September Sessions
Fishing after the tropical storms
- September 7, 2008
- 0 Comments
- By Story/Photos By Matt Badolato
Tropical Storm Fay was quite the nuisance for some, except for us fishermen. Fay's inundation of Central Florida left the freshwater tributaries (Seb. River, Crane Creek, Turkey Creek, Eau Gallie River, Goat Creek) flowing like Niagara Falls. Fish of all species love to congregate around flowing water, making these areas prime spots for snook, reds, tarpon a variety of others. The many mosquito impoundments throughout the Indian River Lagoon system are all equipped with culvert pipes that allow floodwaters to run off into the river. What many people don't realize is that these mosquito ditches are filled with tiny "mosquito fish" aka Gambias which are top forage for small snook and tarpon that reside near the culverts.
After a storm I like to fish around any of these culverts because they will look like little waterfalls and fish, snook especially, are usually hanging out where the waterfall empties in the river. DOA skrimps and small diving plugs work great for the schools of snook under there. Don't be surprised if a red or big trout is chillin' under there, too.
As captain Eric mentioned, the inlet outgoing tides are dirty, smelly, full of seagrass, but chock full of fish. All the debris kicked up by the storm's winds is floating out the inlet and crabs and shrimp are clinging to the grass on a free ride. You can bet that the tarpon and reds will be looking toward the sky for an easy meal.
The incoming tides are also great this time of year because they offer that nice clean water that fish like to feed in as well. Best bet is gonna be anchoring up off the tip of the north jetty and making long casts with live pigfish, pinfish, croakers or nice big, lively silver mullet. Use as little weight as possible to hold bottom, usually no more than an ounce, ounce and a half. Heavy leader, at least 40-50lb, is needed to pull the big snook lurking there out of their rocky homestead. Remember the limit is one per person, so catch your keeper and get out of there to minimize the crowds and don't be stickin' hooks in their mouths if you ain't gonna keep 'em.
One of the saddest things I've ever seen fishing is the constant war between the boat fishermen and the jetty fishermen at the inlet. You got guys in boats anchored up casting toward the jetty and you've got dudes on the jetty casting toward the boats. That is certainly a recipe for disaster. The enraged jetty fishermen will cast 3 or 4oz lead weights at the boaters, trying to hit them or their boats to warn them to move. Sometimes someone will hook up with a fish, either on the jetty or boat, and someone in the opposite fishing spot will tangle their lines. So say a jetty fisherman snags the line of a boater who is hooked up. I've watched the jetty fisherman reel in the other man's line, cut it, and now nobody has a snook to take home.
C'mon people! This is a tropical paradise full of giant fish! Can't we all just get along?! Pathetic!
Okay, enough ranting for me. So how about those waves this weekend! Thank you Fay and Ike! I've been slacking on my angling because the surf's been so great. I did notice a TON of mullet out there beyond the breakers and there were some HUGE tarpon busting through the freaked out schools of silvers. Once it calms down it should be a good time to nail some poon along the beaches, either from a kayak, boat, or even the beach. Big live mullet work best I think, with an 80lb leader and a big 'ol circle hook. Check out this tarpon my buddy Dustin Leader caught out of his kayak after Fay with his friend Mike McFadden. They cut it off after getting it close to the boat. No way or reason to lift a beast like that onto the yak, so after getting some great photos and video, they sent her on her way. Dustin estimated the tarpon to be around 130lbs. Pretty impressive for 15lb test!! Yeah bwoy!
Alright you aquanuts, I'm out for the week. If you've got any fishing stories to share, we're always looking for some pictures or reports. Email me at triplehelix@mail.com and show us what ya got!
Till next time/tide,
Matt B