A couple more

duckmanJR

After skipping fishing due to the weather  on Sunday which was terrible...I got out both Monday and today. The up side is that I was able to score a slam both days moving up to  # 136 and then # 137. The downside is I had to do this  report  from my wifes laptop  since my PC is not working with my Imgur account and I don't know why.
Both days I launched at  Wabasso and bounced around till I was able to get the fish need. Nothing was really spectacular except today my buddy David and I got on some super nice trout early....We only got 5 but they were all nice and mine was the best I have caught in a while.
Yesterday I  got  2Reds
[img]https://i.imgur.com/mmQ67e6l.jpg[/img]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/tA28Osvl.jpg[/img]

and got  1  today
[img]https://i.imgur.com/aDrMoUil.jpg[/img] 


The water is bad in more places than it's good. All but one Red was on a chartreuse CAL.

duckmanJR

One more.....

The last two days the trout bite has slowed some...the tide is different ( low outgoing till slack)  and not great for one of my better spots. We've been picking away though by keeping moving around with 6 - 8 each and a couple small snook. I saw a Red Thursday but no luck getting the bite. 
Today, was more of the same with even less trout with me catching 5. I also pulled two small snook and two Reds on the Key Lime CAL.... Water is for the most part trashed and I guess the jig fell in their face...

[img]https://i.imgur.com/TCeyzbSl.jpg[/img]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/MRYUuICl.jpg[/img]

But that makes it #138 .....but with both weather closing in and some duck scouting needed next week...it could end right here....but considering this is 52 more than last season....I can live with that. 

Taterskins

Duckman, been reading and enjoying your posts for a long time from a far away state. Thanks for the time and effort.

One suggestion - do you think that maybe you should update all of your reports and pictures in one, long thread so we can all look back on your year and find your reports all in one place?

duckmanJR

Thank you for the kind compliment. Sadly, I am an "old"...and would have no Earthly idea how to do what you ask.....

At this point I'm having a hard time with pics because IMGUR is not working properly on my PC...I have to load them to a post thru my wifes laptop. 

Marlinman

Hey Joe, we still need to catch up and chat about waterfowl. I too am heading out to shoot some ducks and geese...I can't wait, but the fish here will have too.

duckmanJR

Marlinman said:

Hey Joe, we still need to catch up and chat about waterfowl. I too am heading out to shoot some ducks and geese...I can't wait, but the fish here will have too.

Give me a shout...it starts this weekend !  I'll be scouting the next two days and then it's on for first phase.

duckmanJR

So, the last few days were trout and snook on CAL's but reds were absent.  Today was a pretty big turn around. It was good numbers of larger trout and a bluefish early....then a few small snook but...I got my Red. That makes it #139.

The big winner today was my buddy Dave....he had the "triple" slam.... He got 3 nice Reds on plastic to go with his 3 snook and several trout.... I'm glad we got out since the weather will turn cool tomorrow night and I will be busy looking for ducks tomorrow. 

Taterskins

duckmanJR said:

Thank you for the kind compliment. Sadly, I am an "old"...and would have no Earthly idea how to do what you ask.....

At this point I'm having a hard time with pics because IMGUR is not working properly on my PC...I have to load them to a post thru my wifes laptop. 

Duckman, you would start a Thread titled something like “Duckman reports 2018” and every time you report, instead of starting a new thread, you just go to that one thread and reply there.

Sort of like you’re replying to yourself, but it would at least keep everything in one thread. I think it might be neat for you to go back and be able to see your whole year in one place, pictures and all.

tunaman

and do it all with all 20 pics you have....good idea!!

ShoNuffNoah

Duckman, 

Do you change up your tactics any with this water being so clear and the fish being lethargic in the winter?  Slower retrieve, bigger baits, etc?
Thanks.

duckmanJR

Noah, I don't do much winter fishing....I pretty much go into hunting mode ( notice "duckman" ) .....and kill ducks...then snipe till the seasons are over in mid Feb....Till then I do very little.

With that said...Yes...slow way down in both presentation and in how fast you are moving while looking. You will find that most fish will be in a surprisingly small area..... when you find a fish....be thorough and look for more. 

As far as baits....downsize. A large live shrimp is a solid bet when sight fishing in winter.   

Also downsize your leaders....a Trout or Red will not break 15 lb if the drag is set correctly

duckmanJR

Also, when in winter...fish later in the morning....sometimes the best bite is 1 - 3 in the afternoon... 

My Turn

Joe: Do you like more natural or darker colors in the clear water?

duckmanJR

I prefer natural colors... A green back with white is good I think. I will use a tan color if I am trying to mimic shrimp.
But...I am never afraid to switch back to white if I'm not getting action.  

ShoNuffNoah

Thanks for the advice, Joe.

duckmanJR

Good luck Noah & My Turn.  
This year I will probably take a few more " rest" days from hunting. Some of my hunts are "high impact" with a fair amount of vigorous exercise in the course of the day and as I rapidly close on my 63rd birthday I find that stringing them together day after day gets tough.

On the "rest" days I will sleep in to the glorious hour of 6 or 7 AM....then after a nice breakfast do a little fishing.

Belfast Bill

Sounds like Heaven

HUNTINTHEWILD

Hey Duckman, how do you cook your snipe?  I usually just wrap mine in bacon but I am looking for some variety.

duckmanJR

HUNTINTHEWILD said:

Hey Duckman, how do you cook your snipe?  I usually just wrap mine in bacon but I am looking for some variety.

That is a standard....but I also do my other easy one...

Take a little butter in a fairly hot frying pan...but be careful you don't burn the butter.  Flash braise the breast both sides.

Reduce heat and add a big wad of butter and a big shot of Teriyaki to the pan...( or garlic teriyaki if you prefer)  
Simmer till the "sauce" is slightly reduced. While this is happening take some bread and toast it....medium.
Be sure to not overcook the breasts ( same with teal etc) ....pull the breasts and slice thin ...throw them back in the sauce and mix to coat with sauce....then place sliced meat on the toast and pour the remaining sauce over toast.

Viola!...Teriyaki teal ( snipe etc) over toast points...serve with a small side salad and it is a little slice of heaven!   

HUNTINTHEWILD

That sounds excellent!  I assume it works well for Dove in that case.

duckmanJR

HUNTINTHEWILD said:

That sounds excellent!  I assume it works well for Dove in that case.

Yes, It will also be fine for Dove.....

Jettypark

You need to give those fish a break... i bet they already know you by your Name LOL take up a new hobby...
Great job like always