Jay Brooks, Justin Mayer and I tried all over the Elizabeth River discharge area and eventually ended up at the cove. Not a single hit on the flats, the drop offs, the main channel, the oyster bars, that one weird structure in that cool spot, I mean nada. So we paddled up and joined the party.
And I figured "when in Rome..." and brought the minnows and bobbers. With a little luck, I found myself a nice little spot that turned out to be fairly productive. The action wasn't hot by any means but compared to my two buddies and the majority of the boats around me, I had nothing to complain about. I guess luck was on my side with 4 specks up to 20" on minnows, two on a slow jigged paddle tail of which one went around 25", and two around 18" while trolling a MirrOlure.
Release Citation Speckled Trout. Check.
I'm sure these two will pay me back one day with awesome reports where I end up the unlucky one.
After dark, Justin and I ventured over to the big striper grounds and tried our luck at cow tipping. Justin's free lined eel got the wiggle right and found a striper first. Exciting battle ensued and in the end we were hoping to stretch it an inch more, but 43" was the best we could do. Also, it had a bit of an attitude and stormed off before a decent photo op.
After several short strikes, missed hits and other torturous teasing, I got a 40"er to stay on the hook.
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| Photo by Justin Mayer |
As soon as I landed it I was wishing it was a few inches bigger, then it thrashed and head butted me in the nuts... reminding me. This was an awesome, strong, healthy fish (beside the sore near it's tail), that just made my night and I should be grateful.
After a few more hours with the action fading, I called it a day.
A great day... with good friends... good fishing... and a reminder not to take things for granted.
But you know darn well I'll looking to cross another off the list soon...
Nice work man! Let the games begin! :)
ReplyDeleteIf I lived down that way, it would be game over :)
DeleteGreat report man. That was a nice Speck you had there.
ReplyDeleteThank you Mr. Sanders.
Deletewhat is that you are looking for when fishing for specks? Do you just try to cover a lot of water or do you look for a certain kind of structure on the Elizabeth?
ReplyDeleteOver the years, I've discovered some patterns. Water temps, pressure systems, outgoing vs. incoming play a role in my head as to where I like to try. I'm not always right, but all those places (flats, dropoffs, main channel, actual discharge area, oyster bars, pretty much any structure) are worth a shot. The cove on the other hand... any given day in the winter... you just never know.
DeleteGood luck.
Another nice write up and great pics. Mean loookin' teeth on that spec!
ReplyDeleteTommy V in the house! Bustin' comments up on this piece.
DeleteThanks man.
Great start to the year already.
ReplyDeleteGotta do what I gotta do :)
DeleteThanks.
Nice Rob, I wish Jack and I were as fortunate to scoop up a big striper while we were down Sunday night... but that's fishing.
ReplyDeleteYou might not like the next post ;)
DeleteI'll have it up by late tonight.
Impresionante comienzo del año,unas fotos fenomenales,un abrazo.
ReplyDeleteGracias, amigo.
DeleteWay to go Rob, makes me wish we had opted for kow tipping instead of speck hunting after the club meeting.....
ReplyDelete