to get around the corner. The Pup and Striper were caught on 1/4 oz red jig head and rootbeer paddle tail grub. Went past the bridge and around the corner to the Marina sign (always have to stop there) Got 5 small specks there around 10-12 inches. The water up to now was dead calm and it didnt seem too cold, but while I was getting the little ones, the wind started up blowing towards the back of the cove (didn't expect that) Gave up on the spikes and headed back to the cove to the left were I got a 19.5" speck on Saturday. Went all the way back to get out of the yak for a second and strech a little and dicided to make a few cast along the one fairly like dock with a mirror lure, first cast bam, good fighting fish, thought it was a nice trout, but turned out to be a 22" striper. Thought for a second about keeping him, but remebered that Rudee's striper rules are different,,,I think... so back he went. Got back into the yak and headed out to the point to slow troll the red/wihte mirror lure. It was tough at first because I was fighting the stiff wind, but it accualy probably helped slow the troll down even more. Started the first run straight accross the point , could fell the lure ticking the rocks on the bottom. At about the mid point the rod bows over and I grab it, it feels pretty good. The fish starts heading straight for the boat, winds now puching me back back to the left towards the rocks, and the fish is going to the right, behind me! Try to get the rod up high enough to clear the other two rods behind me, so I can fight him on the right side, cant do it, so basicly flipped the rod handel around behind the other two and grabed it with the other hand, SWHEWW! Still got him. Get him to the boat and hes the biggest Ive ver caught yet (glad I bought a net last week) Nice fish, Spent the next 15 minutes getting the hooks out of the net. By this time I'm back were I started the fist run. Set back up and make another pass, same spot fish on, fish off!! Continue making passes, probably the fifth pass bame fish on again, it feels realy good to, net, looks to be just a little smaller , fiddle with the net again, and back to making passes. Got a couple hits but no hook ups. Tides really rolling in now. Dicided to start working may way back, wanted to fish by the aquarium some before going home. Made a long troll on the right side of $$cove on the way out. Got a good hook up in front of a grass bed but lost him to. Fished the maring light a little and keep going. Last spot was the grass line accross from the aquarium, same technique, very slow troll. The tide was way-way up at this point. Got two more more there and lost one other. My toes started to go numb and decided pack it in. Got back to the ramp about 0530. The water was over the docks, crazy high and felt like bath water compaired to the air temp. which I think was around 37? What a great night. Ended up with 2 puppy drum (16") 2 Striper ( 22 & 17) 9 specks (5 spikes, 4 at 24, 23, 21.5 & 17.5). I hope they stick around a little longer!
I just want to thank all the guys/gals in this club for the info you have shared about our awsome sport. I promise not to be so dillinquent in my reporting from now on.! Ive got pictures and will post laiter when I get a chance.
Scott
Tan WS Tarpon 140
